The future of the St Marys Rembrandt Dutch Club is uncertain, with the centre expected to be demolished within the next 12 months.
The Dunheved Circuit site, which has been occupied by the club for the past 40 years, has been sold to make way for warehouse development.
The 350 member strong group aims to promote inclusivity and celebrates Dutch culture in the St Marys community.
Members travel from all over to attend, with 110 from the Penrith region, 65 from Blacktown, 40 from the Hills district and others from around the state.
Board member Mia Joosten said the group has been searching high and low for a new site to relocate to but have so far been unsuccessful.
“There’s a few businesses behind our building as well and we all have to move out, it’s sad but things like this can happen,” she said.
“We’re looking for a big house or building with low rent, so we can keep our identity going.
“We’re the home of the Mt Druitt Lions club too, now we’re both without a home.”
Run solely by volunteers, the club has been well known in the community for decades, hosting their annual Dutch Festival and performing at local retirement homes, festivals and shopping centres.
They also offer Dutch-themed seniors events, activities, classes and celebrations with their very own traditional bar and kitchen.
“It’s all about bringing the Dutch culture to the local community,” Ms Joosten said.
“We work together with the Nepean Multicultural Access to support the development of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community, aiming to reach equality of opportunity and participation as well as improve the quality of life.”
Next weekend the group will be hosting a special celebration on famous Dutch painter Rembrandt for his birthday.
Traditional entertainment, activities and a Rembrandt exhibition will feature on the day.
The group is also holding a special garage sale to clean out their premises in preparation for the move.
“If we can’t find anywhere to go we might have to dissolve it,” Ms Joosten said.
The club will now continue their desperate search for a new headquarters.
Nicola Barton
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Nicola Barton is a news journalist with the Western Weekender, primarily covering crime and politics.