WHILE most clubs in Western Sydney are crying "poor" in response to the federal government's proposed pokie machine precommitment scheme, a Riverstone club is quietly supporting its community with little fanfare.
Riverstone RSL Club vice-president Eric Martin said it had donated "thousands of dollars" to sporting clubs, community organisations and charities without the use of pokie machines.
He was commenting on reports that hundreds of people had supported a rally organised by Blacktown Workers Club last week to protest against the scheme for fear their organisations would be deprived of funding by the club.
Mr Martin, 88, said all money raised from Anzac Day and other events were donated to widows or family of ex-servicemen and women.
He said his club also provided funds to rugby league clubs, schools and other charities from money obtained from the sale of its former building.
Mr Martin said his club's membership had dropped from an all-time high of more than 100 to about 45 members now.
Some Riverstone residents have supported the scheme on the grounds it would prevent gambling addicts from falling prey to poker machines.
A resident, who gave his name as only Bob, said his neighbour's son took his own life after he couldn't repay about $100,000 in debt resulting from pokies.
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