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These were the primary objectives of the Ballarat Sportsmen's Club when it was formed in 1960.
They remain at the core of the organisation's mission 60 years later.
Everything these have brought to the table is captured in a new publication celebrating the six decades of the club.
The Ballarat Sportsmen's Club had big plans to mark its 60th anniversary this year, but unfortunately COVID-19 stepped in the way.
What did go ahead though was the completion of a comprehensive written history.
The 100-page book was revealed leading up to Christmas, with a handful of BSC members and invited guests given a glimpse at a special gathering.
It provides a comprehensive history of the Ballarat Sportsmen's Club's many activities, such as annual sportsperson of the year awards, and its many guests, made up of a who's who of Australian sport and politics
More than that though, the book gives an insight into Ballarat sport of the past 60 years - the great names and personalities.
The club originally planned to celebrate the diamond anniversary in May.
While this could not take place, the club remained determined to mark the occasion within the 2020 calendar year and the preview to official release of the history delivered on this.
The publication's official launch will take place at a gala dinner at Ballarat Golf Club on Wednesday, February 10.
This will replace what is usually the Ballarat Sportsperson of Year presentation.
Special guests will include Olympians Russell Marks, Shayne Reese, Robyn Maher, Steve Moneghetti and Jared Tallent.
The Ballarat Sportsmen's Club was formed after a series of preliminary meetings in 1960 featuring Ken MacKenzie, Rex Hollioake, Trevor Negri, Stan Burt, Arthur Martin, Ray Pierce and Bill Dunstan.
The first dinner meeting took place at Craig's Hotel, with 58 inaugural members.
Such was the popularity of the club, the membership limit was quickly raised to 65 and in the next year to 70.
Hollioake and Ray Murphy are the last surviving foundation members, with club now having 140 members.
Club secretary Bruce Valpied said the history book was something the Ballarat Sportsmen's Club could be proud of.
"It's the culmination of many months of work."
Valpied was part of the production team as joint editor with Peter Blackburn. Phil Roberts had the role of author and Darren Collinson oversaw design.
Roberts said it been a privilege to have a role in the production of the publication.
He said research had involved going through 600 pages of minutes as well as electronic records.
Roberts said there had been two noticeable changes to the club over the years.
He said when formed only two representatives from each sport were permitted to be members.
"It was a tight membership structure, but this has broadened and is now much different.
"Now the focus is on having sports enthusiasts as members."
Roberts said when formed, the club was exclusively a social organisation with no fundraising component.
He said again this focus had changed with the club in latter years providing financial support for the sporting community through the likes of the Ballarat Sports Foundation and WestVic Academy of Sport.