Sydney Mechanics School of Arts turns 190

But never let it be said Sydney Mechanics School of Arts is old or fuddy duddy.

While proud of its past, the institution founded in 1833 it remains to lift up working-class people, has its eyes fixed on the present and future.

For instance, it's keen to reconnect with TAFE NSW, of which it was a forerunner, offers grants to talented young people and is looking to being around for a long time to come.

As president Winsome Allen says: "We're getting out of that sort of, 'We're 190 years old' thing.

"We're in the 21^st century and the idea is to approach the broader community. I think it's going to be wonderful."

As in the old days, classes and events on offer reflect the interests of the time.

"Back then we used to have how to choose a horse. We had phrenology - that is, how to read the bumps on your head. We even had dental surgery, which makes you wonder!"

Today the school's modern headquarters in Pitt Street offers members everything from film matinees, poetry readings and topical talks by guest speakers, to mahjongg lessons, crochet groups, foreign-language classes and even how to write an autobiography.

Some events are members-only but are others that anyone happening to be in town can attend for a small charge.

Fancy watching a classic movie like The Wizard of Oz at lunchtime? The doors are open.

The school's central location in the CBD makes it an oasis of peace among the chaos outside.

Winsome said all are made welcome; they have people who live down past Wollongong or up the mountains and some come every week, and others once a month.

One of the SCMA's major attractions is the oldest longest-running continuous lending library in Australia.

It boasts 30,000 books and the latest newspapers, magazines and audiobooks.

"Mystery and crime seems to be our biggest thing at the moment," Winsome said. "And some of the books you just can't get any more."

"We've also got a beautiful theatre with fabulous seats. We get a lot of comments about that."

The SMSA has moved a few times over the years but its library was where many people went to advance themselves.

They included Billy Hughes, one of three prime ministers who were members.

Winsome said the Balmain umbrella salesman joined in the early days and often went without meals so he could afford to study there.

Other famous members have included journalist and suffragist Louisa Lawson, writer Miles Franklin and poet Henry Kendall.

In 2011, the SMSA opened The Tom Keneally Centre, which holds the author's private research collection and memorabilia.

"It contains the books that he's used for research. He's got thousands more books in storage, but these are the ones he thought were really most important to him," Winsome said.

"It's set up a private library with beautiful lounges, club chairs and tables. It's a lovely, quiet space."

Keneally is in residence in the centre from time to time and recently gave a talk on the 40^th anniversary of his acclaimed novel Schindler's Ark (List in the Oscar-winning film).

"It was packed out. We had waiting lists of people wanting to attend. Steven Spielberg gave Tom special permission to screen the film of the book at the event.

"So there are some wonderful, unique opportunities of being a member of the SMSA."

Winsome said members and non-members are assured of a warm welcome.

"People come here and form a little community. They might come here on a Saturday, perhaps there might be seven, eight of them, and they have their coffee or tea, chat to each other, read the newspapers and really love it."

Winsome admits the school has had its ups and downs.

"When all the men went to war, of course the membership really dropped, and it suffered by that. But we've been through depressions, recessions, wars, pandemics, and goodness knows what," he said.

"And I think it's because the people who are involved in the organisation over the years are so passionate about it. They make sure that it does survive."

Over the years it's moved several times. For many years its home was what is now the Art House Hotel.

The buiding was old and cost a lot to maintain and the rental income from the shops aout the front wasn't covering costs.

"Luckily Alan Bond came along and he decided to buy it and all that corner bounded by George, Park and Pitt streets.

"Then of course the corporation went broke, but our luck held. Kumagai Gumi came along and they honoured the contract.

While the club was intended meant for working men, Winsome said women have long been involved, though in chequered ways.

"We had women joining five months after we were established," Winsome said.

The crusading suffragist Louisa Lawson was a member of the debating club and became the first woman on the board.

"She thought, it would be way to achieve certain things for women," Winsome said.

"But she found after a while she couldn't get a word in - well, we're looking at 1890s - so she resigned."

Nevertheless, as historian Garry Wotherspoon notes in his history of the school, Lawson cleared the path for other fine female debaters.

Today, women are very much in the picture.

Among other things, the SMSA has a grants program for women who are excelling in their late undergraduate and postgraduate studies, often while having to overcome significant hardship.

Being such an old institution, it almost goes without saying there have been a few infamous members (male) as well.

In the early days, one used funds from the school to pay for his maid and butler. The scandal was covered up by giving him a pay rise.

"I think because it was such a conservative organisation, they didn't want the publicity," Winsome said.

And then there was the murderous former NSW politician Thomas "Lemondrop" Ley.

Many years before ending his days in Britain's Broadmoor prison asylum, he crafted his debating skills at the school en-route to becoming minister for justice.

He was sentenced for crime committed in the UK but at least one of his political rivals in Australia disappeared as he was on his way to accuse of Ley of trying to bribe him.

Winsome agrees it's all part of the school's rich history.

"Oh, we've had our ups and downs and when all the men went to war, of course. the membership really dropped. It suffered by that.

"We've been through depressions, recessions, wars, pandemics, and goodness knows what.

"And I think it's because the people who are involved in the organisation over the years are so passionate about it. They make sure that it does survive."

Winsome says some people have been members for most of their adult lives.

"We've got one fellow who's been with us for 62 years. Others have been here for 40 or 50 years. So people do tend to stay a long time."

"We haven't gotten much longer to wait till our 200th and we're definitely going to be here for then beyond for future generations.

Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney. Library open Mon-Fri, 8.45am-6pm, Sat 9am-1pm. Membership just $30 a year ($25 concession). Readers ticket $25 (students only).

Phone 02-9262-7300 or visit msa.com.au for more information.