Unfortunately, with many of the members starting to feel too long in the tooth to run the club and no one in the younger sphere stepping up, it will close.

This year the party had presents, fairy floss, motorbikes, a barbecue, and even Santa showed up to celebrate 90 years and Christmas, and to say goodbye to a beloved community event.

Northern Midlands Mayor Mary Knowles said she was still face painting at 2.30pm, and the children had been very well behaved.

"It's been amazing really, heartwarming I guess to watch the families and watch the children," she said.

"But it's a little bit sad [because of the closing]. I have been involved since 1988."

She said over the years the event had not just seen children, but the children of those who once attended as kids too.

"It's a family event and this sort of day keeps our community connected," she said.

This year, 130 children went to the club party. Parents paid $10 per child towards the event but the committee fundraised as well to be able to purchase presents for the day.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The mayor said the community had lost many special spaces at Avoca and had been through much hardship.

She said she doubted the event would ever be brought back as it was quite a lot of work for the community.

"We figure we have actually done a lot. We have brought our community together every year but there is only so much we can do."

For example, every year the club organises a different way for Santa to arrive at the event. There have been helicopters, bikes and tractors but this year, Santa arrived in an original 1925 French made Lorrane Dietrich car.

"We have had the most amazing transport for Santa every year," Ms Knowles said.

Ms Knowles said she wanted to credit the late Helen Johnson, as the one who kept the club going between when the mine started it and when the association took over.

Helen Reynolds, of Avoca, and who has been involved with the club for more than 20 years, said she was sad to see the club go before it hit the centenary celebrations.

She said the age of many of the members made it hard to continue putting in the hard work needed to keep the event running.

"We had a lot of help today."

"It was absolutely beautiful, and that's where it becomes sad because you see the kids smile with their presents and it's going and it won't come back."

The club will have a barbecue and swim centre event next year before it truly closes for good.