All human institutions have histories. Each has had a beginning, a purpose, an ideal.
Each has played some part for good and evil in the affairs of the people.
The Barrier Social Democratic Club (affectionately known to the "locals" as "The Demo" had its origin in 1903 and its purpose is emphasised in its very name, the achievement of social democracy. Its ideology is expressed in that title.

The Barrier Social Democratic Club was born of recognition of the need of education along working class lines, need of workers being drawn together in a social atmosphere where exchange of opinions and discussion of difficulties may proceed, and where some general community of interest may be exploited for the common good of all its members.

The Club had a modest beginning. In the early part of 1903 a small group of workers held a meeting for those who were interested in the movement.  The forty present decided to form what was known as the Social Democratic Club and the objects were:

The education of the people in the principles of social democracy by holding meetings, the creation of a circulating library, and the establishment of a club room, book depot and reference library for the use of members.

Women folk played a part in the club's activities and they formed a committee for organising the different wards that existed under the Act that governed municipal affairs.

Whether it is the stories of the lockout of 1909, the struggle for the 44 hour week, the fight against military conscription during the grim period of the war, the titanic struggle of 1912-20 in which the seven hour day and compensation rights were won, or the various other skirmishes through which the workers of Broken Hill have forged ahead, or the excellent service from our staff, the comradeship and friendliness from our members, the excellent range of choices from our diverse bistro menu or the entertainment we offer that draws the large numbers of members, guests and tourists to our venue is still to be ascertained but whatever the answer we will continue to "grow" the Demo Club for Broken Hill and its visitors.