Jack’s Story
When you’re visiting Sorrento Portsea RSL, you might find yourself enjoying a drink at Jack’s bar & Lounge.
WHEN YOU DO, RAISE YOUR GLASS TO JACK.
Jack was Jack Lever. He was a resident of Sorrento, as was his father before him. In fact, his father was employed on his return from WW1 to plant the iconic Norfolk Island pines along the foreshore at Sorrento front beach. What a lasting legacy.
Jack was a soldier in WW2. He fought along the Kokoda trail and fortunately survived unscathed. He wrote a book outlining his life and the trauma he and his mates suffered at war. He captured the times perfectly, although parts of his writing make harrowing reading.
He is on the left in the second row of the “Welcome Home to Sorrento” photograph below, taken at a Homecoming celebration held at the Sorrento Football Ground, on 8th May 1946.
Welcome Home Ceremony
Sorrento Football Ground
8th May, 1946.
Jack was a regular at the RSL and a much valued member.
Yes, he was a real character, and yes, he spent a lot of time at the bar at “his local”.
We have chosen to name our members’ bar and lounge area “Jack’s”, to help remember him and his mates. And also to help preserve that precious human connection between us today and the real people who are Australia’s past and present servicemen and servicewomen.
So Jack is remembered fittingly, at Jack’s Bar & Lounge.
And through him, we remember and honour all those men and women who have served our country - those who sacrificed their lives in war, and those who returned from their years of service to live rich and full lives and contribute to Australia in many other ways over their lifetimes.
We will remember them.
