End of Financial Year 2011-2012

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of the Wollongong RSL Bowling Club, it is my duty to present a report to the members on the progress and performance of the Club in the past year.

The past year has seen the most significant change in the history of the Club.

The Club undertook its capital works project and was transformed into a modern and appealing Club for all members and there guests.
The Club’s financial result for the year was a loss of $91,826.

With the Club being under renovation for the period of 7 months last year and without any food offering for a period of 4 months, the result is a lot better than it may have been.

The year that has just past was my third as the Club President and to say the least, the most challenging.

The Board continued to invest the Club’s moneys in term deposits with the Westpac Bank.

One of the challenges that we faced as a Board and Management team was to balance how long to keep the full investment of $2.85 million at the Bank whilst trying to pay for and complete the capital works project.

I am very pleased to say that after the completion of the capital works, the Club continues to invest with the Westpac Bank with a very healthy balance of $1 million.

The overdraft facility that was used during the capital works project will be cleared by November this year with strong banking from increased trade on a weekly basis.

As the year came to a close, the Board and management have once again closely looked at the financial position of the Club and have produced a very controlled and cost effective cash flow and budget for the upcoming year.

Last year as part of my report, I touched on what new and old club members were not only looking for but also demanding; Tab, Keno, Catering and function facilities along with a family friendly environment. I am very pleased to say that at the completion of the Club’s capital works project we now have a club that offers the following:

• Indoor/Outdoor Tab facility
• Indoor/Outdoor EGM offering
• Brand new Café and Brasserie
• Function Room options
• Spacious lounge and entertainment areas

As I did in last years report I would like to thank the Wollongong RSL Sub-Branch for all their assistance and for digging deep into their funds to assist in funding the capital works project at the Club. Once again thank you.

Outside of the capital works project, the Club also fully renovated green 1 by replacing the Rod Riley grass with the preferred Tiff Dwarf
grass. The Club will replace green 2 this year with the same process in an effort to make sure we have the best surfaces possible for our
members and their guests to play on.

The beginning of the new financial year has seen great growth in all drivers YOY along with a massive increase in memberships.
Our pennant results this year were very good with some very strong performances. The 3’s won the Zone Flag and were very unlucky up at Inverell not to win the State Flag. Well done to everyone that was part of the team. The 1’s made the zone finals going down to Dapto Citizens in the semis; Dapto Citizens went onto win the flag. All in all it was a great year and I would like to thank all players, the managers and selectors for their efforts this year.

The Board and management look forward to another good pennant season in 2013. I can assure you that the game of bowls will remain a priority of the board to ensure that both Pennant and Social competitions continue to thrive.

I would also like to congratulate the following on great results throughout the year.
Dylan Skinner – For representing Zone 16, Country and State teams.
C H Johnston, J Mitchell & C Macauley have represented Zone 16. Well done to you all - great bowling.

I would like to thank John West and the Board for their efforts and support along with the Supervisors, Bar Staff and Promotional Staff whom all keep the Club ticking along. To Brett Pieper and his Bowls Committee, thanks for your endeavours. To the green staff Les, Brendan and Matthew, thank you for your tireless efforts over the past year, which have seen our greens and surrounds remain in tiptop condition. To our members that have given up their time to drive buses, help out with barefoot bowls and coaching or to maintain our greens, many thanks. The work is very much appreciated.

I would like to congratulate the Ladies Club on a successful year and look forward to see the Ladies Club continue to prosper in the upcoming year.

To all those members who have lost loved ones during the year our deepest sympathy.

In closing, I would like to thank all the members that have continued to support the Club and our endeavours to provide the best possible facilities and look forward to another strong and successful year.

Thank you one and all.

David May, President, Wollongong RSL Bowling Club Ltd.