Vice President’s Message
Dear fellow members,
On Monday evening with the holding of the AGM, it marked the 1st year of the current Boards tenure and mine as the Chair of the Club Committee, what a year it has been.
The AGM had several highlights, the Board being able to report to the members the healthy financial position the club finds itself in and the marking of Mr David Hyland’s 50 years of membership. David has another 10 years to go to match Keith Shrimpton who we congratulate for his 60 years of membership with us this week. The two are linked as it’s the loyalty, dedication and support of the Boards initiatives by our members that has driven our success. I thank the members for their support, of myself and other Board members, often receiving words of encouragement and thanks as we did at the AGM, this is both gratifying and humbling at the same time.
We began the year excited at the challenges ahead to improve the business of the Club and services to the members. As a Board we sat down and created a strategic plan as well as identifying opportunities inside the club and within the local community to grow the business.
One of those internal opportunities was the reinvigoration of the Commemoration Cup Dinner Dance and our Club Person of the Year award. This is one of my highlights of the year. As well as being a great night It showcases the community spirit of our members.
Little did we know what was to come when Covid 19 came to visit NSW, we went from a plan of improvement to a plan of survival and then to a plan of opportunity. Thankfully Golf was one of the Covid safe activities for the Club, our members and the wider community on both a financial and mental health level. Many fine businesses will not survive this pandemic whereas the Club is in good shape.
While we have taken advantages of Government stimulus packages to make improvements like the Halfway bar and the cool room we were already tracking well when Covid hit the business. For example, following the strategic plan the Halfway bar was costed and approved prior to Covid.
On a golfing and social note, while the Commemoration Cup will be played and won and the announcing of the Club Person of the Year, we will most likely delay the Dinner Dance till we are able to mingle and dance to be in line with current covid safe policies. If we hold the event now, we would be in breach of these health orders. Watch this space, when we reschedule this event it will be the party of the year.
The main message from me is please continue to enjoy each other’s company, use the course, club and restaurant, but please follow the Covid rules; be safe look after yourself and your families, sanitise your hands, keep your distance, stay home if you don’t feel well and get tested if you feel unwell.
People that have not followed these rules have put businesses and more importantly themselves and their families at risk, please, please stay safe. I want to see all your smiling faces around the club for many years to come.
Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the success of the Boards initiatives come from the hard work of our GM Graham and his staff, the Pro shop and most importantly you, the members, thank you all so very much.
Till next time, keep your head down and follow thru,
Cheers
Alex Cicchini – Vice President