Presidents Annual Report 2006/2007
Trading and Profit. The club increased trading in most areas during the 2006-07
except for our gaming area where our profit in that area was down by almost
$100,000. Bar trading profit and Keno profit increased steadily whilst other
income (raffle takings, commission on pool tables, bus hire, etc) and sports
trading profit decreased. Our overhead expenses increased by about 12% due to
substantial increases in repairs and maintenance (bus), salaries and wages,
membership promotions and depreciation increases due to club improvements. The
club is fulfilling our community responsibilities with not only charity days
but with donations to specific needs of our community. Overall the net profit
of just over $30,000 for the year was not what the board was looking for but
it must be realised that the changes to the clubhouse were needed to improve
member facilities. Although the net profit was down from the previous year the
board feels that the club is moving in the right direction with the benefits
of increased gaming returning the club to more profitability.
Committee. The current committee has worked well during the past year and I
would like to personally thank them for their efforts in having the club run
effectively. There are many tasks that they volunteer for that keeps the running
costs to a minimum. Again this year we have more nominations for committee than
there are positions and this shows that there are a number of interested members
ready to contribute. Some committee members may not be re-elected this next
year and I would like to thank them for their past contributions.
The committees of the golf and bowls clubs are the backbone of the sporting
mix at the Country Club and I must thank them for their contribution towards
the club’s success.
Staff. Our Secretary Manager Mark Whiting has now been with the club for almost
two years (almost a record prior to his arrival). During this time he has made
his presence felt in many ways and the club is the beneficiary of his talents.
These changes can be seen in the increase in patronage, increasing member numbers
and satisfaction in the staff for the work ethic.
Our office manager Dawn Stockwell has again performed admirably and her office
staff are only too willing to greet members and visitors as they enter the club
answering all types of questions thrown at them.
There has been little change in the personnel behind the Bar. Their happy attitude
and efficiency in keeping patrons happy is greatly appreciated and we are lucky
to have such a great bunch of people.
The green keeping staff, in my opinion, are as competent and capable a group
of workers as we could employ. They perform above themselves in keeping the
golf course and bowling greens to a standard comparable with any others. Head
green keeper Michael Hall and his three offsiders are to be commended.
What would we do without the great effort put in by the rangers in the golf
starter’s box. They have proved to be asset to the club and they keep
the green fees at a minimum level. Their enforcement and control of the course
has been tested recently but they have handled the matters convincingly.
You don’t always see him doing his magical fixes but we are in high admiration
of our handyman. If we didn’t have him you would find the club slowly
falling apart.
All of the staff needs to be thanked for their effort during the year in making
the club run effectively. It has been a pleasure to attend the club and feel
that you are in a friendly atmosphere and that you will be well looked after.
Membership. Our membership has grown considerably since I last reported. As
at 13/8/07 our membership was 2313 with 1598 social members. There was an increase
in all fees for golf, bowls and full members this year, after 5 years of static
costs. Both golf and bowls members were subsidised approximately $120 per member
to cover our sporting costs and the club is not capable of carrying that burden.
The card swipe on the tills is giving members one of the least costly local
prices for refreshments. Whilst this method of member reward is not agreeable
to all, it is the current most effective way of implementing loyalty. Visitors
are only paying prices that are comparable with our competition.
Smoking. The “Smoking” rules have now been in place for more than
12 months with their effects being felt throughout all Queensland clubs and
hotels. Revenue from gaming dropped considerably although the non-smoking rules
were phased in. the rules affecting the outside area, golf course and bowling
greens, does not appear to have any method about it. The government is about
to carry out a review and we can only hope that sense prevails.
Developments. The club has moved ahead with numerous projects started or completed
during the year and further development is envisaged.
Again as in previous years new and pre-loved mowers were purchased for both
the golf course and the bowling greens to replace well worn equipment.
The new watering system was eventually operable and water flowed from it on
17/8/06. Head greenkeeper Mick Hall has been utilising the new system since
then and the golf course and bowling greens do not have to go thirsty. The use
of treated sewer water is in the hands of Cooloola Shire Council (again budgeted
for the 2007-08 year) and this may happen before the council amalgamations take
place. Fairway watering is still to be installed on some holes of the golf course
and this will be done as funds allow.
The renovations to the clubhouse were completed in August, 2006 in time for
the clubs 40th birthday celebrations with minor adjustments made later. The
gaming area, along with ten additional poker machines, was moved to its new
room and the old gaming area converted to a sports lounge.
The new kiosk, located at the front of the club, has been dispersing prizes
of drink vouchers, Keno vouchers and raffle tickets, to members who swipe their
membership card. It will soon be dispensing the birthday vouchers, saving the
club the time required to create the current vouchers and the postage involved.
All the various washing and maintenance equipment the club uses has now been
hidden by the erection of a new colourbond fence.
The service area now boasts a new coffee machine as a result of requests of
members and visitors and after a slow start is proving quite popular.
Professional golfer “Ozzie” Moore was engaged to review the golf
course in order to raise the AGU rating. His report has now been used to commence
changes to the course, including at least one new dam and numerous mounds.
The starter’s box had a new cash register installed to ease the effort
of the rangers and to allow the data to be entered directly into our accounting
system.
The motorised shade cover for one of the two bowling greens was installed during
April 2006 and officially opened on 6th May, 2007. This summer will prove whether
the shade is worthwhile, although it has been used on occasions at the end of
last summer to the relief of players.
The club is now operating its own website on the Internet (www.tcbcc.com.au).
The efforts of Steve Dickson in creating and modifying the site are of tremendous
value and the club owes him a great deal of gratitude.
Social. The member cards are now operating in conjunction with our poker machines
giving members the opportunity to redeem points for monetary rewards.
The new weekly badge draw has proven to be a huge success with great drawing
power on Friday evenings. The Saturday “Second Chance” draw is won
regularly and hardly ever jackpots, proving that members are regular patrons.
The club is using local musical talent to entertain patrons in the club on all
Fridays, Saturdays and special function days. This allows us to reduce our costs
and promote the local music industry.
The club has continued to supply a courtesy bus service for those patrons who
apply caution to their driving. The club feels that we are fulfilling our social
responsibility in continuing this service. This service will continue to be
monitored to give the best service at the most appropriate times without being
a burden to the club.
The club, in conjunction with our caterer, entered into an agreement with the
supplier of “HOT ROCKS”. This form of cooking and eating has proved
extremely popular and we will continue to use this format.
The Christmas ham giveaway was repeated this year, utilising the kiosk at the
entrance to the club, with many happy members enjoying their winnings close
to Christmas.
The club’s charity days during the year had two new recipients with Cooloola
Coast Medical Transport and the oncology wing of the Gympie Hospital joining
regular charities Legacy, the Tin Can Bay P-10 School, the local Ambulance and
the local Lions club in receiving proceeds. Both bowls and golf collections
are distributed to the chosen charity. This year the club will also be joining
the Clubs Queensland “Smile for a Child” fund raising events.
The club is currently supporting the Tin Can Bay P-10 School’s “Good
Start” breakfast program and is also sponsoring the Tin Can Bay Cricket
Club (in order to have sport available to our area).
Australia Day, Melbourne Cup Day, New Years Eve and our own 40th birthday party
were hugely successful events and we expect those participants to return again.
The installation of a kids play area in the rear area of the club has proved
most popular with thoughts of a bigger area and/or more games on the horizon.
Stephen Wallis.
President, Tin Can Bay Country Club Inc.