Tin Can Bay Country Club Inc.
Presidents Annual Report 2008/2009
Trading and Profit.
The profit for the 2008-09 year is down slightly (almost $14,000) on the previous years profit. This was to be expected with the world economy experiencing one of its largest downturns for a number of years. A number of local jobs were lost and money became scarcer. The run of wet weather during the early months of 2009 caused the golf course to be closed for a number of consecutive days not helping the club turnover. It was not all doom and gloom though with spending on capital items increasing and maintenance of all assets being kept updated.
Bar trading was up slightly (2.5%), partly due to increases in drink prices as a result of government excise duties being increased and freight cost increases. These prices were still held within reasonable limits for the benefit of our members.
Our poker machines returned a better dividend to us with an increase of approx 10% over the previous year. This revenue allows the club to keep its fees and costs to a reasonable level. All effects of the smoking ban seem to have disappeared and Queensland leads the other states in the implementation of these laws.
After having a bumper year with Keno two years ago our income from this source has settled to a lower level and this year’s income was similar to the previous year.
Member fees were retained at the same level as the previous year keeping a
majority of golfers and bowlers happy. These fees will have to be reviewed on
a yearly basis to make sure that there is a reasonable income from this area.
Due to the wet weather the income from the sports area was down almost 6% over
the previous year and our expenses grew by over 13%. This meant that each golfer
and bowler was subsidised approximately $200 per player over the year. Hopefully
the majority of improvements to the golf course and the maintenance of all sporting
venues will decrease in cost this year.
Income from other areas increased by almost 17% ($23,000) but was offset by
a 6% ($49,000) increase of other expenses. This includes a depreciation cost
of over $170,000.
The overall net profit for the year came in at over $58,000 and the Board will
be maintaining its sensible approach to income and expenditure over the next
year.
Committee. I would like to thank the current committee for
their effort during the year. Unfortunately there were two resignations during
the year, Michael Clifford and John Ayre, and it was decided to continue without
any replacements.
The committees of the golf and bowls clubs have worked well during the year
with changes occurring on all committees at their AGMs. These committees effort
in keeping the sporting events flowing contributes to the club’s success.
I would particularly like to thank the golf club for its contributions towards
the cost of maintaining a prestigious golf course.
Staff. One of our regular stalwarts Dawn Stockwell retired
shortly after the Christmas break and the club will be forever in her debt for
her loyalty and work effort throughout the bad times as well as the more current
better times. We wish her well in her time of relaxation (more travel and holidays
to experience). Jo-anne Robertson has progressed to take over the reigns in
the financial area and she is capably fulfilling this role. The staff in the
reception area complements Jo-anne in presenting a cheerful face on entering
the club.
Mark Whiting has now filled the position of Secretary Manager for almost four
years and his guiding hand has seen the club go from strength to strength. The
stability at the top has allowed the club to prosper, even through some difficult
times.
When you look back over the year it seems that the staffing at the club has had little change but this is not always the case. About a year ago “Nicho” was employed as a part time bus driver and groundsman. He is now a full time member of our ground staff, as is the returning barman, now groundsman, Laurie. These two employees, along with our two apprentices, Brendan and Keegan, form head green keeper Mike Hall’s magnificent maintenance/implementation team. These five workers keep our sports members satisfied.
There have been a number of staff changes in the bar area for varying reasons. This is an area where there is usually high turnover of staff but we have managed to keep it to a minimum under the leadership of our bar supervisor Rick Clay. Service with a smile is the norm for this area of the club even though some patrons would test even the calmest bar person. A number of the female staff had time off to increase the local population and both babies appear to be travelling well.
There has been a major change in our “coach captain” with Norm Hubbard taking over, leaving his cab driving days behind. Our previous driver Bede is now enjoying the rewards of being a retiree but can be found on the golf course regularly.
Changes were made to the way our rangers were rostered and we now find that there is a different ranger each day of the week. These people perform a wonderful job and are an asset to the club. Our running costs for the golf course would be much higher if not for them.
Our silent but important employee is the man that maintains the clubhouse, our handyman Mick Low. His work is always on display and attracts favourable comments.
I would like to thank all our current and past staff for the effort they have made in making our club operate in an efficient and happy manner.
Social Responsibility. Our club is proud to be able to help
the community in many ways. We contributed over $2000 towards the Clubs Queensland
“Smile for a Child” charity drive, with clubs in Queensland raising
over $350,000 for the three recipient charities. During the year charity golf
and bowls days were held for
Tin Can Bay P-10 State School P & C,
Tin Can Bay Ambulance committee,
Rainbow Beach Surf Club,
Cooloola Coast Medical Transport group,
Legacy,
Tin Can Bay Lions Club.
The club raised funds through trivia nights for
Tin Can Bay P-10 State School trip to Canberra,
Clubs Queensland “Smile for a Child”
Direct cash donations were given to the following local junior sporting groups
Tin Can Bay P-10 State School Volleyball,
Tin Can Bay Cricket Club
Cooloola Crocs Swimming Club
Approximately $20,000 was raised or donated to all these groups.
Donations to the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal and the Premiers Flood Appeal from
our sporting clubs were supplemented by the Country Club for a total of over
$4,000.
The Tin Can Bay P-10 State School “Good Start” Breakfast program
ceased due to a lack of volunteers but the club was supporting the effort during
the last part of 2008.
Tin Can Bay and surrounding areas have a new outlet for their excess energy
with the formation of the Cooloola Crocs Swimming Club. The Country Club gave
a cash donation and support for the new club and wishes them success in the
future.
The Country Club again supported the Tin Can Bay Cricket Club with a cash donation
and they were able to win trophies as they have previously.
The club also gave monetary support to particular junior volleyball players
and swimmers so that they could further their elite careers
The local Coast Guard continue to have their successful raffles on Friday nights
and earn good revenue. Our clubhouse is always made available to local groups
to hold meetings or functions at minimal or no cost.
Liquor Act. The Queensland Government implemented a new Liquor
Act on 1st January this year. The effects of the act are our trading hours have
been reduced to 10am to midnight each day. We still have the right to determine
whether to operate during these hours or close due to lack of patronage. Harsher
legislation in regard to late trading and appropriate licensing fees were also
introduced.
Sport. The Men’s Bowls pennant team again were successful
in winning the Gympie district No 1 pennants (a feat they repeated this year
for the third time). This time they were also successful in winning the Wide
Bay Zone title and went on to compete against the Sunshine Coast champions (this
was where reality set in and they were defeated). The Ladies Bowls had moderate
success in their pennants and both clubs competed well in the Champion of Champion
series. Both men and ladies entered teams in the bowls Super Challenge for the
first time with mixed results – no winners but lots of experience gained
for this year’s competition.
The Men’s and Ladies Golf pennant teams performed to their maximum but
were unsuccessful in bringing home the trophy. The Holden Scramble returned
to Tin Can Bay for the first time for a number of years. A mobile phone was
purchased for the starter’s box so that golfers had direct contact to
gain information on the golf course condition.
The Mitre 10 Bowls and Golf day held on the Queens Birthday weekend again proved
hugely successful with a change in format for the golf.
I would like to again thank Ann and Barry Hudson for organising the fun golf
and bowls day with a number of participants coming away with a different appreciation
of the talents of the other sport.
Presentation nights for both sports highlighted the champions that exist within
our club.
Developments. The kitchen in the dining room was finally renovated,
removing some ancient equipment that the caterer had persevered in using. The
new open style cooking facilities will hopefully improve the output of our dining
facilities.
The wall between the sports lounge and the bar area was reduced so that the
view of the sports lounge is unhindered and seems to enlarge the clubhouse.
New honour boards for golf and bowls were installed near the reception area.
Additional TVs have been installed so that members and guests can watch their
favourite sport or show from the comfort of their chair.
The kitchen near the bowls greens finally appears to have had its roof repaired.
A number of tradesmen had previously tried without much success.
Due to the popularity of the coffee machine, our first purchase finally wore
out and another updated machine, using milk in its process instead of powder,
was installed.
Both the mens and ladies toilets in the sports lounge received a facelift with
new tap and basin ware as well as new dual flush toilets to save on water.
The third golf buggy shed was completed and it was expected that all members
with golf carts would have been satisfied. This was not the case with applicants
for parking spots creating the need for the fourth shed. This was also completed
during the year and is expected to be the final shed for some time.
With a concentrated effort from the greens staff the golf course now has fairway
watering on all holes, as well as block construction on all appropriate tees,
including sand buckets, making the golf course most presentable.
After again being rejected for a grant from the government the club decided
to construct two toilets on the golf course. Using the environmentally credited
composting toilets inside buildings that are solidly constructed the club has
finally given golf players a safer round of golf.
Using a donation from one of our members and the expertise of City Farm a row
of trees has been planted along Gympie/Tin Can Bay Road border. They are all
native to the area and should be of a reasonable height within a year or two.
Safety fencing has been erected on particular spots of the golf course to minimise
any danger of stray golf balls. Further investigation will be carried out to
assure golfers that they should be safe when playing on our course.
The club entered into an agreement with our computer software supplier to add
an on-line golf booking system. This system will avoid any disputes that previously
occurred when names were rubbed out on the booking sheets accidently. The software
was installed and became operational shortly after the end of the financial
year. Members can now book into a competition either by the touch screen in
the clubhouse or via the internet through the club website (www.tcbcc.com.au)
on their own P.C. at home. I would like to thank member Steve Dickson for his
efforts in maintaining the site.
Social. At last years annual general meeting life memberships
were granted to Col Orr and Col McKay after many years of dedicated effort in
helping the club.
Cycle Queensland held their annual ride with a stop and recuperation day in
Tin Can Bay this year. An entertainment evening was well attended by the cyclists
and we hope they will return.
During the year the club started running trivia nights aiming to have one at
the start of each season (four per year). They have proved to be very popular
with the bar area being used for one of them due to the numbers involved. They
have also been used as income generators for various charities.
The Christmas ham giveaway was repeated again this year with many club members
enjoying their winnings over the Christmas period.
The clubs role in celebrating Australia Day is growing from year to year in
the Cooloola Coast area. Golf and bowls have their competitions whilst the club
provides entertainment for the numerous children that come along. The club provided
a barbecue to keep all well fed with 500 sausages, 300 steaks, 39 loaves of
bread and heaps of salads being devoured.
At the end of the financial year the caterers for the previous four years left
to seek new challenges. The club was fortunate in finding a more than capable
replacement in Craig Stelmack and he has had the dining area buzzing with his
creations.
During the year a number of promotions jackpotted to a point that the Board
thought that it was appropriate to reduce the amount. Consequently we had a
number of raffle jackpots and member draw jackpots reduced and lucky patrons
share the excess amounts. The club will continue in this manner to keep our
patrons in an exciting and happy mood.
Stephen Wallis.
President, Tin Can Bay Country Club Inc.