PRESIDENT’S REPORT

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to present to our Members this Annual Report, detailing our Financial Results for 2021.

We began 2021 with the optimism that despite the Covid-19 pandemic continuing, we were through the worst of it, and it would be a brighter year for all. However, by the middle of the year, we were plunged into an extended lockdown that not only greatly affected our Staff and Members, hospitality industry, and community, but the wider Western Sydney region in particular due to the difficult restrictions that were imposed.

During the lockdown period, the Management and Staff worked together to come up with innovative new ways to stay engaged with our Members whilst they were at home. This saw the introduction of Virtual Raffles, Virtual Bingo, Virtual Trivia, Free Live Music at Home (which continued to support the struggling musicians through paid work), as well as food offerings through BlackBear BBQ’s drive through and the launch of home delivery with Workers Easy Express and Mango Tango Thai.

Most importantly, our Customer Service Managers stayed engaged with our vulnerable Members through Welfare Calls. Some Members were so grateful to have a friendly chat that the conversations could last up to an hour, and our wonderful Management team were happy to oblige. Thanks also goes to Tina Maamari, Community Relations Manager, and Harold Becker, our Welfare Officer, who made follow up calls to those Members who needed more assistance.

During this time, your Board of Directors continued to meet and make plans for the Group via Zoom, while Management continued to undertake our strategic plan for 2021 which included delivering on the promise of a major renovation of the Main Club at 55 Campbell Street. Despite the unprecedented restrictions to the construction industry during the lockdown, our flagship venue was able to reopen in early October, on the path to delivering on the initial stages of the redevelopment project.

In a period where our Members just wanted to come back to the club they know and love, there was a period of brand-new Covid-19 rules and restrictions as well as disruption and changes created by the ongoing renovation works. As always, I thank our members for their patience, support and understanding during these times.

Just three weeks after the re-opening of the clubs from lockdown, Members were able to walk through the new Grand Foyer and Walkway for the first time on Monday 1st November, with the first beer poured in the new sportsbar, The Shed, on the morning of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 2nd November. Our new bar, Redwood, opened on Friday 5th November.

In December, we officially opened the Grand Foyer and Walkway in a beautiful ceremony featuring a Welcome to Country by Erin Wilkins and a performance by the Nulungu Dreaming Dancers, a blessing which was our acknowledgement to the Darug people, the original custodians of this land on which our club is built. Our new Eucalyptus Dining restaurant opened to our Members on the same day, and I’ve been so pleased to hear the wonderful feedback on the delicious food from Executive Chef, Kiran Arora, and the wonderful service from Restaurant Manager, Jamie Williamson-Coates.

2021 was a big year for community support for the Blacktown Workers Club Group. Despite all the challenges that the year created, the Group supported the community with over $830,000 in contributions. This includes donations to local community partners through the ClubGRANTS program and our continued support of local grassroots sports.

In May I was honoured to make a commitment to contribute $500,000 over five years to support local organisations on the front line dealing with Domestic & Family Violence in our community. We followed through with grants to six organisations totalling over $96,000 in 2021.

Blacktown Workers Club Group also worked together to assist our community partner, BYSA. Over $100,000 was granted in support of Blacktown’s youth through our BYSA Outdoor Cinema Fundraiser, our CEO & CO Sleepout, fundraising through our donation tins and grants from the Board of Directors. I would also like to thank our building partners, Paynter Dixon, for their generous support to these fundraisers, including braving the cold (as I did) at the CEO & CO Sleepout.

We acknowledge our 13 Tin Shed members who were the founders of the club (1955-1960), our seven Life members, our 582 VIP (50+ years) members and our 5,877 Quarter Century (25+ years) members. My deepest condolences to the families of Tin Shed members #1352 Noel Beggs and #2182 Jack Shepherd. Our friends are in our hearts and will be missed.

The Board of Directors also faced some significant change during 2021. We farewelled long-standing Board members, Jim Buckley and Bob Vincent. We thank Jim and Bob for their service to their Members and our Community. We welcomed new Directors, Brett Fielding and Paul Hayes.

To my Board of Directors, thank you for your dedication and support this year. In a year of upheavals, we have achieved so much and I thank you for your tireless dedication and efforts as a group of volunteers. Thank you to the Management and Staff who again performed exceptionally well during another difficult year. I look forward to 2022 with renewed optimism for the achievements that we can make with a team, no matter what challenges we encounter.

I thank you all and wish you good health, love, and friendship in the new year. Keep smiling and be kind to each other.

Kay Kelly President Blacktown Workers Club Group