COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
2021/2022
our partners on COVID relief initiatives, run a lockdown staff engagement program, host group wide winter and Christmas collection drives, and execute several fundraising and community events. We are also proud to have delivered an incentivised Arm Yourself, For Macarthur campaign for our members (and staff) with tremendous results which provided assurance that on reopening we were the safest place to enjoy.
FROM THE CHAIRMAN On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to welcome all members, guests, and residents of Macarthur to this special edition of For Macarthur magazine and express our gratitude for your continued support through the wild ride of 2021. Together we were able to navigate the uncertainty and challenges of our second pandemic year and re-open after a 106 day closure to a stronger, more resilient team and community than ever before. I am pleased to share that despite the challenges, Wests Group Macarthur can report another strong trading year with positive operational results and developments progressing well. I would like to thank each one of our 80,000 members as well as our amazing staff for their contribution, passion, and commitment towards the progress and success of our business during these tough times. Thanks to the support of our patrons, we have been able to contribute $1,839,261 to local sports and community groups in the last year - assisting 26 schools, 44 organisations and 72 sports clubs and individual athletes and making a difference to thousands of lives. In 2021 we are proud to have worked with
We strongly believe in the role sport plays in the health and wellbeing of our community. As such, Wests continues to invest in grassroots sport, elite teams, athletes and volunteers through our Sports related grants, Wests Sports Council and accompanying annual Sports Award program. We are thrilled to have finalised a sponsorship with New South Wales Rugby League that reignites Wests Group’s long running and historical association to rugby league in Macarthur and cements our commitment to past, present, and future players kicking off early in the new year. Following a very disruptive year for construction works, we have plans to deliver some exciting development works that will further enhance the member experience with us including; • The final touches to our bistro eatery, The Kitchen at Wests League Club • An extension of our premium carpark facilities at Wests League Club • A modern refurbishment of our main function room/s at Wests League Club • The completion of Lakeside Golf Club Camden golf course renovation works • The completion of driveway and façade works at Country Club Gledswood Hills • The commencement of construction works at new venue, The Greens, off Camden Valley Way We are incredibly excited about the transformation underway at Wests Tennis Club clubhouse facilities at Leumeah. This major project is expected to deliver the best new venue in Campbelltown. We believe it is important to recognise the experiences, highlights, and achievements of the past year and to celebrate the unwavering spirit of the Macarthur community and our wonderful team. We hope you enjoy this special edition of For Macarthur Magazine. Wishing you good health and happiness for the year ahead. Alan Buxton Chairman
Board of Directors
PAUL LAKE J.P Deputy Chairman
WARREN THOMSON Director
MARTIN BULLOCK Director
STEPHEN NOYCE Director
STEPHEN STEWART
ROY WARBY Director
Director
For more on our community endeavours and sports sponsorship, or if you are interested in applying for funding please visit westslc.com.au/community
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WE ARE FOR YOU... WE ARE carthur
a M r o F
Wests is more than a group of clubs, we are a profit-for-purpose organisation that exists for the betterment of Macarthur. Our members play a crucial role in delivering community support services and supporting our important role in the community. We want to make sure we share this tremendous work so you know that when you support a Wests Group venue, you support Macarthur.
WHAT IS CLUBGRANTS? ClubGRANTS is a state-wide initiative that helps to facilitate contributions by Clubs towards infrastructure in support of sporting, health and community activities. WE HAVE GONE DIGITAL! Want to apply for a ClubGRANT with us? Simply visit the online portal www.clubgrants.com.au, check your eligibility and search for us in the ‘find your local grant round’ to get in touch.
DID YOU KNOW THAT OUR LIFETIME CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY TOTAL
OVER 23 MILLION!
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
WESTS HITS THE ROAD Check out our amazing new vehicle (pun intended) that will be used to help us get out and about and deliver on our important work in the community. If you see us driving about give us a toot!
Our Wests Group Macarthur rotating display keeps you up to date all year.
Country Club specific ClubGRANTS contributions on display in reception.
Check out our support for sport on display in the entryway to Wests League Club.
Stay tuned for a special new Wests community initiative in 2022 where we are looking to support life changing wishes for those that need it! 3
WE
COMMUNITY
Wests is proud to give back through a combination of ClubGRANTS funding, awareness activities, fundraising and events. Join us as we celebrate some of the 2021 highlights.
SUPPORT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IN MACARTHUR Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research conducts worldleading medical research, creating everyday miracle treatments to help us all live healthier, longer, happier lives. In 2021, Wests provided $25,000 in funding to go towards the YEAH Program - Youth Engagement in Active Health and Medical Research targeting students in the Macarthur LGA who have a passion in Chemistry, Biology, Physics and other STEM based subjects, to pursue a career in Health and Medical fields.
KIDS OF MACARTHUR Kids of Macarthur do an incredible job improving health care provisions for every child living in our region and Wests is a proud supporter of their work. Through a $20,000 ClubGRANT, Wests was able to fund the commission and purchase of a Panda Warmer for every birthing suite and maternity theatre at Campbelltown Hospital. Panda Warmers are specially designed warmed open cots which allows premature babies to move from humidicribs at a smaller weight to provide easier access to the baby for nurses and parents. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement from Wests and Kids of Macarthur in 2022.
CRISIS SUPPORT Wests strongly believes in support for mental health and the incredible lifesaving work of Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney. We were pleased to contribute $20,000 towards delivering much needed mental health and counselling services to the Macarthur region for another year. The range of services include 24/7 Crisis Support telephone line as well as financial counselling services and confidential support for those experiencing difficulty including stress, anxiety, growing bills, and difficulty coping. Together, Wests and Lifeline hope that by making further services available, the risk of suicide incidence and ideation will be reduced and provide an overall improvement to the health and wellbeing of the community.
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THE VALUE OF A GOOD STORY Wests was pleased to provide funding to Story Factory, a not-forprofit creative writing centre for marginalised young people in the region. This worthy project is all about building students’ literacy and creativity and empowering participants with the skills and confidence to find their voice and shape their future. The fantastic Campbelltown program saw almost 60 students enrolled and proved that stories can change lives.
MIRACLE BABIES Wests was once again proud to support Miracle Babies Foundation and their support for families with premature and sick newborn babies in the region. Covid-19 has made an already traumatic experience even more challenging for families limiting face to face support and resources available and placing strict restrictions on visits to the special care nursery. Together with Miracle Babies, we were able to provide resources to Campbelltown Hospital Special Care Nursery through the supply of up to 300 resource packs including NICU Survival Packs, Emergency Care Packs, Milk Express Packs and Grad Bags.
A SAFE HAVEN FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS Wests Group Macarthur has joined forces with Blue Wren House – Camden Women’s Shelter to support victims of domestic violence and homelessness. Wests has committed $20,000 per year for three years to BWH CWS’s “The Porchlight
SUPPORT FOR CYBER SEEKERS Campbelltown Senior Cyber Seekers is a computer club for seniors over 55, operating in the Campbelltown Local Government Area. Earlier in the year the club reached out in need of a defibrillator and Wests responded with $3,215 grant toward this purchase and associated First Aid Training for the Cyber Seekers centre.
Program”, and became the first official partner ahead of the shelter opening in January 2022. The shelter is set to feature a completely refurbished three-bedroom cottage, in addition to a brand new two-bedroom dwelling. These will provide safe and supported accommodation for five women and their children who are escaping domestic violence or homelessness.
MOTHER HUBBARD’S CUPBOARD Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard provides support for women and children fleeing domestic violence and those in the community in need.
PACIFIC COMMUNITIES CENTRE Check out how good the Pacific Islands Language School is looking in their new uniforms thanks to Wests. We were pleased to provide polo shirts for students so they could focus on learning about their cultural
identities including language, costume, traditional family values and ethics, respectful behaviour, singing, dancing, sports and leisure.
Wests was so proud to be able to support Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard with a $3,000 Grant towards the winter warmth campaign and the purchase of items such as blankets and essential winter items. Additionally, Wests committed $5,000 towards home establishment packs which will include laundry items and other household essentials for people looking to establish themselves in a new home following fleeing a Domestic Violence situation or finding themselves in new accommodation.
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MORE THAN MEALS
EVERYONE HAS A TURNING POINT
HELP
Campbelltown Meals on Wheels have been delivering meals to the aged as well as younger people with a disability in our community of Campbelltown for over 49 years.
DURING Wests are so proud COVID to have helped purchase Eskys, Icepacks and Tiny Tag temperature gauges to meet the demand to the value of $4,800.
The volunteers who deliver meals remained active throughout 2021 operating under strict Covid safety measures. They also offered important welfare checks on clients, easing the burden on families separated from their loved ones during lockdown which saw a steep increase in demand for meals at over 1,500+ meals a week.
Meals are not the only thing on the move too! Wests Group, via the Gregory Hills Next Gen Rotary provided funding for the the Camden Meals on Wheels Book Bus – a mobile library which provided much needed solace and socialisation for some of Camden’s elderly and most isolated residents.
HELP DURING COVID
SHINING LIGHT IN DARK TIMES
Wests was pleased to provide $5,000 for the purchase of supermarket items to support the Turning Point Camden emergency food relief pantry to assist families and individuals facing a range of challenges that limit their ability to purchase food to meet their needs. Relief hampers contained non-perishable items including long life milk, cereal, pasta, tins of tuna, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit and meal bases during the toughest months.
HELP DURING COVID
Shining Stars Foundation is a not-for-profit that focuses on the less fortunate, homeless, and disabled in our community offering outreach and participation programs and supporting those desperately in need. Wests Group is pleased to have provided $5,000 ClubGRANTS funding towards costs associated with providing emergency food relief during lockdown across the Macarthur area.
HELP DURING COVID
HIGH SCHOOL CARE PACKS Wests was pleased to support Thomas Reddall High school to provide over 60 packages for students who were struggling with online learning, the change of routine and missing their friends during lockdown. The packages contained colouring books, pencils, plant seeds, equipment for growing plants, puzzles and other items to help engage interest and decrease anxiety due to lockdown boredom and isolation.
NEW IN 2022! WESTS JOINED FORCES FOR FIRST RESPONDERS Three of the regions’ leading venue operators including Wests, Ingleburn RSL and Campbelltown Catholic Club are proud to announce a new community partnership with Beyond The Badge Ltd Australia - a not for profit that exists to support first responders across
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Australia to transition into alternative careers. The Clubs have collectively committed $22,500 through the ClubGRANTS program with monies allocated to helping bring to life a three day career transition program that took place across the venues in February. Program registrations were open to current and/or former Police, Ambulance, Fire & Rescue and Corrections personnel who live in and around the Macarthur region.
IN OTHER COMMUNITY NEWS RECYCLING DONE RIGHT! Wests is proud of our partnership with Hoxton Industries in South West Sydney and the outcomes we deliver together. Our Return and Earn program sees drink containers across Wests venues diverted from landfill to instead be recycled via Hoxton. Hoxton Industries go onto provide meaningful employment to more than 100 people who face barriers to mainstream employment, including people living with disabilities.
WRAPT IN LOVE WINTER APPEAL Lockdown cut short our 2021 Winter appeal with Macarthur Homelessness Steering Committee and Big Yellow Umbrella and forced the cancellation of our Love Squared knitting event but so many of our wonderful members had already answered the call and generously donated winter goods. Items included blankets, beanies, sleeping bags as well as beautiful handmade knitted items for the homeless and the needy, which we made sure were delivered in time for the cold spike.
Did you know over the past 12 months, this partnership has; DIVERTED 206,475 DRINK CONTAINERS FROM LANDFILL TOWARD RECYCLING PROVIDED 577 HOURS OF WORK TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH A DISABILITY DONATED OVER $20,647 TOWARD THE MISSION OF HELPING CHANGE PEOPLE’S LIVES THROUGH EMPLOYMENT
XMAS GIVING APPEAL 2021
ESCABAGS AVAILABLE AT WESTS NOW All Wests Group Macarthur venues are now proud stockists of Escabags Escape Bags for families or individuals escaping domestic and family abuse. Escape Bags are FREE tote bags filled with the necessities that a victim of abuse and his/her children may need when initially escaping a dangerous or abusive situation.
We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our wonderful community in what was a record Xmas giving appeal with Big Yellow Umbrella at the end of of 2021. We wrapped hundreds of gifts that had been donated from members and businesses around the region with gifts going onto families who otherwise may not have had presents under the tree.
There are two variations of Escape Bags including ‘Parent and Child’ and ‘Single Adult’ which can be available at our Reception desk – no questions asked – for those that need them.
WE LOVE GETTING OUT & ABOUT WITH YOU Although we had another year of spoiled plans, Wests team still managed to get active in Macarthur at a range of activations, council and family fun events. Fingers crossed for more opportunities to see you face to face in the community in 2022.
FUN AT FESTIVALS ON THE FIELD (APR 2021)
NSW BLUES FOOTY CLINIC AT CAMPBELLTOWN ATHLETICS CENTRE (DEC 2021)
ROCKING AROUND CAMPBELLTOWN FOR CHRISTMAS (DEC 2021)
For more information on our community support endeavours please visit www.westslc.com.au 7
THE HOME OF SPORT Community sport was heavily interrupted in 2021, however our incredible local sporting community made the most of the year with some incredible results and sporting achievements.
STARS OF LOCAL SPORT CELEBRATED
WINNER SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR Rachel Eagles Macarthur Triathlon Club
Wests Group Macarthur is thrilled to share the winners of the Wests Sports Council 23rd Annual Sports Awards, with each winner recognised for their outstanding contributions to grassroots sport, sporting accomplishments and sporting spirit. The Wests Sports Council is an integral part of Wests Group Macarthur’s commitment to sport in the region and aims to create simple pathways for community access to affordable and welladministered sporting opportunities to a network of sporting clubs and associations.
RUNNER UP Tim Whawell Group 6 Referees
WINNER SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR U18 Boys Wests-Easts Wests Hockey Club
WINNER ELITE SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR
RUNNER UP Senior 9th Grade Magpies Cricket Club
Tanveer Sangha Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club
WINNER YOUTH SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR (12-16YRS)
WINNER ELITE SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR
Taj Barrington Ingleburn RSL Softball Club/Softball Campbelltown
U10 Softball Campbelltown Representative Tee ball Team Softball Campbelltown
WINNER SPIRIT OF SPORT Samantha Mortimer East Campbelltown Eagles Netball Club
RUNNER UP Cheryl Brain Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club
RUNNER UP Rishab Luthra Magpies Cricket Club
WINNER JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR (U12) Jaxon Coleman Macquarie Fields Swimming Club
RUNNER UP Brody Willmott Macarthur BMX For more on the Wests Sports Council and Wests Group commitment to being the Home of Sport visit www.westslc.com.au/sport
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REIGNITING OUR RUGBY LEAGUE ROOTS Wests Group Macarthur has announced a significant milestone in their support of New South Wales Rugby League. We have committed to a major partnership agreement for one powerhouse competition for the 2022 season, including Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League and Group 6 Rugby League. The momentous deal will see Wests provide $330,000 via the ClubGRANTS scheme in support of 23 Clubs from Campbelltown to Wingecarribee comprising 447 teams and over 7,115 players and making this the biggest single financial sponsorship by sporting code in the history of Wests Group Macarthur. On the partnership, NSWRL chief executive officer David Trodden comments, “This is an exciting partnership for Rugby League in the southwest and it will help cement our commitment to past, present and future players of the game in the region”. Funding will be used toward encouraging local sport and positive rugby league pathways including player development programs, insurances, gala days, fees, uniforms, marketing and promotion and volunteer development. To get involved in local Rugby League visit www.playrugbyleague.com
MEET OUR WESTS SPORTS COUNCIL MEMBERS Camden & District Netball Association Camden District Cricket Association Camden District Umpires Association Camden Tigers FC Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club Campbelltown District Netball Association Campbelltown Ghosts Junior Baseball Club Campbelltown Harlequin Rugby Club Eschol Park Little Athletics Group 6 Junior Rugby League Group 6 Referees Association Macarthur Baseball League Macarthur BMX Macarthur Football Referees Macarthur Football Association Macarthur Football RAMS Macarthur Rugby League Macarthur Triathlon Club Macquarie Fields Swimming Club Magpies Cricket Club Metropolitan South West Hockey Association Mount Annan Swimming Club Oran Park Gregory Hills JRLFC Oran Park Rovers Softball Campbelltown Tennis Macarthur Wests Tigers Macarthur JRL Wests Hockey Club Wests Referees Association
CONGRATS TO OUR 2021 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS! JASON WEBB & TRACEY WOOD
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#TEAMWESTS There is no doubt our people are our greatest asset. Not only are our staff passionate about our customers but they always go above and beyond in their support for the local community. Check out some of the awesome initiatives of 2021.
WESTS STEPPED UP!
WEAR IT ORANGE
DRIVING OUT VIOLENCE
Wests Group Macarthur joined Campbelltown Domestic Violence committee and Campbelltown Council to launch a new 365 Days of Activism against Domestic Violence campaign in a breakfast event held at Wests League Club in November 2021. Sadly, Campbelltown LGA continues to have one of the highest rates of domestic violence in Sydney and in Camden LGA, domestic violence related assaults are unfortunately rising year on year. Wests has a strong position against family and domestic violence. We pledge to put an end to DV.
CAN GROW A MO! Wests partnered with local charity Mentoring Men for the 25twoZERO Movement to help deliver services that prevent men reaching a point of despair and crisis in their lives. On the 25th Feb, 2021, all four venues joined the 25twoZERO challenge whereby all rostered staff went head-to-head with a venue step goal of 250,000 each or 1million+ steps across the group. Our amazing team cumulatively delivered over 1.48million steps at an average of 12,673 steps each person and as a result Wests Group Macarthur donated $5,000 for the provision of free life mentoring services for men in the community.
Wear it Orange Day fell during National Volunteer Week in May and was a special day to thank all SES volunteers who generously give their time to help communities during flood and storm emergencies. Wests joined Campbelltown Council, Campbelltown SES as well as other local businesses to show our support for the day. Not only did we welcome our amazing local SES, we also had a visit from SES Mascot “Paddy” the platypus.
WE ARMED OURSELVES FOR MACARTHUR!
WEDDING WINNERS!
Our exceptional Functions & Events team cleaned up in 2021 at the Brides Choice Awards, taking home Best Golf Club Wedding Venue and Best Wedding Venue Co-Ordinator in Western Sydney. This is the fourth time in almost as many years that Lakeside has been awarded the Bride’s Choice Award for best wedding venue having taken the win 2017, 2019, 2020 and again in 2021!
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Shoutout to our MoBros for their efforts and to everyone who generously donated to our Movember team. TeamWests managed to raise a whopping $1534.65 to go towards medical research, ground-breaking tests and trials, life-changing men’s health programs and innovative treatments. Your dough helped save a BRO!
WESTS HAD A WRAPPING GOOD TIME!
As an extension of the Wests Arm Yourself for Macarthur member campaign, Wests management encouraged staff to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to keep themselves, each other, and their families safe. All staff who demonstrated they were fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and or were booked in for BOTH vaccinations had the chance to win a weekly $1,000 cash prize in the weeks leading up to re-opening. We are proud that 100% of our staff are vaccinated ensuring we provide a safe venue for our members and employees.
Wests Marketing and Community team helped to wrap Christmas presents at Narellan Town Centre in December for a $2 donation to Lifeline Macarthur & Western Sydney. Every present wrapped helps to deliver local crisis support, suicide prevention services and raise awareness of Lifeline Australia’s vision of an Australia that is free of suicide.
KEEPING CONNECTED DURING COVID Our mission throughout 2021 was to support our valued team with care packages, resources, and information but most importantly CONNECTION. After all, we really are a family. GRAND FINAL GRAB & GO GROWLERS
EMPLOYEE COVID SUPPORT FINANCIAL PACKAGE
WESTS CARES PACKAGES
Our Board and management team again displayed their ‘people before profit’ ethos and their understanding of the impact the shutdown has on our business and our people by immediately responding with a staged financial support package aligned with the evolving Covid situation. Delivered via a three-stage process, employee support included; • The guarantee of paid wages for remaining rostered shifts on the initial weekend of the shutdown as well as access to perishable food items on premises at the time of shutdown, including fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, and toilet paper. • A generous safety net contribution to support our employees during the initial two-week shutdown period which consisted of 75% of employees’ average earnings. • Offering different levels of support to employee’s based on their number of hours lost per week resulting in an equitable solution offering Living Wage Supplement payments to our valuable team.
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM During the lockdown, the priority for the board and management was the health and welfare of all West’s staff and staying connected as a team. As part of a dedicated employee engagement program, wests staff were engaged in a range of fun staff challenges, games, and activities to keep them connected to each other and the business. This included Virtual weekly challenges, Trivia, free footy final entertainment packs including grab and go growlers, pizza and wine and the development of a Wests Cookbook ‘Recipes of Wests’ by our amazing chefs. Plus, to ensure our team was looking after themselves, each staff member was provided with a fresh fruit and vegetable box filled with goodies to enjoy at home.
SERVICE AWARDS 2021 5
YEARS SERVICE
Helen Noble Abbey Sweeney Stephen Noyce Maria Muscara Anish Johnson Rachel Kendrick Patricia Dielman Bradley Murray Dana Murko Alexie Leikvold Tayla Kimmel Jessie Huynh Jordan Willis Andrew Robinson
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YEARS SERVICE
Jessica Pereira Adam Laws
15
YEARS SERVICE
Martin Bullock Julia Malguet Coreen Barr John Robinson Wade McKinnon Sue Ferguson
20
YEARS SERVICE
Lee Massey
25
YEARS SERVICE
Brett Nonenmacher
VIRTUAL TRIVIA
2021 HIGHLIGHTS • We welcomed our new CEO, Daniel Perkiss on 19 April 2021 • We delivered $235,423 in Staff Engagement & Reward Initiatives • Our amazing team is 100% VACCINATED against Covid-19 • 77 EMPLOYEES (11 teams) competed in the Virgin Pulse Go Step Challenge with teams virtually tracking their steps over 9 weeks as part of a global corporate health challenge. • Provided over 10,149 HRS of paid training to our staff
FARETHEE-WELL DANIEL Wests bid farewell to our Chief Operations Officer for the last 13 years, Daniel Grady. Thank-you Daniel, for your dedication to Wests and for your knowledge, expertise and for the humour you brought to the team. You will be missed.
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PROUDLY SUPPORTING
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
SPORTING DREAMS
TEAMWORK
LOCAL STORIES
ACTIVE KIDS SPORTSMANSHIP VISIT WWW.WESTGROUP.COM.AU FOR MORE
WESTS LEAGUE CLUB 10 Old Leumeah Road, Leumeah NSW 2560 www.westslc.com.au (02) 4628 4188
COUNTRY CLUB GLEDSWOOD HILLS 91 The Hermitage Way, Gledswood Hills NSW 2557 www.countryclubgh.com.au (02) 9606 5301
LAKESIDE GOLF CLUB CAMDEN 50 Raby Road, Gledswood Hills NSW 2557 www.camdenlakeside.com.au (02) 4634 5834
WESTS TENNIS CLUB 16 Old Leumeah Road, Leumeah NSW 2560 www.weststennisclub.com.au (02) 4626 2088