Wests Publications March 2024

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

2023/2024 For Macarthur

Our Mission

TO SUPPORT AND CONNECT OUR COMMUNITY, INSPIRING A GREATER SENSE OF BELONGING

FROM THE Chairperson

On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is with great pleasure that I share the 2023 Wests Community magazine with you. This publication stands as a testament to the collective efforts, achievements, and impact we’ve made together throughout the past year. Within you will find stories that reflect our commitment to being a consistant and positive force within our community and the broader region.

Supporting the community is at the heart of everything we do. Over the last year we supercharged our investment in this space to the benefit of hundreds of community organisations, charities, sporting, and social groups supporting a wider range of programs, initiatives, and sporting grants than ever before. In fact, 2023 has been our biggest year ever of community contributions, growing year-on-year by 40% and representing $3,624,938 of which $3,103,598 was via the ClubGRANTS program. In tangible terms, this support has helped to deliver assistance to 38 schools, 91 organisations, more than 100 sports clubs and seen countless betterment and support programs delivered across the region.

Wests remains steadfast in our commitment to work actively and closely with community stakeholders and address issues head on that affect our local government areas.

We continue to believe in the vital role sport plays in improving the health and well-being of residents of the Macarthur region and how sport can enhance and strengthen the social fabric of the community. This was our original intent as a club and continues as our primary organisational purpose. Wests continues to invest heavily in grassroots sport, elite teams, athletes, and volunteers through our sports related grants, Wests Sports Council, and accompanying Annual Sports Award programs. In 2023, we once again hosted the Sports Volunteer of the Year awards, and the Wests Sports Council Annual Awards – really valuable and worthy programs to reward and celebrate talent and commitment in our sporting community.

2023 saw us continue or increase our commitment to the largest codes in the region, Rugby League and Football via our ongoing support for The Macarthur Rugby League Conference and the doubling of our investment via Macarthur Football Association.

Sport continues to represent the largest financial portion of our community investment now representing almost $1.2million in funding.

EXCITED TO SHARE WHAT’S TO COME

As the Macarthur region continues to grow, so do our facilities and we are excited to deliver and expand on experiences offered to our members and their guests in the years ahead.

Undoubtedly a highlight of the last year as the opening of The Sherwood, a unique, and very exciting addition to the Wests Group portfolio located at the former Wests Tennis Club site. We are so happy to see the community embracing this venue.

In other exciting news, we recently made a strategic land purchase alongside Country Club Gledswood Hills with the opportunity to expand this site in future to meet the growing demand in this area.

Lakeside Golf Club Camden has now completed golf course improvement work and continues to aim for high standards of golfing experience to compliment the lovely clubhouse.

And lastly, we continue to push on with our plans for a new venue The Greens, intended to be the most exciting new golf entertainment destination in the country.

We are incredibly lucky to have a dedicated management team driving the business forward as well as a team of our hardworking customer facing and back of house staff. We know it is our people that drive our business, committing every shift to create a memorable experience for our patrons, represent our business with integrity and passion and live our community mantra.

We recognise that none of this would be possible without the continued support of our members. Together, we have the power to shape a community that thrives in unity and support for each other and progress. Thank you for being an essential part of the Wests Group Macarthur community and continuing to choose our venues for your patronage.

I wish you good health and prosperity and look forward to continuing to grow our work in the community as well as celebrate 50 years of Wests with you in 2024.

Alan Buxton Chairperson

Pictured: Left to Right Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Perkiss, Director Stephen Noyce, Director Martin Bullock, Chairperson Alan Buxton, Director Stephen Stewart, Director Roy Warby, Deputy Chairperson Paul Lake, Director Greg Copeland.

“Everything we do is… for Macarthur”.

Wests Group Macarthur remains steadfast in its mission to be the heart of the community offering the very best dining and entertainment options, but also community support for our members.

We are committed to enhancing and strengthening the social fabric of Macarthur and will continue to;

• Provide financial and practical support through sporting contributions and community development programs.

• Invest on behalf of our members, in local issues that hold significance for them and are considered a focus area of the region.

• Ensure we honour your patronage of us as your local club of choice, by reinvesting into the community we love.

Didknow?you

In 2023 Wests Group Macarthur contributed over:

$3,624,938 in community contributions

$3,103,598 via ClubGRANTS

More than $1.51 MILLION more than liability

YOUR CLUBGRANTS COMMITTEE

In addition to working closely with the community organisations to understand challenges and working to address them collaboratively, we are proud to work with our fellow clubs and community stakeholders on a ClubGRANTS committee. This committee is made up of the regions leading Clubs, the Department of Communities and Justice, as well as local councils to ensure we are targeting our investment into the areas of main community need.

The last ClubGRANTS year has seen Wests;

WHAT IS CLUBGRANTS?

ClubGRANTS is a funding scheme designed to ensure that registered clubs in NSW contribute to the provision of front-line services in their local communities, offering crucial support to community organisations, groups, and disadvantaged members of the community.

Our support spans across the Macarthur region, including the Campbelltown, Camden, and Wollondilly Local Government Areas (LGA’s) prioritising areas such as Disadvantage, Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Food Relief and of course support for local sport.

Support

91 Local Organisations

Support

38 Local Schools

Engage

35,139 Local Sporting Participants

Support over 150 Grants and Initiatives

Want to apply for a ClubGRANT with us? Simply visit www.clubgrants.com.au or email community@westslc.com.au for information.

WE THE Community

Wests is intent on making the lives of our members better. In 2023 we committed more to our community than ever before through over 150 worthy initiatives, programs, and events.

We are a community club, determined to use our position in the community to do good and give back – especially addressing areas that are affecting the people of Macarthur. There were strong themes in the past year as people forge forward in a post-COVID world and deal with increasing financial and family pressures. Here is a snapshot of just some our important work via Category 1 funding delivered via the ClubGRANTS scheme.

FACING TOUGH TIMES - Together

SHINING ON STRUGGLING LOCALS

The Shining Stars Foundation provides pantry relief to families in need in Macarthur through comprehensive food relief services including the provision of essential food items, assembling emergency food hampers, and outreach programs to feed struggling locals. The initiative aims to address the urgent needs of vulnerable individuals fleeing domestic violence, and families facing financial stress, including those experiencing homelessness.

ClubGRANT - $ 20,000 Wests League Club & Country Club Gledswood Hills

A HEALTHY START FOR STRUGGLING KIDS

Wests is proud to support Breakfast clubs across our region ensuring young students in our community whose families are doing it tough are afforded a healthy breakfast to start their days off right. The Leumeah Public School breakfast club received a grant valued at $2,000 and supports 30-40 children in need twice per week as well as a smaller group daily for ten children who require even greater support due to their difficult home lives. Horizon Youth St Andrews also provides this service through the Breakfast Crew, across select secondary schools in Campbelltown offering a free breakfast to students at no cost to the school or to students with once again the focus on families struggling financially.

ClubGRANT - $8,000 Wests League Club

LOOK ON THE BRIGHTSIDE

The Silver Coin Project is a family-run organisation that supports Macarthur’s local primary schools by assisting disadvantaged students. Wests worked with Silver Coin Project in 2023 to deliver Brightside Education a complimentary tutoring service designed for local primary-aged children of families experiencing financial hardship, and where traditional tutoring financially would be unfeasible. This completely free service with no catches offers up to 200 kids in the community the opportunity to thrive as they learn and reach their full potential.

ClubGRANT - $15,000 Wests League Club

HELPING PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE

Turning Point is a not-for-profit community welfare and drop-in centre in Camden with increasing demand on their services sharing they are experiencing around a 30% increase in individuals seeking assistance compared to the previous year. The support of ClubGRANTS has focused on grocery items to restock the emergency relief pantry, which supports individuals and families experiencing food shortages in the home. This could be because of unemployment, cost of living pressure, domestic violence, homelessness, or mental health issues. In addition to funding, Wests hosts several men’s breakfasts at the centre through the provision of staff volunteers and breakfast goods to support vulnerable men in the community. This is more than just grocery support; this is hope in tough times.

ClubGRANT - $15,000 Country Club Gledswood Hills

EVERYDAY CUPBOARD ESSENTIALS

For over 15 years, this charity has been actively addressing the practical and financial needs for the most vulnerable in our local community. Part of their important work is for the homeless and survivors of domestic violence and their focus on getting them rehoused along their life journey and the bumps in the road life throws. The 2023 grant was intended for the provision of everyday essential household supplies such as saucepans, dinner sets, cutlery, coffee mugs, glasses, toasters, and more so that those in need can kickstart their new homes with the everyday essentials to help them recover well.

ClubGRANT - $15,000 Country Club Gledswood Hills

AN END TO YOUTH COUCH SURFING

Did you know there are no Homelessness crisis accommodation services in Macarthur for anyone between 16-18? Young people often couch surf rather than rough sleep, so they generally aren’t recorded as homeless which is one of the reasons for the lack of services in this space. Wests is powering a pilot Youth Homelessness Crisis accommodation project to help map existing services and then commission a paper as to current state of youth homelessness locally and the feasibility of campaigning for and developing a program dedicated to providing accommodation for youth. The aim of being ‘shovel ready’ for funding opportunities in the future to address this growing community issue.

ClubGRANT - $5,000 Wests League Club

WE ARE COMMUNITY

We Are Community provide meals, hampers, toiletries, blankets, swags and a variety of other services to the homeless and less fortunate based in Airds. The demand for their services has grown in the last few months and Wests was asked to help refit areas of the Airds premises including shelving, a front desk area, and permanent signage installed for better access and more long-term sustainable storage of the Community Pantry items. The funding also went toward the installation of the Commercial Stove and Oven in the kitchen to assist with the preparation of meals that We Are Community produces for their meal delivery services, breakfast and dinner service that operate 365 days a year and are provided to those in need free of charge – no questions asked. In addition, Wests provided funding toward a new beginning project assisting those escaping DV situations with new beginnings home starter packs.

ClubGRANT- $22,500 Wests League Club & Lakeside Golf Club Camden.

SAY NO TO DV IN OUR Community

SPORTING GROUPS SAY NO TO DV!

Education is one of the key settings for primary prevention activity of Domestic Violence. The Camden Wollondilly Domestic Violence Committee spearheaded a program to promote Domestic Violence awareness in our community with a primary focus on education via sporting clubs. This pilot program saw three local sporting clubs taking part including Camden Cats AFL Club, Narellan Rangers Soccer Club and The Oaks Tigers Rugby League Club with the intention to increase the profile of Domestic Violence through engaging with men about awareness of violence against women and children, resources, and information. The program was delivered via a series of workshops addressing Domestic Violence, how to prevent it, awareness and how to deal with disclosures with members of the DV Committee and the Narellan Police station on board.

ClubGRANT - $5,000 Country Club Gledswood Hills

TO THE MEN OUT THERE We see you!

BETTER SAFER MENS SHEDS

Men’s Sheds are a community-based health promotion concept that brings men together to engage in joint activities. One of the local Sheds, Narellan Mens Shed was in desperate need for some plumbing rectification works including the decontamination of an onsite water tank to ensure clean drinking water and the safety of Mens Shed participants, and Wests Group was happy to help! ClubGRANT - $7,270 Country Club Gledswood Hills & Lakeside Golf Club Camden.

A SAFE HOME FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Blue Wren House Camden Women’s Shelter was built to support women and their children escaping domestic and family violence with a safe, secure, and supported place to call home. The Shelter operates out of a refurbished three-bedroom house, leased from Camden Council and a newly constructed two-bedroom granny flat on the same property. Wests has been supporting the mission of Blue Wren House for the past two years through a ClubGRANT towards the operation and maintenance of the shelter and the services it provides to get women and their children safe and back on their feet. ClubGRANT$25,000 Country Club Gledswood Hills

THE FIRST STEP TO FREEDOM

Escabags distribute ‘Escape Bags’ for victims fleeing domestic and family abuse via several stockists in our community. Not only do they deliver Escape bags for women and children they campaign for local stockists to ensure access to these items wherever the victims of crisis may be able to reach them. Each ‘Escape Bag’ contains highquality products as we understand the importance of feeling comforted and worthy in a crisis. The Wests funding helped to deliver approximately 600 parent/child bags for 40 plus local Macarthur based stockists including local police. Did you now all Wests Group Macarthur clubs also keep Escape bags behind our counters for those that need them – no questions asked! ClubGRANT - $10,000 Wests League Club

MORE THAN A BBQ

Mr. Perfect is a community organisation connecting men over a relaxed and completely free BBQ so men can chat about Life. While they are not a clinical or crisis service –the value these gatherings offer is invaluable. They believe in the value of friendly conversation (and listening), getting outside in the sunshine and how making human connections can do wonders for mental health. Wests was pleased to support Mr Perfect for the first time with funds toward the operation, and promotions of Mr Perfect BBQs within the Macarthur region. ClubGRANT - $5,000 Wests League Club

THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

After years of nonoperation due to severe flooding in the area, The Camden Mens shed is on a mission to reopen with new premises to offer men of all ages across Camden the opportunity to get together to practice, pass on and in turn learn work and life skills. Wests was happy to contribute towards the cost of shed materials including Shed Kit, Internal fit-out for kitchen and bathroom materials, and water tanks for waste and bush fire requirements. ClubGRANT - $5,000 Country Club Gledswood Hills

WESTS IS BEHIND THE FIGHT

Wests is pleased to support once again The 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer as they raise much needed funds that go toward the Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, Camden Palliative Care Unit and Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit. In 2023, Wests provided funding toward the Camden Palliative Care Unit with cutting-edge equipment not accessible otherwise. The new equipment will enable nurses to evenly distribute pressure across the entire body surface, rather than focusing on specific ‘grab points’. ClubGRANT - $15,000 Wests League Club

HOPE FOR THOSE WITH HAIR LOSS

SUPPORT FOR SHE SHED

Wests loves supporting women in our Community and is thrilled to support the Community She Shed, a community program for in-need and isolated women to connect and form new friendships in a safe space through craft, socialising, guest speakers, and activities. The funding we provide goes toward the weekly running of the operational costs, activities, games, marketing, and promotion of this special weekly initiative.

ClubGRANT - $5,000 Wests League Club

The Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre does incredible work providing cancer services to the adult population of Macarthur, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee. The centre offers Oncology Consultative Services, Chemotherapy, Radiation, Allied Health, and Support Services as well as important initiatives such as the Wig Library. Wests was pleased to provide a grant to support the supply of Wigs and services through the Wig Library including support items, wigs, scarves, hats, and accessories so that cancer patients experiencing hair loss can tackle their cancer treatment with a little more confidence and one less thing to worry about. ClubGRANT - $10,000 Wests League Club

A MOVING INITIATIVE FOR OUR AGEING COMMUNITY

Easy Moves for Active Ageing (EMAA) is a quality education and exercise program that aims to provide safe, effective physical and mental activity. The classes promote social inclusion, mental resilience, and community connectedness, which are qualities that seek to improve the mental health and wellbeing of isolated and older residents in Macarthur. ClubGRANT - $10,000 Wests League Club

CARING FOR YOURSELF WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR PETS

Wests was really proud to get behind a new program to empower Campbelltown residents experiencing mental health challenges, domestic violence, homelessness, or critical illness to access vital welfare support while their pet is cared for by RSPCA NSW. This includes emergency accommodation and vital veterinary treatment by RSCPA NSW so individuals can access support, when they are really need. ClubGRANT - $10,000 Wests League Club

HELPING OUR SEVERELY DISABLED COMMUNICATE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

Yandelora School is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art school that caters for students with moderate to severe intellectual and physical disabilities and with the aim of helping them gain independence in school and beyond. In the first grant to Yandelora School, Wests helped fund a piece of equipment called the Tobii Dynabox EyeMobile 5 and provide free access to technology so that children with Spinal Cord Injury, Muscular Dystrophy, ALS and Rett Syndrome can communicate their needs where they would normally use touch gestures, various click types by using only the eyes. ClubGRANT - $14,511 Country Club Gledswood Hills

DEAR TO OURHearts

In 2023, three of the region’s leading venue operators including Wests Group Macarthur, Campbelltown Catholic Club, and Ingleburn RSL came together to provide funding to Heart of the Nation, a charity founded by Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle to deliver free and accessible community AEDS across our region.

This $600,000 three-year deal funded via the ClubGRANTS program funds the purchase and installation of up to 66 AED’s every year into residential suburbs across the Macarthur region with each club also committed to assisting with delivery and installation onto neighbourhood homes, shopfronts and streets near you.

The ultimate goal of the program is to have an AED accessible within one minute of every home, as AED treatment within a three - five-minute window has been proven to improve lifesaving outcomes by up to seventy percent. Greg Page knows this better than most after suffering a cardiac arrest while performing at a Wiggles reunion show at Castle Hill RSL in January 2020. He survived because bystanders knew how to perform CPR and there was an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the club where he was performing. With the incident occurring in front of an audience of hundreds, and thousands more watching via live stream, a nurse in the audience was then able to re-start Page’s heart using the AED.

“I have no doubt that it was the quick action of bystanders and the use of an AED that saved my life that day,” explained Page. “My charity, Heart of the Nation, aims not only to equip people with better access to an AED, but to also provide increased knowledge to people about where these devices are located.”

Graham Miles, First Aid Trainer and Spring Farm local, understands the impact access to an AED can have, and fundraised for the purchase of his own Heart of the Nation AED unit in 2022, which is affixed to his house for community use.

Heart Facts

Every year in Australia, around 30,000 people experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests with 70% of these happening at home and without CPR and AED intervention a survival rate of just 10%.

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in Australia, responsible for causing one in four (26%) of all deaths ·

• The use of an AED within the first three minutes of a cardiac arrest has shown to improve lifesaving outcomes of patients from 10% up to 70%.

• The AED is used to deliver an electrical shock to the patient’s heart in an attempt to “restart” normal, spontaneous electrical activity within the heart.

“In the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, having an AED close by could save a life and it’s fantastic the clubs are providing AEDs to the community, they should be everywhere.” Graham Miles

Miles supports the launch of the distribution of the units through Macarthur and encourages people to put forward their interest to house an AED on their property, adding “maintenance of the units is limited to a monthly check, as well as clear access to the unit from the street”.

Each recipient of the AED, supplied on expression of interest to the program receives a Heart of the Nation wall mounted AEDs, outdoor housing, a tracking device with connectivity for eight years, a set of replacement pads, batteries and supporting AED signage.

The program continues into 2024 with those interested in housing a Heart of the Nation Macarthur AED unit can complete an expression of interest online via Wests Group Macarthur, Ingleburn RSL and Campbelltown Catholic Club websites.

HELP IS JUST A HEARTBEAT AWAY!

In addition to the Heart of the Nation Program, Wests also provided funding to Campbelltown Meals On Wheels to install an AED into their new premises at Ruse community hall and South West Community Transport Minto Offices. Both premises have a high proportion of aged visitors and providing extra security for employees and clients.

SUPER PROJECTS of 2023

Going the extra mile for our community is part of Wests DNA. The following special projects were delivered with a combination of ClubGRANTS funding and brought to life through the injection of some serious staff volunteer superpower. What a difference we can make when we do it together!

SUPERTEES FOR SUPER KIDS

When a seriously ill child is undergoing treatment in a hospital, a super-hero mentality can make all the difference. This was the spark of inspiration that father Jason Sotiris had when watching his own infant daughter undergoing cancer treatment and ultimately led to the establishment of the charity and medical garment of the same name, SuperTee which now delivers hope to seriously ill children receiving cares in paediatric wards across the world.

The SuperTee is a medical garment designed to help children undergoing medical procedures feel more comfortable and empowered during their hospital stay. Featuring two Marvel superhero designs with more designs on the way, the shirts feature shoulder and side studs, underarm openings for temperate access, and side openings for tubes and access lines and help to provide hospital staff the access they need to adequately treat the child and minimise patience discomfort.

In March 2023, up to 450 tees were folded into care packs lovingly assembled by an army of #teamwests volunteers and included activity booklets, stickers, and handwritten messages of support to inspire the children who would later open them and the amazing nurses who look after them.

Wests Group Macarthur then delivered these SuperTee care packs personally to the real-life little superheroes at Campbelltown Hospital with further tees intended for Camden and Bowral Paediatric wards and to meet special requests across the country.

Wests has donated over $10,000 to SuperTee through the ClubGRANTS program and is proud to support the mental and physical health of children in the Macarthur region.

SUNFLOWERS ALWAYS FACE THE SUN!

Caring for someone with high support or medical needs can be tough, and sometimes a weekend away can make all the difference. Sunflower Cottage, operated by Disability Macarthur, knows this, and provides respite accommodation for children and adults 8 – 65 years at their Narellan Vale property, giving parents and carers a muchneeded break to recharge.

With a maximum of four children/adults and 2 specialised support staff at all times, Sunflower Cottage provides programs and accommodation and is fully equipped for high-needs care including tube feeding, assistance with toileting and bathing, and challenging behavioral disorders.

When we asked what we could do to help it was evident a refresh and renovation of areas of the cottage was high on the agenda to ensure the smooth and safe operation for clients – most notably the outdoor area – nestled under gumtrees, overgrown and rundown.

Months of wet weather made it challenging for cottage staff to provide adequate garden maintenance resulting in irreparable damage to areas of the yard, including plants, garden beds, shade cloths, and gazebo, as well as overloaded and leaking gutters. It was time for a winter glow-up!

Wests Group Macarthur and Disability Macarthur volunteers rolled up their sleeves in a special two-day working bee revamping the entire outdoor area with a blitz on green waste and debris, gutter cleaning, repairs, and new gutter guard installation, the demolition and replacement of the outdoor gazebo and the provision of new outdoor plants. What resulted was a beautiful exercise in community spirit and a new manicured, tidy, and wonderfully functional outdoor space to be enjoyed by Sunflower Cottage clients and staff who care for them.

THE HOME OF SPORT Always

Wests strongly believes in the role that sport plays to enhance the social fabric of our community. As was our original intent, we are as committed as ever to assisting in the promotion and propagation of sport in the local area, provided through the sponsorship of, and donations to, local sporting teams, athletes, and sporting clubs. Check out some of our sporting highlights for the past year.

Wests Group Macarthur was delighted to host the Wests Sports Council 23rd Annual Sports Awards and recognise the superstars for their phenomenal contributions to grassroots sport, sporting achievements, and sporting spirit.

WINNER ELITE SPORTS PERSON OF THE YEAR

Tegan Bertolissio | Macarthur Rams Football Club

WINNER SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

Aaron Waters | Tennis Macarthur

RUNNER UP: SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

Karen Lake | Macarthur Triathlon Club

WINNER ELITE SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR

NPL3 U13 Boys | Macarthur Rams Football Club

WINNER SPORTS CLUB TEAM OF THE YEAR

Senior Women’s Team | Camden Cats Senior AFL Club

RUNNER UP: SPORTS CLUB TEAM OF THE YEAR

Division 1 Ballers | Campbelltown Ghosts Club Senior Baseball

WINNER JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR (U12)

Lewis Eddie | Wests Hockey Club

RUNNER UP: JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR (U12)

Jade Williams | Macarthur BMX

WINNER SPIRIT OF SPORT

Darren Hooton | Mount Annan Swimming Club

RUNNER UP: SPIRIT OF SPORT

Mark Hamilton | Tennis Macarthur

WINNER YOUTH SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR (12 – 16YRS)

Jack Jones | Eschol Park Little Athletics

RUNNER UP: YOUTH SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR (12 – 16YRS)

Asher Alex | Magpies Cricket Club

2023 SPORTINGHighlights

HEROES OF COMMUNITY SPORT CELEBRATED

Wests Group takes great pride in acknowledging the enormous contribution of time and effort that sporting volunteers give their codes within Macarthur – with the overall volunteer sector in Australia said to represent around 4 billion dollars of labour input nationally. We were pleased to once again present a Volunteer of the Year dinner held at Wests League Club during National Volunteer Week to recognise years of service, overall commitment, and the generosity of spirit through our community. Congratulations to our 78 Service Award recipients who represented over 130 decades of cumulative service as well as winners of Overall Youth and Adults Volunteer of the Year awards.

WE JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE

As the original home of Campbelltown Rugby League, Wests Group Macarthur continued to power the grassroots conference across Macarthur through $330,000 in support for Wests Tigers Macarthur Junior Rugby League and Group 6 Rugby League in 2023.

The funding from Wests Group assisted 8102 players and prioritised cost relief to families with Insurance subsidies for every participant, rebates offered on socks and shorts, and the covering of Referee fees to help alleviate registration and game day costs on families that are partaking in Junior Rugby League.

POWERING FOOTBALL IN THE REGION

Wests Group Macarthur announced another key milestone in their support of sport in Macarthur with the execution of a major partnership agreement with Macarthur Football Association (MFA) for 2023.

Wests provided $100,000 in funding, plus additional in-kind and venue support, toward MFA making them the single largest supporter of football in the region. In addition to a significant investment towards subsidised player insurance fees to alleviate fee pressure on families, Wests is thrilled to add Macarthur RAMS Women’s FC to its ongoing support of Macarthur Rams FC and be the new major partner of the M-League Competition.

YOUTH SOLUTIONS SPORTS AWARE PROGRAM

Wests Group Macarthur has partnered with Youth Solutions to develop Sports AWARE – a drug and alcohol harm prevention and health promotion project for sporting clubs. Sports AWARE aims to prevent young sportspeople from experiencing drug and alcohol related harm by educating players to be safe, and to keep others safe, around drugs and alcohol. This amazing program will enter its second year in 2024 and will deliver educational workshops for young sportspeople aged 12 – 17 years, information sessions for supporters (parents and carers and/or coaches/club staff) as well as Interactive outreach activities at game days or training sessions. We really love working with Youth Solutions to bring this valuable propram to life.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Wests is lucky to host many of our local sporting club’s meetings and presentations as an in-kind venue, but we also get around the grounds to see the action live! Our team is honoured to have attended over 60 special sporting events, season and award presentations, and gala days in 2023. This included the Camden Netball Gala Day, Macarthur Rugby League Gala Day, M-League season launch, Macarthur Football Association annual awards, and various photography and video shoots with local sporting clubs.

YOUTH WINNER

Cody Sainsbury | Macarthur Football Association

ADULT WINNER

Fred Furner | Macarthur BMX Club

OVER $1,186,679 in funding to local sport and sporting initiatives

BEHIND

35,000 Local sporting participants

THE STATS THE STATS THE STATS THE STATS THE STATS THE STATS THE STATS THE STATS

50 AMAZING YEARS IN THE Community

Support for more than 100 Sports Clubs, Associations

OVER 120

Awards through our recognition program for volunteers and sporting talent

1908/1909 – HISTORY

The story begins back in 1908/1909 with the original rugby league team of Campbelltown; the Kangaroos (then known as the Wallabies). This was the first and longest running football club in Campbelltown.

1974 – THE CLUB OPENS

The Campbelltown City Rugby League Club officially opened in 1974 with a vision of not only supporting the Campbelltown City Rugby League Football Club but also to encourage community sporting events throughout the local Macarthur region. On opening the Leumeah club had over 400 members.

1972 – NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION

In support of the Kangaroos, Campbelltown was to have a new licensed sporting venue, the Campbelltown City Rugby League Football club limited. The Campbelltown City Rugby League Club administered the local Kangaroos football club, and the major objective to foster the code of rugby league in the region.

1996 – INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Club regains independence from Ashfield when an extraordinary meeting of members called on 3 March 1996 — to vote for a change to the constitution.

Gordon Fetterplace proposed that the Campbelltown board be reduced from nine directors to seven. From this point there were no more Ashfield appointees.

1986 – CHANGE BREATHES NEW LIFE

Wests Ashfield brings the Western Suburbs Magpies to Campbelltown, with Orana Park (now Campbelltown stadium) the newly appointed home ground for the team. They bring with them funding that sees the name of the Club changed to Western Suburbs League Club, (Campbelltown) LTD.

MEET OUR WESTS SPORTS COUNCIL MEMBERS

The Wests Sports Council, established in 1999, is a network of all sporting clubs and associations with whom Wests has established a supportive relationship. Represented by over 30 leading sports clubs and associations from the region, the Wests Sports Council is a strong example of Wests commitment to sport and exists to assist the local community in accessing access affordable and well-administered sporting opportunities.

Camden Cats Senior AFL Club

Camden Tigers Football Club

Camden District Cricket Association

Camden & District Netball Association

Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club

Campbelltown City Kangaroos Rugby League Club

Campbelltown District Netball Association

Campbelltown Ghosts Junior Baseball Club

Camden District Cricket Umpires Association

Camden Valley Basketball Association

Eschol Park Little Athletics

Group 6 Referees Association

Macarthur Baseball League

Macarthur BMX Club

Macarthur District Football Referees Association

Macarthur Football Association

Macarthur Rams

Macarthur Rugby League

Macarthur Triathlon Club

Macquarie Fields Swimming Club

Magpies Cricket Club

Metropolitan South West Hockey Association

Mount Annan Swimming Club

Metropolitan Southwest Hockey Association

Oran Park Chargers Rugby League Football Club

Oran Park Rovers Football Club

Softball Campbelltown

Southwest Academy of Sport

Tennis Macarthur

Wests Hockey Club

Western Suburbs Rugby League Referees Association

In 2024, Wests will celebrate 50 amazing years in the community. Originally opened as The Campbelltown City Rugby League Club, in support of the Kangaroos, the club’s vision was to foster the code of Rugby League in the region and provide a dining and entertainment facility for Campbelltown to enjoy.

Over the years, we have been privileged to play a part in the lives of our members and the wider community, as a venue for post-match celebrations, milestone family moments, the nights you will never forget and so much more.

Join our journey in 2024 as we unpack a rich history and celebrate 50 amazing years with our biggest ever promotions, special events, and collectors edition items.

1999 – WESTS SPORTS COUNCIL IS ESTABLISHED

Wests, known as the Home of Sport in the local region, has been committed to encouraging sporting activities amongst children and young adults since the inception of the Wests Sports Council in 1999 (with origins in 1995). Wests prides itself on providing sports teams with annual sponsorships, donations and recreational support to inspire the game of sport.

2000 – REFRESHING TIMES

The original Club undergoes another major transformation in the same year the Wests Tigers play their first home game at Campbelltown stadium

2007-2012 – A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS

Wests amalgamated with the Tennis Club in 2007 giving all Wests’ members access to 14 courts, a tennis shop and popular Chinese Restaurant. In 2012, Wests officially merged with Rugby League Country Club who had already acquired Camden Lakeside Golf Resort brining to life a great opportunity. Wests Group Macarthur was born soon after, with four clubs in operation.

TODAY

Wests League Club has come a long way since the humble beginnings and is now considered one of the premier dining and entertainment groups in South West Sydney. Wests Group Macarthur proudly owns and operates four venues including Western Suburbs League Club, Country Club Gledswood Hills, Lakeside Golf Club Camden and The Sherwood Macarthur at the former Wests Tennis Club site with each unique venue offering first class facilities, great service and variety of dining options. At present, Wests has a membership base of over 88,000, 450+ staff and a continued focus on the game of sport in the Macarthur region and beyond. August 2024 will see the official celebration of the opening of Wests League Club.

OUR EXCEPTIONALTeam

Undoubtedly, the heartbeat of Wests Group Macarthur lies in our dedicated and passionate team. Beyond their unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service to our customers, our staff consistently go above and beyond, extending their support to the local community. Here’s a glimpse into some of the remarkable initiatives our team has spearheaded in 2023.

WOW WHAT AMAZING VOLUNTEERS!

DON’T WALK…RUN!

Wests was proud to be a presenting partner of Campbelltown City Council Challenge Walk 2023 and loves supporting initiatives that get the community out and about.

A bunch of TEAMWESTS legends show up on the beautiful, crisp, and sunny morning to tackle 6kms and 11kms around Mt Annan Gardens. Special mention to Chris Manaton for smashing best team member time in the 6km and Helen Noble, Julie Weatherstone, Kirsten Chan who took out the winning title for best team in the 11km!

Wests was also a proud partner of the Fisher’s Ghost Fun Run 2023. Sun was shining and our staff not only had their running shoes on but hosted the chill out zone for the community to put their feet up.

FEED THE NEED

The Wests team was proud to support SES Wear it Orange Wednesday (WOW Day), donning the Hi-Vis to help support our amazing SES volunteers and colouring our venues Orange.

WOW day, Wednesday 17th May, fell during National Volunteer Week (16-22nd May) and is designed to thank the SES volunteers who generously give their time to help communities during flood and storm emergencies. Wests not only has some very proud Wests members amongst our local SES team but we are also honoured to be the chosen venue in the region for frontline meal support during emergencies.

Wests is proud to support Turning Point Camden Inc. an amazing not-for-profit community welfare and drop-in centre for men and women with a range of services including emergency food relief, mental health and domestic and family violence support, and men’s and women’s support groups plus much more. In addition to providing support for the pantry program via ClubGRANTS, The Wests team is honoured to host a handful of Men’s breakfasts this year, held every Friday at the centre. If you or someone you know could do with a helping hand - know that there are amazing people in our community ready to help.

In 2023, Turning Point Camden Inc. also reached the significant milestone of 10 Years of Service to the local Community and their services have never been more important.

MO-VELLOUS JOB!

A big shoutout to Ben Dzevlen, Glenn Douglas, Rob Rogers, and Paul Lake for their outstanding participation in Movember.

The funds raised through Movember contribute to crucial medical research, groundbreaking tests and trials, and life changing health programs. Our incredible team has smashed records, raising a whopping $7,550! Your dough helped save a BRO!

INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY

Our team gave very special thanks to our amazing nurses in our local hospitals on International Nurses Day- a day of recognition for nurses and the amazing work they do. Both Campbelltown and Camden Hospitals put on a tasty BBQ breakfast to say thanks to their nursing staff with Wests also happy to contribute some snags to such a worthy event. The countless hours, the caring words, the comforting faces… we’re grateful to our local nurses who do this and more, for people in our hospitals.

IT’S A PAR-TEE FOR DEAN & TEAM!

DOING GOOD!

THESE LADIES WIN OUR HEARTS

Our one and only Golf Course Superintendent Dean Hopper was honoured to represent Wests Group and Lakeside Golf Club Camden taking out the Outstanding Achievement Award from the NSW Golf Course Superintendents Association at the 2023 NSW Golf Industry Awards. Our team work so hard to make sure our Golf Course is in the best condition it can be, led by the efforts of Superintendent superstar Dean. That’s a hole in one team!

RECONGNISING OUR SUPERSTAR STAFF!

Congratulations to our Staff Star Las Vegas Crew 2023! This is Wests most prestigious staff award for those that have shown exceptional performance and commitment to Wests.

Employee of the Year awards

• Adam Maxwell

• Adam Osborne

• Beverly Putra

• Emily Barnes

• Gabrielle Potts

• Matthew Attard

• Natalie Roldan

• Caitee O’Donnell

• Adrian Jenkinson

• Lincoln Atkins

• Kelly Robinson

• David Jackson

• Katie Petkovski

Our Wests Angels, Karina Blair and Julia Maulguet attended the Clubs & Community Awards receiving a highly commended in the ‘Heart of the Community’ category.

These incredible women were recognised for their quick thinking that saved the life of Wests member David Mulloy by using a defibrillator and administering first aid after David suffered a cardiac arrest in venue.

RED NOSE DAY

Jeans for Genes Day

TEAL RIBBON DAY