New face on the club board

By Samantha Elley

He has a mountain of experience in the club industry and Neale Genge is excited to be taking over the reins of Club Evans or the Evans Head-Woodburn take up a role on the Central Coast.

“Last year around June my father had a bit of a fall and he was in Newcastle hospital,” he said.

“An opportunity came up at Tuncurry Beach accounting, law and marketing.

“Doubled the membership of Casino within 10 years and it went to $10 million profits,” he said.

“There are things we can tweak (for Evans) difficulties but Neale is positive for the seaside club’s future.

“It’s early days but we are redoing downstairs,” he said.

“There’s been renovations happening down there in the

RSL Club which started last week.

Regular club patrons around the Richmond Valley would recognise his name when he was running the Casino RSM Club, where membership went from 4,5000 to 9,000 by the time he left.

Family reasons saw Neale leave Casino to

Bowling Club.

“They were going through a new refurbishment, a new bar and new restaurant.

“We had a busy Summer and Easter then the opportunity came up here to come to Evans Head.”

Neale brings not only his club experience, but he also has qualifications in and also get involved in the community.

“They’ve done a great job so I just hope to bring a bit more professionalism and skills and bring the members along with us.”

Club Evans has had a bumpy ride over the last few years, having changed CEOs and dealt with financial

Riverfire restaurant.

“We’ve got a lot of entertaining happening…looking for more live entertainment.

Local acts as well.

“Providing a venue for everybody from eight to 80.”

Neale said once they do a few feasibility studies, they will look into further opportunities.

By Samantha Elley