May Column: ClubsNSW Chair Sallianne Faulkner

This month delivered an extraordinary moment of unity across the industry with Purple Friday, and I want to sincerely thank every club who took part.

It was genuinely heartwarming to see more than 200 clubs right across NSW participating, turning their venues purple and helping send a clear message — that clubs stand with anyone affected by domestic and family violence, and that help is available. 

The concept was pioneered by Cherry Street Sports Club in Ballina, and it’s incredible to see how it’s grown into a state-wide movement. I was proud to be on the ground for Purple Friday at Cherry Street Sports, and I want to congratulate CEO Tere Sheehan and his team for the leadership they have shown in helping spark such a powerful industry-wide response.

Meanwhile, I was pleased to attend The Daily Telegraph’s Future Western Sydney event at the start of this month, held at the new Western Sydney International Airport.

ClubsNSW was a proud partner of this event, which was a terrific opportunity to talk about the role clubs already play across Western Sydney — and the fact that many of our clubs are already delivering the kind of community infrastructure that growing regions need, well ahead of the airport becoming operational.

I was pleased to take part in a panel discussion alongside Prue Car (NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney), Lisa Havilah (Powerhouse Museum CEO) and David Borger (Business Western Sydney Executive Director), moderated by Matthew Benns, Editor-at-Large at The Daily Telegraph.

With the expected surge in visitors and residents alike in Western Sydney off the back of the new airport, the region will need new infrastructure as well as community connection — something clubs are uniquely positioned to provide. 

Speaking of infrastructure and community connection, I was also at Campbelltown Catholic Club recently for the official turning of the soil for their new seniors’ living development, Siquilla Retirement Residences. 

Siquilla is a major investment by the Club, with 92 apartments to be built as part of a purpose-built retirement community within the Club’s footprint. 

With the NSW Government’s focus on housing supply, registered clubs are uniquely placed to contribute, with a huge undersupply of quality seniors' living accommodation for those who are retired and want to downsize. 

These types of developments not only free up existing housing stock for families and younger people, just as importantly they allow seniors to remain connected to their community and keep the social bonds that are so important to wellbeing. 

A couple of things before I sign off. Firstly, I’d like to call out Bill Treloar who is stepping down as President of the Western Metro Committee after 26 years of service. Bill reflected on the club industry’s evolution and his deep connection to clubs in a heartfelt address at the Western Metro Regional Meeting on 13 May at St Johns Park Bowling Club.

Bill has been pivotal in driving the Western Metro Race Day, which has raised more than $1 million for a variety of charities, including Little Wings. The region also farewells long-serving secretary Michael Bramman, who is stepping down at the AGM after 13 years.

And finally, a reminder that the Clubs & Community Awards Night is fast approaching, and tickets are selling fast.

It’s the industry’s night of nights and a huge opportunity to showcase the work that clubs do to key stakeholders including politicians, media representatives and community leaders.

This year’s Awards Night will be held on Thursday, 11 June at ICC Sydney and tickets are available for purchase now until 4 June, so if your club has not yet secured tickets, I encourage you to do so here. I look forward to catching up with you all there.