ClubBITES March 23

Generosity on the Menu

Cabra-Vale Diggers prides itself on its culinary offerings, and now the Club is helping to nourish the most vulnerable in the local community.

The Community Café is a grassroots, volunteer-run organisation, which provides food hampers and meals to residents of Sadlier in south-western Sydney. Not only do they help to feed locals, they also educate them on cooking and provide other life strategies to break their cycle of dependence.

After the Club learned that the café’s food delivery van was no longer operational, they donated a new one at a cost of $68,000. And when The Community Café’s founder and CEO, Kristy Parkes (pictured above), happened to mention to Cabra Vale Diggers’ Marketing and Business Development Manager, Shayne O’Leary, that they were unsure of how they were going to pay their $1000 weekly rent on their new premises, the Club picked up the tab. The $10,000 worth of new café equipment and fit-out costs were also taken care of by the Club.

Club Honours

The 2023 Australia Day Honours List recognised two very deserving industry champions.

Lindsay Clarke, who was a director of Club Lennox from 2013 until last January, was recognised for his service to the community through a range of organisations. Involvement with his club is just the tip of the iceberg. He has also been heavily involved with Apex and the Indigenous community, and in 2000 was an Olympic Torch runner.

“It’s a recognition of the things I have been doing all these years, although you don’t go into these things to gain recognition. Clubs are like most organisations; they can’t survive without volunteers and people helping,” Lindsay said. 

Also recognised was Phillip Coleman, a founding member and a director at Liverpool Catholic Club. His honour was in recognition of his many years of service to the community through the Catholic Church, and to the wider industry. 

A board member for more than 40 years, Phillip was at the turning of the first sod, watched the construction and was at the opening of the Club in 1970.

“I wasn’t really expecting it, me of all people, I’m just an ordinary worker. It’s been a great journey watching it grow from a one-room Club up to what we have now,” Phillip said.

Picture is bright in Broken Hill

Sadly, cinemas are becoming a rare sight in regional towns these days, but with the help of a local club, one community has thankfully retained a much-loved community asset.

Last September, the Broken Hill Musicians Club helped save the only cinema in the regional centre, saving locals from having to take a three-hour journey to Mildura to see a movie on the big screen.

Not only did the Club spruce up the venue with a lick of paint and freshly sanded floors, they also redeployed the cinema’s staff to the Musicians Club while the renovation works took place. By November, the cinema was back open for business, screening two DC films Black Adam and Black Panther: Wakanda.

Club General Manager, Michael Boland, said that the cinema will now come under the not-for-profit umbrella, ensuring the community can continue enjoying the facility long into the future.

Club legend lives on

The South Sydney Graphic Arts Club has chosen a novel way to commemorate a much-loved former director. 

The late Norma Bonus was a founding director who dedicated much of her life to providing a warm and inviting environment at the Club. Not one to stick to the boardroom, Norma was always helping out staff by clearing dirty plates and glasses, right up until her sad passing just a few years ago. 

The Club has paid a futuristic tribute to Norma. Their recently purchased service robot which assists staff to carry out many of Norma’s former duties has fittingly been named ‘Norma’. The robotic Norma has been getting a lot of attention and, like her namesake, has been eliciting endless smiles from members.

A close-knit community group with a cause

Thursdays at Moorebank Sports Club are special for the Club’s Knitting Ladies (pictured below). For more than 15 years, the group has been knitting at Sporties — for a good cause. Among their biggest beneficiaries are the Neonatal Intensive Care units at Liverpool and Fairfield hospitals, which assist premature babies. They are also big supporters of Miracle Babies and the Westmead Children’s Hospital, and many other charitable organisations whenever materials permit.

Thankfully, their materials have continued to grow thanks to the generous support of Sporties, who purchase their knitting supplies and sometimes even a sneaky cake to keep them going!

Not only is the knitting for a good cause, it’s allowed these special ladies to connect with others in the community, creating a safe and supportive place for those who wish to join them.

Quick-thinking club staff save patron's life

The actions of quick-thinking staff at Wests League Club in Leumeah have saved the life of a man who suffered a heart attack in the foyer of the Club late last year. David Mulloy was finishing a drink when he suddenly dropped to the ground. Staff members Emily Carter, Julia Maulguet and Karina Blair (pictured below with David) rushed to his aid — Emily gave mouth-to-mouth, Julia did chest compressions and Karina raised the alarm. A defibrillator was also used. 

“We are incredibly proud of the Wests team for the application of their first-aid training, their teamwork and their calm, professional approach to this situation,” said Club CEO Daniel Perkiss. 

“This is a perfect example of how adequate CPR training and access to defibrillators in our venues and the community can make a life-saving difference.”

You can hear more about the team’s heroic acts on 9 News here.

Appetising accolades for The Epping Club

The Epping Club’s Rawsons Restaurant secured the title of ‘Most Outstanding Restaurant’ at the Northern Districts Local Business Awards late last year. The awards acknowledge popular local restaurants that excel in their field. 

“We have worked incredibly hard to establish a consistent offering of exceptional food, service and beverages,” said Club CEO Peter Saez.

“Rawsons is truly a great local dining destination and acknowledgement must be given to the whole team. I am truly proud of what we have achieved and believe the win is well deserved. It is exciting to see the club industry as a whole now being recognised for first-class dining and being destinations for world-class food.”

New chef delights at Gosford RSL

He's helmed the kitchens of some of Sydney’s biggest clubs, now Kiran Arora (above) has joined Gosford RSL as the Club's new executive chef. Kiran has trained with world-renowned chefs in a broad range of culinary styles, from Chinese to Moroccan. He's cooked for prime ministers, presidents and princes, and both he and his restaurants have received countless awards. 

“Kiran’s incredible skills and experience are going to be invaluable in further enhancing the reputation of our food,” said Gosford RSL CEO Russell Cooper.

“More importantly, Kiran is the perfect leader for our kitchens as we complete the construction of our new Club … which will have a unique, multi-faceted dining precinct and a large conference and events centre.” 

If you have club news and photos you’d like to share, send them to us via [email protected]. 

We’re particularly keen to hear about major events, stories of community support and career milestones.