The President’s Christmas Newsletter

Season’s greetings to all

Firstly, I would like to thank all members who voted at the AGM and elected me as your President.

I would like to welcome Kerin Herlihy as the new Vice President and Jacky Nathu and Chris Church as new members to the Executive. I’m looking forward to working with you all to continue improving our Club.

I would like to thank Norm Rosser and Jack Efaraimo who were unsuccessful with their re-election, for their service on the Executive over a number of years. Your contribution was very much appreciated.

A special thanks to Jim Hogg who has stepped down from President and has been re-elected to the Executive. Jim has put in a lot of effort, along with the rest of the Executive, to bring the Club out of a very tight situation over the last six years, well done.

In September the Club General Manager, Aaron Kirby resigned from the Club. Aaron was instrumental over the last eight years with a number of initiatives that has raised the Club profile within the Chartered Club movement and improved our members experience within the Club. I wish Aaron ‘Good Luck’ with his endeavours going forward. As a consequence of Aaron’s resignation, the Executive have appointed Iain Craw as the new General Manager and Vicky Bennett as the Assistant Manager. Iain was the former Assistant Manager and Vicky the Administration Manager. I look forward to working with them, they have a very good knowledge of the running of the Club and compliance matters, I’m sure that staff and members will support them in their new roles.

The Club enjoyed a very successful Ultimate Poker weekend held over Labour Weekend. The Club hosted 577 visitors during this event. This is the largest Poker $ prize tournament outside of a casino in NZ and the Club certainly benefited with a substantial increase in Bar, Bistro and Gaming revenue.
I’m certainly looking forward to our next Poker Tournament in May 21 which should also boost the Club coffers.

The Club is slowly recovering from Covid 19 lockdown. We don’t know what the new normal is. However, as trade picked up, we steadily increased our opening hours. We have rejigged a number of bands to entertain you. As we build up to Xmas there will be a number of functions both corporate and private held on the premises. Please make our guests feel welcome and accept that there may be some inconvenience to members.

Bookings for the Club Xmas Lunch on Saturday 19th Dec have been selling steadily. Prices at $59 for Adults and $19-50 for Children (3-11) is extremely good value. Book now before the sold-out sign goes up.

Great bands leading up to Xmas and the New Year. Money for Old Rope, Emerald, Nudge to name a few and we will see the New Year in with a bit of KIWIANA. So, come on down to the Club.

In the February we will be sponsoring our 5th Annual Fishing Contest to raise funds for The Child Cancer Foundation and the Coastguard. Over 100 entries have been received to date.
We have several big-ticket items that I am keen to progress during my term as President. The Executive will be holding a strategic planning session in the New Year. Currently we have identified a few projects that are on top of our priority list, they are:

• Replacing the fire escape outside the games room (a building compliance requirement)
• Refurbishing the building exterior
• Renovating the Bistro kitchen

These are big ticket items and will cost a considerable amount of money.

I am proposing that the Club introduce a money ‘thermometer’ so that we can all see our savings and fundraising progress. Hopefully members, guests, visitors and others will kindly make donations to help us achieve our targets. There will be more to follow on this initiative.

What I have noticed coming out of Covid, is the revenue form our pokies has been on the rise, which has enabled us to replace two machines and upgrade others in December, this is very pleasing result for the Club.

In closing, I would like to thank you, the members, for supporting your club and also management and staff for hanging in there and supporting the Executive during what has been a difficult and quite strange year. I look forward working with you all in the New Year.

Be responsible over the festive season and if travelling be careful.

Merry Christmas to all

Bruce Hollow
PWMC President