STAY SAFE
24/03/2020
After being open for business 364 days of the year for nearly 39 years, it is surreal and eerie to walk through the dark and empty space of our venues. Feelings are a mixture of confusion, anxiety and disbelief that our home away from home is not open as usual.
We would like to send a big warm thankyou to all our members and guests who have supported us over many years. We also send heart felt gratitude and best wishes to our 150 staff who are the most impacted by this shutdown.
We do not know when our next chapter will begin but hopefully the stricter guidelines that have been imposed will be enough to get on top of this pandemic and our reopening will be something to really celebrate.
Stay safe and keep a close eye on the vulnerable in our community. We will get through this!
Keep an eye on our Facebook Pages and the Notice Page of the Sporties website for further updates.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
23/03/2020
Good morning everyone, it is with regret that we can now confirm that we have been directed to cease operating immediately. We have provided some detail relating to that direction below:
National Cabinet agreed to move to more widespread restrictions on social gatherings.
Premiers and Chief Ministers agreed to implement, through state and territory laws, new Stage 1 restrictions on social gatherings, to be reviewed on a monthly basis.
Australians should expect these measures to be in place for at least 6 months.
The following facilities will be restricted from opening from midday local time 23 March 2020:
* Pubs, registered and licenced clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation)
* Gyms and indoor sporting venues
The Sporties will be closed to the public and will not be opening at 10am today.
The Cobram Barooga Golf Club and Sporties Health and Fitness will close to the public at 12.00pm
We are meeting at the moment to work our way through what this means and what we have to do next. As always the health, safety and security of our members, patrons and staff is our highest priority.
Like many organisations around the world, we are facing the most significant challenge to our operating future. Our focus through all of this will be doing everything to ensure we get through this and are able to re-establish ourselves once the effects of the pandemic are managed.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING BINGO & MEAT RAFFLES
22/03/2020
Attention Members,
As of tomorrow (Monday), Bingo and Meat Raffles have been cancelled. This is a direct recommendation from governing bodies calling for all non-essential gatherings to be postponed, as well as abiding by our venues current capacity regulations. As a result we have deemed it would be inappropriate to hold such events for the time being.
We apologise for the inconvenience and thank everyone for their ongoing support.
We are constantly updating our Facebook Page with important changes to our services, the link can be found below:
https://sporties.com.au/our-club/notices/
LATEST CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
20/03/2020
Please read this latest update in conjunction with all current advice, communications and direction of Federal, State and Local Authorities.
While safe to do so our intention is to continue to remain open and operating. What this looks like is changing regularly based on the direction of authorities, to which we will continue to be vigilant and update our operations to reflect the most current advice. This decision is based primarily on our understanding of our role as a major employer in the region and wanting to support as many of our employees and other businesses that rely on us while able.
As previously stated, our priority remains the health and safety of our staff, members and patrons and all decisions will be made on this basis.
We also ask your patience and understanding with all of our staff, especially our customer service teams who are enforcing these requirements during a difficult and challenging time for everyone.
PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN CANCELLED
- All live entertainment
- Friday night members draws
- Tuesday Night Money Wheel
- Children’s Room
PROGRAMS THAT ARE CURRENTLY CONTINUING
- Bingo (with reduced seating numbers)
- Friday night Golden Goose Draw
- Happy Hours – Normal Hours as listed on the website
- Courtesy bus (limited to restricted numbers on each trip)
BISTRO AND SNACK BAR
HOURS
Operating as per normal trading hours for each area.
SEATING AND SOCIAL SPACING
There is seating for a maximum of 85 guests at any time across the snack bar and bistro areas. This ensures our compliance with the maximum 100 people gathering in an indoor space as well as the 1 person per 4 square metre internal restrictions for social spacing.
Patrons may await a place in the Bistro in other areas of the Club, such as Tubbys Bar or the Jam Bar on the basis of there being space in those areas.
ADDITIONAL HYGEINE MEASURES
- Removal of cutlery from all tables (cutlery will be issued with meals)
- Removal of table menus. There are now large menus posted on the walls around these areas
- Hand sanitiser is provided in these areas
- Additional sanitation and cleaning of tables will continue to be implemented.
JAM BAR
As per current advice, there is a maximum 100 person limit in the Jam Bar area, including staff.
This will be monitored by staff and patrons will be unable to enter this area once the maximum numbers are reached.
NINETEEN81
Nineteen81 will continue to operate as per usual hours (available on the website)
Maximum internal attendance at any one time will be 29 people including staff.
Entry will be via the car park entry only.
Meals will be available, however we ask your patience in our management and service of meals based on broader operational challenges.
Once again we thank you for your understanding and cooperation
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING NEWEST AREA RESTRICTIONS
20/03/2020
An important update for our members, guests and visitors.
Active immediately we will be enforcing our new ‘area-restrictions’, these new restrictions are simply another measure we are taking to ensure our patrons and staff are adhering to the 1.5 metre social spacing, as well as the 100 person limit per internal area and 4 square metres per person. As always our patrons and staff members health are our top priority and this measure is just another means of ensuring this.
We apologise for any inconvenience and greatly appreciate how understanding and cooperative everyone has been with the modifications we have made to our normal operating procedures.
PHONE 03 5873 4448
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING MEMBERS DRAWS
19/03/2020
An important update for our members, guests and visitors.
Under the newest guidelines imposed as well as our area restrictions now in place it has become apparent that continuing with our Friday Night Members draws is unfeasible. As a result, in the interest of our staff and patrons health, Our Friday Night Members Draws have been postponed until further notice. Also our Tuesday Night Money Wheel will also be postponed until further notice.
Our Golden Goose draws, slated for tomorrow night will go ahead as scheduled.
Once again, we apologise for the inconvenience, and thank every one who has been so supportive of the club over the past week. Stay tuned for more updates to come.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING NEW AREA RESTRICTION
19/03/2020
An important update for our members, guests and visitors.
Active immediately we will be enforcing our new ‘area-restrictions’, these new restrictions are simply another measure we are taking to ensure our patrons and staff are adhering to the 1.5 metre social spacing, as well as the 100 person limit per internal area. As always our patrons and staff members health are our top priority and this measure is just another means of ensuring this.
We apologise for any inconvenience and greatly appreciate how understanding and cooperative everyone has been with the modifications we have made to our normal operating procedures.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING ONLINE BOOKING
18/03/2020
An important update for our members, guests and visitors.
Our online booking platform, The Fork, has been temporarily disabled. The Sporties Bistro and Bridges Bar and Grill are still open and operational and are still taking bookings via the phone or in person at either the Sporties or Cobram Barooga Golf Club Receptions.
We apologise for any inconvenience. The phone numbers for our venues can be located below:
Sporties Reception – 03 5873 4448
CBGC Reception – 03 5873 4372
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING ENTERTAINMENT
18/03/2020
As a community-based organization, we are taking advice on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) seriously, and as a result all entertainment will be put on hold until the 30th of June. This is based on the advice from Federal Government and our primary concern will always be to protect people, and ensure our obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and maintain our duty of care to our staff and to persons on, or seeking to visit our premises.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS)
17/03/2020
An important update for our members, guests and visitors.
As a community-based organization, we are taking advice on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) seriously, and as a result have implemented the following measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, members, guests and visitors. Our primary concern will be to protect people, ensure our obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) and maintain our duty of care to our staff, and to persons on, or seeking to visit our premises.
All persons who have returned from overseas from midnight Monday 16 March 2020, or been in contact with people who have returned from overseas travel are required by law to self-isolate for a period of 14 days and as a result will not be permitted to enter any of our venues.
All persons whose place of employment, education or socialization that has been closed due to a confirmed case of COVID-19 are not to enter any of our venues.
All persons who experience or show signs of flu like symptoms are not to enter any of our venues. These symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness and shortness of breath.
Persons who are onsite and showing flu like symptoms will be asked to leave the premises. We encourage all persons who are experiencing flu like symptoms to follow the advice of NSW Health. For more information on COVID-19 visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/coronavirus.
We encourage all staff, members, guests and visitors to practise good hygiene at all times.
Our venues have increased signage to inform staff, members, guests and visitors of good hygiene practices.
The Club’s staff will be discouraged from engaging in personal contact, such as the shaking of hands with fellow staff, members, guests and visitors. Please do not take this in any other way than as a preventative and control measure to help prevent the spread of viruses.
The Club is also instituting frequent sanitisation of “high touch areas” including bathrooms, door handles, buttons, tables, fitness equipment and seating.
The Club will continue to monitor the advice of ClubsNSW and implement advice accordingly.
Events, Entertainment, and Functions
The COVID-19 situation continues to evolve rapidly. Following advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) on 13 March 2020 it is recommended that non-essential, organised gatherings be limited to fewer than 500 people.
This includes events such as concerts, sporting fixtures with large crowds, exhibitions and religious celebrations.
While all Australians are encouraged to exercise personal responsibility for social distancing, there are no current restrictions recommended on attending other settings, such as shopping centres, or using public transport.
For non-essential organised gatherings with fewer than 500 attendees, we would like to remind our members, guests and visitors to adhere to the following:
- attendees and staff are not to attend if they are feeling unwell
- attendees and staff not to attend if they have travelled overseas in the past 14 days
- ensure you understand the Clubs up to date emergency management practices
- practise good hygiene and utilise facilities and supplies to aid the practise of good hygiene
- familiarise yourself with and frequent hand washing facilities available
We would also like to stress the following pieces of advice to attendees:
- stay home and do not attend if you are feeling unwell
- stay home and do not attend if you have travelled overseas in the past 14 days.
Should the advice from AHPPC change, the Club will update its policies accordingly.
While onsite at the Club, staff, members, guests and visitors are encouraged to practise good personal hygiene including:
- cleaning your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub
- cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow.
We encourage attendees of organised functions and events at the Club to liaise directly with those organisers, rather than the Club.
Sporties Bistro and Bridges Bar & Grill
The Club and its catering contractors are taking our responsibility seriously and have implemented several temporary measures at the dining facilities which include:
- Removal of cutlery from all tables. Cutlery will be delivered with your meals.
- Removal of physical Menus, to be replaced by A0 Menu Posters.
- Increased sanitation of all work and public spaces.
- Additional staff training.
- Increased use of gloves, including in the acceptance of deliveries.
- Removal of ‘help yourself’ sauce and cutlery stations.
- Removal of all Buffet and Carvery Services. To be replaced with normal service.
Persons who do not cooperate with our advice in relation to COVID-19 will be asked to leave our premises.
We ask for your complete cooperation and understanding as we continue our commitment to offering a quality-based community hub for all people of our community to enjoy.
If you have any questions, please seek to liaise with our Club’s management.
Further updates may apply.
Click here to Download PDF
MAJOR NEW ATTRACTION TO PROVIDE A BOOM FOR THE MURRAY REGION
A new $1.6m golf themed attraction proposed by the Cobram Barooga Golf Club will bring the latest in theme park styled technology and games providing a great new activity for locals as well as a genuine tourism attraction that will generate around $3m in economic activity annually and up to 17 jobs for the region.
Barooga Sporties CEO Bobby Brooks said “we are thrilled to announce this new development for the group and excited about what this will mean for our whole region. Not only will it keep Cobram Barooga amongst the best golf courses and facilities in Australia, but it will provide a genuine tourist attraction to bring more people to the region and keep them here longer. While based around golf, one of the regions tourism strengths, it will target non-golfers and key regional tourism markets such as those on holidays and visiting friends and relatives.
The recent explosion of entertainment range facilities internationally proves that the market for entertainment golf not only exists but is rapidly growing. In North America range-based entertainment is the fastest growing golf-based activity increasing from around 12 million participants in 2016 to over 20 million participants last year and 11% annual growth.
“Players of any skill level and even non-golfers see these facilities as the perfect place to experience relaxed competition while enjoying food, drink, and multiple gaming options. It’s like ten pin bowling for golf” said Mr Brooks.
The golf sector is a critical part of the overall Murray visitor economy and is a significant contributor to both overall visitation and employment across the region. By creating a ‘hero’ experience the Range will increase visitation, attract new audiences, increase length of stay and yield and generate further employment.
Destination Riverina Murray General Manager Richie Robinson said that “Destination Riverina Murray are strongly supportive of the project as it aligns with the objectives of the regions Destination Management Plan which identifies the need for further investment in supporting golf infrastructure. Technology based driving ranges are proven to appeal to a diverse range of people and therefore potential new visitors”
“The Cobram Barooga Golf Club has 669 current members and over 45,000 golf rounds a year and really is one of the strongest regional sporting clubs from a participation perspective. Currently though, less than 30 of our members are under 25 and over 75% are over 55 and while we are thrilled that this provides a really important health promotion activity for those over 55, we really see a great opportunity to provide something relevant and exciting for our regions young people and are confident this will address that” said Mr Brooks.
Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt commended the Cobram Barooga Golf Club in recognising that to ensure long-term sustainability, the provision of golf services must evolve and grow. “For a long time, golf has been widely recognised as a regional tourism strength in the Murray Region, the ability to stay and play several highly maintained championship courses is a key driver of this and to remain competitive as a region it is important that the key courses maintain their facilities at an appropriate and competitive standard” said Mr Pitt.
The project is reliant on gaining funding assistance and the community not-for-profit Sporties Group is working with Local, State and Federal Government to gain support. “The Sporties Group invests over $1m a year into providing and supporting key community infrastructure and programs servicing the Berrigan and Moira Shire Council’s and every year sponsoring and funding more than 65 local clubs and community initiatives, like the Cobram Community Cinema and the Bluearth program in primary schools. Traditionally we haven’t been very good at asking for help, but we need to if we are going to be able to continue to provide these levels of support to our community” said Mr Brooks.
The Sporties Group is seeking $1.1 million from other sources alongside providing $500,000 to get the project up and running.
Cobram Barooga Business and Tourism Chair Don Rudd highlighted the importance of the Sporties group and golf to the Cobram and Barooga communities. “Without a doubt the Sporties Group is the biggest supporter of community groups, sports clubs and community infrastructure outside of the Berrigan and Moira Shire Council’s in this region and golf is a major economic driver for the area. It is imperative to the Cobram Barooga community to have a strong and vibrant Cobram Barooga Golf Club”.
“We not only fully support this project but also strongly endorse the request for external funding into the region to ensure the Golf Club remains strong and the Sporties Group can continue to provide support and facilities so critical to the economic and social fabric of Cobram Barooga” said Mr Rudd.
“We are confident that with committed funding support we could have this project complete and open within 12 months” Said Mr Brooks.
Notice of Annual General Meeting Barooga Golf Club
(a sub club of the Barooga Sports Club Limited)
You are hereby notified that the Golf Club Annual Meeting will be held at Cobram Barooga Golf Club Murray Room on Thursday 17th October 2019 at 5.30pm.
There will be no need for elections this year as the Golf committee members are in their second year of the two-year term.
Golf Committee members Chairman Wayne Gould, Matt Haddrell, Michael Hayler, Malcolm Dickson, Christine Crawford, Helen Hall (co-opted) Barry Gook (co-opted)
Justin Speirani
Leisure Manager
PHONE 03 5873 4448
Notice of Annual General Meeting
You are hereby notified that the Annual General Meeting of the Barooga Sports Club Limited will be held at the Club on Wednesday 30th October, 2019 at 7.30pm.
NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTORS
Nominations open on Monday 19th of August, 2019 and close on Tuesday 3rd September, 2019 at 10am. Nominations packs are available from Reception and are to be returned to reception. A pre-nomination pack is also available from reception. If an electronic ballot is required voting information will be sent by either email or sms out to eligible members by the 4th October, 2019. Voting will close on Wednesday 30th of October, 2019 at 10am. Members will be able to vote either by using their own personal computer or by using a designated computer at the Club’s premises. Currently sitting Directors S. Brooks and N. Demaio retire as a result of the Triennial Rule. Directors S. Brooks and N. Demaio on being eligible, offer themselves for re-election.
NOTICE OF MOTION
Notice of Motions to be proposed as resolutions must be in the hands of the Chief Operating Officer no later than Wednesday 2nd October, 2019 at 10am.
By order of the Board
K. Anderson
Returning Officer
Recommendation of Life Membership
Dear Members,
Re: Recommendation of Life Membership – Brendan Ryan
Agenda Item 7 – Barooga Sports Club AGM 31st October 2018
The board of the Barooga Sports Club has voted to nominate Brendan Ryan for a life membership. Brendan has been a member of the club since 1990 and has spent the last 20 years serving as a member of the board.
Members are hereby notified of the board’s recommendation that Brendan be recognised with a life membership.
To be approved, the recommendation will require a two thirds majority of voting members present at our AGM, to be held on 31st October 2018.
Regards,
Bobby Brooks
Chief Executive Officer
BROOKS APPOINTED CEO OF SPORTIES GROUP
Long term board member and President for the past three years, Bobby Brooks has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sporties Group, Cobram Barooga.
Brooks has an extensive background in business and accounting, including running his own Cobram practice before Brooks Accountants merged with Mogg Osborne in 2016.
After deciding to leave the accounting industry after 30 years, Brooks was approached to consider a new challenge, taking on the CEO role at the club.
“I am passionate about the place and have been for a long time,” Brooks said.
“This is my tenth year on the board and my third year as President, so it was an obvious migration for me, having freed up a lot of time.
“I’ve played a big role in helping develop the strategic plan the club has now adopted, and in that we identified that there was still a shortage in management to implement that plan.
“The board approached me, knowing I was on the market, and asked if I had any interest in taking up an executive role at the club – and that’s how discussions started.”
A strong sense of community and a desire to continue a family legacy were motivating factors for Brooks to accept the role.
“As much as I’ve enjoyed the accounting industry and developed wonderful relationships with clients and staff, I still think there is some value I can bring to something else, and there’s nothing more appealing than doing something for the community that I grew up in and a group that my dad was a foundation President of, and with a brother also on the board,” he said.
Brooks takes up his new role on September 10, and is clear about the future direction of the club.
“Our challenge going forward is to keep adapting and reinventing ourselves to remain relevant to what the members and visitors want.
“We have to provide something really attractive to them, not the same old, same old. We’ve got lots of plans to investigate and some exciting developments, but our focus really is about nurturing our community and sport.
Brendan Ryan Resignation
After 20 years of service to the Barooga Sports Club, Brendan Ryan has announced his resignation from the Sporties board of directors. Brendan has chosen to take this opportunity to step down as his personal work commitments have kept him away from Barooga and hampered his ability to fully participate as an active and engaged board member.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my association since Tubby tapped me on the shoulder all those years ago. The Club has become such a big part of the community and I’m pleased to say it’s in good hands. I look forward to dropping in for a beer when I’m back in town.” – Brendan Ryan
Brendan first joined the Club’s board in 1998 and during his service he has helped guide the Club through a number of challenges, including the amalgamation of the Barooga Sports Club and Cobram Barooga Golf Club. Brendan’s resignation is effective from the 4th of September 2018.
With the resignations of Glen Brooks and Brenden Ryan in addition to the triennial resignations of two existing Board members, four vacancies have been created. The two retiring directors have renominated and we have received two new nominations. Therefore, with four nominations for four vacancies to fill, the requirement for a ballot in 2018 has been negated.
The following four members will be appointed to the Board at the AGM on the 24th of October:
Gary Hunt
Stephen Cusack
Brenden Mustica
Nick Demaio
Regards,
Sporties Barooga
