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.
PHONE 03 5873 4448
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
