In an era when many large country towns and city suburbs are seeing their long-established local clubs close, Narrabri has bucked the trend.

Narrabri now has three viable venues each with development of their facilities completed, underway or in the pipeline.

Following the successful amalgamation of Narrabri Bowling Club with Club Narrabri, effective from August 29, the community is now served by three separate venues, the ‘RSL’ , ‘The Golfie’ and ‘The Bowlo’, under the administrative umbrella of Club Narrabri.

“Narrabri is unique as a town of this size with one club entity providing three great community venues,” commented Club Narrabri CEO Paul Gordon.

Narrabri has emerged from the sustained pressures of drought years and covid with three venues providing social recreation and sport activities, each with a distinctive role and style, each catering to the community in different but complementary ways.

The ongoing financial success of Narrabri RSL Club has helped underwrite the future of Narrabri’s club scene.

Club Narrabri has posted a $476,334 profit for the year, continuing a trajectory of profitability as it and other venues emerge from the drought and COVID challenges.

“Our team has achieved a great result given that the club was closed for a full month from August 15 to September 15,” said Mr Gordon.

The RSL Club has continued to improve its profitability year on year.

“This has provided the foundation for the Club Narrabri board to move on further development,” Mr Gordon said.

“The financial strength of the RSL venue helps underwrite the facilities offered at the Golfie and Bowlo venues,” said Mr Gordon.

“With the amalgamation of the Bowling Club completed Club Narrabri now has total assets exceeding $15 million.

“This gives Club Narrabri an excellent basis for future growth.

“The board is committed to improving the Bowling Club facility, growing the game of bowls and increasing patronage at the club,” said Mr Gordon.

“We are increasing the trading hours, starting this week, from Tuesdays through to Saturdays.

“We have a new restaurateur at The Bowlo venue offering Australian cuisine with a Sri Lankan twist. Meals will be available for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday.”

Narrabri Golf Club, now The Golfie, amalgamated with Narrabri RSL Club in 2017.

The Golfie is now enjoying fantastic success with a major turnaround in its profitability, has undergone significant upgrades and refurbishment with further development ahead, and is attracting a growing clientele of social and golfing members.

Club Narrabri now has 5000 members across the three venues.

“The board has recently waived social membership fees,” said Mr Gordon.

“Club membership allows patrons to visit any one of the three venues and to participate in promotions, badge draws and member’s rewards.

“Over the past 12 months, Club Narrabri has poured over $84,000 into our community through donations, sponsorship and in-kind support.

Many local and regional charities, sports and community organisations rely on our patronage to remain viable,” Mr Gordon said.

“We encourage all Narrabri residents to join our club and help support this great community organisation.”

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