Club Narrabri continues on path of steady growth while building strong foundations for the future

Club Narrabri aims to become ‘the envy of every country town’, and the recent annual general meeting heard that it is well on the way to achieving its goal.

Narrabri’s successful ‘three venues – one club’ model is unique and bucks a trend of closures in many metropolitan and rural NSW centres where clubs are struggling.

Club Narrabri is the administrative umbrella for the three venues, the RSL Club, the ‘Golfie’ and the ‘Bowlo’, each with its own style and format but complementary, each offering recreation and dining facilities.

The three Narrabri venues are consolidating and expanding and have a combined membership of more than 5000.

A single membership encompasses all three venues.

President Bruce O’Hara reported an after-tax profit of $476,344 for the financial year to the AGM on the back of the previous year’s record profit.

“The future couldn’t be brighter for our great club,” said Mr O’Hara.

“The year’s pleasing result came in the context of a forced COVID-19 trading shutdown for 30 days in August last year, disruptions while major renovations are underway at the RSL venue, the finalisation of amalgamation with Narrabri Bowling Club and, most recently, flood disruptions,” said Mr O’Hara.

Despite the trading hurdles, Club Narrabri’s business has grown steadily through the year and is now positioned to further consolidate its three venues.

“Club Narrabri continues to develop its venue facilities,” said Mr O’Hara.

“The Golfie has previously undergone a refurbishment of its bar and lounge areas, with plans for further expansion and development, and major renovation at the RSL is expected to be completed by the end of November.”

Mr O’Hara welcomed Bowling Club members to Club Narrabri.

Amalgamation of the Bowling Club with Club Narrabri was finalised on August 29.

“We believe that the Bowlo offers an excellent facility for our town, and we are excited about the long-term opportunity that the venue presents.

“We are committed to improving the business, amenities, and customer experience at the Bowlo and to promote and encourage the game of bowls.

“I am very proud that Club Narrabri was awarded the prestigious ‘Best Business of the Year Award’ at the Whitehaven-Narrabri Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, a glowing endorsement of the board, management, staff team and caterers,” said Mr O’Hara.

“We also received the ‘Hospitality Award’ and our caterer Will Brooks was recognised as the ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year.’

In his report to the AGM, Club Narrabri CEO Paul Gordon said the board and management were committed ‘to making Club Narrabri the envy of every country town.’

“We have created a unique business model with one club operating three very different venues, effectively
owning every club in town.

“Our challenge is improving each venue without detracting from the other,” he said.

The AGM saw the re-appointment of the Club Narrabri Board unopposed. The board comprises president Bruce O’Hara, directors Ray Kebby, Gary Mason OAM, vice-president John Watling, Sally Phelps, Brett Nolan and James Thomas.