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Vol 111, No 236 May 2012 www.cmaa.asn.au It’s Time n MID YEAR To Think n CONFERENCE CONFERENCE BROCHURE: pages 25-28 Jupiters REGISTRATION & INFORMATION www.cmaa.asn.au ‘CMDA Family’ welcomes new sponsors It’s Another Busy Month In The Zone pages 33-45
1 Club Managers’ Publisher CMAA Association Australia Editor: Peter Sharp 0412 381 733 Office Bearers CMAA FEDERAL EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION Contributors: Henri Lach, Katie Cincotta. Bill Clegg ACCM President Federal President WILLIAM CLEGG, ACCM Advertising: Judy Rayner Randwick Labor Club Advertising Bookings: Vice President (02) 9332 2363 & 9360 6177 MICHAEL O'SULLIVAN, ACCM Fax (02) 9361 5142 Milton Ulladulla Bowling Club rayner@bigpond.net.au Federal Secretary ALLAN PETER, ACCM Printing and Design: Daily Press Group Executive Members Executive Officer Phone: (02) 9316 9366 STEVE CONDREN, ACCM Ralph Kober, B.Ed. Southport Surf Lifesaving Club Correspondence: IAN TODD, ACCM Senior Industrial Relations Advocate Michael O’Sullivan ACCM Peter Cooper The Editor, c/ Kingsgrove RSL Club Federal Vice President Club Managers’ Association Australia NSW State Executive Member Marketing and Sponsorship Manager Level 2, 1 Showground Road DAVID HISCOX, ACCM Shannon Donato Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 Dapto Leagues Club Industry Professional Locked Bag 4317 Development Manager Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 FEDERAL COUNCILLORS Geoff Meston Phone (02) 9746 4199 Division A – City/Eastern Suburbs Training Course Administrators Fax (02) 9746 5199 Zone and Manly/Northern Suburbs Brad Jones, CCM Zone Estelle McDonaldBirch Mario Machado, ACCM Please address all business Chief Executive Officer Accounts Officer correspondence to the Hornsby RSL Club Priscilla San Luis Federal Secretary Allan Peter ACCM Administration Officer Federal Secretary Division B - St George/Cronulla The Club Managers’ Association Australia is Sutherland Zone and Inner West Zone Evonne Bosnich registered as an industrial organisation of Douglas Kirkham, ACCM Receptionist employees in the terms of the Fair Work Act General Manager Carol Quirke 2009, and The Club Managers’ Association is Canada Bay Club Events Administrator a registered Trade Union in the terms of the Division C – Nepean Zone Tegan Cain New South Wales Industrial Relations Act Michael Wiezel Qld Membership Liaison Officer 1996. The CMAA is affiliated with the Secretary Manager Justin McGurgan Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). St Marys RSL Club Life Members Division D – Hunter Zone, Central Harry Walker (decd.) Registered Office Coast Zone and Great Lakes Zone Norm Robinson (decd.) Level 2, 1 Showground Road Stephen Byfield, ACCM Steve Condren ACCM Arthur Justice (decd.) Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 Chief Executive Officer Len Ewart (decd.) Federal Executive Member Phone (02) 9746 4199 Diggers @ The Entrance Lou O’Neill (decd.) Fax (02) 9746 5199 Division E – Far North Coast Zone, Peter Cameron (decd.) Locked Bag 4317 North West State Zone, Mid State Zone Bob Harbutt (decd.) Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 and Mid North Coast Zone Keith Nolan (decd.) Email cmaa@cmaa.asn.au Phillip Mallon, ACCM Fred Chubb, CCM (decd.) General Manager Alan McDougall, MBE (decd.) Office Hours Casino RSM Club John Milne (decd.) Les Evennett Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Division F – Illawarra Shoalhaven Zone George Elliot, CCM Sevenday telephone answering service in and Far South Coast Zone Peter Strachan, ACCM operation. David Hiscox, ACCM General Manager Hans Sarlemyn, ACCM Ian Todd ACCM Dapto Leagues Club Jim Henry, OAM, CCM “Club Management in Australia” is published monthly by the Club Managers’ Association Australia. All material is Federal Executive Member Terry Condon, CCM copyright and cannot be reproduced without the explicit Division G – Gold Coast Zone, Brisbane Lew Cooper permission of the Publisher or Editor. Editorial Zone, Ipswich Darling Downs Zone, Barry Stevenson contributions relating to the club industry are welcome. Sunshine Coast Zone, and the Central Greg Pickering, ACCM Submitted copy should be typed and double spaced. We and Northern Queensland Zone John Allan, ACCM don’t accept any responsibility for keeping and returning Wayne Moffatt unsolicited material. Photographs submitted must be Allan Peter, ACCM General Manager Wayne Forrest, ACCM captioned. Those sent without prior arrangement cannot be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self Pine Rivers Memorial Club Bill Clegg, ACCM addressed envelope. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Club Managers’ Association Division H – Victoria Zone, Riverina Australia. Although we do exercise the utmost caution, we Murray Zone and the ACT Zone don’t accept responsibility for claims expressed in Grant Duffy, ACCM advertisements appearing in our issues. Secretary Manager Subscription rate is $60 a year. David Hiscox ACCM Numurkah Golf & Bowls Club ISSN 00457205 NSW State Executive Member CMAA MEMBERS CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT & COUNSELLING - 1300 464 262
4 IN YOUR MAY EDITION PAGE ADVERTISER / EDITORIAL Cover 1 JUPITERS MID YEAR CONFERENCE +NEW SPONSORS Cover 2 KONAMI 1 CMAA IMPRINT & ADMINISTRATION 2 CMDA CAREER DEVELOPMENT SPONSORS 3 CLUB PLUS SUPERANNUATION 4 MARCH EDITION CONTENTS & POINTERS 5 6 AINSWORTH GAMING TECHNOLOGY PAYNTER DIXON + INDUSTRY ISSUES ➢ Page 18-19 7 COMMUNITY FIRST CREDIT UNION 8 PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE THAT “GUT FEELING” remains an integral part of John 9 ARISTOCRAT Fitzgibbon’s strategy in making Earlwood Bardwell Park RSL Club a genuine success story. On the southwestern 10 THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S DESK fringe of metropolitan Sydney, the club has been a working 11 INDEPENDENT GAMING “home” to John for almost 12 years where he has built a 12 THE BUSINESS END successful business under challenging circumstances in a 13 AUSTRALASIAN GAMING EXPO AGE 2012 multicultural melting pot of residents and members. 14 CMDA SPONSORS UPDATE QUATTRO INTERIORS “Research … do your job, earn your money,” John says. 15 DATACARD 16 CMDA SPONSORS UPDATE EP&T GLOBAL 17 JAMES CLIFFORD + CLUBS+: TWODAY CHEFS HANDSON SUMMIT 18 OUR MANAGERS JOHN FITZGIBBON 1 19 MERIDIAN CONSTRUCTION + OUR MANAGERS JOHN FITZGIBBON 2 20 HARLEY RUSSELL DAY + NORTHERN EXPOSURE TWIN TOWNS 1 21 NORTHERN EXPOSURE TWIN TOWNS 2 22 NUFURN + CMDA UPDATE JUPITERS MID YEAR CONFERENCE 23 THOMSONS LAWYERS + CMDA UPDATE JUPITERS MID YEAR CONFERENCE ➢ Pages 22-23 24 TMA GROUP + AGE 2012 & 25-28 25 CMDA JUPITERS MID YEAR CONFERENCE BROCHURE 1 26 CMDA JUPITERS MID YEAR CONFERENCE BROCHURE 2 2020 VISION - Levi’s jeans, the flying kangaroo, mobile 27 CMDA JUPITERS MID YEAR CONFERENCE BROCHURE 3 phones ... and clubs early innovators and the strategic 28 CMDA JUPITERS MID YEAR CONFERENCE BROCHURE 4 impacts of decision making. With the CMAA’s annual 29 CMDA QUEENSLAND UPDATE w/ JUSTIN McGURGAN Conference & Hospitality Expo over, it’s time to think about 30 CMDA PROFITABLE HOSPITALITY BURSARY TOUR 1 the next stage of your 2012 professional development 31 CMDA PROFITABLE HOSPITALITY BURSARY TOUR 2 agenda. The CMAA’s Mid Year Conference follows through 32 CMDA 2012 TRAINING CALENDAR on the 2020 VISION concept with the theme … 33 CMDA NATIONAL BURSARY SPONSORS + ‘Planning & Strategy: It’s All About People’. IN THE ZONE INNER WEST BREAKFAST MEETING 34 CMAA 2012 MEETINGS & EVENTS DIARY 35 IN THE ZONE ST GEORGE CRONULLA MEETING & LUNCH 36 ZONE EDUCATION OFFICERS + BOARD OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES 37 IN THE ZONE CITY EASTERN SUBURBS MEETING & LUNCH 38 CLUBS+: FOOD & BEVERAGE WORKSHOP or WEBINAR 39 IN THE ZONE FAR NORTH COAST AGM & LUNCH 40 CLUBS+: WEDDINGS & EVENTS MANAGEMENT SUMMIT 41 CLUBS+: WEDDINGS & EVENTS MANAGEMENT SUMMIT 42 IN THE ZONE GREAT LAKES MEETING & LUNCH 43 44 IN THE ZONE NEPEAN AGM & LUNCH CLUBS+: TRAINING EVENTS CALENDAR May September ➢ Pages 30-31 45 IN THE ZONE MANLY NORTHERN SUBURBS GOLF DAY 46 CLUBS+: TWODAY CHEFS HANDSON SUMMIT A “PADDLE” of beers, sizzling steaks and ‘The Business of 47 CLUBS+: TWODAY CHEFS HANDSON SUMMIT Good Beer: How to Create a Great Beer Venue’ at the 48 NORTHERN EXPOSURE NORTHCLIFF SURF CLUB 1 famous The Local Taphouse beer café, was an exciting 49 RAYNER SALES & ADVERTISING + NORTHCLIFF SURF CLUB 2 introduction to the 2012 Clubs+: Melbourne Food & Wine 50 2011 ACE AWARDS THE WINNERS 1 Study Tour. Winners of the CMDA’s Profitable Hospitality 51 2011 ACE AWARDS THE WINNERS 2 Melbourne Restaurant Bursary, Newcastle Panthers 52 MARKET FORCES Operations Manager John Flanagan and Quirindi RSL Club Cover 3 CMAA 2012 CONFERENCE & HOSPITALITY EXPO Secretary Manager Margaret McGrath were part of the group. Cover 4 SHUFFLE MASTER AUSTRALASIA
6 INDUSTRY ISSUES Wilkie making the most of MPC original problem gambling pokies reform deal in January. opportunity from Slipper’s issues Clubs Australia says its campaign was about mandatory precommitment being introduced without a trial. THEY ARE at it again. Andrew Wilkie Mr Wilkie, the Tasmanian Independent “Everyone has now agreed to that. There and Nick Xenophon are back in the MP, believes he will regain some of the doesn’t appear to be any likelihood it headlines with their mandatory pre political clout he lost when the former will be forced on clubs, pubs and casinos commitment (MPC) campaign. Queensland LiberalNational MP without a trial.” The antigambling agenda was back in secured the speakership in late 2011 Community Affairs Minister Jenny media spotlight after the controversially and delivered Labor an extra vote in the Macklin has been in talks with Mr appointed House of Representatives Lower House. Wilkie, trying to overcome the last Speaker, Peter Slipper, stood down over Mr Wilkie is taking advice on what he stumbling block to gain his support for allegations of criminal and personal says is “uncertainty and changing the watereddown reforms and Ms misconduct. The Government is circumstances” in the Federal Macklin wrote to him on April 20 about confident of a rapid resolution to the Parliament and the implications for his his demands on the pokies issue. investigation into criminal allegations poker machine reform demands. Mr Wilkie says he is unhappy the by a staff member, James Ashby, that Mr On April 23, Mr Wilkie held talks with Government’s draft legislation does not Slipper gave blank Cabcharge vouchers Tony Abbott's Chief of Staff, Peta specify that poker machines have to be to a limousine driver on three occasions Credlin, and Labor's chief parliamentary “flicktheswitch ready” for future this year. Mr Slipper has stood aside as tactician, Anthony Albanese, about his governments to roll out MPC technology. Speaker only while this specific claim is proposed poker machine reforms and Previously, he warned the Government investigated. other policy issues in a bid to leverage he would be a “ticking time bomb” over Mr Slipper also faces civil legal the tightened parliamentary numbers to the next 18 months if it didn't amend proceedings over allegations he sexually his advantage. the laws to his satisfaction. harassed a former male adviser. Mr Senator Xenophon claims “political Ms Macklin claims the Government Slipper has denied all the allegations. karma” is coming back on Prime has legal advice that the gambling In light of Mr Slipper’s circumstances, Minister Julia Gillard for reneging on her reform bill achieves Mr Wilkie's aim. n
8 CMAA UPDATE Australia stands proud at we need to pursue the improvements to corporate governance that the wider industry acknowledges must happen. World Clubs Conference This agenda cannot be influenced by those that are absorbed with self interest. Your Association is committed President’s Perspective with BILL CLEGG, ACCM to identifying the training needs and developing appropriate courses for the club managers of today and the WITH CMAA Federal Secretary Allan Clubs, like everything else, rise and approaching decades. Compared Peter and Executive Ralph Kober, I decline with the community/society internationally, we are well positioned, recently had the honour to represent the they serve. The great benefits of but cannot think that the future will Association at the 85th World economic difficulty is the ability to look after us if we do not look after Conference on Club Management. reduce overheads and become “lean”, ourselves. We also joined 27 other official while the key success factors in a International Delegates and many more prospering economy is quality service, IT WAS a privilege to represent the international club managers at the 16th friendly club atmosphere, improved CMAA at the recent 14th Australian Club International Symposium. The Club communications and value for Entertainment (ACE) Awards Dinner. Industry’s international focus is varied. membership. Clubs must maximise cost With such an impressive array of In Europe, the development of the savings and revenueproducing sources entertainers on stage and accepting European Club Education programs ... “run the club like a business”. awards and more than 500 people progresses well, with the primary Of interest, the top 20% of clubs are packing The Juniors auditorium, you objective of developing the industry doing well; 60% are struggling; while the appreciate the role the Club Industry leaders but, first, having to establish a other 20% could disappear. Consolidation has played in providing work sustainable organisation that can deliver of the Club Industry is inevitable. The opportunities for entertainers to hone the programs. In the Americas, the trend to 20% fewer clubs is an indication their skills. recovery from the global financial crisis that management requires greater skills continues and the industry now is Among the sponsors who made the and there is need for the Board of reflecting on where they have been and night possible were, Canterbury Directors to plan strategically. what the future holds. Hurlstone Park RSL (the home of the Bill McMahon could easily have been ACE Awards for more than a decade), Bill McMahon, a consultant to US and talking about Australia’s Club Industry. Twin Towns Services Club, Petersham Canadian clubs, provided the Keynote The consolidation and reduction in club RSL Club, St Mary’s Leagues Club, Address at the International Symposium numbers and the need for greater Bowlers Club of NSW, Ingelburn RSL on the theme ‘Trends Changing the Club education is imperative for a successful Club, The Juniors @ Kingford, World’. The context of Mr McMahon’s industry to survive and thrive. Bankstown Sports Club, Revesby presentation is relevant to all clubs Workers Club and Blacktown Workers Not surprisingly, the focus of the around the world. Clubs operate in and Club all clubs that have a strong need to adjust to ... Conference education content addressed the key areas of social media, ongoing commitment to providing a timeconstrained society, members turning healthy trends into healthy opportunities to artists. with busy lifestyles; profits, strategic planning, improving The CMAA and ClubsNSW, provided the changing roles of women are the member experience, personal the administration support to the event making them major decisionmakers; credibility, leadership and the changing management team and, with the added wellness & health active aging; trends in food and beverage. support of Leagues Clubs Australia and sense of community; Another Conference highlight was the the RSL & Service Clubs Association, green movement – ecofriendly; International Breakfast when each of the made the ACE event a true Club Industry technology & communications: Official International Delegates provided entertainment event. a short update on the status of their Our allied trade partners most CMDA respective Associations. In my address, I sponsor companies, particularly Major reviewed the industry’s position and the Sponsor Lion and Doug May advances CMA Australia has made over complimented the organisation and the past 30 years. support for the event. I THOUGHT I was watching a rerun of The success of the ACE Awards comes Jurassic Park at a recently industry from the commitment of all sectors of meeting when there was a call for the the Club Industry in publicly training requirements and acknowledging the remarkable talent of improvements to corporate governance our entertainers. n to be removed from the industry’s ➢ BILL CLEGG, ACCM, is the CMAA agenda. If the Club Industry wants less Federal President, a CMAA Life interference from Government and less Member & General Manager at pressure from community expectations, Randwick Labor Club
10 CMAA UPDATE Optimistic prediction taking networking with Asian club managers from the AsiaPacific region. on positive reality for clubs I know that each of the Australian club managers feels proud and grateful for such a great career development opportunity and trust that they will, in The Executive Officer’s Desk with RALPH KOBER their own way, encourage more managers to apply for this prestigious study tour in the upcoming CMAA IT SEEMS just moments ago I wrote in staunchly supported by the Club National Bursary Program, released later this column earlier this year that I Industry. this year. believed that 2012 would be a year filled Effectively, MPC has been shelved and, with growing optimism and confidence. while we are in a political “limbo” where IT WON'T be long until members come I'm pleased to say that prediction is the Government remains hesitant to together en masse at the CMAA’s Mid becoming reality. introduce the draft legislation during Year Executive Leadership Conference at The mood at the recent CMAA the sitting of this Parliament, it’s likely Jupiters July 46 which is shaping up that some form of voluntary pre to be a substantial education event, as in Conference & Hospitality Expo at commitment and hard demonstration by previous years. Darling Harbour in March was upbeat the industry that it takes minimising the and overwhelmingly positive. Adding value to your CMAA harm associated with problem gambling Managers and trade exhibitors seriously could be considered in the membership is a priority and, at Jupiters, remarked on how different the attitude next Parliament. the CMDA is offering two preConference and demeanour of the attendees was optional courses full details and At the time of writing this column, I compared to this time last year when information is available in the am in Singapore leading a delegation of the issue troubling the Club Industry Conference Brochure (pages 25-28 of CMAA Members who were awarded was the uncertainty around Andrew this edition) or go to educational bursaries under the CMAA Wilkie’s mandatory precommitment National Bursary Program, in attending www.cmaa.asn.au and (MPC) gambling reforms. the 9th Asian Club Managers’ www.ccmtravel.com.au. Attendee numbers at the CMAA Association Conference and the Asian Continuing on the theme of ‘2020 Members AGM, Conference and Expo Food & Hospitality Expo. VISION’ - Strategic Management & were up on last year. The experience has been tremendous Planning, the Conference will be a great Exhibitors reported that they wrote for the bursary winners, encompassing event and the opportunity for substantially more business and had tours of the Marina Bay Sands and networking with other likeminded more leads than 2011. I suspect all of Sentosa integrated resorts, tours of professional club managers is one not to this change is predicated on the highend Singaporean private clubs, be missed. successful outcome of the campaign such as the Orchid Country Club and the against the antigambling reforms American Club, and two long and AS I reported at the CMAA Annual capably led by Clubs Australia and beneficial days of conferencing and General Meeting at Darling Harbour in March, the Board of Management Studies and CMAA Management are conducting reviews of the Active Certified Club Manager (ACCM) award and CMDA National Bursary program to ensure they are both relevant and of value to members. I anticipate that after the Mid Year Conference the results of these two reviews will be reported to Members and any change in either program's construct will be phased in over a reasonable time frame. I welcome any feedback from CMAA Members regarding both programs prior to the reviews, so please contact me at E: ralph@cmaa.asn.au. IN SUMMARY, I encourage you and your club to continue working positively and with optimism in your daytoday n Members of the CMA Australia National Bursary tour group at the operations and trust that you are looking 9th Asian CMA Conference in Singapore. forward to seeing “the good times roll”. n
12 CMAA UPDATE Members and Sponsors in Club Industry continues to provide these opportunities and services to our communities. the Business Spotlight So, if over the Easter period you, like me, spent a little time reflecting upon The Business End with SHANNON DONATO what you are contributing, I hope that like me, you were proud of your work in the Club Industry. BEFORE THE Easter break, I attended run at a loss and/or significant cost to and immensely enjoyed the Nepean provide a place for people to spend time SPONSORS SPOTLIGHT Zone Annual General Meeting. It was together. great to spend time with members and As we know all too well, clubs don’t sponsors in this thriving and vibrant act only as meeting places and modern CMAA Zone. versions of the “town square”, but also The Meeting, Workshop and Luncheon offer social/personal support and were all terrific. The highlight for me – assistance to their wider communities. and, I suspect, many lunch guests was Gus spoke about how clubs play a vital rugby league champion Phil “Gus” Gould role in providing funding and resources taking the time to attend the lunch and to local communities and sporting provide his thoughts on the role of the groups. Club Industry. A successful football player and coach, While always entertaining and now media commentator and high enlightening when he speaks, Gus’s profile senior club administrator, Gus THIS WEEK we put Mark Swindell, from words and sentiments echoed in my also worked in the Club Industry many our new National Bursary Sponsor mind over the following days during the years ago as a sales representative, so he company EP&T Global in the ‘Sponsors Easter period. is more than qualified to give a long Spotlight’… Easter is a time where we are able to term, holistic perspective on the importance of our industry. Name: Mark Swindell. stop and take the time to reflect upon the important things in life ... family, He has been impressively successful Company: EP&T Global friends and what kind of contribution across many areas and, importantly, Gus Position: Commercial Manager we are making in our lives. This got me says his passion for what he does and thinking about what I do for a living and his subsequent success (my words, not First club client: Blacktown Workers Gus’s words on the contribution our his) harks back to his time as a junior Club Club Industry makes to our sportsman … an opportunity provided Best thing about working in the Club communities. through clubs in his community. Industry: The great people. Never one to shy away from giving his Just after the Easter weekend, I spent Best piece of advice you can opinion, Gus spoke passionately about some time with my family at Mollymook offer/have ever received: You can the role clubs play in the fabric of and Ulladulla on the NSW South Coast. learn something from everyone you meet. modern Australian society. The fact that, While in town, we visited CMAA Federal Worst piece of advice you have ever besides providing employment for tens Vice President Michael O’Sullivan’s received: That horse never throws of thousands of Australians, clubs also Milton Ulladulla Bowling Club. During anyone off. provide a social hub for people to meet our visit to this beautiful seaside club, I and come together. Clubs provide witnessed three generations of one I wish I had a dollar for every time: I activities such as bingo, mother’s family celebrate their grandmother’s hear businesses complain about rising groups, golf, bowls, darts and numerous birthday; we met three young Ulladulla energy costs. other social and sporting events often locals as we watched the football (when When not at work you can find me: At the Warriors belted the Rabbitohs); and home with the kids, or playing rugby. saw dozens of locals enjoying the world Favourite sporting team: NSW class bowling greens. Waratahs (rugby union). Sitting there, enjoying the club’s My local club is: The Epping Club. facilities and atmosphere, watching the operations of a genuine asset to the local Best thing about my local club: The community, I was reminded of Gus’s amazing food! n words about the integral role clubs play in local communities and the fabric of ➢ SHANNON DONATO is the CMAA’s modern society. Sponsorship & Marketing Manager All of us club managers, their staff, M: 0434 185 414; n PHIL GOULD club suppliers and CMDA sponsors W: 02 - 9746 4199; play an important role in ensuring the E: shannon@cmaa.asn.au
14 CMDA SPONSORS UPDATE Sponsorship builds on Quattro’s great work with clubs By PETER SHARP DURING THE past decade, the traditional club landscape has been subject to many changes when it comes to legislation and the development process. As architects and interior designers, Quattro has been closely involved with these changes. Established 11 years ago as an architecture and interior design firm by n ABOVE: A Quattro project ... directors Peter Hosking and Kylie Grimwood, Quattro has completed more the Lucido Bar at Wentworthville Leagues Club. than 50 club projects from minor alterations and refurbishments to larger n LEFT: The Quattro team. new builds. Quattro has won these projects, either ‘ working with builders on gross maximum price or design and construct contracts with project managers and, now, directly “Successful design is with the clubs. about giving your client In many cases, the design often is what they want and dictated by the base building legislation of The spatial qualities of a club and the about educating your the day. atmosphere it creates are two key client on what is Quattro’s versatility and readiness to elements to its success. available and what adapt to any situation has ensured Kylie Grimwood said the focus is on both works for them.” constant work with clubs across NSW and at Quattro – planning of the space and the developed strong relationships with the interior design. “We pride ourselves on club managers. listening to and collaborating with the It is due to these positive relationships client,” Kylie added. “Successful design is that Quattro decided to strengthen its about giving your client what they want relationship with the Club Industry by and about educating your client on what is becoming a CMDA National Bursary available and what works for them. It’s Sponsor. about interpreting their brief.” “We see the opportunity of partnering This approach has enabled Quattro to the CMAA as a great way to boost our generate consistent return work. involvement with the clubs of Australia,” Dapto Leagues Club General Manager Peter Hosking said. “Clubs are some of our and CMAA NSW State Executive Member best clients and to support the CMDA David Hiscox says Quattro understands the through its important education and client and what they are looking for. “Their professional development program is a [Quattro] concepts were fantastic,” David winwin situation.” said. “We have been using Quattro for two While the process of club development years now ... I can’t see why we’d go has changed over the past decade, using anywhere else.” ➢ For more information, contact intelligent club architecture and interior Quattro’s capabilities allow them to be Quattro Interiors design to achieve better results has not. involved in all aspects of the design P: 02 - 9699 9881 Merrylands RSL General Manager Bryn process. W: www.quattrodesign.com.au Miller said: “In the hospitality industry, From design, document, coordinate and Quattro Interiors head office is there are 1,400, or so, clubs and hotels in provide FF&E packages, to master located at NSW all very competitive in driving their planning, then right through to the last Studio 7, Level 1 businesses. If you have a ‘wow factor’ architectural detail and finish, Quattro 35 Buckingham Street about your business, it sells itself.” takes the stress and pressure out of a Surry Hills NSW 2010 Quattro strongly believes this sentiment. successful project. n
16 CMDA SPONSORS UPDATE EP&T Global By PETER SHARP comprehensive endtoend solution dedicated to improving the way energy is managed, highlighting areas of energy tackles energy, AS THE cost of living rises along with other uncertainties, managers in the Club Industry faced the challenging task of waste and helping clubs and their managers to achieve their sustainability environment operating venues that provide a wide range of services and a unique social goals. EP&T Global’s Marketing & challenges environment for their members, while supporting their local communities. Communications Manager Steve Grant said the rising costs of energy and with clubs Managing such a diverse operation with multiple facilities can be a major pressures within the Club Industry posed a unique set of challenges to the undertaking, especially when taking into management of clubs and their resources. account the energy costs involved and the “Energy management is an increasingly impact these costs have on a club’s bottom important area for all clubs to address and line. make part of their overall strategy as the For more than 20 years, EP&T Global benefits they can achieve represent real has been delivering innovative energy value and real savings,” Steve added. efficiency and environmental solutions for EP&T Global’s energy efficiency its customers and helping them make real solutions focus on how to make the most and sustained savings in terms of their from an organisation’s existing energy use and cost. infrastructure. By combining its pioneering technology “We often have customers that are with a team of multidisciplinary amazed at the savings we can achieve for engineers, EP&T Global provides a unique them because, if such issues were approach to achieve real and significant unidentified or left unchecked, the costs savings in terms of energy, water and over time can have a substantially waste, that represents real financial negative impact upon their bottom line,” savings for its many clients. Steve Grant added. EP&T Global is Australianowned and “Our solutions provide a unique operated with a mission and a passion to opportunity to eliminate energy waste help its clients make genuine energy and and optimise the resource consumption cost savings that can then be used to for a club, while maintaining the comfort benefit other areas of their operations. levels of their member. EP&T Global’s team takes the time to “As a result, the associated savings can understand its clients’ businesses and be directed towards other operations of tailormake a solution that fits their the club which benefit both their specific requirements. members and the communities they This is achieved by identifying energy serve. It’s the ultimate ‘winwin’ consumption “hotspots” throughout a opportunity.” building that can then be rectified by the EP&T Global has recently joined the building staff and converted into savings. CMDA Sponsor “family” as a National EP&T Global has an extensive track Bursary Sponsor. ➢ For more information on record of ontime, onbudget delivery “We are an Australian company and EP&T Global’s range of with EP&T systems installed in more than understand the important and long products and services, go to 600 sites across a wide range of standing role that clubs play within www.eptglobal.com or industries, including a dedicated Australian communities,” Steve said. “So, contact EP&T Global’s commitment to servicing the clubs sector. supporting such a worthwhile Association Commercial Manager with its focus on the education and Mark Swindell The energy efficiency solutions EP&T provides are an increasingly trusted professional development of its members B: 02 - 8422 6060; fits very comfortably with EP&T’s core M: 0424 888 083; means of performance management. values. It’s another winwin situation.” n E: mark.s@eptglobal.com In the past year alone, EP&T achieved EP&T Global’s Australian these savings for clients … offices are at 358 Eastern $21.4 million in utility costs; … the rising costs of energy Valley Way, Chatswood NSW P: 02 8422 6000 and 120,000 tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide) and pressures within the Club emissions; Industry posed a unique set of 1006/220 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 700 million litres of water. challenges to the P: 03 9639 7772. With a range of more than 30 products management of clubs and and services, EP&T Global offers a their resources.
CMDA - CLUBS+: CHEFS TWO-DAY MANAGEMENT SUMMIT 17 Chefs cooking up and has been a special guest of the “Iron Chefs” in Japan. fast track to success For those who want to learn more from this high achiever, here’s a great opportunity. WHATEVER YOUR opinion of Mark will be a guest presenter at a “Masterchef” and all its variations, special gathering for chefs in June the attracting hundreds of thousands to the Clubs+: Chefs Two-Day Management screen most nights has put the kitchens Summit. and chefs under a very bright spotlight. The Summit at Bankstown Sports Clubs, hotels, bistros, cafes, Club in Sydney on June 5 and 6 will be restaurants and even in bars: patrons hard work, education and business a gathering of chefs from all over the are demanding more and secondrate management “smarts”. country. food or service is no longer accepted. Chefs need to be good at planning, Be a part of this exciting education Today’s chefs generally have a strong costing, ordering, cooking, time opportunity and bring your team. focus on professional development for management and team leadership and themselves and their teams. There will also be a unique threehour that’s just the start. MasterClass event on Tuesday, June 5, Chefs are at the front of the line to be According to one of Melbourne’s especially for Executive Chefs. n offered the best positions and a good leading chefs, Mark Normoyle, the salary as an executive/head chef, an Executive Chef at the prestigious RACV ➢ Visit www.ProfitableHospitality.com operations manager even a CEO. City Club, training and ongoing learning or go to www.cmaa.asn.au for more Their unique insight into kitchen across all areas of the business is information and to book for this operations gives them a considerable paramount. remarkable professional development advantage in the management of any opportunity. Leading the secondlargest team of hospitality operation. chefs in Melbourne, Mark Normoyle has ➢ The Clubs+: Chefs Two-Day However, career success generally the distinction of working in the world’s Management Summit information doesn’t come without a good deal of only sevenstar hotel, the Burj Alarab, brochure is on pages 46 & 47.
18 OUR MANAGERS Competitive edge drives John’s passion for clubs By PETER SHARP THAT “GUT FEELING” remains an integral part of John Fitzgibbon’s strategy in making Earlwood Bardwell Park RSL Club a genuine success story. On the southwestern fringe of metropolitan Sydney, the club has been a working “home” to John for almost 12 years where he has built a successful business under challenging circumstances in a multicultural melting pot of residents and members. “Research … do your job, earn your money. Talk to people who know about the changes and decisions you have to make for your club to be successful,” is John’s plainspeaking philosophy about managing a club. “Consultants can be helpful, but not always the answer. Every field has an expert not necessarily a consultant. In the club business, managers know colleagues who have the answer or advice than can go a long way to solving a problem. A good manager travels, observes, experiences what’s happening in the industry, then taps into that collegial network to finally make good decisions. “At the end of the day, you know what works, what’s right for your club and, sometimes despite the best evidence, you just n Earlwood Bardwell Park RSL Club General Manager have to trust your gut on some things … it’s that way in lots of businesses.” John Fitzgibbon. John’s gut instincts are built on almost 30 years in clubs, starting out in March 1983 after three years working with the National Bank, then at the Corowa Bowling Club with Harry “I learned the business from good people so it was the right Bellette as his boss. “Because of my banking background, Harry opportunity at the right time when I was ready to settle in and was keen for me to work on the club’s cash flow, so I was up at take on the responsibility of my own club,” John said. “It was a 5am reading the poker machine meters for two hours each day club I knew, one with plenty of challenges, but a business I knew … that’s when managers knew where meters were on machines,” could be better and bigger and something valuable in the John adds with a smile. community.” John was the Gaming Manager at Corowa when he “gave it One of John’s first, and perhaps biggest projects was to move away to knock around for a few years”, including 12 months in the club operations upstairs to street level. “Everything was London, before return to Sydney and hooking up with his below street level,” John says. “We had an auditorium upstairs predecessor at EBPRSL, Frank Mulhall. “Frank heard I was in and the rest of the club was downstairs. A positive was that it town, he called, then spoke to Corowa and we had the next two was easy for the construction team and, in the end, it was a years together here,” John recalls. hugely successful outcome for the club and the members. It gave It was on to the NSW Leagues Club as Deputy General Manager us a great marketing and membership opportunity to invite for 1989 to ’95, then south to the St Kilda Football Social Club at residents in the area to revisit their club. We were able to make a Moorabbin for a few more years. superb venue upstairs and throw in great family dining and a worldclass health and fitness facility downstairs.” John’s itchy feet took him back to Sydney where he had a few jobs as a receiver/manager until 2000 when with Frank Mulhall That membership demographic looks more like the seriously talking about retirement, he got the invitation to come membership of the United Nations, with Greek, Australian, back to Earlwood as the boss. Italian and Asian residents in the area attracted to the club’s impressive dining, gaming, entertainment and fitness facilities. “It was critical to physically go out and engage with the residents, so we actually went out to streets, knocked on doors to find out who was living in our area and invite them to visit the At the end of the day, you know what works, club,” John said. what’s right for your club and, sometimes John points to a stable, supportive and understanding Board as despite the best evidence, you just have to the most important component in the club’s success. “The only trust your gut on some things … it’s that change in the Board over the past 12 years was bought about by way in lots of businesses. a death. We are financially successful because we have a unified Board with a good working relationship with the management at all levels. Everyone is working for the same outcome.”
OUR MANAGERS 19 The RSL Club faces a lot of competition for the gaming dollar, units] were wellpriced at a time when we had money to invest with five of the state’s top 20 clubs within a 10km radius. “We and it has allowed us to plan and implement some important stack up well against our club competition because we pay changes for the club.” attention to the things that are important for success … we Those changes, following on from two trading floor support our community and are always working on improvements to the club.” “refurbs” in the past five years, include the latest $2 million project to upgrade the building externally and remake the The business oversees 214 gaming machines 160 at the foyer and toilets. After this latest restyle, John plans on a few RSL Club and another 54 machines at the EBP Sports Club, the years of cash consolidation to see how the political and former Earlwood Bowling Club. “The M5 conversation started legislative landscape plays out so the club can make strong 23 years ago and there was a fear the project might cause financial and strategic plans for the future. problems for the main club, so Frank [Mulhall] took on the bowling club, which was struggling at the time, and we have That future includes annual overseas and domestic tours to been working away at making it a positive contributor to the gauge the latest style, gaming and business trends. “If I don’t overall bottom line,” John said. “We made a profit in 2010, go, then senior managers go, sometimes with a director,” John which was pleasing and things have been going from strength added. “You never know where you will pick up the perfect to strength with a few significant changes in place there.” idea for your own club … it’s much easier to go to Macau than Those changes, which eventually produced a $300,000 turn Las Vegas and the things being done in the new properties around in revenue, include converting one of three greens into there is overturning all of the conventional thinking on car parking, refurbishing the club and adding outdoor gaming. everything from food to lighting and furniture. A good example There are more plans for change, including a new 5x5x5 lease is the new Galaxy property which is truly amazing in so many that will offer greater flexibility in all aspects of the business. aspects and goes against all accepted gaming design theory.” “The Sports Club is coming along nicely and offers opportunity for a few interesting aspects of the business,” John added. That competitive edge extends to dining at the RSL Club and John sees restaurant quarters in Newtown and Marrickville as That flexibility includes rotating most of the staff, including his main competition. “We really don’t have much competition managers, between the locations. It’s not a block rotation, but from clubs in our area when it comes to food, but I want to one that offers a variety of responsibility. “It stops people make sure young people looking for a quality, affordable meal becoming ‘stale’ in one location, doing one job and exposes come to us, rather than driving or catching a train to Newtown staff and members to each others at both venues … it works for a good pizza and bottle of wine,” John says with a hint of well and the staff appreciate the variety,” John added. competitive edge in his voice. John’s staffing structure encompassing 70 people, including casual and parttime staff – involves a Deputy GM, John’s conviction about successful business boils down to Chief Financial Officer, six Senior Duty Managers, a HR analysing every component of the business and measuring it Manager, Supervisors and general staff. Duty Managers and against the opposition. “It’s critical to precisely understand Supervisors split their time between the office and the floor of everything you do and what you offer … what’s workable, what the club and between both venues. you can win and what you have to ‘go around’ when you can’t win,” he adds. “Understand your members and your customers A big part of the club’s financial strategy is three luxury … who they are, where they come from, what they expect – units on the Gold Coast that allows the business to proceed and how to exceed those expectations. with capital refurbishments without impacting on the club’s balance sheet. “We bought the units overlooking Coolangatta “And, when you have all of that information available, you Beach, one at a time off the plan, to use them as collateral with can make decisions to make your business better and stronger. the bank when we want to take on new works,” John says. “We Sometimes though, it’s important to trust your gut … your use the units as security which leaves the club unencumbered instincts … because your members are much more than … they are noncore assets that spread the risk. They [the numbers.” n
20 NORTHERN EXPOSURE Twin Towns shrugs off threat of an uncertain gaming future By HENRI LACH n ABOVE: The club is a spectacular sight at night. n BELOW: Twin Towns Services Club … a financial giant TWIN TOWNS Services Club (aka Twins Towns Clubs & Resorts) on the NSWQueensland border is a financial giant that exerts a massive positive impact on the local economy. Any businessperson, contractor or supplier in the Tweed will swear the face of ongoing efforts by antigaming zealots at political to the veracity of that statement. levels. But Rob is upbeat about the move. With its resort developments and its two other licensed clubs “This work, we hope, will get some impetus back in the area,” in the Tweed area, Twin Towns has been there when the he said. “There’s certainly not a lot of other building going on economic chips were down, providing jobs at many levels where around Tweed Heads at the moment.” none would have existed otherwise, right back to its early Work on Stage 1 of the project began in March and is expected history in the 1960s. to be completed in time for Christmas. It’s providing scores of General Manager Rob Smith is succinct in his assessment of his jobs for local contractors and tradespeople. club’s role in the economic life of the Tweed. The project involves demolition of about 3000 square metres “Twin Towns has led the way with successful developments at of the 1968vintage Harbour Lounge and refurbishment of times which traditionally haven’t been popular in economic another 1500 square metres of floor space. terms,” he said. And Twin Towns is doing it again, with the goahead of a $20 million revamp to its premises. It‘s Stage 1 of a longerterm $50 million makeover. The decision comes with risks attached in CLUB AUDITORS HARLEY RUSSELL & DAY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS We are a small firm specialising in auditing small to medium-sized clubs. Our boutique firm has the following advantages: • Audit - Attendance at least quarterly • Personalised service • Cost competitive • Preparing necessary returns • Preparation of year end Financial Statements & Annual Report to Members It is not difficult to change Auditors. Contact: Garry Day Ph: (02) 9744 6922 Fax: (02) 9744 6747 PO BOX 284, ASHFIELD, NSW 2131
NORTHERN EXPOSURE 21 The end result of Stage One will be a new building with alfresco areas and sports bar and TAB open to the public, without their having to sign into the licensed club. On their part, club patrons will be able to enter from the Jack Evans Boat Harbour side. There is no time frame for the next two stages of the redevelopment. Rob explained that they could be done at the club’s leisure. “The State Government gave us a master plan approval,” he said. “Once we’ve completed Stage 1, that approval is available to us in perpetuity. So the club will have the opportunity to do those last two stages when we see fit.” Implementation of the $50 million full master plan came to an abrupt halt less than a month after it was given the goahead by the club’s n Digital imaging of the new-look building, with new board. signage, at right. “It was ironic that the strategic meeting of the board to approve the project actually took place on the day of the 2010 Federal Election,” Rob added. “At that stage, both the Coalition and the Labor Party had indicated that gaming wasn’t on the plans contain a contingency against a worst case scenario. radar, that it wasn’t an election issue. So we were going ahead “The worst case scenario would be to have those machines largely on the basis of reasonable commercial feasibility aspects. changed,” Rob said. “And if that was in the same sort of numbers Then, within 16 days, we had Mr Wilkie and his agreement with that mandatorypre commitment would have required it would the Prime Minister. So, the very next meeting after the approval amount to $20 million [Twin Towns has 600 machines]. So we’ve we said, ‘Whoa, we’ve got to stop here and reassess our hedged our bets and made sure that we’ve got the ability to not position’, and the project was put on hold. only upgrade the club, but to address that worst case scenario “One of the reasons we pushed the button to go ahead now should it eventuate. with Stage 1 is because we believe it’s appropriate to move on, to “We’ve rejigged the design. Currently, we have a very get the club to the position that we want to.” significant footprint that’s spread over four floors. What we’ve Despite the apparent demise of the Wilkiestyle mandatory come up with is a design so that we could operate a fully precommitment proposal, Rob Smith has no illusions that functional, and we think pretty impressive, club all on one floor. draconian restrictions affecting the Club Industry still may be in That will be an outcome of this stage of the development,” Rob the wind. It’s no accident, then, that the club’s redevelopment concluded. n ‘Casual arrangement’ More recently, Rob can take justifiable credit for the reconfiguration in 2010 of Club passes 30-year mark Banora, which saved it from oblivion. “The original master plan was never sustainable,” 2012 IS a significant year for Rob Smith. It he said. “We had to top it up by about marks the 30th anniversary of his arrival at $1 million a year. It‘s now returning $750,000 Twin Towns Services Club. Rob was an a year.” A new master plan for Banora is on 18-year-old on a working holiday from his the table, with diversification into aged care, home in Canberra when he walked through retail, and a new club premises. Earlier in his the club’s doors in 1982, looking for casual career, Rob was instrumental in raising the work. He caught the eye of the then GM, Twin Towns Junior Club from the ashes of the Russell Roylance, who recognised this young former South Tweed Leagues Club in 2002. man as a person of talent and convinced him Currently, he can point to a total year-end to stay. Rob’s rise through the ranks from profit of $6.8 million for 2011, and an casual barman to executive status confirmed expected turnover “in the mid-$70 million” his boss’s faith and assessment, and Rob for the current year. The CV covering his past assumed the chair vacated by his mentor in 30 years undoubtedly would open any door 2005. He lists the opening of the club’s multi- to a lucrative executive post. So what are Rob n General Manager Rob Smith million dollar Harbour Tower resort block in Smith’s future plans? “I love Twin Towns and I - celebrating 30 years. 2006 among his milestones as chief executive. love Tweed Heads,” is his smiling answer. n
22 CMDA UPDATE W/ GEOFF MESTON STRATEGIC quality and it wasn’t cheap. The safety was founded on expensive Australian aircraft servicing that increased the decisions dictate airline’s operating costs. As more airlines entered the market and new consequences markets opened up, Qantas has found it could not compete with its existing cost at all levels structure intact, so remains in conflict with their Australian workers as they seek to utilise cheaper labour overseas 2020 VISION Levi’s jeans, the flying to remain price competitive. Keep your kangaroo, mobile phones ... and clubs eye on Qantas. early innovators and the strategic The following article was derived impacts of decision making. In the 1980s, things started to go from ‘The Motley Fool’ at From the turn of last century through wrong. There were a lot of newer brands http://www.fool.co.uk/ “Back when I to the 1970s and early 80s, the coolest coming on to the market due to bought my first mobile phone, Nokia piece of clothing on the planet was a changing customer tastes and, perhaps, (NYSE: NOK) was the musthave brand. pair of Levi Straus denim jeans. Whether a new generation’s social impulse to The industry was young, the mobile you were a rockstar, surfer, bikie, or buck the trend. They were “tribal internet hadn’t yet awoken, something fashionconscious member of the public, specific” cool as opposed to “generic” like threeoutoffour phones sold were Levi’s were the jean (and jacket) of cool. What did Levi’s do? They were Nokia, and the company had a lock on choice for your tribe. When you first possibly slow to act; then changed their the market. bought them, they were so stiff you had styles and became followers instead of “But Nokia has since been outshone to soak them for a day and then bash leaders; and released ranges they by Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) and its ultra them against a brick wall to stop them thought would satisfy the new desirable iPhones and iPads, and this feeling like you were putting on a pair of consumer. week has been forced to release a profit concrete pants. They even had a very Did it work? NO! warning. The erstwhile king of the castle slick TV ad campaign with the song ... is now expecting to make a loss for the “When I get into my Levi’s, I get into a The Levi’s case often is discussed in first two quarters of the year, where feeling; do you want me, or want me for Strategic Management studies because previously it had been forecasting my Levis?” Phew ... deep stuff. Levi’s it’s a great example of a famous brand breakeven. strategy was bulletproof. and strategy losing its connection with its external competitive environment. “Their shares plunged on the news, They didn’t go out and ENGAGE the new falling 15%, and are now down nearly customers to find out what the issue 90% over the past four years. really was. So, they allowed too many “What went wrong? new entrants to take some market share “Consider that other troubled and have never regained their status. competitor, Research In Motion (Nasdaq: They really needed to reinvent RIMM). RIM is the maker of those once themselves ... but didn’t. Qantas is another great case study of ‘ strategic change. The flying Kangaroo enjoyed massive success as an Companies may stay the international carrier when flying was a same but the market relatively expensive method of travel never does. which, to a degree, tended to limit access to the masses. Its strong reputation was built on safety and
CMDA UPDATE W/ GEOFF MESTON 23 wanted BlackBerry devices, which caught on strongly in the corporate market. But with their focus on email and instant messaging, they’ve been upstaged by modern devices like tablets Planning & Strategy: that can do that just as well, while being It’s All About People able to surf in ‘proper computer’ style, 2012 Mid Year Executive Leadership Conference take photos and synchronise everything July 3-6 @ Jupiters Gold Coast, Queensland via the ‘cloud’, too. www.cmaa.asn.au Conference Sponsor In Too Early “These two companies did something disappointed when Apple dropped its stylus just right and squinted. Apple in common. They both entered the fray Newton line, one of the world’s first didn’t have to reinvent its mobile when the technology was woefully forays into mobile computing, with offerings by moving on from older inadequate, and they succeeded by handwriting recognition and all that. But obsolete technologies. making the most of a bad job. it was a sound commercial decision, Lessons To Be Learned “I remember an old Nokia phone I had. because even though we had a few years It was one of the early WAP phones of rudimentary PDAs after that, what “Companies may stay the same but (Wireless Application Protocol mobile computing needed was the market never does. Companies remember that, you antiques experts out connectivity. must be flexible and nimble in their there?). It cost hundreds of dollars, and strategies. Management need to be “And when the technology was up to it by hooking up with a WAP provider, I constantly vigilant for hints of change; and Apple rejoined the fray, it was able could get some sort of rudimentary web engage with customers instead of to blow the competition away. Mobile type data services. But with bandwidth telling them what they want; address technology had progressed far enough so poor, a dearth of WAP services and the generational change; keep some money for iPhones, and later iPads, to work as inadequacies of those tiny little displays, in the bank for a rainy day; and embrace genuine everyday devices that provided it was, frankly, useless. technology.” integrated services right from the start, “Now compare Nokia and RIM with and not cute gadgets that kind of Hope to see you at Jupiters (July 46) Apple. I remember many years ago being worked, most of the time, if you held the to continue the discussion ... n
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