Management News

Ballina RSL is committed to acknowledging employees who provide exceptional service. One of the ways we do this is through the annual Ballina RSL Staff Excellence Awards, now in its sixth year. The awards help create the ethic within the Club of “Excellence in All We Do”.

Congratulations to the following welldeserving recipients from this year’s Staff Excellence Awards: Denis Hicks (Food Service Awards), Paul Job (Bar Service Award), Trevor Poole (General Achievement Award), Daniel Morrissey (Rookie of the Year Award). The Staff Member of the Year Award was awarded to Club Supersivor David Skinner.

In 2007, a very special ’20 Years of Service’ Award was presented to some long-standing, loyal employees. Recipients included: Ros Anderson, Jan Pauling, “Dasha”, Alf Barnett, Matt O’Brien and Mark Geyer. This particular group stands as testament to a committed and experienced team of staff across the Ballina RSL organisations.

Special thanks must go to the Staff Excellence Awards Organising Committee for their efforts in coordinating such a fabulous celebration – Trish Cook, Vicki Veitch, Jan Pauling, Fiona Graham, Sandra Bullen and Fred Wallace.

Just where did 2007 go? With all that’s been happening in the club’s year, I can hardly believe that we’re almost about to blow those party whistles again on New Year’s Eve!

We’ve now officially opened… and launched… the Ballina RSL’s fabulous new look ground floor (with feedback equally as fabulous!).
I cannot begin to thank our members and our community enough for their unwavering support throughout 2007!

Our directors, managers and staff have worked tirelessly, and as a team, to serve you across both of our clubs. Again, I thank each and every one of them for their magnificent efforts and achievements in 2007.

With our new Ballina RSL ground floor dining options open – the boardwalk and the river café – plus a sensational entertainment line up over the next few months, I look forward to seeing you in our clubs over the summer.

There are also many member benefits to be enjoyed – when you belong to our clubs, we reward your loyalty during each and every visit.

Alongside our new Chairman and Directors, our Club Management team (Executive & Duty Managers), and staff are already planning more great initiatives for 2008. As well as welcoming new directors to our board in 2007, it is important for me to also highlight to our club stakeholder networks that we’ve also welcomed new managers at the Executive Management level. Caroline Kirkland joined us earlier in the year as our new Human Resources Manager and Marisa Poptie followed as our new Operations/Gaming Manager.

We now have a full Club Management Team at Ballina RSL Club Ltd that will be working with our Directors, myself as General Manager our Assistant General Manager, staff, members, and our community, to build upon the solid platform that has been
established and further progress the club’s outcomes.

Best wishes for a fun and fantastic festive season … keep on celebrating with us the whole year round!
– Bill Coulter

As the new Ballina RSL Chairman, I am looking forward to working with my fellow directors, management and staff in ways that will continue to enhance outcomes for the club and for our wider community.

Over the coming months, I also look forward to meeting with various club stakeholders to glean member and community viewpoints on the manner in which our clubs have both been progressing.

The Ballina RSL is going from strength to strength. The recent renovations have certainly been well-accepted by both members and the community. We will be striving to continue to offer members and visitors a range of quality entertainment, dining and leisure experiences at both the Ballina RSL Club and the Ballina RSL Bowling Club.

We will now also be taking further steps to progress the club’s masterplan with construction on our boardwalk commencing early in the New Year. By becoming a major link for public access to the river and foreshore walkway, the Ballina RSL will be helping to create some substantial public benefits.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the inspiring efforts from outgoing chairman Bob Grant and outgoing, retiring club directors Ted Armstrong and Bruce Stacy. We will all miss Bob, Bruce and Ted but know that they won’t be too far away as they’ll be visiting the club regularly to enjoy the fruits of their labours. The mateship bonds between our club’s past and present directors have always been strong.

I am also proud to announce and welcome three new incoming directors to the board – Kevin Hanns, Graeme “Blue” McNally and Bill Moore.

My very best wishes to you and your family for a very happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

– Gary Hooley