“It has been a very productive year, seeing many large projects completed and many progressing on their journey,” outgoing president Laurie Bridgeman told the 188 attendees at last Sunday’s 2.15hour long Annual General Meeting.
Following two years at the helm of Australia’s largest public access golf course club and a total of eight on the Board of Directors, Mr Bridgeman stepped down. Vice president Andrew Shell and director Jason Williams were elected unopposed as president and vice president respectively.
Mr Bridgeman and director Joanne Ryan retired from the board and director Wendy Dickson was up for re-election in accordance with the triennial rule. Four nominations for the three positions of director were voted on, with Ms Dickson, semi-retired builder, Max Currie, 67 and retired electrician Andrew Watson, 68, being elected, with Rod Smith missing out but thanked for his nomination.
Large projects over the past 12 months have been the removal of the five, last portable accommodation units on the hill overlooking the golf course.
“With their removal, we built our two new Myrtle and Correa 3-bedroom Villas, raising our accommodation standards and complementing our wide selection of accommodation options for our visiting golfers,” Mr Bridgeman said.
“We saw the new cart storage shed completed. It was a long-awaited project but certainly appreciated by 60 golfers those waiting for cart storage. At the same time, we completed the construction of the adjacent undercover driving range, which has been a positive addition for both members and visitors alike.”
Among other projects mentioned by the president was construction of the spare ‘forty-sixth’ golf hole, which will alleviate any issues when holes are out of action for maintenance or repair.
Mr Bridgeman said the board and senior management have been working tirelessly to progress several other projects or items, including the development application for the new Maintenance complex facility through the Federation Council.
Club CEO Peter Savy said the club’s total revenue reached $17,366,643 for 2023/24 maintained consistency with the previous year, despite a near 2% rise in expenses.
“Despite these pressures, we saw encouraging growth across key areas,” he said.
“Bar revenue increased by six per cent, catering by five per cent and even with a significant number of rooms being unavailable during the 9-month villa construction, accommodation revenue still rose by $42,161. However, gaming revenue experienced an 11% decline, mirroring a trend seen across other venues along the Murray River and throughout New South Wales.
“As promised at last year’s AGM, we managed to complete over $3 million in capital works and improvements. These were funded through cashflow and member contributions, particularly for the new cart shed.”
Mr Savy said the club resort is committed to “shaping the future of our great club by striving to provide the premier golf and social experience in regional NSW and Victoria”. “Our vision is to elevate our club for the benefit of our members and the broader community, ensuring a vibrant and welcoming environment for all,” he said.
Both the president and CEO expressed appreciation to club staff on and off the golf course, the board of directors and the pro shop.
The CEO said: “To our outgoing President, Laurie Bridgeman - thank you for your tremendous contribution to the board over the past eight years and for your leadership as president since 2022. Always placing members’ needs first, you have served with grace and can be proud of the many achievements during your tenure.”
Mr Savy expressed a heartfelt thank you “to all our golf, bowls and croquet members for your continued support throughout the year. Together, we look forward to a future filled with growth and exciting improvements for our club.”
Before delivering his report, Mr Bridgeman asked for members to observe a minute’s silence for the passing of Life Member Alex (Macca) Mackenzie who passed away in March, aged 94.
Messrs Don Presley, Dario Prighel and Barry Cocks were strongly endorsed as Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort Life Members at the club’s AGM last Sunday. A story will appear in next week’s edition of the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
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