Club representatives from across NSW gathered at the Big Top, Luna Park in Sydney to celebrate those clubs that have gone above and beyond to support their local communities over the past 12 months at the 2023 Clubs & Community Awards Night.
More than 850 guests, including Minister for Hospitality and Racing David Harris, Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism Yasmin Catley, and Shadow Minister for Gaming and Racing Kevin Anderson, celebrated the outstanding social contributions of NSW clubs at the black-tie event with entertainment by Les Femmes and Christine Anu and hosted by media personality Ben Fordham.
The winners and highly commended nominees were acknowledged across nine categories: Arts & Culture, Club Person of the Year (Individual Award), Education, Emergency Services, Fostering Grassroots Sport, Health Care, Heart of the Community (Club Award), Mental & Social Wellbeing and Sustainability.
Clubs in regional and metropolitan areas were recognised for a diverse range of initiatives — from implementing green technology to significantly reduce their carbon footprint to funding the veterinary care and support of retired military working dogs.
ClubsNSW Acting CEO Sallianne Faulkner said clubs are always looking for new ways to make their communities better places to live.
“There were 120 very deserving Clubs & Community Awards finalists this year, with each one working tirelessly to look after their members and the wider community,” Faulkner said.
“We had a club that’s created a special program to help disadvantaged children further their education and gain access to employment opportunities, a club that saved the only cinema in a regional town from having to close its doors, and a club that’s offering free glucose testing and nutritionist-led cooking classes to help reduce the incidence of diabetes in the local area.
“The Clubs & Community Awards are a testament to our industry’s vital social contribution and a fantastic opportunity for us to come together and celebrate what makes clubs so special. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!”
Two special additional Lifetime Achievement Awards were also announced on the evening for Workers Lifestyle Group President Kay Kelly and Bankstown Sports Chairman John Murray OAM.
Watch all the videos here:
And the winners – and highly commended clubs – are:
Arts & Culture: Broken Hill Musicians Club
Club Person of the Year (Individual Award): Tony Ireland, Milton Ulladulla ExServos Club
Education: Club Central Hurstville, Highly Commended Twin Towns
Emergency Services: Cudal Bowling Club & Mounties Group, Highly Commended Orange Ex-Services’ Club
Fostering Grassroots Sport: Cherry Street Sports Club
Health Care: Workers Lifestyle Group
Heart of the Community (Club Award): Cronulla RSL & Lithgow Workies Club, Highly Commended Wests Macarthur
Mental & Social Wellbeing: Club Forster, Highly Commended Club Taree
Sustainability: Hornsby RSL
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