The Community Clubs Victoria’s Gala Awards, celebrating all clubs great and small and the people who work in them, was recently held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Hosted by MC Nicky Buckley the event welcomed VIPs, corporate partners and clubs from across the state who were all vying for the prestigious awards.
Community Clubs Victoria’s CEO Andrew Lloyd emphasised that the standard of nominations this year was exceptionally high.
“Feedback from the judges was that they found it very difficult to separate the award finalists in most categories, given the quality of information and statistics provided,” he said. “The turmoil of the past two years has really forced club management to focus on what is important and what their club excels at.”
Lloyd also highlighted that attendees at the award were delighted to feel things returning to ‘pre-lockdown normal’ by being able to celebrate together with a face-to-face event.
A resounding congratulations then to Bendigo Stadium for taking home the Best Family Community Club, while The Dandenong Club was awarded Best Sports Community Club and Altona Sports Club for the Best Community Club Entertainment Program.
The Best Club Community Engagement award went to Stawell Harness Racing, while the Best Social Inclusion Club was awarded to Chirnside Park Country Club and the Best Charitable Giving Program went to Warragul Club Downtowner.
Well-deserved awards went to Portarlington Golf Club for the Best Regional Community Club Bistro & Restaurant and to Greyhounds Entertainment for the Best Metro Community Club Bistro & Restaurant. The talented Jason Ling, from Club Ringwood, took out Community Club Chef of the Year.
Best Community Club Refurbishment Award was presented to the Peninsula Club while the Best Community Club Renovation Award went to Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club and the Best Environmental Sustainability Project was awarded to Altona Sports Club.
Well done to Club Noble for winning the Best Use of New Technology Award and Mulgrave Country Club for the Best Outdoor Hospitality Experience award.
Outstanding Community Service Awards had to be shared by three very deserving clubs on the night, with congratulations to Warragul Club Downtowner, Maryborough Highland Society and Morwell Bowling Club who shared the award.
A full list of winners will be published in the Spring issue of Club Management magazine. Subscribe here.
