ROUSING speeches, humble award acceptances and dedication to their community were the key highlights of this year’s NSW Clubs & Community Awards Night. Despite flooding, destroyed clubs, Covid shutdowns and staff shortages, clubs across NSW went above and beyond to support their local communities over the past 12 months.
The event for almost 1000 guests was attended by club representatives from far and wide, from Broken Hill and Lightning Ridge to Macksville and Milton Ulladulla. There was also a gamut of politicians who attended the big black-tie event last Thursday at Sydney’s International Convention Centre, most notably Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson and Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor.
There were winners across nine categories: Arts & Culture (Bowral Bowling Club), Clubs in Collaboration (Club Taree), Education (Campbelltown Catholic Club), Emergency Services (Broken Hill Musicians Club), Fostering Grassroots Sport (Casino RSM Club), Mental & Social Wellbeing (Lightning Ridge Bowling Club), Health Care (joint winners Ballina RSL & Ryde Eastwood Leagues), Heart of the Community (joint winners Bankstown Sports & Dunedoo Sports Club) and Club Person of the Year (West Pymble Bicentennial Club, Mick & Lea James).
Clubs in regional and metropolitan areas were recognised for a diverse range of initiatives — from serving as Covid vaccination hubs at the height of the pandemic to creating unique programs to improve the mental health of those in at-risk communities.
ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis said clubs haven’t let the challenges of the past year stop them from making their communities better places to live.
“I was blown away by the calibre of this year’s award nominations,” he said. “From delivering care packages and offering virtual entertainment to members during lockdown, to teaching refugees how to drive and cooking meals for those less fortunate, clubs all over the state have worked tirelessly to look after their members and the wider community.”
“The Clubs & Community Awards are a testament to our industry’s vital social contribution — and what an incredible opportunity for us all to come together again and celebrate what makes clubs so special.”
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