Killara Bowling Club, in Sydney’s north, has informed members that it will hold a General Meeting in September to decide on whether it amalgamates with Norths Collective or goes into administration. A previous proposal to merge with Lindfield Bowling Club is no longer on the table.
“As every member is well aware, our club is rapidly approaching a definitive decision on our future,” club newsletter editor and member Bob Bessemer wrote.
“A relatively small group of people, our membership, will make a momentous decision. To continue bowling at Killara by amalgamating or see the club close and the assets sold,” he wrote. “The latter course will have a huge impact on the community of Killara.”
As part of its research, Bob and two members visited Beecroft Bowling Club which amalgamated with Norths Collective in 2020 and was rebranded as The Verandah Beecroft.
Norths Collective now also take care of the barefoot bowls component of the offering and the greens are also managed by a Norths greenkeeper.
The upgraded facility seats 100 inside and about 120 outside under an awning, thus the Verandah name in the rebranding, and the restaurant is often booked out on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Norths have already spent $2.6 million on the club refurbishment and also established a new website theverandahbeecroft.com.au and for the traditional bowlers beecroftbowlingclub.com.au.
Bangalow Bowlo is also up for amalgamation, with a full membership vote expected in the near future. Prior to that, a series of open member meetings will continue with Bangalow Bowling & Sports Club Limited members, management, the bowlo board and representatives from Norths Collective, including staff from recently amalgamated clubs, to make sure all members are fully informed about the advantages and disadvantages of the amalgamation.
“In preparation for our 2022/2023 strategic planning, and to gauge what some of our options might look like for the future, we contacted our ClubsNSW representatives who advise clubs on strategy and development,” Bangalow Club President Rowan Keast wrote to members.
“We were introduced to Norths Collective for an initial discussion as they have a current expression of interest for Amalgamation with other Clubs. The Board and (Bangalow GM) Chris Watson met shortly after with an enthusiastic (Norths CEO) Luke Simmons and team members of the Norths Collective to engage in an amalgamation discussion.”
Norths currently operates Norths Cammeray; The Greens, North Sydney; The Alcott, Lane Cove; Seagulls, Tweed Heads; and The Verandah Beecroft. It also operates fitness centres, Norths Fitness in Sydney and Revolution Fitness on the Tweed and Gold Coast regions.
