August Column: ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant

One milestone that is now very close is the launch of the new ClubsNSW website and refreshed membership portal.

The new website will give member clubs a simpler, smarter way to access the services, resources, news and guidance they rely on. It will bring five separate websites together into one easy-to-use destination, providing streamlined access to industry information. The refreshed portal will also offer improved login functionality, easier staff management functions, enhanced email preferences and other features developed in direct response to feedback from member clubs.

The new website is a significant step forward for ClubsNSW. Our goal is not simply to introduce a new website, but to make it easier for clubs to find the right information and support when they need it — fast. I can’t wait for you to experience it for yourselves later this month. Be sure to keep your eye out for launch updates, but in the meantime, you can read more about what to expect here.

Another event I am particularly looking forward to this week is News Corp Australia’s Bush Summit, which will be held in Dubbo this Wednesday and Thursday (26 and 27 August). Under the Your Local Club banner, we are proudly sponsoring the event — which is set to be attended by both the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier — for the third consecutive year. Partnerships like this, with one of the most influential media organisations in the country, provide an invaluable platform to tell our industry’s story at scale and ensure the contribution of clubs is seen and understood by the wider community, political leaders and other key decision-makers. This is particularly vital in regional NSW, where clubs are so often at the heart of their communities. This will be on full display on day one of the event, where Dubbo RSL will play host to a lunch for delegates where we will discuss the main theme of the day: Kids in the Bush. I’m thrilled to have been asked to deliver the opening address for the lunch.

The Bush Summit provides a chance to hear directly about the issues affecting regional and remote communities and ensure the voices of local clubs are part of those conversations. You can expect to read more about the event in The Daily Telegraph and other News Corp mastheads from today, plus you will be able to stream it live on News24. 

Looking a little further ahead, I encourage clubs to register and submit your questions for our webinar with the McKell Institute, scheduled for 11am on Thursday, 3 September, here. In the session I will be joined by Veronica Newman, CEO of the McKell Institute, and we will be discussing the key findings of the landmark Community Hubs for Housing the Community report commissioned by ClubsNSW and published by the McKell Institute. As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, the report examines the potential for housing development on underutilised club land and the policy reforms that could unlock new opportunities for clubs, while helping to address the state’s housing shortage. This is about considering how clubs can continue to evolve, remain sustainable and help meet the changing needs of their communities.

Finally, registrations are still open for the 2026 ClubsNSW Conference & AGM, to be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 7 to 9 October. Conference is always one of the highlights on the industry calendar. It gives us the chance to learn from leading speakers — including Minister David Harris and AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas — as well as to explore the challenges and opportunities facing clubs, reconnect with colleagues and celebrate everything that makes our industry so special. You can see the full schedule here, including the details of the ‘country and western’ themed Keno Conference Party which I’m confident will see plenty of amazing costumes being dusted off if last year is anything to go by! The ClubsNSW AGM is also an important occasion for member clubs to participate in the governance and direction of their Association. 

Until next time — have a safe and successful week!