Conference is Just Around the Corner…

Earlier this week, we were thrilled to announce that Boom Crash Opera will be the headline entertainment act for the ‘Around the World’ themed Conference Dinner on Thursday, 10 October. I’m particularly looking forward to the closing keynote from Dylan Alcott AO. If you haven’t secured your tickets yet, you have until COB on Wednesday, 2 October. You can view the Conference program here — I can’t wait to see you all there.

Last night, I was delighted to attend the official opening of the new Club Bondi Junction (the former Bondi Junction & Waverley RSL), and everything from the stylish bar on the ground floor to the residential space above the Club looks spectacular. Congratulations to Club Bondi Junction President Bill Harrigan and his team on the creation of such an incredible venue in the heart of one of Sydney’s most iconic suburbs. I’m sure it will become a go-to destination for locals and tourists alike, particularly as we head into the warmer months. You can expect to read more about the Club soon on ClubLIFE.com.au.

This morning, I am heading off to The Ballroom at Bankstown Sports for the 2024 Canterbury Bankstown Local ClubGRANTS presentation, and over the weekend I plan to start packing for the Tully Heard London Learning Tour.

Early next week, Tully Heard Director John Tully, a small group of club industry representatives and I will explore the diverse hospitality scene in London, visiting 30 venues across seven days. The rise of competitive socialisation or active entertainment — a trend which combines social games with immersive experiences, and which has become very popular (particularly with younger audiences) — will be a big focus. You can read more about that here. I look forward to reporting back with our learnings!

A few very quick reminders before I sign off:  A few very quick reminders before I sign off:

• As per the ClubGRANTS Guidelines, clubs must not allocate less than 75 per cent of Category 1 funds in accordance with the local committee’s recommendations. If clubs cannot meet the 75 per cent requirement — including because a local committee was not established — Liquor & Gaming NSW must be notified within 45 days of finalising all Category 1 funding decisions. You can find out more about that (including a handy template) here.
• The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Amendment Bill was introduced in the Commonwealth Parliament on Wednesday. ClubsNSW has put together a comparison table highlighting the key current vs proposed obligations, along with the timeline for when the reforms will take effect, which you can find here.
• AUSTRAC has released new guidance to help clubs manage outsourcing risks, and clubs who outsource their AML/CTF obligations are encouraged to review the new guidance, which can be found here. Have a great weekend!

Have a great weekend!