July Column: ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant

The Taree Aquatic Club — known affectionately by locals as The Sailo’s — is back up and running thanks to the industry’s support in the wake of the flood emergency on the state’s Mid-North Coast; the Albanese Labor Government has formally moved to legislate a two-year freeze on draught beer excise; Cabra-Vale Diggers has undergone the biggest transformation in its 100-year history; and Club Taree unveiled its next chapter of community giving after retiring its famous Le Tour de Taree initiative. 

The generosity of Club Taree’s staff and members is so inspiring, reminding us all of the vital role clubs play in supporting those who need it most. These efforts resonate far beyond the walls of the Club and underpin the core values of our industry.

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Recently, I travelled to Dubbo RSL for the Central West Regional Meeting over a chilly weekend with our Chief Member Officer, Bernadette McLoughlin, and I was thrilled to see such a great turnout — a fantastic opportunity for passionate club leaders to converse about the unique opportunities and challenges facing our sector. The discussions were robust and forward-thinking, and the Regional Dinner was fantastic, from the food to the décor, not to mention the Bohemian dress up and the fantastic Fleetwood Mac cover band! 

I encourage you to do your best to attend your next Regional Meeting, they really are such a valuable resource for up-to-date information but really importantly, for small clubs in the regions, a great way to connect with peers in the industry and share insight and opportunity. You can find the details of your next meeting here.

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Another exciting milestone this month has been the conclusion of the 2025 Your Local Club Perfect Plate Awards campaign. This celebration of culinary excellence has not only championed exceptional dining at clubs across NSW but also generated fantastic media coverage, shining a well-deserved spotlight on the talented chefs and teams who are redefining club cuisine. It’s been a joy to read stories of innovation and passion, and to see members and guests enthusiastically participating, voting for their favourite dishes. Perfect Plate continues to elevate our clubs as premier dining destinations. Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who participated. 

Finally, if you haven’t tuned into the latest episode of the ClubLIFE Podcast, do yourself a favour and take a listen here. In it, six-decade veteran of the club industry, Wests Illawarra CEO Danny Munk, discusses his early career at Granville Bowling Club and Parramatta Leagues Club, as well as his time at Guildford Leagues, Balmain Leagues, Panthers Group and Wests Illawarra. He also talks about some of the challenges facing clubs, as well as the evolution of his leadership style and why he’s so passionate about the issue of homelessness.

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Next month, ClubsNSW (under the Your Local Club banner) is sponsoring News Corp’s Bush Summit in Wagga Wagga, and I’m looking forward to hearing about how we can ensure that regional towns — and clubs — continue to thrive well into the future. Keep your eye on our daily Media Report for stories about regional clubs and the communities they support.