Narrabri Bowling Club directors will report to members a significant turnaround in their club's fortunes at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in early November.
At a time when NSW registered clubs are closing down and merging at an unprecedented rate, Narrabri Bowling Club is nowadays trading strongly, with a dramatic reversal from loss to substantial profit, a growth in membership and plans for improvements.
The strong result is encouraging news for the club and Narrabri community.
Two years ago Narrabri Bowling Club, like many in the state, was in financial dire straits after the long drought years.
In year 2011-2012, as revealed at the AGM, the club was at risk of being unable to service the business debt.
The historic, long drought and accompanying general economic downturn compounded by ever rising costs impacted on the club as it did on businesses across the country.
Now Narrabri Bowling Club has not only retired a large part of its debt but is in significant profit, the November 9 AGM will hear.
"We have made major inroads into our debt in the past two years" said club president, Mr Allan Gray, who accepted the president's position in February this year.
"At February 2013 existing debt, debt refinancing costs and the installation of the solar project had increased the club’s debt to $3.7 million.
"We have now retired in excess of $700,000 of that debt.
"And we have made a strong profit.
"The fantastic result has come on the back of our growing membership numbers and our active bowls membership, plus the support of the town.
"The club's social membership has increased by more than 50 percent in the past two years and bowls numbers, particularly women bowlers, has grown solidly year on year.
"We really appreciate the support we are drawing from the community."
Mr Tony Freeman was appointed as general manager in August 2012 and has worked with the board for the past two years to effect the financial turnaround in the club.
He said the club's strength was in its engagement with the community.
"It has been a great pleasure to be able to support local sport, and in particular, soccer, rugby league and cricket. We continue to make the facility available to various community groups at no cost to those groups.
"It has been heartening to me personally that we have been able to undertake the sponsorships of local sporting clubs, and become a part of the success of those clubs."
Business had been lifted across the board.
"The operations of the Club Motor Inn have been very pleasing, with an occupancy rate averaging 80 percent" said Mr Freeman.
"We have done significant work on the motel in the past two years and the product is very strong."
The Bowling Club is a major local employer, with nine motel staff and 14 club staff, plus catering staff, full time, part time and casual.
The business injects well in excess of $1 million of wages into the local economy annually.
The club is committed to investing in its workforce as part of its strategy for growth, added Mr Freeman.
"We have been able to offer training and industry certificates to our staff, full and part time.
"Staff have achieved nine hospitality certificates, some to diploma level in two years."
The passion and focus shown by key staff these past two years has been integral to the club's improved outcomes.
Mr Freeman said the range of initiatives endorsed by the board had positioned the Bowling Club well for the future.
"The directors have overseen upgrades, including restaurant furniture and club fittings in general."
"The board will be looking to further upgrade the club facilities for members and visitors in the short term" confirmed club president Allan Gray.