Benalla Bowls Club supporting local people and charities

This week it has supplied a profile of the club, to share some information the community may not be aware of:

Benalla Bowls Club is a not-for-profit organisation.

All profits are returned to members through better amenities for the comfort and enjoyment of members and visitors.

The club’s key reason for being is its members.

It relies on volunteers to provide and promote the game of bowls to members and visitors, from game organisers umpires and coaches.

Volunteers also assist with delivering bingo to 90 to 100 people each Monday evening as well as other tasks such as Friday night raffle duty.

It is a local club that supports local sporting and community groups.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 through to 2022 it was not able to provide its annual Community Sponsorship Program as it had done in previous years.

In the past three years it was running the program, more than $44,500 was given out.

The club is pleased to inform the community that this program will be available again and applications will be accessible from the club’s website, or at reception, in January.

All applications will be assessed, and successful organisations will be notified around March or April 2023.

The opening date for this program will be advertised in the Ensign in January 2023.

The club’s board has always felt strongly about supporting many local suppliers of goods and services, including tradies, plumbers, butchers, green grocers, printers, sign writers and bakers to mention a few.

This support has been returned to the club by way of sponsorship for bowling tournaments, which is greatly appreciated.

The club currently has more than 2500 members through all levels of membership.

It provides an excellent sporting facility for the Benalla district of two grass greens and two synthetic greens.

Last financial year the cost of maintaining the bowling greens was more than $82,000.

We employ 35 staff at the venue.

Our assistance to local not-for-profit and community groups also amounted to $11,500 in free room hire and use of club facilities.

It supports and collects for many charitable associations including the local RSL’s Anzac events, SES, CFA, the Benalla Young Sportspersons Trust, Biggest Morning Tea, LUEY, the Benalla Short Film Festival, the Benalla Festival, Rotary, Kids in Need and the Good Friday Appeal.

This year it is including the McGrath Foundation in this group.

On Friday, October 21, it will host a Pink Night to raise money for the Cancer Council.

All proceeds from the evening will go to this wonderful organisation.

Come along and support its fundraising event with the inaugural fundraising target being $2000.

There will be pink champagne, raffles, merchandise for sale and other activities.

Gaming isn’t why the club exists, but it helps to provide services that benefit members and the local community.

It is committed to responsible gaming and service of alcohol, and works closely with a local gamblers’ help and gambling support provider to train staff to the required levels.

Its basic operating costs for the last financial year were $1,690,000.

The board is proud of our club and the facilities it provides.

It gives back to its members through bowling facilities, promotions, discounted meals and beverages (amounting to $136,561) as well as offering a safe and friendly environment for locals to meet and socialise.

The board feels privileged to support the Benalla community and it, in turn, thanks the community for supporting it.