CEO's Report

Dear Members,

75th Anniversary of the Club at 96 Shaftesbury Road Burwood

The origins of the Club began when the Burwood RSL Sub Branch of the Returned Services League was chartered on the 19th June 1919. This was to enable returned servicemen to meet and support each other locally. During 1921 the first permanent rooms for the Sub Branch meetings were located at 23 Belmore Street Burwood. Over the following years membership grew along with additional accrued funds which allowed the Sub Branch to upsize to a new premises at 96 Shaftesbury Road. On the 18th September 1950 the Sub Branch transferred and began operations from a 2 story house on the current Club site, thus on 18th September this year will mark 75 years of trading at this location. The main bar must have been crowded at times!

By 1951 the functioning of the RSL was being carried out by two distinct organisations. The Burwood RSL Sub Branch was responsible for carrying out the League policies and the Club the social activities. This remains the case to this day. Over the following years there were numerous extensions to the Club building. The major upgrade occurred during 1995 and 1996 when the Club was rebuilt and tripled in size. Only minimal refurbishments have been completed since. The Club now has over 30,000 members and after 75 years it’s time to move again!

New Club Development Update

The Club Licence removal from the current site at 96 Shaftesbury Road to the new site known as 2 George St Burwood was approved by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority on 19th June 2024. The removal/transfer only takes place upon opening of the new Club. Unfortunately, the approval is for gaming machines to only operate until 2am, currently the Club trades until 3am. The Club has lodged an appeal to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for this decision to be reviewed. At the time of writing NCAT has not determined whether the appeal can proceed.

This has caused scheduling of all work to be pushed back. The Development Approval for the new Club mandates that work on site must commence by the end of 2027, otherwise the DA will lapse. To ensure activation of the DA and despite not having the NCAT determination the Club’s Board has resolved to recommence work on the new Club. First task is to extinguish easements on the site and seek further Sydney Trains approval. Followed by relocation of services, demolition of existing properties and excavation from 4th quarter 2026. Immediately following excavation construction of our new Club.

Digital images of the new club and other information is available on the club website. The images of the proposed new Club are also on display at Club Burwood RSL.

A brief history of statutory approvals On the 12th January 2023 the Club received official notification from Burwood Council that the Development Application for the new Club is approved. The DA was lodged October 2020. Thus, the process of approval was long and arduous with numerous obstacles occurring including the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic, negotiation of a Voluntary Planning Agreement with Council and Transport NSW for installation of traffic signals.

Following the DA approval the Club was then able to lodge the Licence Application to Liquor and Gaming NSW. Not a single objection had been received by Liquor and Gaming for the removal (transfer) of the Club Licence to the new site. Approval was granted on 19th June 2024.

2024 Trading Results

The trading results for 2024 were exceptionally positive. The record revenues were only achieved due to the ongoing tremendous support by members. The response from members for what the Club offers is most gratifying to Directors, Management and staff.

Revenue for the 3 Clubs totalled almost $66 million. Government taxes totalled $18.8 million plus net GST of $5.2 million. The club employs 141 staff and paid $10.1 million in

wages. The Club also provided employment for many contractors. A huge $4.5 million was returned to members via rewards, promotions and entertainment.

The Club supported a conglomerate of 57 Registered Charities and 32 Community Groups with cash donations of $930,780 plus 94 Charities & Community Groups received free room hire to a value in excess of $138,865. Total local community funding was $1,069,645.

Net trading profit for the 3 Clubs: Club Burwood RSL: $21,863,507. This includes investment revenue of $9,958,763. Club Burwood: $6,685,616 Croydon Park Club: $420,989 Total comprehensive income for the Burwood RSL Club Ltd was $30,970,112. This includes a gain in fair value of Club property of $2,000,000. At 31/12/24 members equity totalled $289,306,098. Total members at this date was 29,719.

The Club’s 2024 Financial Statements are available for members on the Club’s web site or on request from club administration.

The continued success of the 3 Club premises is resultant from the fantastic patronage by members. On behalf of all the team at your Club, I thank each member for your contribution whether it be small or substantial.

2025 ANZAC Remembrance Service

The Burwood RSL Sub Branch, Club Burwood RSL and Burwood Council will again host the Anzac Day Commemorative Service at the Memorial Arch in Burwood Park on Friday 25th April, commencing 6.30am and conclude approximately 7.30am.

MARCH: All person’s marching to assemble from the corner of Burwood Road back along Church Street by 6.00am.

The Service will be followed by a complimentary breakfast for all attendees at Club Burwood RSL, 96 Shaftesbury Road, Burwood. Club will open 7.30am, breakfast concludes 9am. Courtesy buses are available, departing the Club at 6.00am and 6.15am to transport attendees to the Service and return to the Club following the service.

In the unfortunate situation of inclement weather, the Service will be transferred to Club Burwood RSL.

In conclusion, my sincere gratitude is extended to the Board of Directors for their huge contribution and astute policy determination for the Club, to Management & staff for their professional and stupendous efforts to surpass member’s expectations and to all Office Bearers for your essential and invaluable assistance during 2024 which has culminated in a great year.

Thank you for reading,

Andrew Anderson

CEO

19th February 2025

Dear Members,

Community Support by your Club

Supporting and giving back to the local community is something we are all passionate about.  This year the Club continued to prioritise our community support and we are very proud to share with  members our 2024 contributions.  In addition to providing a welcoming, friendly and secure environment for citizens, subsidised amenities such as live entertainment, meeting rooms, events and affordable dining, the Club has contributed enormously with direct financial support. For the 12 months ended 31^st August 2024, the Club provided direct community support to 78 community groups and 97 Registered Charities to the value of $1,039,411.  This was made up of cash donations of $914,411 and in-kind donations of $125,000. A list of successful applicants can be found on the Club’s website under Your Club /Community / Club Grants.  This also details how to apply.

New Club update
The Club has experienced numerous delays in gaining the Licence for the new Club. The Club Licence removal from the current site at 96 Shaftesbury Road to the new site known as 2 George St Burwood was approved by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority on 19^th June 2024. The removal/transfer only takes place upon opening of the new Club. Unfortunately, the approval is for gaming machines to only operate until 2am, currently the Club trades until 3am. The Club has lodged an appeal to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for this decision to be reviewed. At the time of writing NCAT has not determined whether the appeal can proceed.

This has caused scheduling of all work to be pushed back. The Development Approval for the new Club mandates that work on site must commence by the end of 2027, otherwise the DA will lapse. Therefore, this is the absolute deadline that construction will commence. However, it is genuinely hoped and if at all possible work will commence much sooner.

Digital images of the new club and other information is available on the club website. The images of the proposed new Club are also on display at Club Burwood RSL.

Free Perpetual Membership
There has been recent changes to legislation governing Clubs. Two of these changes is the removal of the 5 kilometre radius rule which required visitors residing within 5 kilometres to the Club to become a member to gain admittance unless they are a member of a like Club. The other member change is the removal of the minimum fee of $2 per year for membership.
Due to these changes the Club has introduced Free Perpetual membership. Membership is now free for existing Social members and new members.

Current Members
With free membership, member cards with 2024 expiry please present your card to Club reception and it will be replaced free of charge. This also applies when cards expire in subsequent; 2025, 2026 etc.

There is now no expiry on our new cards as membership is perpetual. However, Membership will lapse should one of the below occur:

1. Card is not used in one of our Clubs for 3 years. This means your membership card must be swiped at a point of sale for food, beverage, raffle, show ticket or a gaming machine.
2. At the members request.
3. Member is deceased.

Should you know someone who is not a member and visits our Clubs please encourage them to become a perpetual member – it’s free and has numerous benefits.

Digital Member Cards

Digital membership cards are now available free of charge. There are 2 ways to get your digital card:

1. Scan the QR code located in our Clubs and follow the prompts.
2. The Clubs Web site under membership.

Digital Members cards to be stored in your mobile phone’s wallet. Members may have both the plastic card and digital card or one card only. To earn Gold Bucks whilst playing a poker machine your plastic membership card must be inserted in the machine.

Tiering information is not printed on the plastic card. However, it will be visible on the digital card. Members will be able to check their tier status at any POS or gaming machine.

Sports Clubs
The Club has 7 internal Sports Clubs who play both social and competitively. Companionship, friendship and a good time is just as important as the sport. Clubs include Billiards and Snooker, Darts, Indoor and Outdoor Bowls, Golf, Fishing and Camera/photography. New members are always welcome, should you be interested details and contacts are included on the Club web site under Sports Life.

Christmas Activities

1. Club Burwood RSL will be open from 11am to 3am on Christmas Day.

Lunch Dining options: The Brassiere and Café/Bistro will offer the normal menu plus Christmas specials. The renown Christmas Buffet will be held in the Entertainment Dome.
Dinner: The Café/Bistro will remain open all day until midnight. Brasserie will be closed.
Please refer to the separate advertising for dining and entertainment on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

All Club promotions over the Christmas festive period will continue as normal except for Christmas Day and New Years Eve when all promotions will be cancelled.

At the RSL 20 half hams will be added to each raffle from Friday 1^st December until Christmas Eve, except Monday Madness which will have 12 half hams added.  During the same period there will be 5 hams included in the Friday and Sunday Raffles at Croydon Park Club.

1. Club Burwood will be open from 11am to 4am on Christmas Day, Café 97 will be open 11am to 10pm. Normal trading all other days.
2. Croydon Park Club will be closed on Christmas day. Both trading hours and promotions will continue as normal on all other days.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff, I wish all members a happy Christmas and a great 2025. Additionally, I extend sincere thanks to all members for your continued support and contribution to the ongoing success of the Club.

Kind regards,

Andrew Anderson
CEO
December 2024