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Club Managers' Association Australia

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Club Managers' Association Australia

www.cmaa.asn.au Industrial representation & support, Vocational training courses, Industry accredit

The Club Managers' Association Australia is registered as an industrial organisation of employees and, while a responsible union, the CMAA is in the unique position of having its members as both employees and as employers in their daytoday management and administration duties. Consequently, the Association’s role extends beyond a purely industrial focus to include the advancement and professional

growth of its Members and the Club Industry. The Association represents professional managers of clubs, some 2,500 members around Australia who, in NSW alone, manage almost 70% of licensed clubs. The range of services offered by the CMAA includes ...
➢ Industrial Advice & Professional Legal Coverage
➢ Assistance in Preparing Employment Contracts
➢ Career Guidance
➢ Accredited Management Training & Assessment
➢ Education Conferences, Hospitality Trade Shows & Seminars
➢ Representation on Government and Club Industry Committees
➢ Certified Club Manager (CCM) Industry Recognition Awards
➢ National Network of Club Managers & Zone Meetings
➢ Club Management in Australia (CMA) Magazine

02/09/2026

ARMIDALE EX-SERVICES CLUB — WHAT A WAY TO FINISH THE DAY!

The final destination for today — and what a club to finish on! It’s hard to know where to start with this one, because catching up with CMAA MEMBERS - CEO Scott Sullivan, 2IC Matthew Marquardt and Operations Manager Darryl Gosper turned into a robust and very engaging conversation about the club industry, its challenges and, importantly, its future.

One thing is very clear — all three gentlemen have a genuine passion for the industry, their club and the community they serve. With this team at the helm, Armidale Ex-Services Club is certainly in good hands.

Scott has been with the club for an impressive 14 years, and during that time there have been some major developments and significant building projects. The entire first floor has undergone a major refurbishment, and the club has also delivered a brand-new motel — and this is no ordinary accommodation offering.

The motel is ranked in the top 1% nationally on TripAdvisor, which is a pretty impressive achievement and certainly something the club can be proud of.

But Scott and his team clearly aren’t ones to sit still for long!

Plans are already taking shape for what will become one of the nation’s largest family and children’s play centres, with the club looking at transforming its entire large auditorium into a Tabatinga Family Fun Centre. Due to open March 2027 !!!

The team has done its homework, undertaken the research and studies, and believes this development could become a major drawcard for Armidale and the wider region. It’s an investment in families, tourism and, importantly, the future generations who will continue to use and enjoy the club.

There are also further plans for outdoor areas and additional developments, although, as we all know, big projects come with their share of challenges — including the inevitable red tape and approvals that have to be worked through.

But sitting down with Scott, Matthew and Darryl, you get the feeling there is plenty more to come.

Armidale is a beautiful town with a strong sense of community, and Armidale Ex-Services Club is clearly a big part of that community. With a passionate management team, ambitious plans and a willingness to keep investing in the future, the outlook here looks very bright indeed.

And what a great way to finish today’s club travels!

keen to come back next year with the grandkids !! the plans for Tabatinga look amazing !

ARMIDALE — 3 QUICK FACTS

* Historic New England city — Known for beautiful heritage buildings, universities and a rich cultural history.
* High Country & National Parks — Surrounded by spectacular waterfalls, gorges and national parks.
* Home of UNE — The University of New England makes Armidale an important regional education centre.

02/09/2026

ARMIDALE BOWLS CLUB — A PROUD PART OF THIS HISTORIC TOWN

Now in the historic town of Armidale, I called into Armidale Bowls Club to catch up with CMAA MEMBERS - CEO Graeme Heffernan and Operations Manager Kelly Lankester, who had just arrived back from the Zone meeting in Moree.

Graeme has been part of the club for an impressive 26 years, with just over two years in his current role as CEO. Kelly has been part of the team for more than five years and clearly enjoys her role supporting Graeme and keeping the many moving parts of the club ticking along.

There has been plenty happening at the club over the past 12 months, with Stage One of an exciting redevelopment now completed. A fresh new bar design has given the club a modern lift and is open and fresh !

And there’s more to come. Plans for Stage Two are progressing, with approvals expected in the near future. The proposal will extend the lounge area into an alfresco-style space, along with the installation of an undercover roof over the bowls area.

That will make a huge difference for the bowlers, particularly given the sometimes very changeable weather conditions experienced around Armidale. Having a covered area will provide far more comfort and flexibility for members and visitors alike.

The club also boasts a massive auditorium, which is an important part of the business and is regularly used for private functions, including weddings and other celebrations. It certainly adds another dimension to what the club can offer the local community.

Located just a short hop from the heart of Armidale, the Bowls Club is a busy and sought-after venue for both locals and visitors passing through.

a fun driving simulator will keep all ages entertained !!

It’s another great example of a regional club continuing to evolve, invest and find new ways to remain an important part of its community.

02/09/2026

URALLA GOLF CLUB AND A MEETING WITH THE WEDNESDAY WHACKERS

Leaving Moree behind, I set the GPS for Uralla and a catch-up with GM Ben Jones at the Uralla Golf Club.

Well… the GPS had other ideas.

It sent me down some seriously wild, off-road country where I began wondering whether I’d ever be found alive again — let alone arrive at the golf club! Somehow, I made it through, and, thankfully, just in time to meet the locals arriving from around the region for their weekly Wednesday round of golf.

The Wednesday Whackers were out in force.

Now, Ben was doing his best to keep a lid on the locals revealing to me what they really call their Wednesday gathering… apparently there’s a slightly more colourful version of the name of “whackers” !! 😂

But moving right along…

This is country life at its best.

Just three years ago, Uralla Golf Club was facing the very real possibility of closing its doors. Thankfully, Armidale Services Club stepped in, and the club now has a very different future ahead of it.

There are some big plans on the horizon. Within the next couple of years, the existing clubhouse is expected to make way for a brand-new facility, while adjoining land is earmarked for stay-and-play cabins, giving visitors another reason to come, play and stay in Uralla.

And what a gem the 18-hole course is.

But the golf club is about much more than golf. It plays an important role in the local community and proudly supports the Uralla Tigers Rugby League Club — a team that Ben himself once played for.

During our chat, Ben quietly mentioned something along the lines of, “i don’t play anymore but it was the last time they won a premiership…” 😜

Before he could finish, one of the locals jumped in:

“We’re not talking NRL Tigers here!”

The place erupted.

Ben just shook his head with the unmistakable look of a bloke thinking, “I cop this every day.” 😂

And that pretty much summed up my visit.

There’s plenty of banter, plenty of laughs and a whole lot of community spirit at Uralla Golf Club. After coming so close to losing the club altogether, it’s wonderful to see a group of people who clearly care about its future — and about each other.

The course is a gem, the plans are exciting, and the Wednesday Whackers… well, they’re clearly keeping Ben on his toes!

The small and busy little bistro was pumping as well .. another introduction since Armidale servos came to the party !’

This is country life — and I bloody love it.

we have to return and see the developments !!

Uralla has a wonderfully colourful history, from the gold rush days of the Rocky River goldfields to its most infamous resident, Captain Thunderbolt, the legendary bushranger whose exploits are still woven into the character and stories of the town today.

02/09/2026

And that’s a wrap on the 2026 CMDA Food & Beverage Summit. Held during Fine Food in Melbourne, the diverse program provided the 80 managers present with an insight into the power of human connection in customer service with Nikki Heald (Corp Training), managing risk and management compliance behind the new seafood origin laws on club menus with Matt Dagg (CMAA), how clubs may increase patronage and improve sales through better sports bar design with Isaac Cornish (Project Leaders), the 5 principles of a profitable kitchen by Maria Kucheran and Nathan Reed (My Local Foodie), understanding the business of pizza in clubs by Youssef Ben Touati (3 x World Pizza Champion), Daniel Martinez (Euroquip) and Paul Terzis (Commercial Kitchen Company) and finishing with a lesson in selling wine, better wine list design and how to appreciate the close relationship between food and wine taste profiles with Steliano Cusmiani (Stelavino).

Great work by the staff at Crowne Plaza Melbourne with all logistics and thanks to all managers who attended from clubs in QLD, regional and metro NSW and VIC.
See you all in Sydney for the 2027 CMDA F&B Summit!

01/09/2026

MOREE SERVICES CLUB — A WELCOMING OASIS IN THE HEART OF MOREE

Today’s CMAA Members Meeting and Zone Dinner is being held at Moree Services Club, and I managed to grab the very busy General Manager and CMAA MEMBER , Robert Shields, for a few minutes on the run as he prepares for tonight’s activities.

Robert has been at the helm for a solid eight years, and during that time he and his team have faced not one, but two major floods. Both times, teamwork, clever thinking and plenty of determination helped save the club and keep it moving forward.

And perhaps there was a small silver lining… those floods ultimately resulted in around $1.5 million worth of new furniture being installed! Sometimes you really do have to find the positive in the middle of a disaster!

One of the club’s other huge achievements came about two years ago with the installation of the massive undercover bowls greens. And before anyone corrects me — yes, I know they’re blue not greeen ! Somehow “undercover bowls blues” just doesn’t have quite the same ring to it! 😂

Whatever we call them, what an impressive structure it is. With Moree’s summer heat, having a huge undercover facility like this gives bowlers a whole new level of comfort and enjoyment. Lucky bowlers!

Robert and his team are also eagerly awaiting the completion of their new drive-through bottle shop, expected to be ready by Christmas. It will be one of the biggest in the area and another major addition to the club’s facilities.

With additional security fencing around the club perimeter, the team is also ensuring the facility remains a safe and welcoming place for its members and the wider community.

For locals, it’s a place to catch up, socialise, enjoy a meal, have a roll on the greens ( blues?🤦‍♀️) or simply feel part of the community. For travellers passing through Moree, it offers that familiar club welcome that makes you feel at home, even when you’re a long way from your own backyard.

A busy club, a busy GM and a team clearly committed to keeping Moree Services Club moving forward.

So, Moree has hot water, cotton and pecans… but tonight, the focus is very much on the people who make this community tick — and Moree Services Club is certainly part of that story.

Now… I’d better let Robert get back to preparing for tonight! 😉

31/08/2026

MESSAGE FOR CMAA QLD MEMBERS:

Barringtons Expands Queensland Presence

With more than 35 years of experience supporting the registered club industry, Barringtons understands the practical challenges clubs face in managing increasingly complex regulatory, operational and governance requirements.

The expansion into Queensland strengthens Barringtons’ local presence, with two locations in Brisbane and another on the Gold Coast, providing greater capacity to support clubs and hospitality venues across the state.

Operating a club or hospitality venue means managing a growing range of responsibilities, from Liquor & Gaming, AML/CTF, HR and Workplace Health & Safety through to risk management, staff training and governance. Barringtons provides practical, industry-specific support designed to help venues meet these requirements without adding unnecessary complexity.

Barringtons’ training and professional development services provide education for staff, managers, leaders and directors, with the Queensland expansion making this support more accessible to local clubs. This includes new, industry-specific director training programs designed to provide practical, cost-effective and time-efficient professional development for club directors, managers and emerging leaders.

Alongside training, Barringtons provides practical compliance support through Management Support Programs, providing clubs access to experienced industry specialists without the cost of building a large in-house team. Support is available across WHS, AML/CTF, compliance, security and risk management, HR, and gaming, with programs tailored to each venue's operational priorities and business goals.

From workplace inspections and compliance reviews to policy development, workforce support, performance reporting and strategic advice, Barringtons works alongside venue teams to strengthen operations, reduce administrative burden and better support informed decision-making.

Guided by our commitment to Best People. Best Practice. Best Choice, Barringtons is helping clubs build stronger, more sustainable futures through quality education, governance, compliance and specialist management support.

To mark the Queensland expansion, Barringtons is also offering clubs a FREE Queensland Club Compliance Checklist. This practical resource provides a starting point for reviewing key compliance areas, including licences and documentation, staff training, liquor and gaming compliance, incident management, safety, risk management and record keeping.

To access your FREE Queensland Compliance Checklist, please visit https://landing.barringtongroup.com.au/qld-compliance-checklist

For more information about our Queensland services or to discuss your club’s requirements, contact Carl Forbes on 0402 718 897 or email [email protected]

https://barringtons.com.au/

31/08/2026

CLUB NARRABRI — BIG CHANGES, BIG HEART & 78 YEARS OF COMBINED SERVICE

It’s been quite a few years since I last called into Club Narrabri, and wow… things have certainly changed!

The club has had a fresh makeover, with a light, bright and beautifully welcoming space that immediately makes you feel at home. Arriving around lunchtime, the place was already buzzing, which is always a great sign when you’re visiting a regional club.

I caught up with CEO Paul Gordon and 2IC Sharon Goodhew, and as you can imagine, there were plenty of stories to share — stories about the club, the industry, the community and the many changes they’ve seen over the years.

Between them, Paul and Sharon have an extraordinary 78 years at Club Narabri — Paul with 38 years and Sharon an incredible 40!

But this year, both will farewell the industry and head into their next chapter of life.

After so many years of giving back to the club and the community, they have every reason to be incredibly proud of what they have achieved. They will most certainly be missed — although, being locals, I suspect they’ll still be keeping a very close eye on what’s happening around town!

Paul also shared some interesting news about the club’s current structure. Club Narrabri has now amalgamated and looks after the town’s other two clubs — the bowling club and golf club.

Apparently, they are one of only two clubs in the state that own all three clubs in their town. Now that’s a pretty big operation — and certainly enough to keep a management team on its toes!

Which means the incoming CEO has some very big shoes to fill.

Now, confession time… there was one part of Club Narrabri, I completely missed on my last visit — the restaurant!

And let me tell you, for something that has been operating for around 20 years, it hasn’t aged a bit!

Paul and Sharon’s vision has created something that has kept locals entertained for years. It’s not simply dinner — it’s an experience.

The outback Western theme comes complete with thunder and lightning sound effects, and even the occasional strategically positioned drip of authentic rain!

Yep… you read that correctly.

You can actually sit there enjoying your meal while the restaurant creates its own little outback weather event!

And then there are the placemats — replicas of old newspaper pages from years gone by. They make for some fascinating reading, with stories, advertisements and quotes that certainly remind you just how much times have changed!

Some of the things printed back then probably wouldn’t make it past the editor’s desk today!

It was a wonderful catch-up and another reminder of why regional clubs are such an important part of their communities. They aren’t just places to have a drink, grab a meal or play a round of bowls or golf — they are places where people meet, memories are made and communities come together.

So Paul and Sharon, as you prepare to close the door on this chapter, we at the CMAA wish you both all the very best for the remainder of the year and whatever comes next.

You’ve certainly earned the right to slow down, put your feet up and enjoy life a little more.

Although somehow, I don’t think either of you will ever be too far away from what’s happening around Club Narrabri!

Thank you for the years, the stories, the laughs and the incredible contribution you’ve both made to the club and the community. And of course your valuable support of the CMAA

31/08/2026

GUNNEDAH GOLF CLUB — GREEN, GROWING & VERY WELCOMING! ⛳️

Gunnedah Golf Club on a beautiful day really shows just how green, beautifully maintained and inviting this 18-hole course is. 🌿⛳️

Like any golf course, there’s a constant program of upkeep, improvements and additions, and the club has recently expanded its buggy parking area — another practical improvement for members and visitors.

I had the pleasure of catching up with CMAA members Paul Sills, General Manager, and Corrynne Cheetham, Administration Manager, and what a charming and relaxing visit it was in this wonderfully spread-out country town.

The club has certainly been going from strength to strength, particularly following a $1.5 million renovation of the restaurant, which has transformed it into a busy and very popular community gathering hub.

And community is clearly at the heart of what Gunnedah Golf Club is all about. The club proudly supports sporting organisations right across the area, with a particular focus on junior rugby league — something that makes a real difference to the local community.

The recent addition of a golf simulator also makes perfect sense, adding another dimension for members and visitors and giving golfers another reason to spend time at the club, whatever the weather.

Paul has been at the helm for the past five years and, as you’d expect, he has plenty more plans for this spacious and welcoming club.

As for me… I’m already looking forward to coming back — preferably with time to sit in that alfresco area, enjoy the view and perhaps contemplate a round of golf! 🍺⛳️

Another great country club visit, another couple of great CMAA members, and another reminder of just how important these clubs are to their communities.

31/08/2026

Quirindi — Small Town, BIG Things!

Coming into the quaint and very cool town of Quirindi, in the New England region of NSW, is always a welcome sight — but even better is catching up with CMAA member and Club Quirindi General Manager, Phillipa Fuller.

Phillipa left the Far South Coast nearly two years ago to make her mark further north, and she certainly hasn’t looked back!

And during that big transition, life threw her another beautiful challenge — a gorgeous little girl who is now 13 months old. So, as you can imagine, Phillipa has had her hands full balancing life as a solo mum with stepping into a new GM role.

But nothing seems to stop this woman!

Phillipa and her team have achieved some pretty impressive results, including the best turnover the club has ever experienced over the past few months, while the restaurant has increased its business by 25%, helped along by a new and very inspired chef.

The club is doing so well that it has even been chosen to host the New England Business Awards this year! 👏

Congratulations, Phillipa and the whole team — what an achievement!

There’s also a new outdoor bar under construction, which will be ready in time for summer, and with a supportive board behind her, Phillipa is clearly loving the role and the opportunities ahead.

And then there’s the golf club under her wing, sitting in some pretty impressive real estate. Her mind is already racing with ideas about how it can be further developed to benefit the club, the community and the wider area.

This is exactly why I love getting out and visiting our members. It’s fantastic to see their enthusiasm, hear about their achievements and see the positive impact they are having in their communities.

Well done Phillipa and your entire team — you should be very proud of what you’re achieving!

And while the club looks fantastic, I have to admit… I only had eyes for her gorgeous little daughter! 😂❤️

She smiled, giggled, completely charmed us all — and then promptly fell asleep for the photo!

Now THAT is how you steal the show! 😍

worth also checking out is the amazing silo art work !

Address

Shop 2 , 23 Forest Road 0
Sydney, NSW
2220

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Website

http://www.cmaa.asn.au/

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