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Moama Bowling Club records bumper profit

By Bransen Gibson

Nov 24, 2022

Record profit: The Moama Bowling Club held its annual general meeting on Tuesday night, reporting a profit of more than $3 million. Photo: Bransen Gibson

The Moama Bowling Club has emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic “remarkably well” as it recorded a profit of more than $3 million in the 2021-22 financial year.

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The bowling club reported an operating net profit of $3.465 million for the last financial year at its annual general meeting on Tuesday night, up around $80,000 from the previous year.

After the first full financial year to be largely unaffected by COVID-19 lockdowns since before the pandemic began, Moama Bowling Club chief operating officer Liam Fleming said the club was in a strong position.

“Like the town in general, it has been a roller coaster two years or so,” Mr Fleming said.

“Considering everything that has been going on, the club has got through it remarkably well and our staff has got through it remarkably well.

“We have probably come out this stronger, and certainly more resilient.”

At the meeting, MBC Corporate Services manager Simon Griffin spoke at the meeting and provided an update on the club’s finances.

He said the club paid its 235 employees $9.9 million last financial year, while more than a million dollars — $763,000 in club grants and $260,000 in internal sponsorship — was given to support community groups and projects.

Mr Griffin also said $1.3 million was spent on the sport of bowls.

Mr Fleming said giving money back to the community was a key priority for the bowling club.

“That is our main role as a club, to make sure that we are giving back to the community and giving back to the locals who are looking after us,” he said.

“That is what we are here for.”

With both the new sports bar and solar car park grid being completed over the last year, Mr Fleming said work on the new “Wildergreens” project was on track to start next year.

“We have started all the prep work and the pre-construction for Wildergreens, and early next year we will look to turn soil and get the project going,” he said.

The new precinct will include a cafe, outdoor dining space and a new kids area.

Also at the meeting, Lindsay Rankin was re-elected as president, while Brett Thomson and Haydn O’Neale were both approved for another term as vice-residents.

All three appointments were made unopposed.