Welcome to the Winter issue of your City Tatts magazine. With the ski season upon us, the chill in the air should encourage you to consider a trip to our Boonoona Ski Lodge, which as you would know is right in the heart of Perisher Valley.
Our team has been hard at work in making a number of improvements to the building, with the exterior having been freshly re-clad with Colorbond sheeting to stop water from entering and to resist the icy fingers of the Kosciuszko National Park.
Our Lodge Managers Matt and Luanne can’t wait to welcome you into their winter home for some great stories and wholesome home-cooked meals – which according to many are one of the major reasons they keep going back.
Whilst on Boonoona, I am delighted to announce the launch of a new Club promotion which will see one lucky Member win a family holiday to Boonoona worth $7,000. You can read more about this great promotion on page 6 of the magazine.
Remember, Boonoona is yours to enjoy and a perfect platform to spend some quality time with family and friends. I encourage you not to waste any more time: submit that annual leave form into work this week, book a room and pack the car! Don’t forget to take your camera to capture those wonderful snow memories.
THE LOWER BAR
Many of you have enquired about the progress of the Lower Bar renovations. We have a fantastic artist’s impression on pages 24 & 25, as well as a sneak peek behind the scenes of the works. We look forward to revealing your new bar in early July, when we will have a week of opening celebrations with live music, cocktails, an unbelievable selection of gins, single-malt whiskies and some superb tapas.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
This year the Club received a record number of nominations for Directorship. In fact, in addition to the nine Directors from 2017, a further twelve well-credentialed Members stood for election. I thank them for their interest in giving back to our Club. The election process saw the return of the complete Board,and after an internal election process amongst Directors, I was re-elected as the Chair of the Board and Paul Cavallaro was elected as the new Vice Chair.
THE ESPERANTO DINING ROOM
Esperanto has been a much-loved part of the Club. However, it is no secret that it has been in decline for many years. Today, it is earning only half of the revenue it was back in 2009, and unfortunately delivers a net loss to our Club of $300K per annum. Our Club simply cannot accept that level of loss for any longer. Your Board and management have tried hard to make Esperanto work, but sadly we have concluded that dining preferences have changed and Esperanto cannot be made viable.
The difficult decision to close it has been made, and it will close on Friday 31st of August 2018. The news was first presented to Members at the AGM on the 29th May 2018. Members present saw the figures, and understood the decision.
As communicated at the AGM, we will direct some of the savings towards creating some intimate and warmer spaces in Zest and in the lounge area just outside for you to enjoy some of your favourite Esperanto meals and wines.
In the meantime, we will continue to hold discussions with some of Sydney’s best restaurateurs to see if there is any interest in relocating or perhaps creating an extension of their brands in the Esperanto space.
Please be assured that you will still be able to book the Esperanto space as a function venue for special events.
A DAY OUT
On the sunniest day of the quarter, we were delighted to bring together our staff, guests and members of both the City Tatts Harriers and CTC Cycling Club for a social ride and barbeque in Centennial Park. It was great to see so many enjoying the surrounds and tucking into a well-deserved cooked breakfast after a hard workout. Keep an eye out for our next outing.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Our first volunteers have joined up for our new and exciting Volunteer Project, which will kick off in earnest in late June. The initial projects will involve organising the Library on the Ground Floor and providing research, input and expertise for the 125th Anniversary year of our Club in 2020, which will be celebrated with the launch of our book and the biggest Members’ party seen in our history!
The volunteer group is very important to us. There is so much to be done and we would love you to be part of it. If you would like to get involved, please email us at volunteers@citytatts.com.au to register your interest.
Finally, the Spring Carnival is only a few months down the track, and that of course means we are beginning to prepare for the City Tattersalls Club Cup Race Day at Royal Randwick Racecourse. Find out more about registering for this popular annual Club tradition in the pages of this publication.
I hope that you enjoy this issue, and especially take the time to read the feature on our beloved Club Patron John Healy OAM. As always, we look forward to – and welcome – your feedback and contributions. This can be done at any time via lucindas@citytatts.com.au, so please feel free to send in your thoughts ahead of the next edition.
Thank you for your ongoing interest, support and involvement in our wonderful Club.
Patrick Campion
Chairman
City Tattersalls Club
