Thursday 14 April 2011

One of the region's most loved venues, the Mossman Memorial Bowls Club, has recently been recognised at an awards night at the Brisbane Convention Centre in front of 1,400 club industry representatives.

The awards that went to the club included; Best Club in a Rural Community, Best Small Bowls Club, Best Community Support (Small Club) and Special Achievement Award for Responsible Gaming Services.

Secretary Manager of Mossman Memorial Bowls Club, Kevin Rynne, said everyone involved in the club felt honoured to win the awards after being a strong contender over the past few years.

"It was a wonderful thrill to represent not only the club but our district. It's great to walk past the representatives of clubs from all over the State and receive their congratulations and hear them asking each other 'What's this Mossman Bowls Club got that we haven't?'.

"All the staff at Mossman Bowls are thrilled at the awards as it is recognition of our efforts towards great customer service, presentation of the club and the main goal of a safe and friendly venue for all patrons," he said.

Mr Rynne said the club prides itself on being a significant contributor to the community having provided cash and "in-kind" support of over $80,000 in the past two years.

"(We are) a major supporter of the local Meals on Wheels as well as the Douglas Shire Seniors. The committee's criteria for community support is for assistance to junior sport, activities and services for the elderly, and helping to subsidise the travel expenses for sporting representatives.

Mr Rynne added that Federal Government reforms for tighter restrictions of gaming, particularly poker machines, will have an impact on the community.

"I'm not blind to the polls that keep showing a majority of people say 'get rid of pokies', that is fine and I understand their thoughts because they don't understand the whole story.

"In all honesty the club industry and the community have a lot to lose with these proposed 'reforms'. Simply put clubs will lose income and have added expenses to implement these changes and this will lead to clubs closing and job losses.

"The saddest part about a club closing is that the community will lose that facility forever. It is very rare for a club to successfully re-establish after a closure. The community loses also because with decreased incomes club's will not be able to maintain community support.

"…People should think what their response would be if asked; 'Would you support Federal Government reforms that would cause a reduction in junior sports facilities, a fall in the number of Life Saver patrolled beaches, a loss of support for Returned Service Men and Women and their widows and lost sporting grounds and facilities?' I'm sure I could predict the results of this poll," Mr Rynne said.