It is now some weeks since the full closure of Amstel Club (Monday 23 March 2020) and more recently at Ranfurlie Golf Club (Sunday 29 March 2020).
For many in our local community and especially our members, it has been a highly challenging time with unprecedented limitations placed on each of us.
Together I feel certain that we can and will get through to the other side...
I see a time when our membership can once again enjoy the great hospitality offered at both clubhouses and for those in need to 'stretch the legs' who can look forward to 'having a hit' with either family or friends at Ranfurlie when we have been given the 'green light' by the State Government.
In these difficult times where we are all thinking about life with greater self-reflection, I thought it was right and proper to reach out to the membership and provide an update to all on where we are situated.
Firstly, I must acknowledge the life-changing circumstances that was forced upon many of our employees who were 'stood down' immediately after closure at each property. This was handled with great support and empathy by our Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Daniel Muir, who had the unenviable task of communicating to staff at both clubhouses in letting our valued front-line employees know that their services for now and into the foreseeable future were no longer required.
These were indeed difficult days, but you should know that our staff at both venues showed good grace and should be commended in the way they reacted to these unfortunate circumstances being foisted upon them and their employer.
Fortunately, since that time, the Federal Government has introduced the 'JobKeeper' payment of $1,500 per fortnight payable per eligible employee through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to businesses that have suffered major decrease in trade (which both venues qualify due to full closure).
With great pleasure I can report to you that all full-time, part-time and eligible casual employees (who have worked at either of our clubs for a period of 12 months or greater) will receive this payment. Offsetting this arrangement, most employees elected to firstly use their annual leave entitlement as part of working in with the business.
Many of our front-line staff have been instrumental in providing great service to our members at both clubs and good staff are hard to find! We have worked for many years to 'Get the Best' and 'JobKeeper' allows us to remain connected to our front-line hospitality employees for when we re-open for trade.
All our employees are unique to our business and each makes the difference to our member's experience...we must never forget their value when we all come back together to enjoy a round of golf, a meal or drinks with friends.
In amongst all these unfortunate circumstances, I can report that a small team of our 'Back-of-House' Finance Personnel remain working to ensure that accounts are paid or deferred, end of month accounting procedures takes place and payroll is prepared weekly. Equally in the Operations Area, business analysis is taking place and compliance documentation for our relevant licences are being processed to ensure we operate within the confines of the appropriate legislation and regulation.
It is also with great pleasure that I can advise that a core team at Ranfurlie Golf Club are maintaining our golfing greens to the highest of standards which I very much look forward (like all members) to play on when we can all join together with old and new friends alike in the not-too-distant future and enjoy the good game...
The Finance Leadership are forensically studying the JobKeeper system and are researching by way of the ATO website and taking 'live-feed' webinars from various Clubs Victoria aligned organisations (including SIAG).
Staff are being constantly updated as to latest status regarding their eligibility for either JobKeeper or JobSeeker payments by our CEO and Finance Personnel.
Your Board of Directors have taken many steps over the last five (5) years to see both Clubs achieve a stronger position than where we may have been with an aged clubhouse (Amstel Club) or additional facilities for members (Ranfurlie Range) that would have been harder to kick-start after trading bans have been lifted.
With the right people 'on the job' selected by the Board, this current business imposition is being addressed by way of various projects being investigated and organised whilst we are not trading. Such Projects under the control of department heads include but are not limited to the following:
* Conception, Publishing and Implementation of New Menu for Amstel Club Bistro
* Amstel Sports Bar and Courtyard - Revision and Update of Food Offering plus associated menus
* Preparation of Standard Operating Procedures and Updates to Current Bistro Protocols
* Re-organisation of Beverages (Bulk & Packaged), Ready-To-Drinks (Packaged) and Wines for new all-inclusive listing across all profit-centres
* Full Calendar of ancillary games shows and gambling opportunities (including Trivia, Poker and Bingo)
* Conception, Publishing and Implementation of Functions Packages including Corporate Events, Weddings and various stages in the Celebration of Life Events
* Analysis and Placement of Operational Gaming Machines should Social Distancing be required at the Re-commencement of Trade
* Membership Management Refinement (Systems and Processing)
* Implementation of a Whole of Venue Quality Plan (Forward Plan)
* Member re-engagement and communication strategies
It is the intent of both the Board and Management that with best endeavours our Clubs (Amstel Club and Ranfurlie Golf Club) will survive this COVID-19 threat (Coronavirus).
With this forced closure, we are in 'uncharted waters' where our forecasting is contingent on an end-date...at this stage we do not have an end-date and therefore both this and next financial year's trade will be impacted by no income in this period of non-trade and the uncertainty of continued government subsidy (currently as advised by the Federal Government that there is a finite period of six months on offer to our Club/s).
The Board will be closely monitoring the Club's finances and cash flow position in the weeks and months ahead with the Club's CEO and all non-essential expenditure continues to be on hold.
We will hopefully be able to trade later this calendar year and this impost to business will hopefully be behind us as we open our doors to Members, their Guests and the Wider Community and get trade going again.
To this end, I thank the personnel from both Clubs who are feverishly working behind the scenes to ensure we are 'business-ready' where we can pull the key levers to get back to full strength once we are out of this 'Government-Imposed' hibernation period.
In closing, as part of this communiqu�??�?�©, I extend to all members my best wishes in these trying times and ask that you care for and look out for each other, in your family, in your neighbourhood and beyond through the appropriate Stage 3 restrictions.
Stay safe and see you when we all get back to a more normal existence.
Yours sincerely
