Managers Report – December 2023

Hi Members,

As we move into Christmas and the new year, I would like to thank you all for your passion, patronage and involvement in all aspects of the Hornby Club. We are a success because of you and the efforts you put in.

We have had a fantastic November with a brilliant Cup & Show week, our annual Cup Day event was a hit, Melbourne Cup saw a busy rush in the Club as well. The Neil Diamond concert, Girl Power and Totally 80’s shows were enjoyed by all who attended and were a success for the Club.

We are now fully into the swing of section and business end of year events and the Club is as busy as ever.

Coming up this month, the Club has a number of giveaways before Christmas and our annual New Year’s Eve Party:

• 17 Dec, 6.15pm – Christmas Bonanza wraps up the raffles for 2023.
• 20 Dec, 6.30pm – Earlybird Draw – E-Bike and Supermarket voucher prizes.
• 31 Dec, 5.00pm – New Years Eve Buffet $30 – Book now.
• 31 Dec, 7.00pm – New Years Eve Concert $10 – Buy your tickets now.

For the Bonanza and Early Bird draw, you must be on site and have made a purchase using your membership card to be in the draw.

Don’t forget, Jo’s Karaoke is on the first Friday of the month. Quiz Night is continuing monthly, on the first Wednesday of each month until May when it will return weekly until Labour Day 2024.

Food and Beverages

• Our Whitebait Lunch was once again well received. Our $12 Monday and Tuesday lunch specials continue to sell well. Get in here between 11am and 2pm to get your small roast or small fish and chips.
• Wednesday’s Pizza & Beer combo has been selling well, as has the Loaded Fries Friday. And don’t forget about your Thursday Burgers and Beer. These continue through Summer.
• Check out our updated menu in Chalmers and the new beer on tap, Panhead Sandman Hazy. Lion Brown will be available in Quart Bottles.
• Chalmers Restaurant has a Christmas Buffet on offer for lunch and dinner on 3, 10 and 17 December. Book fast as it’s selling out. The restaurant will close from 22 December and will reopen on 21 January with a Sunday Buffet.

Raffles

It is the last few weeks of the 2023 raffles season, finishing on 17 December 2023 with the Bonanza! Buy your tickets to have your chance to win your hams and BBQ packages.

We will be reopening Raffles from 10 January 2024.

Looking forward

• Be sure to be in before 17 December, as Members Draws, including Crack the Cube and Chase the Ace will take a break, restarting on 17 January 2024.
• At the time of writing this report Chase the Ace is at $3050. Crack the Cube is over $700!

Regular activities in the Club this month we have:

Jo’s Karaoke

• First Friday of every month.

New Members – Start again in February.

The first Tuesday of each month at 6pm between February and October. • Meet a couple of our board members who will show you around our great new facility and advise you of all that our Club and sections has to offer.

Raffles

– Finishes for the year on 17 December restarting 10 January 2024.
– Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4pm, Saturday 11am to 1pm.
– Remember your bags – No more plastic bags available.

Members Draws – Finish 17 December & Restart 17 January 2024 on Wednesdays.

Wednesdays – Chase the Ace.
•Members draws 2 x $100 vouchers on your card – drawn after 6pm, after the raffles.Thursdays – Chase the Ace

• Be a member, buy a drink between 5pm and 7pm and be in the draw. Winner will be drawn between 7.05pm and 7.30pm.

Crack the Cube

• On EVERY Friday– sign up by 6.15pm to be drawn between 6.30pm and 6.45pm – You could win over $500!.

$12 Lunch Special  – 11am – 2.00pm Monday and Tuesday

• Small Roast or Small Fish and chips

$20 Meal Deals (Lunch and Dinner)

• Wednesday – $25 Pizza and a Jug of Speights or two glasses of house wine or a Jug of soft drink (Wine (house)or soft drink).
• Thursday – $20 Burger & 12 oz Beer (Wine (house) or soft drink).
• Friday – $20 Loaded Fries & 12 oz Beer (Wine (house) or soft drink).

Gaming room

We will have three new games over the next couple of months. Machines 12, 11 and 9 will be getting swapped out for something fresh.

We have just made our Grants for the year and the Club has donated over $49,000 back into the community. Please note there are new regulations now in place that the Club staff must enforce. This will mean more frequent and deliberate interactions with our team. Please do not be offended, we are doing what we have to and what the government thinks is best for you. Remember to bet responsibly.

Before signing off for 2023, the Club will be farewelling Pete Stoop after 23 years working the TAB at Hornby Club and over 30 years with TAB, as well as our Assistant Manager, Ray Davis after 31 years of service. Peter has shared his knowledge of the TAB operations with the team fantastically allowing seamless transfer of the operation for our members. Ray has been key to allowing myself to get my feet under the desk as Manager. Sharing his knowledge and experience has been invaluable to the team continuing to deliver the service to you all through his time at the Club. We sincerely thank you both for your commitment and contribution to the success of Hornby Club.

See you in the Club,

Tim Mathews