Terrigal Bowling Club has been selected as a finalist in the 2021 Clubs & Community Awards in the category of Health and Well-being for its contribution to the local community.
The Clubs & Community Awards recognise clubs across NSW which have significantly helped out businesses, sporting clubs, and organisations in their area.
Terrigal Bowling Club CEO, James Heddo, said the club was proud to be selected and hopes to build upon its commitment to the community in 2021.
“Over many years, the Terrigal Bowling Club has supported many local groups; it’s nice to be recognised,” Heddo said.
“We are quite secure financially, and we certainly allocate in our budget financially each year for various community groups.
“We are by no means a big club, but we understand our role in the community and that our support is vital to many local, not-for-profit organisations.
“Our community grants scheme, which has provided funding to Terrigal’s Surf Life Saving Club, Donnica Clarke Foundation, and Terrigal Neighbourhood Community Centre, to name a few, is reflective of our desire to enhance health and well-being, particularly in times of crisis.”
In addition to donations, Terrigal Bowling Club also supports community groups through offering services and facilities.
“We recently hosted a group of Year Six special needs children from the support unit at Terrigal Public School, who were farewelling a classmate in the school holidays,” he said.
“For some, this was their first-ever party, and I was incredibly proud of my team and to be able to work for an organisation that can support their community in such a special way.
“For the sporting clubs, we try to cap it at $1500, which we think is a good amount of money to enable them to purchase uniforms or to put to their training programs.
“We find offering donations capped at $1,500, we can spread the money around to a wide range of groups, instead of throwing it all in one bucket.
“Terrigal Bowling Club was created in 1947 as a place for locals to enjoy playing sport together.
“Since then, we have worked to ensure that lawn bowls and a sense of community are at the forefront of our existence, staying true to our roots.
“We are proud to boast a number of highly successful professional men’s and women’s teams, and we cater to all levels of skill through barefoot bowls.
“We also run initiatives such as our school bowls programs and free coaching sessions for all ages and abilities.”
ClubsNSW CEO, Josh Landis, said the way clubs have looked after their members and communities throughout such a tumultuous period was nothing short of outstanding.
“We had so many awe-inspiring entries for the Clubs & Community Awards this year, demonstrating how clubs have once again dug deep to help those in need,” Landis said.
“From making welfare calls and sending out care packages to members during the COVID-19 shutdown, to providing shelter and food for those fleeing the Black Summer bushfires, clubs have gone above and beyond to support their communities, and this is their chance to be recognised for all their hard work.”
The winners will be announced at the Clubs & Community Awards Night at the International Convention Centre, Sydney, on Thursday, May 20.
Also named as a finalist is Gosford RSL in the COVID-19 Community Assistance category.
Jacinta Counihan