As part of a pivot towards greater community focus, the Seymour Club hosted an evening of drinks and entertainment on Saturday, March 18, to thank volunteers who gave their time to the flood clean-up effort led by the Seymour Football Netball Club in October 2022.
Life members, including those who started the club 25 years ago, were also invited to the occasion to join in the new direction of the club.
Seymour Club president Regina Schaefer said the night was about showcasing the community and the people who gave up their time to help.
“By inviting all the local members who we were made aware of that assisted with the clean-up, restocking and helping, as well as our life members, we felt that it was time to focus on what they have achieved,” Ms Schaefer said.
“We are really wanting to open it up a bit more ... I think people associate us with the RSL, which is fantastic in itself but we are a separate entity.
Previously, members of the Seymour Club Board were required to belong to one of the two organisations, Seymour Bowling Club and the RSL, as both groups were closely affiliated with the club.
Now, anyone who is a member of the Seymour Club can apply to be on the board.
With a change in constitution, new president and new board elected, Ms Schafer said the club was reasserting itself as a place for the whole community.
“We are no longer affiliated with any other clubs in town, we now are able to disperse our community funds directly to anyone and everyone,” Ms Schaefer said.
“We just want to show Seymour that we are more approachable if they are seeking funds for any sort of fundraiser.
“We’ve had a young girl recently who has applied for a scholarship, she wants to go overseas so we have been able to provide some funds, things like that.”
The next AGM of the Seymour Club is in August.