The Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort board unveiled its impressive five-year plan at the club’s annual general meeting on Sunday.
The club’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan focuses on improving clubhouse and golf facilities including a new machinery maintenance complex, upgrades to the main bar, lounge and on course accommodation.
Despite continued rising costs the club will drive forward with plans to also re-develop its main entrance in the lower car park and develop a new sports lounge where Focus Gym is currently situated.
The strategic plan states the vision is to aspire to be the best golf and social destination for members, community and guests.
The plan states the club’s mission/vision will be achieved by having:
- An efficiently managed business that has a sound financial foundation.
- Golf courses rated in the top 50 public access courses in Australia, that provide a fair but enjoyable experience for golfers of all abilities, coupled with a continuously improving golf program.
- A modern clubhouse and accommodation facilities that takes advantage of Yarrawonga Mulwala’s growing population and large seasonal tourist market, with first class hospitality and a variety of entertainment options.
Proposed project spending
* 2024 New Maintenance Facility $200,000.
* 2025 New Maintenance Facility $2,400,000; Three New Holes - Murray Course $1,000,000; Clubhouse Redevelopment $200,000.
* 2026-2029 New Maintenance facility $2,400,000; Golf course irrigation $1,425,000; Greens replacement Murray $1,500,000; Clubhouse redevelopment$4,500,000.
* 2030-beyond Car park new solar development $1,500,000; Golf course irrigation $475,000; Greens replacement Murray $500,000; Clubhouse redevelopment $500,000.
Subscription fees up
Full members of Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort will pay $100 a year over the next three years to ensure the long-term viability of the club.
Full membership fees will rise from today’s $525 per year as follows: $625 for 2025, $725 for 2026, and $825 for 2027 (19% 2025, 16% 2026; 14% 2027 for all categories – the same to apply to 6-day, intermediate, young adult, country, and bowls & croquet categories).
Additionally, the fees for all other membership categories (excluding social and junior memberships) will be adjusted each year by a percentage that corresponds to the increase in the Full membership fee.
From the year 2028 onwards, the subscription fees payable by all membership categories (excluding social and junior membership) will only be increased in accordance with CPI, rounded up to the nearest dollar on the 2027 subscription fees.
Club CEO Peter Savy explained the club is experiencing rising costs in several key areas beyond management’s control, including a soaring in insurance coverage, from $206,221 in 2020-2021 to $441,599 in 2024-2025 – an increase of $235,378 or 114% - and a 59% increase, over the same period, regarding workers compensation.
The CEO said that council rates, water and sewerage have increased an average annual increase of 20%, wages and superannuation have gone up by 10% and costs of other essentials such as fuel, chemicals, electricity, and gas continue to rise as well, “compounding the financial strain on the club”.
Approximate additional revenue from all the fee categories would be $152,357 in 2025, $304,040 in 2026 and $453,023 for 2027.
“We understand that the rising cost of living may be affecting some of our members,” Mr Savy said.
“To provide support, we will be introducing a dedicated members portal on MiClub that provides the option for members to pay their annual subscription in three equal instalments.
“Each instalment will cover one-third of the total payable fees, including membership, affiliation fees, cart and buggy storage, and locker fees. The first instalment will also include the full payment for clubhouse credits.”
Members were faced with the prospect of paying an extra $5 per round if the subscription fee increase was not agreed to, which would amount to $200 per annum for playing once a week, $400 for two rounds every week and $600 for the golfer playing three rounds a week.
Major projects
A Development Application has been submitted to Federation Council for approval of a new Maintenance Facilities Complex at the ack of the Murray Course’s second hole.
The proposed complex includes two sheds with a combined roof area of approximately 2,600 sqm, featuring an undercover breezeway, offices and amenities. The total yard space for the project is approximately 5,000 sqm.
Conceptual and development application plans for Stage 1 of the clubhouse development are now being finalised.
Resolutions’ outcomes
Voting in favour of the increase in subscription fees was “quite substantial” according to Mr Bridgeman, as was in respect of the three new Life Members.
But surprisingly, two resolutions failed, by minute margins. The quorum change for a general meeting (including an Annual General Meeting) to be reduced from 100 to 75 eligible members was 127 in favour and 44 against which equalled 74.26% in favour, .74% short.
In its recommendation, the Board of Directors said the change would provide better capacity to achieve future changes, as evidenced by the club’s recent general meeting where changes could not be discussed due to lack of numbers attending.
New vice president Jason Williams delivered a comprehensive address in moving the motion to make general amendments to the language of the constitution - to be gender neutral.
It was also narrowly defeated, falling short 73.% - a result described by Mr Bridgeman as “quite amazing” with the board’s desire “to correct and improve” the situations. Maybe a third time lucky at next year’s AGM.
General business
The big item on the agenda, regarding subscription fee increases, attracted no debate. In general business, however, longtime members Kavin Barry and John Payne lamented the decrease in numbers of local members socialising in the club.
Mr Barry said he would like to see more money coming into the club from outside sources to improve the financial situations’ bottom line.
He also cited recent times including one time when the vast majority of golfers in the club were visitors, albeit them being most welcome, but only a handful of local golfers after their game and several vacant tables.
“When I arrived here 20 years ago there were a lot more people in here after the game,” Mr Payne said.
Long-time member Carol McDonald said it was “a case of the times” following Covid but “members do enjoy benefits here”.
When outgoing president Laurie Bridgeman described the club as “fantastic” and “magnificent with an exciting future” and members to “concentrate on the positives” near the completion of his address, members warmly applauded him.