ClubsACT today officially launched its community education campaign, Your Canberra Clubs, aiming to stimulate conversation among Canberrans about the vital role clubs play in the economic and social fabric of our community.
Launched at the Southern Cross Yacht Club, special guests included Jeremy Hanson MLA, Leader of the Opposition, Brendan Smyth MLA, Shadow Minister for Racing and Gaming, and Shane Rattenbury MLA, ACT Greens amongst other local politicians and electoral candidates. John Haskins AM, Chair of the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission also attended the event.
The high impact, thought provoking campaign utilises strong imagery and infographics to encourage people to imagine what it would be like if we didn’t have community clubs in Canberra.
Research conducted by ClubsACT last July found many of the 200,000 club members don’t realise Canberra clubs run on a unique, not-for-profit model which ploughs profits back into the community, or that the future of clubs is directly threated due to an uncertain legislative environment.
Gwyn Rees, Chief Executive of ClubsACT, opened the launch stating, “Most people don’t know clubs contribute over $11 million every year to more than 1,000 community groups and charities, have invested over $131.6 million in local sport teams and sporting infrastructure since 2000 and spent millions more to employ and train thousands of Canberrans.”
“Clubs are more than just gaming machines – they provide safe, inclusive, social environments where people of all backgrounds can meet, relax, dine, celebrate special occasions, exercise, play sport and enjoy cultural activities of all kinds” he said.
“Conservatively there are over $500 million of assets under management (ovals, bowls greens, entertainment venues and more) with over $100 million invested in the last five years and more than $150 million of planned investment in the next three years” Gwyn explained.
Two community ambassadors spoke at the event, Kim Marshall, Chair of the Member Services and Community Contributions committee at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, and Joe Henstock, President of Tuggeranong Vikings Women’s Hockey Club. Both have livelong involvement with their clubs.
“Clubs provide much needed support to many not-for-profit community groups and organisations, contributions which are unparalleled in the Canberra community,” said Kim Marshall.
“I’m extremely proud of the role clubs play in serving our Canberra community and want all Canberrans to understand and value the clubs the same way. Clubs aren’t just for social groups, they are for everybody,” she said.
Canberra clubs employ 2,300 Canberrans, maintain over 400 hectares of urban green space for sporting use and procure 80% of their supplies from local businesses.
Canberrans can get involved in a number of ways to help drive the campaign, sharing their clubs stories via the #yourcbrstory hashtag on social platforms and by registering their support for the campaign on the website.
For more information about Your Canberra Clubs, visit www.yourcanberraclubs.com.au
For media enquiries please contact:
Lauren Donohoe, OPF Consulting
lauren@opfconsulting.com.au
0434 083 569
Established in 1974, ClubsACT is an industry association recognised by the ACT Government and its agencies as the principal representative for the 47 social and sporting clubs in Canberra. All clubs in the ACT are not-for-profit organisations, proud of the community club model through which they have contributed in excess of $150 million directly into the Canberra community since 2005.
Canberra clubs support over 1,000 sporting, cultural and charitable organisations, employ over 2,300 locals and provide services to over 200,000 members of clubs and their families in the ACT. Clubs play a pivotal role in the economic and social fabric of Canberra and do more than any other industry to support local communities.
For more information on ClubsACT please visit http://www.clubsact.com.au/.