Cheltenham Recreation Club
Our Story ― Past, Present & Future
The Cheltenham Recreation Club has been serving the community for over 100 years on four acres of land donated by Cheltenham resident Mr William Harris and his wife Molly.
Starting as a sporting club offering tennis, bowls and croquet facilities, it has evolved over the years to provide not only an environment for fitness and health, but also a vital social hub to connect people of all ages and from all cultures. Today, the Club’s membership is more diverse than ever, bringing people from all walks of life together in the spirit of camaraderie and friendship.
Recently, the Club has expanded to include the centuries-old game of 'real tennis', the forerunner of lawn tennis as we know it today — an exciting game with elements of squash, modern tennis and chess-like strategies. The rapidly growing membership of this section is a testament to the enduring appeal of this ancient game, once played at Hampton Court Palace by Henry VIII. As well as reviving historic sports, the Club is also closely in touch with emerging sports, with proposed plans to open pickleball and padel courts as early as next year. While these new sports are very eye-catching and will no doubt bring more and more people into the Club, the core sports are still hugely important. The Club is run proudly by volunteers whose efforts are needed to ensure it survives for the next 100 years.
Burringbar District Sports Club
Small, Sport Community Based Evacuation Centre
Club Burringbar is a true lifeline for its small rural village — a place where community connection, safety and support come before all else. With just 400 members, the Club delivers far‑reaching impact through its role as Burringbar’s social hub, sporting home and officially designated Evacuation & Community Centre.
Following the 2019 floods, Club Burringbar worked with the Community Association and Resilience Network to identify essential upgrades. Despite limited funds, the Club installed a generator, upgraded communications, rebuilt bathrooms (including accessible facilities), revitalised the Village Green outdoor area and invested in a new cool room and kitchen equipment. These improvements proved crucial during Cyclone Alfred in 2025, when the Club provided four days of shelter, power, showers and device‑charging for isolated residents.
The Club also supports local sport — funding the greenkeeper for 30‑member Burringbar Bowls, sponsoring the Bandits Soccer Club and maintaining the Village Green for fundraising and community use. Local preschools, P&Cs and community groups rely on the Club for donations, space and stability.
Run on volunteer support and deep community spirit, Club Burringbar embodies what it means to be a small club with a big impact — a trusted, essential asset to its town.
Coffs Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club
Serving the Coast, Strengthening the Community
Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club is far more than a lifesaving service — it is a cultural, social and educational cornerstone of the region. Through diverse community partnerships, inclusive programs and a commitment to wellbeing, the Club plays a vital role in strengthening social cohesion and enriching life on the Coffs Coast.
A long-standing partnership with Coffs Harbour Boardriders Club nurtures youth engagement in coastal sport while reinforcing ocean safety and leadership pathways. The Club’s weekly Friday live music platform supports local musicians and activates the clubhouse as a vibrant cultural space for families and visitors.
Partnerships with Rotary and Gone Fishing NSW extend the Club’s impact into charitable work, disability inclusion and accessible recreation, while Members and Locals Night combats isolation and encourages community connection mid‑week. Through Social Netball, Australian Sporting Schools programs and safety workshops for Southern Cross University international students, the Club promotes physical activity, education and ocean awareness across all ages and backgrounds.
By collaborating with the World Ocean Series, the Club brings elite surf sport to a regional audience, boosting local pride and sporting pathways. As a whole, Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club remains a trusted community anchor — a place where culture, inclusion, education and wellbeing come together.
Bondi Golf & Diggers Club
Helping the Community When It Matters Most
Bondi Golf & Diggers Club has demonstrated extraordinary community leadership through its partnership with Lifeline Bondi, stepping up during one of the most emotionally difficult periods in the region’s recent history. Following the tragic incident at Bondi Beach in December 2025, the Club recognised the deep distress felt across the community and took immediate action by funding a full 12‑month “Support a Seat” Crisis Supporter position on the Lifeline 13 11 14 line. This ensured more calls from people in crisis could be answered at a time of unprecedented need.
The Club’s commitment goes far beyond funding. It has supported multiple Lifeline initiatives including the Lifeline Bondi Charity Golf Day (raising $10,000), "Brave Conversations" on International Men's Day and ongoing community outreach. Looking ahead to 2026, the Club is working with Lifeline to expand fundraising, broaden participation — including for women and beginner golfers — and maximise community engagement by offering free course access, leveraging local partnerships and providing hands‑on event support.
As a small club, Bondi Golf & Diggers Club demonstrates how meaningful, compassionate action can strengthen community resilience and directly support mental health services when it matters most.
Club Berowra
A Small Club's Big Mission
Club Berowra is proof that impact is not defined by size, but by heart. With limited revenue and modest resources, the Club has become an essential pillar of community life, supporting dozens of grassroots organisations that rely on its space, generosity and spirit. By offering free and low‑cost access to meeting rooms, event spaces and rehearsal areas, the Club provides a vital home for Courageous Girls, Men’s Shed Berowra, Probus, View Club, Rotary, Lions, Apex, local ukulele groups and the Berowra RSL Sub‑Branch — groups that would struggle to operate without community‑minded support.
The Club is equally committed to local sport, supporting Berowra’s golf, netball, swim, cricket and soccer clubs through presentation spaces, meetings and community engagement. Local schools also rely on Club Berowra for performances, fundraisers, parent gatherings and celebrations, providing families with memorable experiences at little to no cost.
Beyond venue support, the Club actively engages local small businesses, strengthening the district’s economic resilience.
Club Berowra’s contribution is not measured in dollars, but in connection, belonging and the thousands of lives it touches each year. Small in scale but immense in spirit, it stands as a true “Small Club, Big Heart".
Club Scotts
The Club Everyone Can Be Proud Of
In just 12 months, Club Scotts has transformed from a quiet village venue into a vibrant, inclusive community hub — proving that even a small regional club can create extraordinary impact. Guided by a simple goal to make the Club “a place for everyone", the past year has seen major renewal across sport, social connection, culture and community partnerships.
The Club’s proudest achievement is the revitalisation of its bowling greens. With the appointment of a part‑time greenkeeper and a full renovation of Green No.1, Club Scotts hosted a regional bowls tournament attracting more than 110 competitors — an accomplishment unimaginable a year earlier. Sport has returned to the heart of the venue, with a thriving footy tipping comp, State of Origin promotions and the relaunch of Tuesday night pool and darts.
The reopening of the bistro for seven‑day dining has restored a vital meeting place for locals, supported by creative themed menus and community events. Weekly chair yoga, mahjong, walk‑soccer and social competitions now bring together seniors, families and new members, while Paint & Sip nights and live music broaden cultural engagement.
Beyond its walls, Club Scotts empowers local schools and sporting clubs through fundraising partnerships that generate far more than one‑off donations. The result is renewed pride, stronger connection and a Club that truly reflects the heart of Scotts Head.
Club Scotts is, without question, the club everyone can be proud of.
Coledale RSL
The Little Club That Saved a Town!
Coledale RSL is the ultimate example of a small club with a big heart. After facing closure in 2022 due to financial hardship, the community stepped in and rebuilt the Club from the ground up — powered entirely by volunteer spirit, local pride and a shared belief that Coledale RSL must remain a place of connection. Volunteers now run operations from the bar to events, giving retirees, young adults and long‑time locals a place to belong, contribute and reconnect.
Operating on limited resources, the Club has become a vibrant cultural and social hub, revitalising the region’s night‑time economy by hosting live music, community events and mental health gatherings tailored to local needs. Its partnership with the Dave Winner Foundation has delivered free CPR training to residents, directly improving local safety and preparedness. The Club also supports veterans through events like the Veterans Surf Competition, honouring its original mission as an RSL venue.
In every initiative — from combating loneliness to fostering culture, improving community safety and supporting wellbeing — Coledale RSL proves that true impact is not measured in dollars, but in heart. This is a club rebuilt by its people, for its people.
Coraki Golf Club
One Hundred Years and Still Going Strong
In 2026, Coraki Golf Club celebrates a remarkable century of service, connection and community strength. Founded in 1924 and sustained for generations by volunteers rather than large financial resources, the Club has become a vital anchor for the Northern Rivers region — especially in times of crisis. During the catastrophic 2022 floods, Coraki Golf Club stood as the only flood‑free community facility in the township, immediately opening its doors to Disaster Relief Australia. For nearly three months, up to 75 personnel lived and operated from the clubhouse, transforming it into a refuge, headquarters and symbol of stability when the community needed it most.
Driven entirely by volunteer energy, the Club continues to flourish. Members maintain the entire course, operate the clubhouse and have delivered major infrastructure upgrades including a new cart shed, 3.6km of cart paths, expanded parking, upgraded entrances and extensive tree planting. These improvements — mostly built by volunteers — have increased accessibility, boosted visitation and strengthened membership across the region.
Small in size but immense in spirit, Coraki Golf Club stands as a testament to resilience, community pride and 100 years of volunteer-powered heart.
Frederickton Golf Club
Oldest 9 Hole Golf Course in the Mid North Coast
Established in 1933, Frederickton Golf Club has spent more than 90 years serving as an accessible, affordable and welcoming recreational hub for the Macleay Valley. Despite its small size, the Club plays an outsized role in community life, offering far more than a picturesque nine‑hole course. It provides essential social spaces for groups such as Parkinson’s support networks, heavily discounted access for disability services and vital fundraising support for organisations including Kempsey Macleay Riding for the Disabled, the SES, the Rural Fire Brigade and the Lilli Pilli Ladies.
At the core of Frederickton Golf Club is its extraordinary volunteer workforce. Volunteers mow the fairways, maintain the greens, run competitions, serve on the Board and keep the licensed venue operating week after week. Their dedication is epitomised by president and licensee Riedell Jeffs, who recently received the prestigious Golf NSW Volunteer Award after eight years of service through floods, fires, storm damage and personal challenges.
Frederickton Golf Club stands not because of financial scale, but because of community commitment. It is a small club with a long history — and an even bigger heart.
Leichhardt Bowling Club
Leichhardt Bowlo: A Century of Women’s Sport
For 100 years, women have bowled on the same green at Leichhardt — a legacy protected and re‑energised by the Leichhardt Lynx, NSW’s oldest independent women’s bowling club. What began in 1925 with a small group of women determined to claim their place in the sport has grown into a vibrant, inclusive community that now welcomes women, girls and gender diverse bowlers.
In 2024, with membership at risk of collapse, the Lynx chose to rebuild instead of amalgamate. Supported by Leichhardt Bowling & Recreation Club, volunteer leaders modernised the club’s identity, introduced a gender‑inclusive brand, offered free first‑year memberships, delivered weekly coaching and created clear pathways for new bowlers. Membership has since grown from seven to more than 25 active players, with a pathway to fielding a pennant side in coming years.
Their 2025 centenary celebration brought together four generations of bowlers — from age 10 to 94 — and included a historical exhibition, social bowls, community festivities and a fundraising partnership with Detour House supporting women and girls experiencing homelessness and trauma.
The Lynx demonstrate how a tiny, volunteer‑led sporting club can protect history, champion inclusion and create real community impact — proving small clubs can write big stories.
Molong Bowling Club
We Are Back
When catastrophic flooding hit Molong in November 2022, Molong Bowling Club suffered devastation on a scale few small clubs could survive. One metre of floodwater destroyed the clubhouse, cool room, kitchen equipment, gaming machines, furniture, carpets, greens machinery and both bowling greens. Yet instead of closing, the Molong community rallied. Volunteers worked tirelessly to dry, clean and revive the two damaged greens so bowls could return, restoring a sense of normalcy in the aftermath of disaster.
Support flowed from across NSW — including a critical donation from Catalina Club for a mobile cool room that allowed Molong to run a pop‑up bar and stay connected with members. Suppliers provided major discounts, neighbouring clubs donated equipment and the Club’s dedicated treasurer, Yvonne Clyde, worked relentlessly for more than three years to rebuild operations, negotiate discounts and drive refurbishment. Her foresight also ensured the Club secured flood insurance just weeks before the disaster, enabling a full rebuild.
By July 2025, the clubhouse was fully refurbished. Today, Molong Bowling Club has returned stronger than ever, hosting barefoot bowls, school programs, community nights, entertainment and a thriving weekend bistro — proving that resilience, teamwork and heart can rebuild even the hardest‑hit community venue.
Northbridge Golf Club
Charity Fundraising
Northbridge Golf Club has a long and proud history of community engagement, and in the past 12 months it has elevated its charitable impact through a dedicated annual charity golf day. Launched in 2025, this new tradition has already delivered exceptional results. The inaugural event raised an extraordinary $120,000 for the Melanoma Institute, supporting Professor Richard Scolyer AO and his team’s groundbreaking immunotherapy research.
On 27 February 2026, the Club hosted its second annual charity day, this time raising over $50,000 for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation to purchase essential paediatric medical equipment for Royal North Shore Hospital. More than 120 golfers participated in each event, supported by additional community members attending lunches, auctions and fundraising activities.
Charitable spirit thrives throughout the Club. The Women’s Wednesday players raised nearly $4,000 for Parkinson’s NSW, while the junior golfers made a remarkable contribution through the Cancer Council’s Longest Day, ranking fourth in NSW and eighth nationally last year.
Northbridge Golf Club also supports Rotary’s Christmas Tree of Joy, ensuring children who might otherwise go without receive gifts each Christmas.
Through consistent generosity and community leadership, Northbridge Golf Club continues to use its platform to support health, research and community wellbeing.
Orange City Bowling Club
It's Been Worth It
When the new manager walked into Orange City Bowling Club in February 2024, the future looked bleak. The Club was burdened by debt, trade was declining and closure felt dangerously close. What followed was a courageous, community‑driven rebuild — one defined not by financial muscle, but by creativity, resilience and determination.
With gaming and bar revenue no longer enough to sustain operations, the Club reimagined what a small regional venue could be. It reopened its kitchen under new leadership, revitalised customer service, modernised local beverage offerings and turned underused rooms into thriving new enterprises. A fitness centre with chair yoga, “active hearts” classes and a crèche brought new members through the doors. Eight pickleball courts transformed an unused green into a bustling hub for families, schools and seniors. Monthly entertainment brought energy back into the auditorium. And when a local dance school closed suddenly, the Club stepped in — launching OCBC Cheer and Dance, now supporting 144 young students.
Through bold ideas and community-first thinking, Orange City Bowling Club has gone from “on the ropes” to a revitalised, multi‑purpose community hub. The journey isn’t over — but the Club is alive, reinvented and fighting for its town.
Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto
98 Years, Million Dollar Views
For almost a century, Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto (RMYCT) has been a cornerstone of waterfront life, creating a unique blend of recreation, heritage and community connection. Established 98 years ago, the Club has welcomed generations of locals and visitors, providing accessible boating experiences through a public boat ramp, well‑maintained marina and inclusive on‑water programs. Whether it’s a family-first day on the water, a long‑loved weekend sailing ritual or a cherished fishing tradition, the RMYCT has been there to help create the memories.
As custodians of a heritage‑listed clubhouse, the Club proudly preserves the stories, architecture and cultural identity of the region. Beyond boating, it hosts community events, family entertainment, charity fundraisers, regattas and youth programs that bring people together in vibrant and meaningful ways. Every dollar earned is reinvested into improving facilities, strengthening local connections, supporting community groups and ensuring water access remains affordable for all.
As the Club approaches its centenary, the mission remains unchanged: to honour the past, enrich the present and continue building a joyful, inclusive and connected waterfront community for future generations.
Taree Aquatic Club
Secure Two Clubs, Make a Future
Taree Aquatic Club (Sailos) stepped up to support its community when Taree Leagues Sports Club faced closure after years of financial strain, worsened by COVID, flooding and road disruptions. Recognising the risk to local jobs, sport and community services, Sailos took the lead in proposing an amalgamation to secure both clubs’ futures.
Following the 2025 floods, Sailos worked closely with the Leagues Board to develop a plan that included paying down debt, upgrading facilities and revitalising operations, while preserving the club’s identity. Members overwhelmingly backed the move in early 2026.
By acting decisively, Sailos protected key community assets, including rugby league and bowls facilities, and ensured continued local employment. The merger delivers a long-term lifeline, strengthening grassroots sport and community connection while securing a sustainable future for both clubs.
UrbenvilleBowling Club
Small Community Club Supporting Rescue Helicopter
Urbenville Bowling Club is a shining example of how a small regional club can deliver life‑saving impact far beyond its size. More than a decade ago, the Club, its Board, members, and local contractors — all volunteering their time — upgraded the access road from Clarence Way and constructed a new concrete helipad beside the Club. With support from Kyogle Shire Council to tar the roadway, this project created a critical emergency landing zone that has since been used hundreds of times by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, NSW Police, Fire Services and other emergency responders.
To further support aeromedical operations, the Club installed a windsock, pole‑mounted strobe lighting and, more recently, an LED system to illuminate the helipad at night. Volunteers mow and maintain the surrounding area weekly, ensuring the site remains safe and operational year‑round.
In 2025, the Club hosted a charity bowls day, raising $6,049.80 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter — now established as an annual event. Upcoming upgrades include extending the patient‑transfer walkway, adding an ambulance bay and installing backup power to guarantee 24/7 emergency capability.
Urbenville Bowling Club proves that small clubs can make a life‑saving difference to their community.
Yanco All Servicemen's Club
From Shed to Pillar: Yanco’s Community Legacy
Yanco All Servicemen’s Club was founded in 1946 by returned servicemen seeking mateship, belonging and a place to rebuild their community after war. Eighty years on, the Club remains exactly that — a warm, resilient, volunteer‑driven hub that has weathered adversity and emerged stronger each time.
From its earliest days in a converted garage to its evolution into a two‑storey social centre, the Club has been shaped by generations of volunteers and community champions. After a period of financial mismanagement in 2017 left the Club struggling, new leadership stepped forward, including manager Tessa Hamilton and president Linda Brown, who worked tirelessly to restore stability, rebuild trust and reinvigorate the Club’s purpose.
Today, Yanco All Servicemen’s Club is thriving as a creative, inclusive and vibrant community venue, offering live entertainment, creative workshops, sporting traditions and beloved annual events. Recent improvements, including a stunning main bar transformation, honour the Club’s heritage while creating a welcoming space for new generations.
Volunteer spirit remains the heartbeat of the Club — the reason it continues to be a home, a meeting place and a source of pride for the Yanco district. It is small in size, but immense in heart.