We Found Our Forever Home!

Strong Financial Foundation

• NSBC brings approximately $2.0M to the merger
• Lindfield Bowling Club adds $300k
• Total combined: $2.3M
• $700k committed to install 2 synthetic bowling greens
• Operational efficiency: Annual green maintenance costs reduced from $120k to estimated $50k
• $1.6M remains a provision to potentially fund improvements of our shared facility

• Information Session: Friday 7th November 10am at East Lindfield and Online
• Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM): Saturday, 22nd November 2025 at 11:30am
• EGM Quorum required: 20 members
• EGM Vote required: 50% + 1 majority (ordinary resolution)
• Lindfield Rollers EGM: Following NSBC approval, requiring 75% approval due to constitutional amendments

Bridge Operations

• No operational changes: Bridge activities continue exactly as they do today
• Same venues: No changes to where we play bridge
• NSBC Committee continues: Our committee structure remains intact
• All staff retained: Every current employee continues with the same terms and conditions, employed by a different Company
• Bridge fees unchanged: Current fee structure maintained
• Bridge identity preserved: NSBC name, branding, and traditions continue

NSBC as a Sub-Club

North Shore Bridge Club will operate as an unincorporated sub-club within the amalgamated entity, responsible for conducting and administering bridge activities.

The Bridge Committee will:

• Maintain its own rules and committee structure
• Preserve all traditions and culture
• Continue using existing names and branding
• Elect its own committee according to current rules
• Prepare and submit an annual budget to the Board for approval

The key change is how the shared facility is governed at Board level. Instead of operating separately, four NSBC members will join the Board of the amalgamated Lindfield Bowling & Bridge Club to help oversee the entire facility.

New Board Composition

For a minimum of 1 year and maximum of 2 years after amalgamation:

• Seven-person Board: 4 Bridge Members + 3 Bowling Members
• Bridge representation: Four positions
• Bowling representation: Three positions
• Chairperson: A Bowling Member (First 1-2 years, then elected)
• Deputy Chairperson: A Bridge Member (First 1-2 years, then elected)

Future Board Elections

After the initial appointment period, the Board will be elected annually with:

• Seven directors elected from all eligible members
• Minimum representation: At least 2 Bowling Members and at least 2 Bridge Members
• Balance: Remaining 3 positions open to any eligible members

Board Responsibilities

The four NSBC Board members will help govern the amalgamated club, including:

• Overall strategic direction of the combined facility
• Financial oversight and budget approvals
• Facilities management and maintenance
• Club licensing and regulatory compliance
• Supporting both the Bridge and Bowling sub-clubs

Bowling Green Fees

• Current fee: $22 Inc GST per game
• New fee: $20 Inc GST per game (9% reduction)
• Lock-in period: Guaranteed until June 2027
• Annual subscriptions: Reduced from $300 to $200
• Fee relationship: Bowls fees cannot be more than 25% higher than Bridge fees, and Bowls subscriptions cannot be more than 3 times Bridge subscriptions

Assets and Reserves

• All NSBC cash, investments, and liabilities transfer to the general reserves of the amalgamated club
• All LBC cash and investments remain in the general reserves

Why This Matters

This amalgamation represents a strategic partnership that:

• Secures our future: Provides NSBC with a shared permanent home at a quality facility
• Maintains autonomy: Bridge operations remain independent through the sub-club structure
• Provides influence: Four Board seats give NSBC meaningful input into facility governance
• Preserves identity: NSBC name, traditions, and culture continue unchanged
• Creates stability: Land sale prohibition and fee locks provide long-term certainty

10-year Land Sale Prohibition

The Lindfield premises cannot be sold for at least 10 years after amalgamation.

Rationale: This protects the character and integrity of the facility, which neither club intends to sell.

• All LBC employees: Continue with current employment, terms, rights, and accrued entitlements, will be required to sign a new contract which will be the same but have a different Employer Name
• NSBC permanent employees: Offered equivalent positions with full transfer of salary, benefits, and entitlements
• NSBC casual employees: Offered continued employment with existing rates and conditions maintained

• Continue paying rent as tenants with no ownership
• Lindfield must sell a bowling green to ensure long term viability
• 2 years of construction next door
• Beautiful green space becomes buildings
• Eventually forced to move and find a new home, but WHERE?
• After 10 years searching, no better option has been found
• The East Lindfield property will not have improvements, we will just have to make do whilst it lasts

The proposed amalgamation delivers what NSBC has been searching for over 10 years:

• Shared permanent home - never worry about moving again
• No debt - secure financial future
• Better facilities - $1.6M financial provision possible for future improvements
• Shared partnership - Bridge & Bowls working together

Bridge operations continue exactly as today - same committee, staff, venues, and identity. The change is at governance level: four NSBC members will serve on the amalgamated Board to help govern the shared facility and ensure bridge interests are represented in all major decisions.