While there are many advantages to the amalgamation, the main purpose is to safeguard the futures of both clubs. By creating one club, bowlers will receive an influx of management, marketing and financial support, and bridge players will have a shared 'forever home', no longer subject to the risks and difficulties of tenancy. The amalgamated club will be renamed Lindfield Bowling & Bridge Club.

Bowling Club members: No, your membership continues automatically.

Bridge Club members: You'll receive an invitation to become a "Bridge Member" of Lindfield Bowling & Bridge Club - it's essentially automatic if you accept, with no joining fees.

Bowling: New structure of $200 annual subscription (from the next renewal) + Green Fees of $20 Inc GST per game (reduced from $22 Inc GST), effective from the date of the Amalgamation.

Bridge: Stays at current $16 per game F2F and $14 per game Online. Fee increases are limited - bowling fees can't be more than 25% higher than bridge fees.

Yes, we encourage all members to try the other activity. Members will pay the regular green fee/table fee for the extra activity.

You'll transition smoothly to the new combined membership with all rights preserved.

The first project to be carried out is the establishment of synthetic grass on 2 bowling greens. Other projects being considered are enhancement and increase of car parking; improvement of bathroom facilities; and upgrades to the bar and kitchen area. The selection of projects and their timing will be decided by the new Board.

Fee increases require unanimous Board approval and are limited by the deed. Bowling fees can't exceed bridge fees by more than 25%.

Both Clubs are financially sound - outside of the usual bills, the only debt of either Club is the deposits in advance held by the Bridge Club on behalf of its members. These will be assumed by Lindfield Bowling & Bridge Club.

The Board of Lindfield Bowling & Bridge Club will review budgets submitted by the sub-clubs and approve expenditure for the Lindfield Facility.

To a certain extent we are but the Bowling Club is profitable now, it is their future they are protecting and by ensuring that we help grow numbers, we are ensuring the Bridge Club's future at the shared East Lindfield venue. There are measures in the MOU to reduce bowling costs should the numbers fall, so that Bowling does not become a burden. We could never afford to buy this property even half of it - so carrying a little loss and not paying rent should not be a hardship for the Bridge Club.

This is NSBC's contribution to the shared ownership of our 'forever home' at East Lindfield. The recapitalisation of the Lindfield Bowling Club underwrites the Bowling Club's long term viability.

The cash was saved up to purchase a property, this is exactly what we are doing without going into debt. The only other thing we could do with the cash is to renovate someone else's property as purchasing a property of our own is no longer an option without us going into significant debt.

On paper put simply - yes it does, however, once the Synthetic greens are installed there will be a cost saving of $50k, it puts them back in the black again.

No we will not, however we will together with the Bowling Club be taking on the responsibility of Landlord and this entails rates, electricity and all the other headaches that Landlords deal with. But it will be a small price to secure our shared "forever home".

Yes, as long as there are sufficient playing numbers. It is important to note that greens maintenance costs will be greatly reduced once the synthetic greens are installed.

A measurement system with regular reviews will be put in place. Lindfield Bowling & Bridge Club will be aiming to increase bowling numbers and there will be ample opportunity to recruit new members before any green closure.

Yes. Bowling traditions (free drinks for winners, birthday celebrations, carnival days, etc.) are specifically preserved. Bridge activities and conditions continue as usual.

Yes. Both bowling and bridge can continue hosting external events and tournaments as they do now.

All existing arrangements continue at a minimum. The new Board of Lindfield Bowling & Bridge Club will be looking to extend and enhance bar hours and catering where possible.

The regular sessions at the Willis and online will continue unchanged.

That is true but Online only existed since COVID and essentially the funds being used to broker this deal were raised before Online was even a thing for us.

You will benefit, because having a "forever home" with shared ownership ensures the future of Face to Face bridge for NSBC. It gives us the security to manage bumps in the road.

Years 1-2: A 7-person Board will be appointed with 4 Bridge members and 3 Bowling members. The Chair will be a bowling member while the Deputy Chair will be a bridge member.

Year 3+: After the initial period of no more than two years, 7 directors will be elected by all members, but must include at least 2 from each sub-club. If one of the sub-clubs fails to nominate the minimum two directors, those positions are to be filled by the other sub-club.

No. The structure guarantees representation from both communities.

Bowling becomes "Lindfield Rollers Bowling Club" managing all bowling activities. Bridge becomes "North Shore Bridge Club" managing bridge activities. Both operate under Lindfield Bowling & Bridge Club's oversight.

All permanent and casual staff from both clubs are to be offered continued employment in their current roles in the Amalgamated Club.

No, there will not be any redundancies.

Service levels should improve with better financial resources and combined expertise from both clubs.

Yes. The amalgamation follows all requirements under the NSW Registered Clubs Act, Corporations Act, and other relevant legislation.

Approvals from NSW liquor licensing, ASIC for name change, and compliance with Registered Clubs Act provisions.

Lindfield Bowling Club's existing liquor licence continues for Lindfield Bowling & Bridge Club.

No sale of any part of the property can take place within the first ten years of the amalgamation. Sale of any part of the property can only take place if the members decide it is desirable or necessary.

As the Bridge Club currently uses the property's facilities, including the car parking, there should be no change.

Both clubs' traditions and cultures are specifically preserved. The motto "We Are One" reflects unity while respecting different backgrounds.

The sub-clubs will continue to coordinate scheduling, as is the case right now.

The amalgamation structure is designed to preserve what members value about their clubs currently. It's expected that the only differences that members will notice to their current experiences will be improvements to facilities and services, although there is likely to be some short-term inconvenience while, for example, building work is carried out.

General meetings for North Shore Bridge Club will be called for Saturday 22nd November at East Lindfield at 11:30am.

Most changes happen from the "Establishment of the Amalgamated Club" which takes place when both clubs vote in favour of the Amalgamation. Facility improvements are expected to happen over the following 3 years at the discretion of the Board of the Amalgamated Club.

Yes. Either club can withdraw from the amalgamation before the "Establishment of the Amalgamated Club".

Bowling Club members: Approving the amalgamation, constitutional changes, and name change.

Bridge Club members: Approving the amalgamation and transfer of assets.

A simple majority vote in favour of Amalgamation is required from each club. A 75% majority vote by Bowling Club members is required to change their Constitution.

If you're currently a member of both clubs, yes. Otherwise, you can only vote at your own club's meeting.

Bowling Club members: The Registered Clubs Act requires voting in person, with no proxies.

Bridge Club members: can vote in person or by proxy (one proxy to be held per member attending the General Meeting), the same as for Annual General Meetings.

The deed includes specific maintenance standards and measurement systems with regular ongoing monitoring. The installation of synthetic greens will improve the quality of the bowling experience.

Comprehensive warranties from both clubs, dispute resolution procedures, and legal remedies are included in the Amalgamation documentation.

The worst-case scenario is that the amalgamation doesn't go ahead. For bowlers, this would mean that the facilities of the premises would continue to slowly deteriorate, as likely would the number of bowlers. As tenants, Bridge players would remain exposed to the risk of forced relocation, with the upset and distraction that this causes members.

Contact your club's Committee members, attend the information sessions, review the MOU (available 14 days before voting), or ask questions at the member meetings.

Speak with your club's Committee members or raise questions via the form on the website.

Results will be announced at the conclusion of each club's extraordinary general meeting to be held on Saturday 22nd November and communicated to all members shortly after.