BELMONT 16S SAILING CLUB
Building More, Giving More, Being More
From 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, we proudly expanded our community footprint investing in sport, sustainability, social programs, and future pathways. This report captures the essence of our values:
to build, give, and be more, for our members, our neighbours, and the generations still to come.
Staff & Careers
Building futures, not just filling shifts
STAFF & APPRENTICE DEVELOPMENT
We invested $40,000 into developing our people through focused leadership training, extensive wellbeing initiatives and sponsorships for accredited chef training. Our crew have also benefited from a diverse range of newly developed internal programs that support our next generation of apprentices and hospitality leaders.
STRATEGIC WORKFORCE TRANSITION
This year, we more than doubled our permanent team, shifting from a casualheavy model to create greater job stability and stronger service consistency. Casual staff were offered career-building roles as part of this strategic shift.
Neung went from Apprentice to Culinary Star!
Where curiosity meets opportunity
CAREER TOURS & YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
This year we hosted five career and education tours, including twice-yearly OzHarvest Cert II tours , Hunter Sports High, and a full RIEP partnership offering students chef training, Club tours, and future work opportunities We also continued partnerships with Belmont High.
CURRENT OPPOTUNITIES
From the Care Crew to the Legacy Committee and WHS Crew, our staff-led groups help create a safer, more connected workplace.
INCLUSIVE HIRING PRACTICES
Our workforce reflects our values evenly balanced by gender, with 60% of key leadership roles held by women. We support visa holders (with 5 active sponsorships), mature-aged team members, and young workers, creating a truly intergenerational and inclusive culture.
Many hands, one incredible team!
ClubGRANTS & Community Funding
Through ClubGRANTS, we delivered over $128,000 across more than 17 vital community initiatives, directly supporting health, wellbeing, and social services across the region.
Community Initiatives we have supported include
SAILABILITY BELMONT
Inclusive sailing access.
OZHARVEST
Food relief and rescue.
HUNTER BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
Transport assistance and home maintenance for cancer patients.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Empowers women to achieve economic independence.
BELMONT HOSPITAL AUXILIARY
Volunteers caring for patients and staff through hospitable actions.
VALENTINE HYDROTHERAPY POOLS
Affordable supporting wellbeing and rehabilitation for locals.
BUGALUGS PLAYGROUP
Youth development and community.
PROSTATE SURVIVAL ALLIANCE
Health and counselling services for men and their families through their cancer journey.
WARM BLANKETS FOR EVERYONE
Support for homeless and families in need.
WINDALE PCYC
Providing local youth guidance through sport and community.
HUNTER HEART SAFE
Community health initiative for bystander CPR training.
BELMONT NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
Supporting local families through the cost of living crisis.
WESTPAC RESCUE HELICOPTER
Fast, lifesaving rescue across Northern New South Wales.
SWANSEA BELMONT SURF LIFESAVING
Protecting our beaches and swimmers.
GOT YOUR BACK SISTA
Domestic violence support.
RUN DIPG
Medical research into childhood cancers.
SURVIVOR’S R US
Providing dignity to women in crisis.
SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS & CLEAN ENERGY
We’ve deepened our sustainability efforts by expanding clean energy and embedding ecoconscious practices across the Club. With 276 solar panels now installed across both our buildings, we’re preventing over 153 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year, the equivalent of planting approximately 7,043 trees annually.
Internally, we’ve rolled out green food waste bins, diverting 8,446 litres of waste from landfill to compost in just one month with this new initiative. We’ve also introduced a staff KeepCups-only policy to reduce single-use plastics and implemented closedloop supply systems using returnable packaging.
We’ve also introduced a sustainable food rescue process where meals from late large scale event cancellations are donated to OzHarvest, ensuring quality food reaches those in need instead of going to waste.
MORE INFORMATION
CORPORATE EVENT SPONSORSHIPS
We proudly helped bring community and major regional events to life through the corporate sponsorship of; Lake Macquaire's annual Float Your Boat, Valentine Sounds of Susitanability Fair, Croudace Bay Community Christmas Carols, theSurfLifeSavingOcean Series and Nipper Worlds at Blacksmiths Beach. These events drew crowds, supported local tourism and celebrated sport, culture and community across LakeMacquarie.
SAILING SPORT INVESTMENT
Sailing is our legacy and our future. This year, we invested over $980,000 into its growth, supporting Learn to Sail programs, instructor training, equipment upgrades, rescue boat maintenance, and inclusive pathways.
We helped young sailors with travel allowances and covered essential volunteer training, including boat licences and first aid.
With a dedicated team and well-maintained fleet, the sport continues to run safely and smoothly. Now in its second year, our Sailing Foundation Drive is securing support to keep sailing accessible for generations to come.
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Grassroots Sport
We know that local sport brings communities together. This year, we invested $120,000 in non-sailing sports to help other clubs grow, compete, and stay active. Our support included:
VALENTINE ELEEBANA FC
Backing grassroots kickers to senior footballers and growing the game locally .
LAKES UNITED SEAGULLS
Helping regional rugby league pathways by supporting players, community engagement, and strong grassroots participation.
BELMONT SPORTIES NETBALL CLUB
Championing youth and women’s sport through strong community spirit, and a love of the game.
BELMONT BASEBALL CLUB
Helping keep this classic community sport thriving through local comps, junior development, and strong club spirit.
AFL HUNTER CENTRAL COAST LEAGUE
Promoting inclusive, community-focused footy across the Hunter and Central Coast regions.
EASTLAKES ATHLETICS GROUP
Helping athletes of all levels improve their skills, fitness, and reach their full potential.
WHERE DOES THIS
DOES THE FUNDING GO?
From uniforms and training programs to essential gear, facility upgrades, coaching support and recognition events, our funding plays a vital role in helping these clubs thrive, ensuring they can continue to inspire participation, nurture talent and strengthen community connections through sport across Lake Macquarie.
LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT
In the 2024–2025 financial year, we injected over $7 million into the local business economy through goods, services, and infrastructure contractors.
From suppliers to trades, we actively prioritise engaging Lake Macquarie and Hunter-based businesses wherever possible, including seeking local suppliers during large tendering processes ensuring our operations not only support our Club, but to also contribute meaningfully and deliberately to the economic health and resilience of our region.
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT & PRIORITIES
The 2025 Member Feedback Survey will be open from 1–31 July. It’s your opportunity to share what matters most to you and your vision for the future of the Club. Your voice helps to shape what comes next.
HAVE YOUR SAY IN OUR 2025 MEMBER SURVEY HERE
COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2025