President’s Report In general terms, no two years are ever really the same, and that is evident in this report to our Members. While the financial outcomes of 2016/17 are slender as we predicted, the investment into the future has never been more valuable. The financial performance of the Group – so heavily linked to our undertaking of major upgrades to several of our venues – took a further test in January when Mekong was significantly damaged by fire. The club ceased trading for three months, and although it has taken some time for the club to fully bounce back, figures posted in the closing months of FY17 indicate that Mekong has done exactly that. The building program at Harbord Diggers is on schedule for its planned opening in April 2018. The sheer scale of this project will be illustrated later in this report, but I am very happy to report that our first intergenerational venture is being recognised not only as the fastest selling seniors living project in Australia, but as a true ground breaker in both architectural design and what a club can be. Mt Pritchard – or club headquarters – is in no way being left behind. The club’s forward-focussed, multi-year masterplan is already three years in the making with the porte cochere, Terrace Bar & Café, Outdoor Terrace and Cantonese restaurant already complete. At the time of this report being published, a brand-new Sports Bar will have been launched; bringing together technology not seen before that will make Mounties the new home of live sports viewing in the south west. During this year, we have also refurbished two of our western community clubs, bringing new life and elevated comfort to patrons at Triglav and Mekong, the latter which was unexpectedly refurbished twice in short succession due to the fire.
A conservative profit recorded this year has by no means dulled the strength of Mounties Group’s contribution towards community giving. The Group continues to be a beacon for the support it provides to the local community. Our support of community groups, sport, local services and charities remains at the very core of our business, and I am delighted to report that we lent support to the value of $5.77m this year; some 174 per cent of our profit. Recognising the importance of sport, recreation and health, $4.06m – or 72 per cent – of our community contribution was channelled towards our sub clubs, sporting groups and the maintenance of local sporting fields. Our sporting prowess continues across western Sydney and I am forever proud to see the thousands of juniors who pull on a Mounties jersey or tunic each weekend to represent the black and gold. Our passion for sport transcends the junior ranks through to our elite teams, most notably Mounties Wanderers Football Club and Mounties Rugby League Football Club. Season 2016 was the most successful for our rugby league club, with all three grades contesting the NSWRL grand finals, and the Ron Massey team recording back-to-back premierships. Overall, to achieve such strong results despite adversity and a downturn in the club’s major source of revenue, is commendable. The success we continue to achieve is made possible by the foresight and passion of our Board, our executive team and our staff. We continue to boast a highly motivated workforce and together with the direction of CEO Greg Pickering, we are ready to take Mounties Group into the next year where we will celebrate our 50th birthday. I would also like to thank my colleagues on the Board and our advisory committees for their continued dedication to achieving enduring success for the clubs and Members we serve.
KEVIN INGRAM President
On behalf of the Board and management, I would like to thank our valued Members and guests for taking this journey with us and trust that you will look back on this period as very worthwhile when your respective facilities are complete.
MOUNTIES GROUP | 2017 Annual Report
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