The
QCC
CEO Report for Members - ‘Keeping in Touch’
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
T
he overriding message the Board received at both the recent Members’ Information Evening and the AGM was that while the regular updates via social media and email regarding Club events has been successful, Members feel general communications could be greatly improved, and I agree. We have therefore committed to resurrecting an on-line and fresh version of the very popular Keeping in Touch newsletter which was discontinued some 18 months ago. We will publish and deliver these newsletters five or six times a year, providing Members with information regarding significant Club projects, upcoming events, game schedules, Member rewards and offers, staff and management news as well as commentary and photos from previous Club events.
There have been a number of developments at the Club over the last few months that need communicating to Members.
David Cook President Queensland Cricketers’ Club
Members’ Car Park Relocation DUKE STREET
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adly from 1 December, Stadiums Queensland (SQ) has elected to terminate the swap arrangement that the Club has enjoyed for many years whereby QCC members had use of SQ’s car park on the corner of Main and Vulture Streets in exchange for SQ utilising the Club’s car park further down Vulture Street, opposite the original location of the QCC. We have been fortunate to have had the use of this car park as long as we have but unfortunately it was never a permanent arrangement and SQ would not ever entertain a discussion for us to have it included in our lease.
New QCC Car Park Entrance on Linton Street
LINTON STREET QCC Car Park
SQ have cited as the reason behind the termination of the arrangement heightened risk to QCC Members and their guests entering the Club via the area where an increasing number of trucks load and unload and the increased number of AV vans on game days. The good news is that due to foresight of earlier Club Committees, we do have an alternative. We should be mindful that Stadium Members have nowhere to park at the ground at any time.
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Club News >>
Possible re-development of the Members’ Car Park
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he Board has been in negotiations with Hindmarsh Property Development over the last two years searching for a way that we can best employ the Club’s undeveloped piece of land, the aforementioned car park which runs from Vulture Street through to Linton Street opposite gate 7. The Club has had previous dealings with Hindmarsh who were the construction company when the Club joint ventured the Century Apartment development with Brisbane Housing Company a few years ago. To be able to increase the valuation of the property whilst continuing to provide the same number
of car parks has been the Boards aim and we think the amended proposal from Hindmarsh after 24 months of negotiations seems to achieve that outcome. If you have any queries about the proposed redevelopment, please contact CEO Tony Kent.
Cricket Ticket Pricing
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embers will have experienced and indeed been frustrated by, significant price rises to cricket tickets over the last couple of seasons. This isn’t, as many seem to believe, a decision by the Board to charge Members higher prices without reason. This is a direct result of the price rises levied by Cricket Australia (CA) which has now taken over the running of all games as opposed to the previous system where the matches were run by the State Association (ie Queensland Cricket) on their behalf. To illustrate, CA has doubled the cost of tickets to the Club for a seat at the Test match from two seasons ago. The cost of tickets to the Club for the India Test this year is up 33% from last seasons Ashes Test.
We are currently in negotiations with Cricket Australia where if successful, we may be able to present a significantly more attractive offer to Members who would like full year-round viewing access. We will keep you updated with this process in future correspondence.
W
ith India about to take on Australia for the first time at The Gabba for more than ten years, demand has been exceptional and the Club is all but sold out for the first three days. We will no doubt hear more about Australia’s preparation when the coach Darren Lehmann and vice-Captain Brad Haddin join us at the pre-Test lunch the day before the game. Along with their insight, we will be joined by former Test great Dean Jones, who will I’m sure, among others, regale us with stories of his incredible double century in the tied test in Madras in 1986, and the doyen of Indian commentators Harsha Bhogle. Rupert McCall will once again bring his unique poetic talents to the fore and the whole lunch will be overseen by the quick wit of the Bowlologist himself, Damien Fleming. This will prove to be a great way to start the formalities for the week which we hope will culminate in Australia leading 1 nil in the series. It should be a great summer of cricket!
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ha Bhogle Indian cricket commentator Hars
Club News >>
The Heat is on!
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he James Hopes led Brisbane Heat will return for another BBL season with plenty of interest in new superstar signing, Andrew Flintoff. The first home game on 28 December should be a blockbuster as Flintoff squares off against former England teammate and Melbourne Stars’ signing, Kevin Pietersen. It’s been well documented that these two aren’t fishing buddies so there could well be some fireworks! The other Heat games on 4, 11 and 22 January against the Adelaide Strikers, the Sydney Sixes and the Hobart Hurricanes will all be terrific matches so bring the kids and come along for a great night of family entertainment. Brisbane Heat Skipper James Hopes
Upcoming functions and events
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any and varied events will be staged over coming months with information regarding many of them being contained in this newsletter. I draw particularly your attention to The Penfolds Lunch on 12 December when we will revisit cricket from the ‘70s and ‘80s with three very popular guests, Queensland Cricket legends Jeff Thomson and Carl Rackemann, as well as our very own Board Member, Phil Carlson, himself a Test cricketer and a very fine performer for Queensland over many years. Join these special guests as they revisit some very funny stories touring with Queensland teams back in the game’s heyday.
A terrific selection of food and wines and a great atmosphere created by knowledgeable speakers makes this a must do. Our Fine Wine Dinners continue to be a great attraction and the dates for 2015 are contained herein; be sure to mark them down in the diary and book early to avoid disappointment. We look forward to seeing you all in the Club over coming months as we get into what is traditionally a very busy trading period. I would also like to take this opportunity to, on behalf of the Board, Management and staff, wish all members a happy and safe Christmas and a prosperous and healthy 2015. Regards
Another not to be missed event is the QC Gourmet Club’s Long Table Long Lunch, to be held on 15 February. This will be the third instalment of this annual lunch and from experience I can highly recommend it as a terrific way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
David Cook President
New Club Trading Hours
Members Events - Non Game Days
From 27 January, 2015 the Club will change its trading hours.
The Board has been searching for strategies to increase revenue away from Game Days. In doing so QCC has been considering the requirements of Members to fit and balance the outcome. The major strategy is to change trading days from Monday to Friday to Tuesday to Saturday. This simple change will result in many more in house events for Members and guests.
The Club will be open 10.00am to 10.00pm – Tuesday to Saturday except for game days. The Club will be closed on Mondays from 26 January 2015. The Sir Donald Bradman Restaurant will be open five days for lunch and five nights for dinner. We look forward to servicing our country Members on Saturdays when they come to Brisbane.
During the past six months management has been planning a vastly increased schedule of events which embrace Fridays and Saturday activities. A full diary of events will be published in the next QCC update in December.
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2015 EVENTS QC Gourmet Club Dinner Events The Qld Cricketers’ Gourmet Club recently held its November dinner, which is traditionally a platform for the outgoing President to exude some knowledge and flair. The year’s dinner was no exception and once again the delicious cuisine on offer was perfectly complemented by the showcased wines. 2015 Gourmet Club Schedule: Sunday 16 February Thursday 20 March Thursday 24 April Saturday 16 May Thursday 11 June Monday 6 July
Thursday 20 August Thursday 17 September Thursday 22 October Thursday 12 November Friday 4 December
Stradbroke Island Seafood evenings Stradbroke Island Seafood evenings will be held on the first Friday and First Saturday of each month with the initial opening Seafood dining experience being on Friday 6 February, 2015. The staff at QCC looks forward to delivering a new dining experience to members and guests. Our head chef Tabitha Thompson is excited about hosting a more complete dining facility.
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Fine Wine Dinners
Penfolds Lunches
Our Fine Wine Dinners will be hosted by Steve Leszcynski throughout 2015.
Dick Marks has presided over a successful year of Penfolds Lunches, he will return in 2015 bigger and brighter so reserve these dates in your diary for 2015.
2015 Fine Wine Dinners Schedule: Friday 6 March Thursday 30 April Friday 29 May Thursday 30 July Friday 4 September Saturday 31 October
2015 Penfolds Lunch Schedule: Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
13 March 22 May 14 August 9 October 11 December
2015 EVENTS
Members Saturday Concerts
Big Australian Red Lunches
The United Services Club
QCC is stepping out with a new initiative, ‘Dates to Die For’:
2015 Big Australian Red Lunch Schedule: Tuesday 28 April Tuesday 30 June Tuesday 8 September
Tuesday 8 December – Underground Opera in the Springhill Reservoirs Thursday 8 January – The Illusionists Tuesday 24 February – Everybody Loves Lucy Thursday 26 February – Wicked Thursday 4 June – Dirty Dancing Thursday 30 July – Anything Goes
Saturday 28 March, 2015 - Act will be “The Lions Den” Saturday 26 September, 2015 - Act TBC
For lovers of Great Australian Reds these are lunches not to be missed. Hosted by Peter Scudamore Smith
Golf Club News & Events Bulls Masters Corporate Challenge
The Club has been continually growing during the year. Initially formed in September 2013 the Club now has over 80 Members playing on Saturdays, Sundays and Thursdays. Shane Veen is our Director of Golf and is responsible for all things Golf. Many of the Members are Corporate members and some Principal members. The Golf Club is well represented with two tables dinning on Day 3 of the 1st Test. For more information about the Golf Club contact Shane on 0411 669 065.
Corporate Challenge
Bulls Masters
Launched in 2014 with ten teams participating over eight events with the Betfair winning the end of year prize, a trip for 3 days golf and entertainment at Hamilton Island from 28 November.
A successful event was held at Indooroopilly in 2014. Winners were Ryan Harris, Ken Healy, Stuart Law and Scott Prestwidge – daylight second – how could you beat that team?
From L to R: Steve Roots, Caine Hassen, Mark Grevsmuhl and Anton Vukovic
The 2015 event will be held at Royal Pines on 31 July – diarise this date if you are a keen Bulls and Bulls Masters supporter. From L to R: Ryan Harris, Ken Healy, Stuart Law and Scott Prestwidge
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CRICKET FIXTURES
Sold Out - Members days 1 and 2 of the Test Match Australia V India at The Gabba on 17 December and 18 December. Bookings for any cricket fixtures should be with Samantha McNeil or on-line at www.qldcricketersclub.com.au
2014 - 2015 Cricket Fixtures List Date
Cricket
Team
Time
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Commonwealth Bank Test Series
Australia v India - 1st Test
10:00am
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Commonwealth Bank Test Series
Australia v India - 1st Test
10:00am
Friday, 19 December 2014
Commonwealth Bank Test Series
Australia v India - 1st Test
10:00am
Saturday, 20 December 2014
Commonwealth Bank Test Series
Australia v India - 1st Test
10:00am
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Commonwealth Bank Test Series
Australia v India - 1st Test
10:00am
Sunday, 28 December 2014
Curtain Raiser
KFC T20 Challenge Final
12:30pm
KFC T20 Big Bash League
Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars
6:00pm
Curtain Raiser
Bulls Masters Final
12:30pm
KFC T20 Big Bash League
Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers
6:00pm
Curtain Raiser
WT20 Fire v Spirit
1:00pm
KFC T20 Big Bash League
Brisbane Heat v Sydney 6ers
6:00pm
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series
England v India
1:20pm
Thursday, 22 January 2015
KFC T20 Big Bash League
Brisbane Heat v Hobart Hurricanes
6:30pm
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Bupa Sheffield Shield
Qld Bulls v VIC Bushrangers
10:00am
Sunday, 8 February 2015
Bupa Sheffield Shield
Qld Bulls v VIC Bushrangers
10:00am
Monday, 9 February 2015
Bupa Sheffield Shield
Qld Bulls v VIC Bushrangers
10:00am
Tuesday 10 February 2015
Bupa Sheffield Shield
Qld Bulls v VIC Bushrangers
10:00am
Saturday, 21 February 2015
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Australia v Bangladesh
2:00pm
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Ireland v United Arab Emirates
2:00pm
Sunday, 1 March 2015
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Pakistan v Zimbabwe
2:00pm
Friday, 13 March 2015
Bupa Sheffield Shield
Qld Bulls v SA Redbacks
10:00am
Saturday, 14 March 2015
Bupa Sheffield Shield
Qld Bulls v SA Redbacks
10:00am
Sunday, 15 March 2015
Bupa Sheffield Shield
Qld Bulls v SA Redbacks
10:00am
Monday, 16 March 2015
Bupa Sheffield Shield
Qld Bulls v SA Redbacks
10:00am
Sunday, 4 January 2015
Sunday, 11 January 2015
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AFL FIXTURES
The Lions Home games commence with an old favourite V’s Collingwood on Easter Saturday 4th April with kick off at 6.20pm. This year we are adding some new flavour to the games with 7 of the 11 events having a wine tasting. On the opening game V’s Collingwood – Red and White will present wines from the Rockbare stable.
Brisbane Lions - 2015 Fixtures List Round
Date
Opponent
Venue
H/A
Time
1
Saturday, April 4
Collingwood
The Gabba
Home
6.20pm
2
Sunday, April 12
North Melbourne
Etihad Stadium
Away
4.40pm
3
Saturday, April 18
Richmond
The Gabba
Home
7.20pm
4
Sunday, April 26
West Coast Eagles
The Gabba
Home
1.10pm
5
Saturday, May 2
Gold Coast SUNS
Metricon Stadium
Away
4.35pm
6
Sunday, May 10
Carlton
Etihad Stadium
Away
3.20pm
7
Sunday, May 17
Port Adelaide
The Gabba
Home
4.40pm
8
Sunday, May 24
Essendon
Etihad Stadium
Away
1.10pm
9
Sunday, May 31
St Kilda
The Gabba
Home
1.10pm
10
Sunday, June 7
GWS GIANTS
Spotless Stadium
Away
1.10pm
11
BYE
12
Saturday, June 20
Western Bulldogs
Etihad Stadium
Away
7.20pm
13
Saturday, June 27
Adelaide Crows
The Gabba
Home
4.35pm
14
Sunday, July 5
Fremantle
Patersons Stadium
Away
2.40pm
15
Sunday, July 12
Sydney Swans
The Gabba
Home
4.40pm
16
Sunday, July 19
Melbourne
MCG
Away
1.10pm
17
Saturday, July 25
North Melbourne
The Gabba
Home
7.20pm
18
Saturday, August 1
Geelong Cats
Simonds Stadium
Away
1.45pm
19
Saturday, August 8
Gold Coast SUNS
The Gabba
Home
4.35pm
20
Saturday, August 15
Carlton
The Gabba
Home
7.20pm
21
Saturday, August 22
Adelaide Crows
Adelaide Oval
Away
7.10pm
22
Saturday, August 29
Hawthorn
Aurora Stadium
Away
2.10pm
23
TBC
Western Bulldogs
The Gabba
Home
TBC
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OPERATIONS
Staff The Club has undergone some significant staff changes since the last Member communication. Shelly Curtis our Functions and Events Manager has departed and gone to one of our reciprocal clubs “The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron” we wish Shelly well in her new career. Shelly has been replaced by Kristen Maslanka who you may see at the Club if you are coming to the 1st Test at The Gabba next week. Matt Swinson who has been here six years is finishing on 1 December. Everyone loves Matt and we have appreciated his six years servicing Members and guests. Matt is taking a promotion at a City venue – we wish him well. CEO Tony Kent is completing his two year tenure at the Club on 31 March and his replacement is being sought at present next year. Kitchen – being led by Tabitha Thompson is cooking up a storm. Since Tabitha took over the helm her brigade has performed magnificently. You will experience some outstanding food from her team over the Test match. Tabitha is heading the new menu initiatives in the restaurant when the Sir Donald Restaurant trades for five lunches and five evenings from 27 January. Front of House is now being lead by Danniel Kane who has a young and vibrant team looking after Members. Dan is ably assisted by Louis Jess “restaurant supervisor” and the new man on the team to undertake an upgrade in responsibility is Matt Harvey “Harvey” to his friends. “Harvey” will be responsible for the main viewing bar over the Test - make yourself known.
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Online Ticketing System The Board has approved an upgrade to our existing online ticketing (booking) which is currently being developed. We expect this to go live in mid December 2014 – in time to assist ticketing for the BBL, ODI and World Cup cricket matches. Bookings made prior to the new system going live will be processed in the existing manner and confirmations sent by email from Samantha and/or Jaclyn.