The results of the Bayswood flyer drop have seen a great rise in community support and interest in donations, pledges, and volunteering. Our team of volunteers enjoyed chatting to Bayswood residents who were really excited to hear that our new Club will provide community meeting and celebration spaces, as well as other sports for their families and friends.
The Heads of Agreement (HOA) with BY Group was welcomed news, especially by the golfers who for some time have wanted to enjoy the amenity of a rejuvenated open clubhouse and see simple course improvements made, including drainage and cart paths that have been impacted by a number of significant rain events in the past few months. They were pleased to hear that the collaboration with BY Group will mean these sorts of repairs and construction can be done much faster upon de-amalgamation.
The JBCSC Board continues to prepare for de-amalgamation. A lot of hard work is being done – all by volunteers. Our team is engaging with experts: to finalise the financial viability report; on modest, economical clubhouse re-design; on gaming amenity; and on hospitality and tourism. We’ve received plenty of great expert advice for our Board’s consideration, and certainly there’s exciting times ahead for everyone to enjoy!
JBCSC Fundraising and Communication Committees have been busy working on setting dates for both fundraising and community engagement events over the summer. Brenda Garnett, JBCSC’s Volunteers Coordinator, has been busy collating a list of community volunteers that can help with in-kind donations. There’s been a tremendous response to assist with carpark improvements; native plants and gardening; skills in building and construction across a range of trades; donating building and paint supplies; helping construct a children’s playground; volunteers to run children’s art classes and creative writing workshops; assistance with BBQing at events; to volunteering with an RSA to work behind the bar. It’s never too late to offer some time and share your passion. Please SMS Brenda with your name followed by ‘I can help…’ on 0411 693 508 or via email aloealoe@live.com.au.
JBCSC will be hosting a meet and greet information session for those who have registered their interest as a volunteer. All volunteers will receive an invite once the location, date and time has been finalised.
More community questions answered
Since JBCSC’s media release regarding its business collaboration with BY Group, we’ve received some questions from community members which are answered below.
1. Why would JBCSC partner with BY Group?
Firstly, By Group is a local building and construction company (not a developer) with their South Coast office located in Nowra. BY Group has undertaken many construction projects in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, across the education, health, sports, community, and Government sectors, and they have a proven track record in building, refurbishment, sustainability, solar installations, ecological projects, training and empowering communities.
Secondly, as stated in the Heads of Agreement document, BY Group has offered to work with JBCSC to “help the Vincentia community build a vibrant and diverse new community club serving Vincentia and the broader Jervis Bay region”. BY Group also brings critical links and established relationships with local businesses and contractors, and with their project management and construction expertise will manage the “transition from a closed clubhouse to an attractive venue [that] will require a careful, modest, but essential refurbishment of the premises”. The JBCSC Board is in control with BY Group providing construction and project management skills where appropriate. Safeguards are in place to ensure value for money and best outcomes for JBCSC.
Please take the time to visit BY Group’s website where you will see that they invest in developing human capability through apprenticeships, training and mentorship programs (secondary, vocational and tertiary), and actively support community and sports groups. We believe JBCSC + BY Group is the right fit to achieve our immediate goals, as well as our longer-term vision as outlined in this slideshow:
2. Has BY Group donated funds for JBCSC to de-amalgamate from SGBCC?
No, BY Group is not donating money. BY Group is a business partner with JBCSC. As stated in the HOA, “Collaboration with BY Group will enable JBCSC to deliver better and more immediate outcomes for the Vincentia and Jervis Bay communities”. BY Group will provide construction and project management support that also draws upon the use of local tradies, apprentices and trainees, as well as JBCSC’s army of volunteers.
Part of this business collaboration involves BY Group providing a loan that will enable JBCSC to pay the $2 million walkaway fee for de-amalgamation. This loan is at more favourable terms and a better interest rate than we were offered commercially. As stated in the HOA, this loan will be secured by a mortgage against the title for 49 Murray Street, Lot 1 DP545282 (clubhouse and carpark) only. Not the golf course lot, the land title of which will remain in JBCSC’s possession.
3. Why is fundraising from the community an important part of JBCSC’s financial viability?
On October 12, the JBCSC Chair published a letter to the community about just this, ‘Financial viability & fundraising for your club’s future’. A huge amount of work has been undertaken by our accountancy experts on financial viability calculations and documentation to demonstrate that Jervis Bay Community & Sports Club will be financially viable. Noting that two very key steps in this process includes: (a) submission of a business plan to an independent auditor for financial viability approval (i.e., confirming that JBCSC’s projections and financial calculations stack up); and later (b) apply to the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) for regulatory approval of de-amalgamation. Also noting that a members’ vote needs to occur between these stages. This all takes time.
As stated in the above letter, “NSW ILGA needs to be convinced that our community is prepared to invest in, support and sustain JBCSC’s future.” This is why we need pledges to demonstrate community buy-in, which is also critical in supporting future grant applications to secure funding for facility upgrades, new infrastructure, and establishing a range of community-based programs to make JBCSC a thriving community precinct for the Bay & Basin area.
4. What can I do right now to help?
While the JBCSC Board, Project Team, Working Group and increasing team of volunteers continues to work on a whole range of critical tasks, we ask you to continue to donate, pledge and volunteer to help us get closer to reaching our goal of de-amalgamation and to getting our new Community and Sports Club operational.
If you have further questions or wish to speak to a JBCSC Director about fundraising or de-amalgamation, feel free to contact us via email info@jbcsc.com.au. For those wishing to register as a volunteer, please SMS Brenda Garnett with your name followed by ‘I can help…’ on 0411 693 508 or via email aloealoe@live.com.au.