Community

Aside from providing a first class facility to the people of Coffs Harbour and abroad, the Coffs Ex-Services Club has made a commitment to the town by lending itself and its facilities to the local community. Clubs have been traditional sponsors of local community events, and the Coffs Ex-Services Club is no exception to this rule. High on the list of recipients are the local high schools, and local cadet units from the Army, Navy and Air Force. Sponsorship for individual sporting identities for activities such as all football codes, basketball, BMX and Kayaking, as well as an annual donation to the Coffs Harbour Surf Lifesaving Club. The total of community donations made by the Coffs Ex-Services Club in 2002 was over $420,000.00

The Coffs Ex-Services Club supports 11 separate intra-clubs that are available for all club members to join. Social clubs such as the Travel, Camera, Old Time Dance and Euchre clubs meet regularly at the Ex-Services, as do the sporting intra-clubs that include Cricket, Social Golf, Darts, Snooker, Table Tennis and Netball.

As with any organisation operating within the tourism and hospitality industry, services provided by the Coffs Ex-Services Club are labour intensive. Approximately 220 staff are currently employed at the club in both permanent and casual positions, which over the last financial year injected over $6.3 Million dollars into the local community in wages and salaries.

NSW clubs find themselves facing tougher times ahead with the introduction of new taxes on poker machine revenues, the licensing of poker machines in hotels and increased pressure on gaming revenues from casinos. Regardless, the Coffs Ex-Services Club has firmed a commitment to the local community by making it the mission of the organisation “To support the community and out members.” This statement is displayed in the foyer of the club.

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