One of Sydney's biggest sports clubs has lifted spirits along our coast, and that of a small Dalmeny brewery.
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Bankstown Sports Club CEO Mark Condi said the club had donated $144,000 to nine clubs between Mollymook and Pambula.
"I pushed my board to consider giving to these clubs after I saw what they did during the fires by becoming evacuation centres," he said.
Mr Condi often made weekend trips to Narooma's BIG 4 Easts Holiday Park with family.
"I know how important that tourist dollar is to Narooma, especially the caravan parks and clubs," he said.
Mr Condi admired clubs' efforts: "They weren't making any money but were being a real community support network."
Mr Condi said Clubs NSW agreed to help the Bankstown Sports Club get donations to struggling clubs.
He said $113,000 was divvied up according to each club's hardship after the fires.
The COVID lockdown was another blow. Mr Condi said an additional $31,000 was raised through staff tips, burger sales and their own special brew, the South Coast Pale Ale.
"All of our 600 staff decided to donate all their tips to that pool of money," he said.
"Our staff and members saw the importance and need to support the South Coast after the fires. We also came up with the concept of brewing our own beer to add to the $100,000."
Mr Condi recently discovered Dalmeny's Big Niles Brewing Co and said "it was really cool."
"I got to know the operator really well and we got to the stage of donating one of our kegs and brought one of his back," Mr Condi said.
"It's a nice little thing to support someone having a go; his brewery is in his back yard!"
Over the decade, Mr Condi made connections with clubs along the coast.
He said ageing bowling clubs struggle "because they don't change" and hoped clubs jump at the opportunity to support local brewers such as Big Niles Brewing, by offering local beers on tap.
Mr Condi said bigger clubs like Bankstown often provide management advice or potential amalgamations.
He said the coast's clubs should "join forces" with each other.
"I think clubs should be supporting each other," he said.
"They shouldn't be competing; the more profitable all clubs are, means a stronger industry and stronger communities.
"There's so much more clubs can do to work together."
The following clubs have received donations so far: Bodalla Bowling and Recreation Club $20,000, Merimbula RSL Club $5000, Mollymook Beach Bowling Club, $10000, Moruya Bowling Club $5000, Pambula Merimbula Golf Club $10,000, Sussex Inlet RSL Club $10,000, Tathra Beach Country Club $5000, Tomakin Sports and Social Club $25,000, Tumbarumba Golf Club $10,000.
