Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20October 2016 NSW Masonic Club 3 October 2016 NSWMC Magazine 3 GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT As the Tempus Fugit Grand Father clock in the Boardroom correctly says, albeit in Latin, “Time Flies”, so has my first year at the NSW Masonic Club ! Looking back over a very productive year we, as a team, have achieved a lot. This includes: • An 11.1% increase in accommodation occupancy with total room revenue of $3,320,095. This is a very healthy $512,947 increase on the previous year. This has certainly helped to put the Club’s financials back on track. • We have strengthened our relationship with Choice Hotels and seen a 128% increase in the number of room nights booked by Choice Hotels. • A $140,000 growth in food and beverage revenues, new menus, new Chef and floor staff on level 4 whilst retaining familiar staff members in the Castlereagh Lounge and Reagh Bar. • We increased our staff training and cross-exposure from Front Desk to Food & Beverage. • A new focus on customer service with the launch of our “10 Member & Guest Service Standards” • Undertaking an extensive kitchen renovation to bring the kitchen up to date and safer for employees including new equipment, stainless steel benches, new flooring and wall paneling. • Development of a comprehensive Interior design Master Plan to integrate and refurbish all areas of the Hotel and Club. This project has commenced by painting a whole floor of hotel rooms. • New Graphic Design of our printed and digital communications, • A full digital Marketing strategy implemented and measured for performance. • Back of house repairs: roof repairs, hot water system upgrades, a fire damper audit, a new fire rated ceiling in a section of level 2. This Financial year ended very differently to last year’s loss of ($240,356). As at 30 June 2016, the Club’s audited net profit before tax was $318,635. This is a $558,991 turnaround in profit which enables the Club to invest in a range of improvements. Of similar note, we achieved an EBITDA of $677,119 compared to last year’s result of $28,005. This is a very healthy $649,114 turnaround. I sincerely thank my operational team and the Board for their ongoing support and commitment. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this very active and engaged Board. They have taken on many responsibilities within their skill sets to enhance the Club and support my role. Over the coming year my focus areas will be: • Working on delivering the refurbishment Master Plan to make positive changes to the restaurants, bars, reception foyer and accommodation rooms, • An ongoing maintenance program to improve “Back of House” areas. • Continually enhancing the current Food & Beverage operation, • Continuing to market the Club and implement new Member benefits, • Supplying uniforms to the team, • Growing occupancy revenue so that we can reinvest into the building and create better services for our Members and guests. We also have a few challenges to face over the coming year. The State Government is well into the planning phase of the underground Sydney Metro network. The Pitt Street North station is to go right next to our building and covering that block of Pitt, Park and Castlereagh Streets. Although this will reap long term benefits, there will be short term pain. The Government has compulsorily acquired many of the buildings next door to ours to demolish. The actual Metro station will be mined underground with a multi-use building being planned above the ground. The Board took this news seriously and engaged a series of consultants to assist with our submission on the Environmental Impact Statement. We are actively staying informed on this project and proactive in our approach in order to minimize the impact on the Club now and into the future. The other challenge is that, potentially, the Cycle Way along Castlereagh Street may be back on the agenda with the recent re-election of the Lord Mayor. We need to be ready for this. This concept was previously planned to go along the row of car parks on Castlereagh Street which runs directly in front of our door therefore cutting off access to Club Members, Guests, contractors, deliveries etc. All in all, my team is ready to face the challenges of the upcoming year and I again thank you, our Members and Guests for your continued patronage of this very special Club. Until next time, take care, Paul Brasch General Manager NSW Masonic Club and Castlereagh Boutique Hotel Robert Eaglesham Finance Committee As a Masonic member for over 20 years living outside Sydney, I am proud of the beautiful Club facilities we currently have and wish to see them maintained and improved, especially the hotel operations, which virtually subsidize the many services we enjoy. Following a successful 30 year career operating my own businesses in the Corporate Services and Insurance Broking professions, I currently serve as the Governing Director of a private Investment Management company. My Community service includes 30 years in the Australian Army Reserve (Major), 19 years’ service with the Rural Fire Service (Dep. Captain), 34 years in Rotary (Past Pres.), PM Lodge 284 and RSL member. I also serve as an Honorary Auditor to several associations. I believe my background skills and experience enable me to make a worthwhile contribution to the Board. Kate Foot House, Supply & Staff Committee The past year has flown by while I have enjoyed being a part of the team helping to guide the Club forward. There are no shortage of challenges to exercise the minds and hearts of the members of the Board and it has been an honour to serve the Club as a Director. I look forward to increasing my contribution, now that my ‘learning curve’ is not quite so steep. The members of the Board bring many years of experience in the worlds of business and the community to the task of guiding the management of the Club. The Board is fortunate to work with the General Manager, Paul Brasch, in his enthusiastic and energetic management and development of the Club, its staff, and the Club’s principal source of income, the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel. I look forward to contributing further to the Club in the coming year, and invite Club Members to contact me on any issues of interest to them, at any time. Peter Read Honorary Treasurer & Finance Committee It has been a pleasure to serve as your Honorary Treasurer, in this my first term on the Board. Your Board, along with our general Manager and his staff, have worked very hard to ensure the Club is underpinned by a profitable and sustainable hotel business. That hard work will always continue and I will continue to contribute to that, bringing all my 30 years of senior management experience, particularly, strategy development and implementation, financial control and corporate governance. We are also mindful that we are a Club and are there to provide membership benefits for you our Members. Recently I was appointed by the Board, along with John Moore, to a Committee to investigate how we might enhance your Membership Benefits and drive increased Membership. We will have more news on that front soon. Looking forward to the next 12 months… Oneyearon... Our new Directors have put their skills to the test in what has been a great year for the Club!