A LOCAL bowling club posted a record loss last year due to a reduction in gaming income, but club officials say things are looking on the up in 2016.
Moulamein Bowling Club have cut costs and reduced opening hours in order to plug a financial hole which saw the club post a $137,051 loss last financial year.
Club president China Gibson attributed the six figure loss to a steady reduction in Moulamein’s population.
“We haven’t got the bulk of people we used to have,” he said.
“Less people means less money to spend. If we don’t improve the club will be gone — we can’t go on posting $100,000 losses and there’s not much more we can sell.”
So far this year the club is breaking even, and club manager Kim Arthur said last year’s poor financial performance hinged on a reduction in gaming across the board.
“The bar was the same [as last year] but gaming was down in all areas — pokie machines, TAB and Keno,” Ms Arthur said.
The club, located within the Moulamein South Recreation Reserve sporting facilities, is used for local wakes, weddings and other celebrations.
According to club financial reports, the club has recorded losses in three of the past four years.
Last year the club posted a net profit of $28,174 but 2013 was another unprofitable year, with a loss of $73,471 and it was a similar story in 2012 with a $11,137 loss.
Ms Arthur said the Moulamein community of around 300 people view the club as the “social hub” of the town, a fact she believes will save it from going under.
“The community are getting behind our situation. They’re aware that if we don’t use it we lose it,” she said.
For more great stories pick up a copy of Monday’s Guardian (January 18, 2016).
