The Coolamon community has rallied behind its embattled sport and recreation club, pitching in $16,000 to keep it afloat.
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On Tuesday The Daily Advertiser revealed the club was on the edge of falling into voluntary administration, after board members were told more than $360,000 was owed to creditors and police were investigating missing funds from the club’s Keno facilities.
Club president Trevor Jose said one of the biggest worries was a $63,000 bill from the Australian Tax Office, which could close the club down at any time.
At a community meeting, Mr Jose explained there were three paths ahead of the club: do nothing, go into voluntary administration, or get the community to pitch in.
“Voluntary administration would ultimately mean an extra cost to the club,” Mr Jose said.
“We asked people to pledge money, not a loan, but a pledge to help pay some of the debts so the club could get back on its feet.
“The pledges would eventually be paid back to the community.”
Within two days, $16,000 had already been given through the club’s solicitor.
“It’s already looking good,” Mr Jose said. “I’m sure we’ll get the money we want and the club will survive.”
One of the people who was digging deep for the club was Brett Allen, whose grandmother was a foundation member of the club.
“I’ve been in town all my life and I’ve seen the highs and lows,” Mr Allen said.
“It’s the heartbeat of the town and I think this has been a bit of a wake-up call for the community. We realise its importance and if we did lost it I don’t think we’d get it back.”
It wasn’t just cash being offered by the community either. Mr Jose said people had offered to volunteer their time and labour to help carry out maintenance work around the club to help preserve it.
“This is the hub of the community,” he said.
“Wedding anniversaries, wakes, meetings, sports, it all happens here at the club.
“It would be a tragedy for the town if it was to close, but I know the town won’t let that happen.”