Community clubs in Victoria are immensely proud of our role as vital hubs within local communities. These clubs are not-for-profit enterprises and operate EGMs to support their existence - be it sporting, charitable, social or community based. Gaming is always secondary to what a community club offers its members and the wider community in which it operates.

EGMs are legal and licenced to venues by the Victorian Government. Around 35 per cent of our revenue is given back to State and Local Governments in the form of taxes and rates, where it can fund schools, hospitals and other vital infrastructure. Anything left is returned to the community.

The broader clubs movement makes an annual social contribution of more than $1 billion in Victoria consisting of community donations, subsidised access to facilities and volunteering.

This is why for the first time in its 102-year history CCV, is mobilising its membership base during the Victorian election, and asking members to vote prudently when they reach the ballot box.

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The 163 clubs that operate EGMs have voted unanimously to support a CCV recommendation that clubs should provide advice to their members about the policies of contending political parties contending the November 24 State election.

This move has been prompted by the fact that the gaming industry is under increasing pressure, and it therefore stands to reason that if further changes are introduced to stifle gaming then the future of clubs with gaming is questionable.

CCV can confirm that the ALP and Liberal/National Coalition support for community clubs is essentially bipartisan.

There is tacit support for community clubs and their contribution to the wider Victorian community. There is also a recognition that community clubs are not-for-profit enterprises. Community clubs therefore operate with the sole purpose of supporting these communities. 

This effort to mobilise for the 2018 election will involve 163 clubs representing over 600,000 adult members. These venues employ around 20,000 staff, about 30 per cent of whom are employed in regional Victoria.

Clubs are the community.

This weekend (Oct 27 and 28) is 11 years since my brother, John McLean, former CEO of the City of Greater Bendigo, died.  John was passionate about cycling and Bendigo. He would be so proud that cycling events such as the upcoming Bendigo Cycling Classic are well and truly alive in Bendigo today.

I encourage people to get out there and active to support this event. Not only will your body say thank you but two fantastic charities, the Otis Foundation and Give me 5 for Kids will benefit.  It's a win, win situation!

Read​ more: Bendigo gets bike-friendly recognition

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