Finny returns with community focus
The renewed community focus of the Finucane Island Sports and Recreation Club was evident on Saturday afternoon as teams of players took part in a relaxed and friendly darts competition.
The competition was followed by two hours of live music from local musician Blake Dillon.
Dillon volunteered to play on the first Saturday the club opened after financial issues forced its closure last year.
Committee president Sara Pittman said the club had a renewed focus on living up to its name as a sports and recreation club.
She said this was evident in the business plan put together to ensure it was sustainable, after previous management failures resulted in about $700,000 worth of debt.
"It was absolutely necessary to sit back and assess where and how the past failure occurred so as to ensure this can never happen again," she said.
"We then set out to create a new sustainable business model - one where our community sports groups come together and benefit financially and socially."
With a new committee in place, the establishment of payment plans and finances overseen by Strategic Management and Consulting Services accountant Natalie Mills, the club was able to reopen on Wednesday nights.
Mrs Pittman said the reopening was possible thanks to the hard work of volunteers and the understanding of the Australian Taxation Office.
She said the ATO payment plan also ensured creditors received funds owed.
Last week, opening hours were expanded to include Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.
About a dozen volunteers are running the club while the process of employing a new manager and staff is undertaken.
Mrs Pittman said anyone interested in volunteering should contact the committee by emailing savethefinny@gmail.com .
The club is honouring all existing memberships and extending each to the end of the calendar year.
It is open from 6pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and 12pm to late on Saturdays.
