The decision to fund the Cowra’s Golf Club’s renovations happened almost by mistake, according to local member Steph Cooke.
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Speaking at an event to commemorate the completion of work funded by the NSW Government, Ms Cooke said a campaign diary mix-up during her successful by-election campaign last year meant Minister for Racing Paul Toole arrived in Cowra without her.
“I turned up at the Young Showground, and he [Minister Toole] was at the Cowra Showground,” Ms Cooke said
“One thing led to another… I burst into tears, I just said to him, ‘I can’t be there in 20 minutes Minister!’”
While Minister Toole completed the commitment without Ms Cooke, when she attended her first cabinet meeting she found out that promises had been made during his visit.
“Paul [Toole] put his hand up straight away and said, ‘I’ve been out to the Cowra Golf Club, I’ve encouraged them to apply in the club grants, but you’re going to have to fight for it.”
Less than a year later, the club now has new kitchen facilities and improved bathrooms among a host of improvements to the building thanks to just over $200,000 of State Government funding.
President Robert Oliver, also speaking at the function, said the renovations will hopefully put the club in a position to self-generate funds going forward, after years of tough financial decisions.
“We’re not a wealthy club, we’ve got no money and we’re living on what comes in,” he said.
“I hope from now on that we can… have a little bit of cash in the bank to do the things that we want to do.”
READ MORE: A busy week for golfers at the Cowra course
Councillor Ruth Fagan, who worked with Norm Keay to help produce the successful funding application, spoke at the event, said the council would support the golf club wherever it could.
She also made special mention of the golf club’s members for their efforts, with recent storms creating a big clean up on the golfing grounds.
“This is about the spirit of this club and the thousands of hours of volunteer labour that all of you have put in,” Cr Fagan said.
