The club held the meeting on Monday night in a bid to let the town and the wider area know where the business currently stands. 

Club secretary-manager Andrew Hurst said the situation still remains dire and that’s the message which needed to be put across. 

“It got a emotional in some stages as people had trouble understanding the club is a million-dollar business and wasn’t being run as such,” he said. 

“At the end most people were on board and realised we (know) need to change some aspects of our business to make it viable in the future.

“The club is still on a knife’s edge.”

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The club has managed to raise $30,000 from the generosity of its members, but is still around $85,000 short.

Mr Hurst said now more than ever the community’s support was needed to try and raise the required funds. 

“If we can do that we will be on an even keel and be able to survive on our own,” he said. 

“It’s playing the catch up game which is proving to be the problem.”

In good news, the club has many functions booked in and is taking a proactive approach when it comes to showing off its facilities and the types of events it is capable of hosting.”

At this stage, the club remains a “week-by-week” proposition as it attempts to catch up on its debt. 

However, the facility is currently meeting its commitments and trading has improved. 

”As with all times of trial, we have some negativity out there and people reluctant for change,” Mr Hurst said.

“This is inevitable when there are hard decisions to be made.

“Let me stress this, the club is a community-minded venture and it is my job to uphold its traditions, but this has to be done with a business plan and an ability to adapt to the current climate. Without this, we will all lose the institution.” 

Mr Hurst was pleased to see Leeton Shire Council taking an interest in the club’s plight, with mayor Paul Maytom, deputy mayor George Weston and councillor Peter Davidson all attending Monday night’s meeting. 

Residents who would like to assist the club can still donate, but can also sign up to become a member and attend a major fundraising night scheduled for September 1. 

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