Maxs Blog

Club Dubbo

Great clubs are special – they have significance, respect and heartbeat … in fact many heartbeats and voices, in harmony. People and place.

Club Dubbo is one such place.

On the Saturday night, snakes of people queued down the entrance steps and onto the footpath in order to eat in the Bistro which seats 250-300 people. The star attraction … Pakistani chef extraordinaire and passionate cricket fan. Always nice to meet the chief of kitchen staff … certain to get a great meal.

Part of the rebranding was to get everyone involved, especially families – open day, free barbeque sausages, burgers etc. Giveaways … entertainment for the children.

Saturday night entertainment was buzzing … the place to be. Sunday had the more sporting flavour.

Lawn-bowls began early on the beautifully manicured surface … pace fast. Substantial prize money to be won. Lawn-bowls is the perfect sport for aging fast bowlers – in-swingers and out-swingers shaped at will. Just check which dot (bias) is on what side to avoid embarrassment … don’t get too excited on the ‘drive’ otherwise you’ll miss the ‘jack’ and end up in the ‘ditch’ or gutter. End after end … clusters of applause. My pleasure to hand out the cheques to the winning teams. New cricket shirts had arrived from the embroidery shop, destined for a season of battle between bat and ball. The pre-season ceremony of handing out black and gold shirts to the players of the Newtown Cricket Club – a nice sprinkling of youth and experience. No excuses now.

After the photos, my turn to pitch a few ‘verbal’ deliveries – wasn’t long before I shouted ‘Owzat?’ A filing cabinet of memories followed – canary yellow, pastel pink and pale blue gear was all the rage during WSC and in “Kerry Packer’s Wars” (as seen on TV). Anecdote followed anecdote … a captive audience of young children, mums, dads and players … ‘the way’ it should be … funny, serious and uplifting stories.

A golf course beckoned next door, but no time to swing the clubs.

The famous zoo is across the very picturesque river view from the balcony. I doubt there are many clubs of this type with such a breathtaking vista.

EJ, the local radio host, let it be known … “Max has a birthday in a few days … let’s celebrate”. Wonderful people … empathy and generosity of spirit.

Totally bowled over … out comes the birthday cake … “Happy Birthday, dear Max … Happy Birthday”. A collective celebration in full voice.

I am normally not stuck for words, but just for a moment I was … until a young girl asked to help me blow out the one candle. After saying ‘yes’ I soon had more takers equally as young.

What a way to close a weekend away.

Thank you to everyone. I am now officially Club Dubbo Member No. 263 … the same as my Australian Green Baggy Test Cap. One rumour circulating just prior to departure was that those with clout had changed the batting order … ie, bumped the Lord Mayor further down the list … you have to smile.

Conversations with people … laughter … friendship and a feeling of belonging, somewhere to identify with … whenever … a hub … a club … Club Dubbo.

Please enjoy the hospitality if you’re passing through. Say “Good-day” to the chef … you’ll get looked after just … just tell ‘em Maxie sent you! A successful rebrand in progress.

Have a look through Club Dubbo’s great new website >