During catastrophic times, Club Narooma showed true spirit, says ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis.
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From feeding hundreds of evacuees during the bushfires, to setting up a pop-up testing clinic in response to COVID-19, Club Narooma CEO Tony Casu and his team have been recognised for their efforts helping the community.
The club was named joint winner of the ClubsNSW Bushfire Community Support award for 2021.
Club Narooma and Mittagong RSL both shared the recognition.
Mr Landis said there were more than 20 finalists in the category.
"Judges really had their work cut out for them - so much so that they ended up having to select two winners," he said.
"For Club Narooma to be named as a winner among so many other worthy nominations goes to show the incredible lengths to which the club went to support its community during such a catastrophic time."
Tony Casu and his team not only provided food and shelter for evacuees, they spent several sleepless nights guiding nursing home residents to the bathroom in the dark and offering vital emotional support.
"Club Narooma embodies the spirit of the club industry and should be incredibly proud of their efforts," Mr Landis said.
Mr Casu and Club Narooma staff were humbled to be chosen as the top club for their response efforts.
"We were in a room with 23 other finalists from across NSW; there were so many clubs and people who have done so much to support the public and community during that horrid time," Mr Casu said.
"To have been selected for top recognition was humbling and honouring at the same time."
During the bushfire crisis, Mr Casu and his team, Adam Barrett, Monica Bird and Bronwyn Roll volunteered their time to help others.
"It was probably the best we could do at the time, with no prerequisite of what was going to happen," Mr Casu said.
With no telecommunication, no power and fires threatening the town, the Club Narooma team banded together to accommodate and feed hundreds of evacuees.
"On New Year's Eve alone, that one night there was close to 450 people sleeping in the club and we were able to feed them by firing up the gas barbecue - all by torch light," Mr Casu said. .
The 800 people escaping the fires, camping on Bill Smyth Oval, also grabbed a feed at the club.
"It was done with an office manager and apprentice chef, who kept on pumping out food in the dark," Mr Casu said.
Nursing home facilities were also evacuated. Mr Casu found himself caring for up to 20 elderly who were dropped off at the club.
Mr Casu was also the runner up Community Club Person of the Year, which acknowledged his care and response in helping the community.
"It was humbling to be among my peers and to be nominated - it was awesome," Mr Casu said.
Making his efforts worthwhile, was the continuing flow of gratitude.
"Since the bushfires, every month or so we still get emails from families thanking us," Mr Casu said.
"There were also thank you notes that were written on coasters from kids. All of that has been so pleasing and gratifying."
