GEOFF Martin relocated from northern NSW in late 2020 to take over from Sharon Bochow as manager/secretary of Club Glass House.
Coming to the role with decades of experience in the hospitality/club industry, the club’s management committee looked to Geoff to take the club to its next stage of development.
He arrived as the local area was seeing rapid growth and with the club dealing with lengthy COVID-19 lockdowns and operational changes required to meet all the COVID safe practices.
Geoff has been focused on positioning the club for the future and, just over 12 months since his arrival, GC&M News caught up with him to see how his first year has gone and to check out the changes introduced at the club.
Geoff said there was no doubt that the Glass House Mountains was changing and there was a new and younger demographic coming to the area.
“Our challenge is to ensure that the club is equipped to capture this market,” he said.
“This will entail not only ensuring the physical attributes of the club are suitable but also adapting our thinking to ensure that we are inclusive of the entire community.”
You now arrive at the club via Gardner Street. Yes, the club’s address is officially 10 Coonowrin Road, Glass House Mountains, however you can now more safely access the car park just around the corner in Gardner Street.
Inside the club, Geoff has set about implementing a number of pressing changes including upgrading the pokies area and a revamp of the look and functioning of the bar. Customers love the improved beer system, which has meant an increase in the range of craft beers as well as alcoholic ginger beer now available on tap.
To encourage new and younger members of the community to feel welcome at the club, Geoff and the team have expanded the regular activities, particularly the inclusion of the monthly Sunday afternoons on the green with live music and entertainment for the kids. They also now offer a monthly Sunday breakfast as well as Wednesday steak night and Thursday schnitzel night.
You may have also noticed that the club is now heavily promoted on social media and is now referred to as ‘The Glassie’. It’s no longer just the bowls club from a decade ago or its rebranded identity of Club Glass House, but a more relaxed, fun, casual place for the local community to hang out with their mates, neighbours and family and friends.
The changes haven’t stopped there, a major upgrade is currently underway outside the foyer.
The old wooden back door and the shade shed for smokers out the back is being replaced and fancied up, which will significantly improve the first impressions for guests when they arrive.
If you haven’t been to the Glassie, why not drop in for a drink or a meal. It is currently open for lunch Wednesday to Sunday, and dinner Wednesday to Saturday.
To find out more you can check out the revamped website www.clubglasshouse.com.au or follow the club on Facebook and Instagram at Club Glass House.
Main image: Kylee Phillips with club manager Geoff Martin