When directors of Twin Towns met earlier this month to discuss the flood and drought crises affecting their communities in Queensland and New South Wales, a unanimous decision was made to donate $200,000 to Rural Aid.
To bypass both limitations of the NSW ClubGRANTS scheme and time constraints, Twin Towns donated $100,000 from its philanthropic association, The Twin Towns Services Community Foundation, and $100,000 from Twinnies Gives, its platform that covers Twin Towns ClubGRANTS.
Board Chair Brian Brown pointed out the decision reflected the values and expectations of its 60,000 members on either side of the border, with the Rural Aid donations supporting communities affected by drought in southern NSW and by floods in central and western Queensland.
“If it wasn’t for our members, the backbone of our Club, we wouldn’t be in a position to make that call to Rural Aid,” he told ClubLife.
The response of Rural Aid was that it felt like winning the lotto.
CEO John Warlters said it wasn’t often gifts this size were received by the organisation, but they were extremely impactful.
Recognising that it will take months or even years for people to recover, Warlters said the gift will enable funding of resources – from fodder and food, to mental health and wellbeing support – to be sent on their ‘convoys of hope’.
“A little bit of hope goes a long way, especially at a time when it is easy for people to be overwhelmed by the challenges they have in front of them,” he said.
Twin Towns was established in Tweed Heads 68 years ago, and comprises Twin Towns at Tweed Heads, Club Banora at Banora Point and Twin Towns Juniors at Tweed Heads South; as well as The Sebel Twin Towns and Mantra Twin Towns, with 300 staff across all sites.
In the last financial year, it exceeded the NSW ClubGRANTS requirements, giving over $1.65 million. Over the years, the club has donated a whopping $25 million in aid and assistance to its local communities.
In 2024 Twin Towns was the largest regional club to participate in the instrumental cashless gaming trial.
