Dear Hawkers,
Well, the weekend’s game against Richmond may not have panned out quite to our liking but, once again, I thought our players fought bravely to the final siren. This array of young Hawks continue to show great development in their ability, and I’m sure this development will translate to more wins for the brown and gold in due course.
But it was not just about the game on Saturday, with the opportunity to celebrate the state’s wonderful emergency services workers and volunteers at our BankVic Emergency Services match. The day was a wonderful acknowledgement of those that work on the front line, and I thank each and every person who was involved in bringing the day to life.
Now, off the field there is also some important news. The Board has finalised the terms of sale of the WestWaters Hotel and Entertainment Complex in Caroline Springs to the Oscars Hospitality Group (Oscars).
This is a significant decision for our football club.
The financial settlement will help establish a Future Fund that, with the continued support of members, will secure Hawthorn’s future as an independent, sustainable and progressive club.
Given the sale, the club will use the capital generated by this Future Fund to replace the revenue previously made by the venue. This is why the continued support towards Kennedy Community Centre (KCC) is even more critical.
This is about setting us up for the decades to come.
We are on the cusp of an historic period with the move to the KCC as well as Hawthorn's entry into the AFLW in August this year. Our objective is to deliver the KCC debt free.
While this decision will help take steps towards the construction of the KCC, greater philanthropic support via the Time to Fly capital campaign will still be required to fully complete the project.
The board has always planned to strengthen the club financially and we have always said we would look to diversify our investments at a time when we can secure the best return on our investment. The time is right to make this change.
As a board, we have been clear we would begin to move away from gaming, but only when we were confident it would not impact on the club financially, and when we could secure the best price.
That time is now for WestWaters.
As the Chief Executive Officer Justin Reeves said, this decision will hold the club in good stead moving forward.
“A lot of work has gone into ensuring that this decision will set up the club for a very strong future”
The terms of the sale have been agreed by both parties, with settlement to occur once all required regulatory approvals are obtained.
I trust this finds you all well. Onwards and upwards.
Go Hawks!
Jeff Kennett
President
Hawthorn Football Club
Hawthorn is a proud signatory of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, committing to reduce the harm caused by gambling and making greater changes for our community.
