Club Development Unit - Liasion Officers

DAVID BALDI brings to the association a wealth of industry knowledge. He has worked tirelessly as a club manager and advocate of the club movement, and is dedicated to the continued development of the prosperity and progress of the club movement in Victoria.

David is a graduate of the William Angliss TAFE and has over 30 years of management experience in the Hospitality Industry.

His employment background includes management positions at several hotels throughout metropolitan Melbourne including the Beaconsfield Hotel, and also employment with Australian Leisure and Hospitality as the Victorian Purchasing Co-ordinator.

David has been General Manager of the Yarraville Club for the last 8 years and leaves the club in a strong financial position with substantial property investments. He has overseen the development and upgrades of the club to become a leader in club entertainment. The club has just finished the refurbishment of a new function centre, which will be a further profit centre for Yarraville.

Under David's Management the Yarraville Club was awarded Club of the Year 2002, Best Entertainment Venue 2003 and Hall of Fame for Best Social Club Venue.

David has also been an advisory consultant to the Management of the Seymour Club, which faced financial disaster in 2000. Today the Seymour Club is operating very successfully and profitably. The Seymour Club has been recognised by winning two prestigious Tattersall's George Awards over the last two years.

For the last four years David has been a councillor with ClubsVIC representing Metropolitan Clubs. He has also just resigned form the Tattersall's Venue Council after 3 years of service. The council meets quarterly and acts as an advisory body to senior Management of Tattersall's.

Outside of the hospitality industry, David has tried his hand at property development and last year completed a three town house development with great success. His other major interest is snow skiing at Hotham, and he loves to get away to wind down and enjoy the Victorian high country.

To contact David, please call the ClubsVIC office on 9349 2909 or email dbaldi@clubsvic.org

KAREN WOOD is the latest addition to the Club Development Unit, joining us as Club Liaison Officer, Tabcorp.

Karen has a great deal of experience managing clubs, particularly in country Victoria. Starting at the Bendigo Sports and Entertainment Centre in 1991, Karen then went on to manage St Arnaud Sporting Club, Geelong Greyhound Racing Club, Bendigo Greyhound Racing Club and most recently Warrnambool Bowls Club.

Karen has just completed studying with Macquarie University under the Tabcorp Management Programme. When not working or studying, Karen loves spending time with her family, particularly her two sons. Relaxing at the beach is another favourite pastime and she endeavours to get to the gym whenever she can.

To contact Karen, please call the ClubsVIC office on 9349 2909 or email kwood@clubsvic.org