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Considering a Renovation?
Brett Marris is a director of DBG Projects, a hospitality specialist commercial building company. CCV asked Brett what clubs should think about when considering a building project.
His top tips below highlight good practice that clubs should include in their approach to any size renovation.Clear Conceptiona. Have a vision of what your business needs to expand, don’t just think about the short term but think about where the club may develop in the future. Consider undertaking a master plan.
b. Contact three architects/designers with hospitality experience. Give a clear brief and include everything on your wishlist, but also prioritise them.
c. Allow the architects/designers to submit their master plan and ask how the works can be staged to meet budget or operational constraints.
d. Work out high-level budgeting for stages and timelines.Good Documentationa. If VGCCC and Town Planning consent is required, apply as soon as possible. Applications can be a time-consuming process.
b. Have the documents completed to a building permit standard before agreeing on the contract sum.
c. If entering a Design & Construct (D&C) style contract, have at least 60% of the architectural drawings and schedules completed to lock in the design you expect. This information is crucial for finishes and lighting as these can easily be underestimated and significantly impact the look and feel of the completed venue.
d. If going out to full tender, have 100% of documentation completed, including all service consultants.Budget Negotiations a. Have a realistic budget in mind with a 5-10% contingency allowance depending on the size and stage of the project.
b. Reduce the risk of latent conditions variations by searching for all existing documentation of previous works. If no previous information is available, consider opening up areas of the structure to reduce the unknown factors which could eat into the contingency sum.Builder Selection a. Don’t just select a builder based on price. Some unscrupulous companies submit low tenders to win the project then build their margin with excessive variations. Prior hospitality experience is usually preferable.
b. References are the key. Ask for the last five projects, even if they are not all in hospitality, and visit the venues if possible.
c. Have your builder provide a detailed construction programme before entering into a contract.
d. Meet the key members of the construction team, not just the person pricing the work but include the contract manager, site foreman and any other managerial staff.
e. Ensure you have a direct line to the contract manager and site foreman but if you are employing a Contract Administrator, respect their role and advice.
Mulgrave Country Club Renovation by DGBSmooth Construction Process a. Arrange for a coffee discussion each morning between the site foreman and club manager to discuss what works are planned for the day. This regular dialogue is essential when working in a live venue around bistros/function rooms where patrons are likely to be affected by the works.
b. Hold fortnightly site meetings and ensure the minutes are distributed. This allows for accountability and can help resolve disputes that would otherwise occur with parties misremembering what was agreed.
c. Confirm all instructions and variations in writing.
d. Inspect quality throughout the process.
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In FY25, Victorian Keno players enjoyed almost 10 million wins worth more than $131.9 million.
For many club patrons across Victoria, FY25 was a year to remember – all thanks to a life-changing Keno win.
Victorian players had a standout year, tallying over 9.9 million Keno wins collectively worth than $131.9 million in prize money.
In FY25, Keno players across the eastern states of mainland Australia celebrated more than 76 million wins collectively worth more than $1.2 billion.
During this time, Keno crowned 20 millionaires and multi-millionaires who together took home more than $57.9 million. Two of these major jackpot winners were from Victoria.
Laverton woman thanks ‘manifestation magic’ for Keno win
A Laverton woman shared she was left thanking the universe after she scored a $60,000 Keno Classic 8 Spot prize at Club Laverton in the weeks leading up to last Christmas.
“It was a big surprise! Especially coming up to Christmas, it’s perfect!” she cheered.
“Do you want to hear something really funny? I just wrote in my diary the day before winning, ‘Thank you, universe, for my Keno 8 Spot win’. Then it really came true!
“I’m a firm believer in the law of attraction and manifestation, and I love affirmations!
“It was awesome seeing all eight numbers pop up on the screen.
“I’ve had a few wins in Keno over the years. It’s like the stars align for me when I play - it’s my thing!”
Club Laverton manager Gus Alimovski said the team happily shared in the excitement with their major Keno winner.
“What an incredible win for our patron! It’s always great hearing these winning stories, and now we have another one to share with our patrons,” he said.
“We’re thrilled for our customer, and we hope to see more Keno winners in our venue soon.”
All eyes on a winning FY26
Keno’s National Partner Manager Luke Harrison said he couldn’t wait to see which Victorian clubs welcomed the next big Keno winners.
“Last financial year, players at Victorian clubs celebrated some impressive victories,” he said.
“A key highlight has been the growing popularity of Keno’s Bonus and Replay features among club patrons. This trend reflects how venues are successfully connecting with their customers, sharing updates on jackpot increases, promotional offers, and game enhancements.
“When players opt into Keno Bonus, they unlock the chance to multiply their winnings by up to ten times, while the Replay option adds another layer of excitement.
“Many players are still unaware of these features, making it vital for staff to start conversations and educate them on the full range of Keno possibilities!”
Mr Harrison said the solid Keno performance at Victorian clubs last financial year laid a strong foundation for continued success in FY26.
“Clubs across Victoria are embracing fresh approaches to elevate the customer experience, and Keno’s rising popularity is playing a key role in that journey,” he said.
“There’s also a wide array of Keno resources available to clubs, from eye-catching point-of-sale materials to engaging promotions, all designed to keep the game front and centre.
“As the new financial year unfolds, Keno is looking forward to celebrating more big wins for Victorian club patrons, and more success stories for the clubs that host them.”
Contact your Business Development Manager to find out how Keno can best support your club in FY26.
Visit Keno Connect for more information on maximising Keno in your club - www.kenoconnect.com.au
