Following the recent AGM and the publication of the 2025 Annual Report, the Board is pleased to provide an update on the financial health of Bridge NSW as we progress through our second full year of operation.
When Bridge NSW was established in mid-2024, our immediate priority was financial prudence. As a brand-new organisation navigating some financial uncertainty, the Board deliberately adopted a conservative approach. Our initial focus was to build a balance sheet capable of withstanding unexpected financial shocks, ensuring we could overcome a modest setback without impacting our clubs and community sup-port or sustainability.
We are very pleased to report that a suitable financial foundation has been achieved. The Bridge NSW Board now feels it is financially stable, secure, and resilient.
Furthermore, with a full year of operational history, we now have better understanding of, and confidence in our ongoing annual income and expenses.
Moving forward, we budget to achieve an operating surplus of approximately 5-10% a year. This is standard best practice for community organisations of our size, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Our focus is now shifting from building a buffer and income confidence, to reliable delivery of existing activities and exploring selected investments. The Board intends to use its financial resources to strengthen the bridge community and advance our long-term strategy. This includes activities that grow the game, make the community more sustainable, build club and community capabilities, and provide support to the volunteers who keep our clubs, com-munity and key events running.
While the Board is confident in our financial security and looks forward to exploring investment in community initiatives, we will remain cautious. We have constraints, particularly the limited number of suitable volunteers to help with management of operational execution. We also have a wide range of different club needs, and we want to ensure our investments support clubs and other service providers, rather than competing with or undermining them.
We will continue to exercise care with expenses, focussing on sustainable initiatives that deliver genuine value and impact for our clubs and their member players.
Council and Board appointed following AGM
The Bridge NSW Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026 was held on 12 May, where the 2025 Annual Report was presented and the Bridge NSW Council was confirmed. Three councillors – Lynleigh Evans, Noreen Grant and Ted Popper – concluded their one-year terms. A new member, Terry Sim-mons, President of Easts Bridge Club, was appointed to the Council for a two-year term.
The following week, the new Council met for the first time and appointed Sharon Thompson from North Shore Bridge Club as Council Chair. The Council also re-appointed four members of the Bridge NSW Board: Catherine Chaffey (Chair), Jake Andrew, Frank Hardiman and Glenda Parmenter. Helen Lavings and Michael Green continue in their roles as current Board members.
Understanding the role of the Bridge NSW Council?
The Council is the voice of member clubs across NSW. It elects the Board, approves the By-Laws and gives input on behalf of member clubs — but it does not govern or manage operations.
The Board governs the organisation. The Council represents the membership and confers legitimacy. Their roles are com-plementary, not competing, each serving distinct governance purposes.
