Michael Brennan
VBF Chairman
Michael Brennan
VBF Chairman
Michael is currently General Manager of Woonona Bulli RSL Club. He began his career in clubs 21 years ago and has worked in 3 of the largest clubs in the Illawarra. Starting at the bottom while studying a commerce degree at Wollongong University he has held positions in finance, gaming and operations before becoming General Manager in 2012.
He has 7 years of industry association experience as an active Director of Leagues Clubs Australia from 2005 to 2012 before joining the RSL Association.
He has remained committed to the industry because of its diversity and the continual challenges its faces to remain relevant to the communities that support us.
Board Member since 2017
RSL & Services Clubs Association Director since 2017
John Rafferty
VBF Deputy Chairman
John Rafferty
VBF Deputy Chairman
John is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Coffs Ex Services Memorial & Sporting Club Ltd, trading as the C.ex Group a position he has held for thirteen and half years.
The C.ex Group have three premises being C.ex Coffs, C.ex Urunga and C.ex Woolgoolga, with a membership of 33,000+; 180 employees with a turnover of $30 million+ with a cash profit exceeding $5 million.
In this position John is responsible for the Strategic business direction of the Group in all areas of operation and has considerable experience in all aspects of Club Management, specialising in food, beverage and gaming management.
John has a sound background in human resource management, functions and conventions coordination, golf course management, administration, marketing, tourism and hospitality.
John has been employed in the Club Industry for 34 years and has been instrumental in the implementation of change. Through strategic research and planning processes that have a strong focus on the development of staff through training to create culture change that integral to the long-term viability and sustainability of an organisation. John has overseen major construction and development works during that time of more than $50 million.
John studied Commerce at Deakin University in Geelong, Victoria and holds a Fellow in Club Administration with the Club Management Institute of Australia. John also has certificates of attainment in Corporate Governance at Southern Cross University, Gaming Machine Management, Practical Accounting, Workplace Health & Safety, Industrial Relations, Responsible Service of Alcohol and Responsible Conduct of Gaming.
John holds Board and Committee positions with the following entities:
C.ex Foundation – Director
Federation of Workers and Sporting Clubs – Director
Clubs4Fun – Director (Chairman)
ClubsNSW Data Advisory Committee
ClubsNSW/ClubsThrive Committee
ClubsNSW/Diversity Committee
C.ex Coffs International Stadium Committee
Board Member since 2020
RSL & Services Clubs Association Director since 2020
Dean Thomas
VBF Director
Dean Thomas
VBF Director
Chief Executive Officer, Dean Thomas commenced employment at Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club - a name synonymous within the club industry for live entertainment and great food - in 1992 and has worked towards the Club’s growth through a succession of management positions, ranging from finance to operations and through to his current position.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Finance through the University of New South Wales, which he was completing when he first entered the club industry over 17 years ago.
Dean's passion for increasing understanding of the unique and vital role that clubs in general, and RSL Clubs in particular, play in our community. Dean has utilized his positions to advance the cause of charitable organizations, including the Variety Club of NSW and NETS (Newborn Emergency Transport Service).
Board Member since 2005
Director of KYLC Benevolent Fund
Board Member Since 2020
Glenn Cushion
VBF Director
Glenn Cushion
VBF Director
Glenn prides himself on his extensive experience, which spans over 30 years within the Club industry. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Ingleburn RSL Club, a role Glenn has enjoyed since 2011. Commencing his career in hospitality, whilst working in the building industry, he decided to take up a full-time role in Club Operations and has continued on in that industry to date.
In addition to his current role at Ingleburn RSL Club, Glenn has held senior roles including Executive Manager, Group Marketing Manager and Venue Manager in large clubs which include Campbelltown Catholic Club, North Sydney Leagues Club, Bankstown Sports Club and Baulkham Hills Sports Club.
Glenn holds qualifications in Marketing, Business, and Club Management. He also holds the prestigious ACCM (Active Certified Club Manager) recognition which he was awarded by the Club Manager’s Association of Australia (CMAA). Glenn has been a member of the CEO’s Institute since 2013 and, in 2015 was elected President of the Nepean Zone of the CMAA.
Glenn is a strong advocate for and supports many of the initiatives encompassing Veteran Welfare and Community Engagement through the Club Grants Program, along with ongoing initiatives and projects driven by the industry. Glenn is honoured to play an important Directorship role with the Veterans Benevolent Fund to assist and contribute to the ongoing success of the organisation for the benefit of its Veteran community recipients.
Board Member since 2018
Jeff Caldbeck
VDF Director
Jeff Caldbeck
VDF Director
Jeff Caldbeck is the President of Dubbo RSL Memorial Club and has been a Director of Dubbo RSL since 2007. In that role he has taken various Committee roles. He is also Vice President of the Dubbo RSL Sub-Branch.
Jeff is currently the CEO of the Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW - Central West (RFCS-CW Inc.), and Rural Sector Support Inc. (RSS Inc.), positions he has held since November 2006.
He has a broad ranging management background that includes six years of service in the Royal Australian Navy, followed by nineteen years as a NSW ambulance paramedic, including nine years in various senior (Superintendent) manager roles within the NSW State Government, a period as a Small Business owner/operator, and Project Manager and Consultant roles for a health related projects in Malaysia and Singapore. After departing Malaysia, Jeff worked out of West Coast USA in San Diego and Sydney for a US software development company.
Prior to joining RFCS-CW Inc., Jeff was the General Manager of the Dubbo City Development Corporation, a Dubbo based business development and assistance organisation.
Jeff is presently involved with a large number of community organisations in various roles and capacities in the Dubbo region.
Jeff has undertaken a broad range of academic studies including an Advanced Diploma in Agricultural Management and is very keen to provide his support to RSL & Services Clubs Association.
Board Member since 2020
Margot Smith
Company Secretary
Margot Smith
Company Secretary
Margot has worked in member bodies for almost 15 years, for Chartered Accountants, Law Society of England and Wales, Finsia, Governance Institute and the Institute of Managers and Leaders (formerly the Australian Institute of Management). Interspersed throughout her roles in associations, Margot has also worked at Optus, Scholastic, Ausgrid and LexisNexis in a range of events, marketing and community engagement roles. Margot has extensive volunteer, fundraising and mentoring experience, and has a real passion for giving back. Margot holds a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology & Education), a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (Management), an Advanced Diploma in Events, a certified Chief Happiness Officer, a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, a Certificate in Governance and has undertaken the Company Directors Course.
CEO/Company Secretary of RSL & Services Clubs Association since 2021
CEO/Company Secretary of KYLC Benevolent Fund
CEO/Company Secretary of Operation CARE Benevolent Fund