About / Important information
Important information
House rules, ticketing terms and the records members are entitled to see, for both Club Forster and Sporties Tuncurry. These are plain-English summaries. The Constitution, By-Laws and the full policies always take precedence.
Someone to talk to, any hour
If gambling is a problem for you, a family member or a friend, Gambling Help answers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free and don't show on your home or work phone bill.
Online gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au
G-Line TTY 1800 633 649
Gamblers Anonymous (02) 9564 1574
Salvation Army (02) 6554 6101
Local support group (02) 6554 8168
Wesley Mission 1800 99 77 66
Visiting the clubs
Signing in as a visitor
If you're not a member and live within 5 km, a current member signs you in, or you can show an affiliated club's membership card. Visitors who live further away sign in at reception. Reception scans your licence, photo card or pension card, or you can type your details in by hand. The club uses this information only to meet the law.
Dress standard
Management decides whether clothing meets the dress standard displayed at the club and can refuse entry to anyone who doesn't. Unless Management approves, don't wear swimwear, running or training gear, abbreviated or bike shorts, singlets or muscle shirts, bare midriffs, bare feet, offensive slogans or logos, or motorcycle club colours. Hats and headwear stay off indoors, except for medical, religious or sporting reasons. Clean work clothes are fine in the outdoor areas.
Outside food, drinks and cameras
You can't bring your own food or drinks unless Management has agreed beforehand. To protect other patrons' privacy, cameras of any kind need Management's express permission.
Smoke-free areas
All enclosed areas of both clubs are smoke-free, and bins for smoking material are in the authorised smoking areas. Section 67A of the Registered Clubs Act 1976 lets the club refuse entry to, or remove, anyone who smokes in a smoke-free area.
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters
Wheelchairs, walking frames, crutches and small mobility scooters are welcome inside. Small scooters must stay below walking pace, about 5 km/h. Medium and large scooters can't come in: park them in the designated area outside the main entrance and the club will lend you a wheelchair or small scooter at no charge. Your carer helps you transfer, as staff aren't permitted to. The club isn't responsible for loss of or damage to scooters on its premises.
Saving seats
Tables and chairs can't be reserved before a game starts. Bags, glasses, jumpers or anything else left to hold a seat go to the bar or reception as lost property.
Shows, bingo and raffles
Show and event tickets
Buy tickets at Club Forster reception, on (02) 6591 6591 or online. The club charges no booking, transaction or card fees; third-party sellers such as Ticketek may. There are no refunds or exchanges unless the show is cancelled. Group bookings go through in one transaction, and split buying isn't allowed.
Shows are 18+ unless stated. At ALL AGES and MA15+ shows, a parent or guardian stays on the premises for the whole event. General admission is standing room, and any seats are first come, first served. Doors open about 30 minutes before showtime. The club can change times, dates, artists and programmes without notice, and professional photography needs the artist's permission.
Bingo house rules
Games are played to a full house unless the caller says otherwise. Call as soon as your number wins, or you forfeit the prize. The caller's decision is final, a number called in error doesn't count, and joint winners share the prize. Regular bingo is 18+, and Kids' Bingo is for under-18s only.
Seats can't be reserved, phones stay on silent, and parents look after children at all times. Check your tickets and change before you leave the sales desk, because there are no refunds or exchanges after that. The Bingo Code of Conduct is displayed in the room, and abusive behaviour means you'll be asked to leave.
Raffles
You need to be 18+ to enter raffles and promotions, except Kids' Bingo. Gameshow raffle tickets are capped at $10 per transaction; to buy more, rejoin the queue. The PA doesn't reach every corner, so be within earshot at draw time. A prize still unclaimed after two more calls is redrawn at the end. Refrigerate meat and seafood prizes at reception or take them straight home: they can't be refunded or exchanged once they leave the club. The Board and Management settle raffle disputes.
Members' rights and governance
The club register and financial statements
The Registered Clubs Act requires the club to keep a register members can view by written request. It covers disclosures by directors and staff, top executives' salary bands, overseas travel, loans to staff, certain contracts, the salaries of staff who are close relatives of directors or top executives, consultant fees, legal settlements and legal fees, annual gaming machine profit and community spending. The Board also adopts quarterly profit and loss statements and a balance sheet, which members can see on request.
Player activity statements
Members can ask for a player activity statement at Club Forster or Sporties Tuncurry.
Privacy and CCTV
The club collects the member details the law requires, plus anything you choose to give, and doesn't share your membership details outside the club except for database maintenance under strict agreements. CCTV covers the venues 24 hours a day; only senior management can view footage, and police get it on a recorded request. Read the full privacy policy.
Whistleblower policy
Current and former staff, directors, volunteers, suppliers and their relatives can report suspected wrongdoing, such as fraud, illegal activity, harassment or unsafe work practices, and are protected under the Corporations Act 2001. Reports are confidential, and any reprisal is a serious breach that can lead to dismissal.
Report first to the General Manager or Assistant General Manager, then to the President or any director or senior manager. You can also go to the club's auditor, HMM Accountants & Business Consultants: acct@hmm.com.au or (02) 6554 7955. This summary doesn't replace the legislation; read the full policy before relying on it.