This week we get to know Tweed Heads Bowls Club, Customer Service Manager, Lynne Deans.
THBC: When did you start at Tweed Heads Bowls Club?
LD: I commenced at the Club in October 1991, so it is approaching 29 years.
There are very few roles at the Club that I haven’t been rostered to do over the years with the Clubs focus on multiskilling team members. I started on the floor and in the bar, I worked in the Blue Room and on promotions, even had a go at calling Bingo. After a few years I became a Cash room Manager, then a Duty Manager. Sometime after that I became the Marketing Manager and then on to my current role of Customer Service Manager.
THBC: What does your average day at work look like?
LD: The Customer Service Manager role is very people focused, so my day is made up of communicating between all the Clubs people, our members and guests, our team and our community.
THBC: Are you working on a specific project while the Club is closed?
LD: My main focus is staying in touch with our THBC family, it has never been more important than during this shutdown period. I have been calling a lot of our members, keeping them up to date and checking in on them. I am also involved with the planning stages of the much-needed Level One toilet upgrade.
THBC: Can you tell us more about how Tweed Heads Bowls Club supports the Tweed Community?
LD: My role includes the coordination and administration of the Club Grants scheme. The scheme provides a structure for community groups to access support by way of cash or in-kind donations from Clubs in NSW. The THBC team are incredibly proud of the support we have provided to our community over the years. From supplying 100’s of hot meals to homeless support groups, 1,000’s of sausages for fund raising BBQ’S and so much more. Our Club, like all Clubs support many not for profit community groups that simply would not survive without us.
THBC: Where did you grow up?
LD: I grew up in Melbourne then moved bush to North East Victoria.
THBC: When did you move to the Gold Coast/Tweed?
LD: My family had been holidaying in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast every year since before I was born and of course we loved the place. We all moved up here together in 1988 and stayed in a lovely old house in Margaret Street, Tweed Heads. I have since lived in Kingscliff, Banora Point and now I am up on the hill at beautiful Bilambil Heights. Whilst our family’s plan back then was to leave Melbourne for the Gold Coast we only ever lived on this side of the border. A small piece of my heart will always be in Melbourne, but I am most definitely a proud Tweed Heads girl now.
THBC: What did you love most about your family holidays on the Gold Coast?
LD: The excitement would start in Melbourne packing the caravan, then piling into Dads VIP Valiant for the trip up the Newell Hwy. Dad was an interstate truck driver and did 1,000’s of kilometres a month for work and then on his holidays would drive us all the way to the Gold Coast and back- he must have loved driving!
The Gold Coast in the 1970’s when I was a kid had a relaxed holiday feel like no other, it meant long days on the beach, swimming and visiting all of the tourist attractions. One of my favourite things were our trips down to Tweed Heads to buy oysters; we would sit up on Razorback, eat fish and chips and look over Greenbank Island when the Club was only just newly built.
THBC: What was your favourite overseas trip?
LD: We visit my husband’s family in the US as much as we can, and always try to pass through New Orleans as its one of our favourite places.
THBC: I heard that you have a passion for home improvement especially interior design, can you please tell us more?
LD: That’s very true, I love renovating and upgrading in and around our home.
I would have to say it’s my hobby. The challenge for me is to do as much as I can myself. Last year I designed and installed a new kitchen and laundry, it was a big learning curve, but I loved the challenge. I am currently working on a new bathroom and studying interior design.
THBC: What is your favourite meal from Tweed Heads Bowls Club?
LD: The Stir-Fried Asian Squid from the menu in nineteen21 has to be one of my absolute all-time favourites.
