Dear Members, we write to advise of a recent decision of the Club’s Board in respect of VGC membership fees to apply for the 2025/26 membership year. Membership fees for all categories of membership will be increased by 5% for the upcoming year, equating to an increase in membership fees for 7 day members of $75 per year or $1.44 per week of membership, with pro rata increases to apply to other categories of VGC membership.
Club Directors reached this decision after a very detailed review of the Club’s financial performance over the year including the impact of increasing business costs incurred during 2024/25. As set out in the recent Club Newsletter to members, the Club’s Insurance costs alone increased $30K year on year, electricity, rates and utility costs increased by 10% or more along with increased costs of goods and services charged by VGC suppliers. Further, the recent decision by Fair Work Australia to award a 3.5% increase to award based employees from 1st July will result in an approximate $50K increase in wages and employment on costs in the 2025/26 year. The 5% increase in membership fees will result in an additional approximate $71K in Club membership subscriptions overall, which will mitigate most of the increased cost in the club’s insurance and wages costs (only).
In addition, as a result of a 4.6% increase in the Golf Australia member affiliation fee recently announced, 2025/26 affiliation fees for members will increase from $76 per annum to $82 per annum, this fee paid by all members in addition to subscription fees each year and is simply a pass through to Golf Australia.
Subscription notices will be sent to members prior in the final week of July with payment due (or alternative arrangement made with the Club) by 31st August 2025.
Lastly, given the continuing demand for VGC Memberships, effective from 1st August 2025, the Club will re-introduce a ‘joining fee’ for all new members of each membership category. This fee will be charged in the context of new members joining the club being asked to make a one off joining fee (or legacy fee) in recognition of the contribution of existing and past members to the development of the Golf courses and club facilities. The ‘one off’ fee will be $1000 for new 7 day members and adjusted on a pro rata basis for other categories of membership.
There will be no application of this fee to any existing member as at 1st August in changing membership categories.
