General News
11 July, 2025
Highland Society awarded
The Maryborough Highland Society has taken home the 2025 Regional Community Club Award at this year’s Community Clubs Victoria (CCV) Awards Night.
The prestigious awards night, which honours excellence across more than 1000 licensed clubs throughout Victoria, awarded Maryborough Highland Society the accolade for its standout achievements.
The venue was recognised for its vast support of local community groups, schools, and inclusive programs, engaging with up to 3250 members.
The Highland Society’s manager Malcolm Blandthorn said the club is a true community hub.
“It supports the community through programs like the community raffles with over $20,000 raised, major festivals drawing more than 5000 visitors, the Team Rewards Program, supporting local sports clubs, and fundraisers like the Full Monty event, which raised $49,000 for local oncology services,” he said.
“Recent innovations, including a mobile app, enhanced marketing, and increased entertainment, have led to a 39 percent rise in membership and double-digit growth in bar and beverage sales.
“The Highland Society invests in its staff by covering all licensing, employing people from diverse backgrounds, and maintaining strong safety and governance practices, underscoring its commitment to both people and community.”
Mr Blandthorn said he was honoured by the recognition.
“To win it twice within three years is amazing. We put in four awards, and to actually win the award on the night was quite surreal. We were pretty much over the moon,” he said.
“It was a very big surprise, and it is wonderful to be recognised in the industry, especially considering CCV are the industry body for over a thousand clubs. We were very pleased with winning.”
The CCV Awards span categories such as sustainability, entertainment, social impact, and wellbeing, celebrating Community Clubs and its individuals who create meaningful and lasting benefits for their communities.
CCV encompasses a vast network of over 1000 community clubs across Victoria which employ more than 30,000 staff and serve approximately 2.3 million members. These clubs collectively contribute $1 billion to the state economy, including community donations, subsidised access to facilities and volunteer work.