Separate meetings have been called at the club this Wednesday for members to have their final say and Newstead club chairman Gary Norton hoped it would be unanimously supported.

“It could have been resolved with the first club to come along, but we had a responsibility to our members to ensure that whatever the amalgamation, whoever the partner was, was the right partner,” he said. 

Mr Norton said the ex-services’ club offered a stable long-term option when many bowling clubs were struggling.

Newstead started looking for a new home in 2014 when members put the heritage building up for sale.

Mergers were considered with Blayney Bowling Club, Orange City Bowling Club, Emus Rugby Club.

The club also met with Orange City Council to leverage off the multipurpose sporting complex and spoke to a developer about a potential gated community development.

Mr Norton said Daniel Perkiss’ elevation to the role of chief executive officer at the ex-services’ club was a turning point for discussions.

“He was very appreciative of the opportunities and the needs of Newstead members,” he said.

Newstead’s $2.7 million in assets will come under the ex-services’ banner if the merger is approved, but Mr Norton said the only change the members would notice would be the ladies no longer using the Newstead name.

Bowlers have been playing at the Ex-Services’ Country Club since 2016 and the men are already country club members. 

Although Newstead did not seek a seat on the board, Mr Norton said a sub-committee would advise the ex-services’ board on how it should be spent. 

“Newstead members were looking towards better bowling facilities, including undercover,” he said.

“It’s certainly a lot of money, but to really do it to the extent everyone would love to see, it might take a little more than that – if we can get it up and running, maybe that could be named the Newstead Bowling Centre.”

Liquor and Gaming NSW will have the final say on the merger if the vote succeeds.

Mr Perkiss was contacted for comment.

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