By Vivienne Pearson
I confess, I had never been to the Mullumbimby Leagues Club. I’d driven past the turn off on Mullumbimby Road oodles of times, and have kayaked past on the Brunswick River. But I’d never ventured onsite.
So I was intrigued to have a tour, and see that the club is a solid option for functions and events, even for people not associated with the club.
There are three options for functions, which can be used separately or in combination. The upstairs bar and function room has three impressive assets – great flexibility of layout, a commercial kitchen, and gorgeous green-filled views over the pitch to Mt Chincogan. Downstairs offers picnic tables, play equipment, a kiosk-style kitchen, and the flexibility to bring in other food options, like a pizza oven or food van. The third area is the fields which, with marquee hire, offer endless options for creative layout.
The club hosts a full range of functions – weddings, kid’s birthdays, awards nights and, more sombrely, funerals. Michael Walker arranged a funeral here for his mother, Shirley, that was attended by more than 250 people. ‘It was the perfect venue for a small town funeral where you are expecting a large number of people,’ he says. ‘We had a marquee on the field under the goal posts, and another in front for the service, and we then opened up both upstairs and downstairs, so it was a ‘one stop shop’.’
Ruth Dunbar was the celebrant for Shirley Walker’s funeral, as well as the even larger gathering for the funeral of Timothy Watkins. ‘It has been my pleasure to farewell loved ones from the field, which is connected to so many in the local community,’ she says. ‘Having a funeral outside on a beautiful day is lovely.’
Sue McDonald’s son, Troy, held his wedding at the club. The venue was not only ideal, it saved them from wedding disaster. ‘We had booked another venue but it became unavailable at the last minute,’ says Sue, who fortunately then thought of the club. ‘It was really successful, the venue was so private and we had a great time.’ Their chosen caterer used the modest-sized kitchen, which is well-equipped, and allows experienced caterers to pump out large numbers of meals.
‘We had 115 people for a seated three-course awards night dinner recently,’ says Steven, the club’s General Manager. ‘I’d say the maximum seated dining would be 140, but you wouldn’t be able to move.’ On the flip side, a gathering of around 30 would not feel too small. The club has large numbers of tables and chairs and works closely with Mullum Hire for other needs. Function costs can be kept low by having a DIY approach to decoration and taking advantage of the well-priced alcohol.
If, like me, you haven’t been to the Mullumbimby Leagues Club but would like to check it out, head in for a pub-style dinner on Friday or a wood-fired pizza, downstairs, every Saturday night, courtesy of Luscious Foods. Also, coming up soon is the Mullum Craft Beer & Street Food Festival (Sat 26 Oct, 4-9pm, free entry). And did you know that the club has an 11-hole ‘pitch and putt’ golf course – as well as camping? It turns out you can learn more than one thing in a day.
Mullumbimby Leagues Club,
25 Manns Road (turn off Mullumbimby Road to the Industrial Estate), Mullumbimby.
(02) 6684 1400
Facebook: @MullumLeaguesClub
