The Sutherland District Trade Union Club (Tradies) is part of the Registered Club industry in NSW. Since opening its doors in 1960, the club has grown and developed into an integral pillar of the community; supporting charity and junior sporting groups through financial and in-kind donations, providing local employment and offering a safe and welcoming environment for members and guests to socialise, celebrate and relax.

From humble beginnings with just a handful of passionate Trade Union members, the club now operates 3 successful venues in Gymea, Caringbah and Helensburgh with a membership base of 59,000 people. The club measures its success by community contributions and in the last financial year alone, despite COVID restrictions and associated financial challenges, the club donated in excess of $550,000 to over 80 charitable organisations and junior sport in the Illawarra and Southern Sydney region. 

Together, the mission of the club’s Board of Directors and employees is ‘To proudly support our members, community and environment’. This mission is achieved by following the club’s five organisational values; integrity, empowerment, unity, wellbeing and sustainability. These values underpin all club decisions, both inside the venues and out in the community, where the club is active in volunteering, donations and partnerships. 

Since introducing ‘sustainability’ as an organisational value in 2011, Tradies has consistently shown leadership and innovation in environmental sustainability. The club not only aims to be sustainable in all internal practices and developments but also to use its standing in the community and financial resources to raise awareness of sustainability and encourage sustainable projects.

The initiatives outlined in this submission relate to the goals outlined in the club’s annual ID Documents from 2019 to 2021, specifically their on-going commitment to sustainability with a focus on the Green Star Certified renovations at their Caringbah venue and growing their iPromise Environmental Sustainability Grants for schools, early learning centres and community organisations. Though different in many ways, both projects reflect Tradies dedication to innovation and awareness of environmental sustainability.

Together, the iPromise Grants and the sustainable renovations at Tradies Caringbah not only reflect Tradies own value of sustainability but set an example for other organisations of influence for innovation, leading by example and raising awareness of the need to build an environmentally sustainable future for all.

For further information about Tradies, visit tradies.com.au