LOCAL LIFE
Michael Pullin
A ladder which over the ensuing years saw him climb rung after rung , continually increasing his experience .
In 1999 Michael was appointed duty manager at Ryde-Eastwood Leagues where in early 2003 he completed a Gaming Manager Development Course . Michael sat with 49 other folk who had also completed the course and won a bursary to cover the cost of a two-week study tour of the Mecca of clubland , Las Vegas .
“ It was a tremendous learning experience , meeting club executives as visiting most of the famous casinos such Bellagio , MGM Grand and Caesar ’ s Palace ,” he said .
“ But I suppose the best aspect of the trip was meeting and becoming good friends with one of the legends of club management in Australia , Greg Pickering , the then CEO of the giant Mounties Group .
“ Through Greg , I was able to make connections with a wide-ranging group of people within our industry and that has stood me in good stead throughout my career .”
On his return from Las Vegas Michael resumed his new role as gaming manager at Penrith RSL .
Over the ensuing 14 years , the learning wanderlust moved Michael to numerous other clubs , increasing his business acumen , especially in the gaming arena . During that period , he spent three years studying to attain a Masters of Business Administration ( MBA ) degree at Western Sydney ’ s Parramatta campus .
In 2018 , Michael successfully started his own business as a gaming consultant but then the following year everything across the country hit a brick wall with the arrival of Covid 19 and lockdown .
“ I was at a loose end and a mate who ran a real estate business in Dubai invited me over to manage the business ’ commercial arm ,” Michael said .
“ I stayed there for nearly a year but returned home in June , ’ 21 , and spent the rest of lockdown watching TV !”
Four months later , Michael was back in harness in the club business , being appointed by Tony Jeffcott as venue and food and beverage manager at Windsor RSL .
Last March , Michael ’ s journey to Windsor Leagues Club came to an end when he was anointed as the successor to popular CEO , Larry Collins .
“ I was the assistant general manager under Larry until he retired last December ,” Michael said .
Michael had big boots to fill in becoming the new CEO , but he has the feet to fill them !
“ I really feel at home here – everyone from the board of directors to staff and members - have given me a warm welcome and I am enjoying the challenge of improving facilities for members and guests ,” he said .
Oh , I do like to be beside the seaside ! That ’ s my boy ! Michael Pullin and his then teenage son , Jaeden .
“ To that end , myself , the board and our wonderful staff will do our utmost to lure more sponsors , members and guests to Windsor Leagues .”
Michael stresses that Windsor Leagues is a rugby league club and is adamant that giving players of all ages and both sexes , the opportunity to play The Greatest Game of All is paramount .
“ This season we are fielding 50 teams in Penrith Junior Rugby League competitions , making us one of the biggest clubs across Sydney ,” Michael said .
I asked Michael , who admits to being a Penrith Panthers supporter – he watches every game – if he had played league .
“ I played footy with Cambridge Park in the juniors , but my major sporting love was cricket where I did OK into the seniors as a fast bowler ,” he said .
“ But I love watching all sports and am really looking forward to becoming a lounge lizard and being glued to the TV during the Paris Olympics .”
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 170 // JULY 2024 7