OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF AUSTRALIA

Royal Automobile Club of Australia Incorporating Imperial Service Club Limited ABN 44 000 016 044Royal Automobile Club of Australia Incorporating Imperial Service Club Limited ABN 44 000 016 04489 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia T: (02) 8273 2300 F: (02) 8273 2301 raca@raca.com.au www.raca.com.au89 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia T: (02) 8273 2300 F: (02) 8273 2301 raca@raca.com.au www.raca.com.au

Est. 1903

RACA

NEWS

JUN

E 20

20

MESSAGE FROM THE THE CEO Dear Members, Following my message late last week detailing the State Government’s announcement regarding the initial easing of restrictions allowing Clubs to open dining facilities for up to 50 patrons at a time, I am pleased to advise that the Board and management at the last Board Meeting approved a management plan for a limited opening

consistent with the eased protocols and designed with the safety of Members and our staff in mind. This is our first step towards a full reopening as soon as the Government allows. The arrangements below reflect that requirement. As outlined previously, Management will continue to monitor and review operations within the Clubhouse and on Level 7. We will make adjustments as needed and permitted to meet demand, to reflect Member feedback and as further changes to restrictions are notified by our Government.

Commencing Tuesday 9th June, we will initially open The Harbour Dining Room on Level 7 to seat dining for lunch and dinner. Wine and other beverages will be served at tables with your meal.

Cellar Sales, Take Away and Take-Home menu will also be available.

Unfortunately, all other areas of the Club must, under continuing Government restrictions, remain closed, this includes no mingling in groups apart from seated at tables.

Lunch and dinner will be served in two sittings with a full clean down between service. Sittings will be as follows:• Lunch (1): 11:30pm - 1:00pm• Lunch (2): 1:30pm – 3.00pm• Dinner (1): 5.30pm – 7.00pm• Dinner (2): 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Tables and chairs will be spaced in line with required social distancing. Hygiene measures will be in place including non-contact menus and non-contact temperature checks of both staff and members upon arrival.

Bookings are essential. Seating will be limited to accommodate the capacity of the Harbour Dining Room and the configuration of the tables to ensure the safety and welfare of all members and guests. You can book simply by phoning the front desk on, 02 8273 2300, up to 48 hours in advance. Please be aware that you will not have access to the restaurant without a booking.

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Accessing the Clubhouse

- Entry to the Club will be through the garage only. Prominent signage will be placed at key access points to remind Members and guests of the process required to access the Club.- All Members and guests must proceed directly through the garage to undertake hand sanitisation, temperature checks and to complete and sign a “COVID registration form”.- This form will collect the Member’s name, guest name(s), the date and time, intended location in the Club and temperatures. In addition, the Member and guests must confirm that they do not have any symptoms including, fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or shortness of breath. Members are reminded that they should not come to the Club if they feel unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms.- If a Member or guest is found to have a raised temperature or any symptom, the Club must refuse entry and encourage that person to attend a COVID-19 testing clinic. - Social distancing (keeping at least 1.5m apart) both on entry to the Club and on the Level 7 area will be managed by Club employees. It is important that Members and their guests maintain social distancing at all times while in the Club.- A maximum of two people (other than family groups that live in the same household) are permitted in the lifts at any one time.- Hand sanitisers are available in all areas of the Club and increased signage will be placed in prominent positions to remind Members and guests of social distancing and personal hygiene.- Face masks are not mandatory.- Members should note that during the enforced closure period, the Club has undergone a thorough deep clean.- Club staff will undertake regular and ongoing cleaning of all areas of the Club. - Dress standard for lunch and dinner is as usual in accordance with the Club Dress Code. - When leaving the club those members without cars can also exit through Level 3 front entrance. Those members with cars can exit through the garage.

Carparking - Bookings are essential

Normal carparking charges and rules for usage will apply from Tuesday 9th June. Parking will be available from Monday to Friday 10.00 am till 10.00 pm.

Reminder on facilities that remain closed- All facilities on Levels 1,2,3,4 and accommodation room floors are closed.- Club and Private Events are not permitted by Government at this time.- The Gymnasium is closed. - Roaming throughout the building is strictly forbidden.

The Board and Management greatly appreciate the support, encouragement and patience of Members during what has been, and continues to be, a difficult time.

So many members have reached out expressing how much they miss their Club and we hope that this at least provides some opportunity for us all to reconnect. I look forward to welcoming you back to the club for Phase 1 of reopening.

Markus FriedlerCEO/Secretary

CONTINUED MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

THE BOARD & CEO WELCOME THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS

Mr Maurice Dobbin Mr Michael Monaghan

Mr Gary Bryant

CORKS 'N' FORKS

MOTORING

Dear Members – I trust you’re all well.

SAVE THE DATE – BASTILLE DINNER – TUESDAY 14 JULY

As I write this piece, I’m very much heartened by what the CEO had to say in his 25 May email to members about the Club’s limited re-opening. In case you missed it, the Club will be re-opening as from Tuesday 9 June for lunch and dinner in the Harbour Room. Cellar sales, take away and take-home menu options will also be available.

This is great news and allows us to think about resuming our Corks ‘n’ Forks events timetable for the rest of the year.

With COVID19 restrictions gradually easing, we are hopeful we’ll be able to hold our Bastille Dinner on 14 July without impinging on the Club’s dinner service. So folks please mark 14 July in your diaries, keep your fingers crossed, and watch for future announcements. There’ll also be an update in the Club’s July newsletter.

Also by then we should have a better idea when we can resume our tasting/tour programme. You’ll recall we had to postpone our ‘An Old World/Australian Comparison’ scheduled for 2 April.

Just to whet your appetites, our annual Bastille Dinner is always a great night. It’s the perfect opportunity to glam it up a bit and celebrate all things French – food, wine, fashion, style etc. There’s a great selection of French wines from many of Frances’s wine regions chosen and presented by Ian Cook from Five Way Cellars matched to a bespoke menu crafted by Chef and his team.

Your Corks ‘n’ Forks committee looks forward to seeing you all in the not too distant future.

Graeme Jones For the Corks ‘n’ Forks CommitteeCommittee member details are:Avril Fortuin - avituin1@gmail.com, Brent Halligan - info@legalmigrationservices.com, Roger Butler - LAW@colebutler.com.au, and myself – mogigi.grj@bigpond.com

For any further information please contact Stephen Wells via motoring@raca.com.au or https://www.facebook.com/RACAMEG

With recent notices from the State Government and our CEO, we can start to see some light at the end of the tunnel and The Motoring Group is looking forward to seeing the social restrictions being lifted so that we can meet again at our clubhouse. In the meantime, we hope all members are safe and well.

As soon as we can, we will kick start a revised schedule for events that will encompass some great topics - many have been raised during this “quiet” period by club members.

THROWBACK TO 2019There is no doubt the past few months have been a difficult time for all so we thought we’d take a look back at some of the wonderful events that took place around the same time last year. We look forward to the days ahead when we can have moments like these again and have all of our members back at the Club!

APC Anzac Day Luncheon

Mother’s Day

Rolling 30’s event at Sydney Motorsport Park

Rockford Wine Dinner 2019

WINE OF THE MONTH - TYRRELL’S OLD WINERY RANGE

OLD WINERY SAUVIGNON BLANC

The Old Winery Sauvignon Blanc exhibits a wonderfully fragrant nose of snow peas, guava and a little passionfruit. With its classic varietal character, this full flavoured and refreshing sauvignon blanc delivers herbal and grassy notes with vibrant, zesty citrus fruit character.

OLD WINERY VERDELHO

Fresh and lively with an intense sweet tropical nose with lifted spice aromas. Rich tropical fruit and honey flavours fulfil the palate and are complemented by a crisp lemony finish.

OLD WINERY CHARDONNAY

A medium bodied wine with aromas of stone fruit and subtle vanillin oak. The palate is generously flavoured with white peach citrus characters and a clean, crisp finish.

OLD WINERY PINOT NOIR

Lots of varietal cherry and strawberry aromas with complexing forest floor undertones. A soft but generously flavoured style with sweet aromas of berries and mushroom. The palate is long and concentrated with rich sweet fruit, subtle savoury oak support and smooth tannins.

OLD WINERY SHIRAZ

Deep red in colour with a bright purple rim. A smooth, soft and spicy red wine with aromas of dark ripe fruit and subtle vanillin oak. The palate is full of rich shiraz flavours and is supported by firm tannins which provide good length and complexity.

OLD WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON

The Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of black cherries, wild berries and some spice. A full bodied red with an intense palate of rich, dark plum and a silky finish.

From Tuesday 9th

June the Harbour Dining Room will reopen

for lunch and dinner service (Monday – Friday) and, due to

popular demand, Take Away and Take Home Menu options will also

be available!

Our Executive Chef Scott Thompson has created a

wonderful limited menu to revive your taste buds with

a selection of delicious dishes sure to please.