“It’s great, we do a four-day rotating roster, so I usually work four 10-hour days and then have a three-day break. It can be intense, running the day-to-day activities of the whole club, but I absolutely love my job.” 

Growing up in Parkes, Chris always had a passion for hospitality. Straight out of school, she moved to Canberra chasing the big city lights and began a career that would span more than two decades, managing cafes, takeaway shops, and restaurants. 

When her sister on the South Coast needed help recovering from a back operation, Chris didn’t hesitate to move closer. While helping out, she also took on a role at Coolangatta Winery, a varied position, but still well within her comfort zone in hospitality. 

Once her sister had recovered, Chris found herself at a crossroads. 

“After years of working for other people, I felt like I’d done everything in hospitality. So I thought, ‘I’m going to open up my own business.’ And I did, I ran my own takeaway shop for over five years.” 

But after decades in the same industry, Chris began to feel the urge to try something new. That’s when she started working at Warrigal, stepping slightly outside her comfort zone. 

Meanwhile, more and more of her family had slowly relocated from Canberra and Parkes to the South Coast. During that time, Chris visited Worrigee Sports one evening while visiting and that’s when everything changed. “That’s the night I met my now fiancé,” she recalls. 

What began as a chance meeting quickly turned into something deeper. At the time, Chris was still living in Canberra, and he was based in Sydney. But the connection was undeniable, and the idea of a shared life – closer to both of their families began to take shape.  

At the same time, her dad wasn’t enjoying the cold Canberra weather any longer, and her mum, still in Parkes, was also feeling the distance from the rest of the family. 

“It ended up that we all just congregated down here,” she says.  

Naturally, Chris returned to the industry she knew and loved best, hospitality. One area she’d never explored, though, was working in clubs. So, when a role opened at Shoalhaven Ex-Services Group across their Nowra and Worrigee venues, she jumped at the opportunity. 

“I’ve been here for two years now, starting in Front of House as a waitress,” she explains. “Since then, I’ve worked in Reception, Gaming, and Bar. I’ve been able to grow my skills across so many areas.” 

Her experience didn’t go unnoticed. About eight months into the role, her manager approached her with an opportunity to train as a Duty Manager. 

“I was one of the all-rounders and could fill in everywhere. So when my manager asked if I’d like to train as a Duty Manager, I said, ‘Absolutely.’ It was such a great opportunity.” 

It was a new direction, but one that allowed Chris to bring all her hospitality skills together. One of the perks she loves most? The roster. 

“It’s great, we do a four-day rotating roster, so I usually work four 10-hour days and then have a three-day break. It can be intense, running the day-to-day activities of the whole club, but I absolutely love my job.” 

The two clubs are just a ten-minute drive apart, offering variety in her day-to-day routine. A typical morning shift starts at 7:30am. 

“We start by getting everything ready for the day, including the bars and gaming areas ready. Anything that happened overnight, we fix it so when the rest of the team arrives at 10am, they can just hit the floor running and focus on serving customers.” 

Worrigee Sports, one of the club’s venues, also features an 18-hole golf course. Club membership is free for team members, and it sparked a new hobby for Chris. 

“Now that I work where there is a golf course, I figured I should learn how to play! I’ve never played before, and I now understand why – I’m absolutely terrible! But I’ve made a few friends through work, and we love grabbing a golf cart and having a game. We have the best time together.” 

Of course, Chris didn’t move to the South Coast to become a golf pro. The main draw was family. 

“I missed out on seeing my family for so long while living in Canberra. Now I catch up with them all the time, especially Mum as she’s getting older. Dad’s getting up there too. And my nephew just had a baby boy, so I visit them when I can.” 

Chris’s journey is a testament to the lifestyle, opportunities, and community waiting on the South Coast – for those ready to make the move.