Confirmation of Booking and Payment

We do not accept tentative bookings; no areas or rinks will be held in reserve without a deposit.
'Deposit’ means the initial payment processed to make a reservation.
The deposit goes towards your total booking costs (final payment) and does not get refunded at the end of your booking, as it essentially pays for a hire fee.
Bookings are only confirmed when a deposit of $150 ($200 in December) has been processed by the Events team and a completed & signed booking form has been received by the Events team. The Hirer will receive email confirmation with a receipt of purchase once a reservation has successfully been made. The Hirer is responsible to check the details and make sure all bookings details are correct.

Deposits are processed using the card details provided on the booking form.

Deposits are at the discretion of the events coordinator depending on booking details, but may never be higher than $200.
For all Rink Hire reservations of six or more people, FVBSC requires a $150 deposit ($200 for functions booked in December).

Outstanding event account balances must be settled no later than 10 days prior to the event during October through to February. At the discretion of management, functions booked for March through to September may be confirmed and paid no later than 7 days prior to the event. Any outstanding account balances that remain after the function date will incur a 10% surcharge for every week after the booking date the payment is not settled.

Final payments are processed using the card details provided on the booking form, unless an alternative card is provided prior to 10 days. Once the final payment is processed The Hirer will receive a final confirmation email with a receipt of purchase. The Hirer is responsible to check the details in the confirmation and to make sure all bookings details are correct.

Due to restricted account access, we are unable to accept EFT payments.
We can only accept a maximum of two different card details. We accept payments made by cash, cheque, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX and Debit/Eftpos. We do not accept Diners.

Event Planning and Confirmation of Arrangements

Confirmation of the number of guests attending your function and catering arrangements must be provided 14 days prior to the event. Other arrangements such as decorating details, external AV setup and other event planning aspects are the responsibility of the Hirer, and are not a service provided by the Club.

The Hirer is responsible to check the details of any booking made that is provided in the initial confirmation and final confirmation email.

Bowling rinks and hired areas allocated, are subject to change. Fitzroy Victoria Bowling Club Inc., reserve the right to reallocate groups upon arrival of their booking to a different area, if The Hirer has too few or too many guests in attendance.

If you require a specific area or rink for your event, please inform the events staff when making the booking so they can add the note to the booking.
Events staff will try their best to allocate you those areas but please be aware the areas cannot be promised on the day, especially in peak seasons. (This does not include bookings made for the Marquee, Seminar or Clubhouse).

Preference of area(s) and rink hire allocation are given to disability groups due to facility access issues.

Booking Cancellations and Transfer of Booking

All initial payments (deposits) for events to be held in November and December are strictly non-refundable.
All initial payments (deposits) for events to be held in January through to October are non-refundable 7 days after the payment is made. All refunds requested up until 7 days after the initial payment is made will incur a 10% administration fee to cover administration time and fees.
All fully paid bookings are non-refundable, please see information regarding cancellation terms and transfer terms below.

We do not accept cancellations, including rink hire changes, catering and area hire amendments, 10 days prior to your event date, or on the day of your event, due to change of mind.
Bookings guarantee you and your guests hire at the specified time and we are unable to re-book spots that are cancelled on short notice. All late cancellations are deemed as full forfeiture of funds.
Cancellations and hire changes or catering amendments made more than 7 days before, but not more than 14 days before your booking date will attract a 20% cancellation fee.
Cancellations and hire or catering amendments made more than 14 days before your booking date will attract a 10% cancellation fee.

After making final payments, events to be held during January-October may be transferred to an alternative date up until 7 days before your event date.
After making final payments, events to be held during November and December may be transferred to an alternative date up until 10 days before your event date.
Only one transfer is applicable for each booking and the new transferred date must fall within the same financial year.
Transferred functions may not be assigned the area(s) originally requested depending on availability.
The Hirer may be required to amend the time of the original booking if the new event date falls on a Sunday or public holiday to suit the Venue opening and closing times.
The Hirer is responsible to cover any additional costs as a result of the date change if the new event date is during December or on a public holiday.

Please note these cancellation terms do not apply in the event of a government mandated lockdown. In the event a patrons booking falls during the lockdown period, patrons will be offered a transfer to an alternative booking date or full refund less 2.2% to cover eftpos card fees.

All transfers and refunds are at the discretion of the Events Coordinator and the Venue Management.

Inclement Weather and Cancellations

Fitzroy Victoria Bowling and Sports Club does not accept cancellations or offer refunds for events based on weather forecast prior to the booking date.

Inclement weather is defined as a washed out green from moderate to heavy rainfall and is determined at the time and day of the booking only and not prior to. 
Our synthetic green is self-draining and bowling goes ahead during intermittent rain or light to moderate rainfall. Inclement weather also extends to temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius at the time of your booking.

If patrons are unable to bowl at the time of their booking due to inclement weather and this is confirmed by Duty Manager(s) The Hirer may be eligible for a refund or partial refund for their bowling, which will be organised the next business day with Event staff only.
All refunds for bowling incur an administration fee of 10% to cover administration time and fees. Any applicable bowling refunds cannot be transferred to a bar tab.
The Hirer also has the option of choosing to transfer bowling to another date, provided the new date falls within the same financial year.
The Hirer may also choose to be issued a credit note (bowling voucher), which must be used within the same financial year.

Please note, these options are only available to groups who have signed in at our venue on the date and time of their booking. These options are not applicable for groups who do not show up. No shows are deemed as cancellations with full forfeiture of booking payment.
Further note, these options are not applicable for area hire or catering during inclement weather as all outdoor areas and the clubhouse provide adequate cover and shade.

All transfers and refunds are at the discretion of the Events Coordinator and the Venue Management.

Price Increases

All prices are subject to change without notice and are current only at the time of publication. Any changes in pricing will be advised directly to the client.

Public holiday trading days incur a 10% surcharge across the venue.

The Hirer is responsible to cover any additional costs as a result of a transferred booking, if the new event date is during December or on a public holiday.

Stolen Items and Damage to Property

Damage caused to property (including fixtures, fittings, linen, equipment hire or other) caused from the Hirer’s use of the premises which results in replacement or repair will be the full financial responsibility of the Hirer booking the function. Stolen Items (including but not limited to AV system and bowls equipment) will also be the full financial responsibility of the Hirer booking the function. All costs will result in the credit card details given being charged.

Function organisers and their guests are free to decorate function spaces; however, no damage is to be caused from this including no sticky tape, glue or masking tape is to be used on the walls, roofs or windows. 

FVBSC does not offer private parking. FVBSC does not accept responsibility for patron parking; this includes parking in any no standing zones, on the street, or in loading areas.

Compliance

The Hirer booking the function is responsible for ensuring the orderly behaviour of their guests. The Club and security reserve the right to intervene at its discretion and to close down the function if required. All guests are to abide by the Club’s Conditions of Entry and Liquor License Laws.

Liquor Licensing Laws and Club Bar Policies

- As part of the Responsible Service of Alcohol compliance, the Club reserves the right to refuse service to any person considered to be intoxicated. Any guest caught purchasing drinks on behalf of an intoxicated person will be ejected from the venue and the function possibly closed down at the discretion of the staff.
- No persons under the age of 18 shall be served alcohol. Any guest caught purchasing drinks on behalf of a minor will be ejected from the venue and the function possibly closed down at the discretion of the staff with no refund.
- Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or adult when purchasing a drink, and be supervised at all times.

- We reserve the right to refuse service of alcohol to a suspected minor. Anyone with no ID and who looks under 25 years of age at any function will not be served alcohol on our premises. Non-compliance of this will result in ejection of the purchaser(s) and the suspected minor from the venue.
- No person is permitted to leave the premises whilst in possession of any opened alcohol container.
- All guests are to abide by the conditions of entry and Liquor License Laws. The Clubhouse and surrounds are licensed areas; the bowling greens are not licensed areas for the consumption of alcohol. Guests caught drinking on our bowling greens will be warned and then ejected from the venue should it continue.
- It is a condition of the club that guests must be vacated from the BBQ area no later than 15 minutes after the booking time. Please be considerate of other function bookings.
- We are fully licensed and BYO of any beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) is not permitted. Non-compliance with this condition will result in confiscation or disposal of the beverage, and if more than once instance occurs, ejection of the group from the venue with no refund.
- No drinking games, shots, double shots, neat spirits, or sculling of alcohol is permitted at our venue in accordance with our sporting club’s regulations and Liquor License Laws.

Catering and BBQ Areas

- Fitzroy Victoria Bowling & Sports Club is contracted to four catering companies. Groups are not permitted to bring in takeaway food items or other contract caterers.
- Patrons are not permitted to bring in their own spit roasting stations or grillers.
- Fitzroy Victoria Bowling and Sports Club do not provide any BBQ equipment, oil,     crockery, napkins, utensils or condiments for your function. These items will need to be organised by your group.
- Disposable utensils, plates and napkins are provided with catered orders, as well as a small selection of condiments.
- During our busy season, use of the cool room is not provided due to the amount of storage needed for our liquid and perishable goods. Hirers are responsible for providing their own eskys to keep food chilled. We do not provide freezer facilities any time of the year.
- Fitzroy Victoria Bowling and Sports Club do not take any responsibility for items that are lost or damaged in the cool room.
- Amendments to catering orders less than 7 days prior to the function date are subject to the discretion of the caterer.

- All Spitting Image catering needs to be organised through their company and not through Fitzroy Victoria Bowling & Sports Club Events Staff

Catering must be paid in 10 days prior to your event, this cannot be cancelled or refunded under any circumstances once it is paid for as you have made an agreement to our T&C upon making payment to confirm the service/booking. Upon payment, the booking will then be sent to our contracting caterer who will then charge us for the booking. 

Security

- Security reserves the right to remove any guests from the venue for disorderly and/or intoxicated behaviour, and to close down the function.

Insurance and Personal Property

- It is the responsibility of the Hirer to ensure that any personal property used at the Club is adequately insured. While the Club will endeavour to ensure the safety of all equipment and personal belongings, no responsibility for any damage or theft will be accepted.
- All personal and hired items brought to the venue by the Hirer must be removed at the end of the function or picked up the next day as negotiated with bar staff.
 

Music & Entertainment

FVBSC management must be advised of any entertainment intended as a part of a function at FVBSC, no later than seven working days prior to the event (fourteen working days prior to the event if booked in December).
- Groups are welcome to play music in the BBQ areas, however not all areas are fitted with electricity, so patrons should make sure their devices are self-powered.

- Please note that noise restrictions as per City of Yarra and Victorian Law apply to FVBSC. These will be strictly adhered to by FVBSC staff, and must be adhered to by entertainers, function organisers, their guests, as well as the general public.

Our club noise restriction stipulates any audio equipment is to be turned down by 9pm and off by 10pm. This is not negotiable. Amplifiers or amplified music is not permitted.

Clean Precinct Policy and Function Clean Up

- No rubbish of any description is to be deposited on the streets and public areas surrounding the Clubhouse.
- No rubbish is to be left by the function. The function is ultimately responsible for the clean-up at the end of the function. Rubbish and recycle bins are provided to every area around the venue to ensure correct disposal of unwanted items.
- A clean-up fee $100 will be charged to the Hirer and credit card details provided in the event staff have to remove rubbish after the function or clean up soiled carpets, floors or upholsteries and vomit.
 

Drugs and Smoking Policy

- Smoking is permitted outside in the designated areas only.
- The possession and use of illicit drugs in our venue is prohibited. Any guests suspected to be under the influence of drugs or in possession of it will be ejected from the venue.

General Terms & Conditions :

Rules of Rink and Venue Hire

Casual bowlers may wear flat-sole shoes, thongs or socks, or may bowl barefoot on FVBSC greens; any footwear with a heel or wedge must not be worn on FVBSC greens. No smoking, drinking, or eating is permitted on FVBSC’s greens.

Patrons are expected to listen and follow the instructions of FVBSC staff when using FVBSC facilities. Barefoot bowlers are expected to respect the rules of the club and green use, and are advised that, if failing to do so, may be asked to cease bowling, with full forfeiture of Rink Hire cost.

Bowls must not be dropped, lobbed, thrown, or driven by barefoot bowlers; barefoot bowlers must play ‘drawing’ shots only (i.e. bowled slowly, approaching the jack, allowing for the bias of the bowl). Barefoot bowlers must play end to end. Barefoot bowlers must bowl from the bowling mat only, with one foot on the bowling mat when taking a shot. Only the player taking a shot can be on the green; all other players must stand on the raised ends whilst awaiting their turn.

Children aged under 12 years will be charged half of the adult rate for bowls; except in November and December when rate is per lane rather than per person

Patrons will be given two bowls per person.

FVBSC’s northern green is a members-only green; no patron is to bowl on the northern green unless designated by FVBSC staff. It is a strictly members only green and any guests on this green without permission will be removed from premises. Children cannot use this as a play area and are to be supervised at all times.

On our busy days, please be aware there is a 10 minute leeway rule for bowling. Up to 10 minutes after the time booked to bowl, there may be a wait while we get your rink organised. 10 minutes before the end of your session you need to pack up the bowls to help us be ready for the next group. Please be patient with us around this. If the wait is extended for your group, we will organise for a fair extension to your bowling either on the same lane, a different lane, or a later time.

Duration

It is the responsibility of function organisers to ensure all guests are aware of commencement and completion times for all forms of hire through FVBSC (e.g. rink hire, BBQ hire, or venue hire).

On our busy days, please be aware there is a 10-minute leeway rule for bowling. Up to 10 minutes after the time booked to bowl, there may be a wait while we get your rink organised. 10 minutes before the end of your session you need to pack up the bowls to help us be ready for the next group. Please be patient with us around this. If the wait is extended for your group, we will organised for a fair extension to your bowling either on the same lane, a different lane, or a later time.

Staff and Patron Health and Safety

Function organisers and their guests, as well as the general public are responsible for any injury sustained to other patrons, staff or members. FVBSC have a small selection of general first aid available - please see the bar and the Duty Manager on shift. 

Food & Beverage

FVBSC is a fully licensed venue. Strictly no beverages of any kind are to be brought into the venue.

FVBSC does not permit outsourced catering, takeaway food, pre-prepared hot food, or cooking equipment to be brought into the venue by patrons. If patrons or groups do not follow these rules, they will be turned away.

FVBSC does permit items to be cooked on our barbeques, as a part of our barbeque hire, or items accompanying barbequed food (e.g. salads, coleslaw etc.), to be brought into the venue by patrons (all accompanying items must be cold).

FVBSC accepts no responsibility for food brought into our venue by patrons.

Please note - our refrigeration facilities are not for public use.

FVBSC offers a range of catering options – these can be viewed online. For any events, all catering must be fully paid and relevant details confirmed 14 working days prior to the function October through to February. At the discretion of the Events Coordinator catering during March through to September may be confirmed 7 days prior to the event. Refunds will be issued for catering if the event is cancelled prior to 14 days only.

FVBSC observes all responsible service of alcohol regulations. FVBSC reserves the right to refuse entry and service. FVBSC does not serve spirits straight or on ice; spirits must be served with a mixer. FVBSC does not serve jugs of spirits or alcoholic shots.

Entertainment

FVBSC management must be advised of any entertainment intended as a part of a function at FVBSC, no later than seven working days prior to the event (fourteen working days prior to the event if booked in December).

Please note that noise restrictions as per City of Yarra and Victorian Law apply to FVBSC. These will be strictly adhered to by FVBSC staff, and must be adhered to by entertainers, function organisers, their guests, as well as the general public.

Our club noise restriction stipulates any audio equipment is to be turned down by 9pm and off by 10pm. This is not negotiable. Amplifiers or amplified music is not permitted.

The only audio devices allowed outside are household speakers which can be purchased from retail stores such as JB Hi Fi. This is not negotiable.

Please consult with FVBSC management as to the content of these noise restrictions, if required. The continuance of entertainment on the day of the function is at the discretion of FVBSC management staff.

Functions inside have access to our PA system.

For all events requiring the use of our Audio and/or Visual systems, please arrange a visit prior to your event to ensure equipment is compatible with your requirements.

Bucks & Hens Parties

Please read the following terms and conditions.

The Event organiser for your group is to read and sign these Terms and Conditions. The event organiser will be elected to make sure their guests understand and abide by these rules and take full responsibility for the behaviour of their party.

If any of the Terms and Conditions are breached, your group will be asked to leave the premises with full forfeiture of your function payments.

Entry will not be permitted to groups who do not sign these Terms & Conditions

Fitzroy Victoria Bowling & Sports Club respects and welcomes all visitors to our club regardless of their race, religion, gender or sexuality. All guests are to be considerate and respectful of this when planning your event and whilst at the club.

Groups that have not disclosed that they are a Bucks/Hens groups to Bar or Events staff in the lead up to their event and are found to be a Bucks/Hens group on the day of their function will be turned away upon arrival.

All Bucks and Hens groups are to be offsite by 4:00pm as a FVBSC Committee rule. Once your group has concluded bowling and/or area hire, the group is to leave the premises immediately.

Bucks/Hens groups who do not make a booking with Events staff and turn up unannounced will be turned away at the door.

All patrons must be fully clothed at all times. Full or partial nudity will not be tolerated.

Our dress code also forbids any sexually explicit items or clothing to be on the premises. All items and/or clothing will be confiscated.

General unsavoury or untoward behaviour to staff, patrons and/or members will not be tolerated. If your group is found to be making any patrons, members or staff feel uncomfortable, your group will be asked to leave the premises immediately.

No food or alcohol is to be consumed on the green. Smoking on the green or in the bowling bays is also prohibited.

Bowls are not to be thrown, tossed or used in an aggressive fashion as this results in damage to our green and/or injury to your group and other patrons of the club – if staff find you to be using our equipment in an aggressive manner you will be asked to leave the venue, with full forfeiture of your function payments.

No BYO alcohol is to be brought onsite. 

If any of your guests are found to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, your party will be asked to leave the venue.

All patrons found sculling alcohol will be asked to leave the venue.

Once your bowling concludes, please pack up the bowls into the provided crates. Bowls are not to be left on the green or at the far end of the green.

Bucks & Hens Terms and Conditions to be signed by organiser when they arrive at the venue.

Privacy

All information provided to the club will be protected and only used for the purpose of the informant’s function. FVBSC does not archive credit card details provided for payment over the phone.

Tabs and Credit Cards

FVBSC provides the option of a bar tab to corporate event groups and large social event groups.  This option needs to be set up on the day with the Duty Manager on shift and cannot be pre-arranged with the events team as this is not something our system allows.

For all bar tabs, FVBSC requires a credit card and a form of valid photo identification. All guests will receive a wristband and must wear the wristband to use the tab for their beverage purchase(s). 

All tabs must be settled before the conclusion of the day’s trade (on which the tab was opened). Any tabs left unsettled will be charged, unless FVBSC is contacted by the card holder to make other arrangements.

Please note, it is the responsibility of the card holder to manage the account of the tab. FVBSC staff are not responsible if the tab account exceeds the negotiated limit and in this event the card holder will be charged the full amount owing.

If credit/debit cards are left at FVBSC, we will contact the bank issuing the card and act on the advice of the bank.

Social Media Acceptable Use Policy

FVBSC welcomes all comments on our social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter. We want to hear from our members and guests about what they love about our venue and our achievements. You are welcome to express your views, comments, ideas, insights about the Fitzroy Victoria Bowling & Sports Club. At the same time, you should show courtesy and respect to others and must not use our social media channels to abuse others, expose others to offensive or inappropriate content, or for any illegal purpose.

When using our social media channels, please ensure that you:

·         protect your personal privacy and that of others by not including personal information about yourself or others in your posts to our social media channels (for example, email addresses, private addresses or phone numbers);

·         represent your own views and not impersonate or falsely represent any other person;

·         are not abusive and do not harass or threaten others;

·         do not make defamatory or libellous comments;

·         do not use insulting, provocative or hateful language;

·         do not use obscene or offensive language;

·         do not post material to our social media channels that infringes the intellectual property rights of others;

·         do not post multiple versions of the same view to social media channels or make excessive postings on a particular issue;

·         do not promote commercial interests in your posts to our social media channels;

·         do not include internet addresses or links to websites, or any email addresses in your post to our social media channels;

·         if you make an error, be up front about your mistake and correct it quickly. If you choose to modify an earlier post, make it clear that you have done so.

Fitzroy Victoria Bowling & Sports Club reserves the right to enforce this Acceptable Use Policy at its discretion. Fitzroy Victoria Bowling & Sports Club may remove or request removal of any posted messages that it considers to be in breach of the Policy.

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at manager@fvbowls.com.au.

Social media privacy statement

FVBSC may record any information posted to one of our social media channels (including Facebook and Twitter) and may use that information for the purpose of administering its social media channels and considering and/or addressing any comments made.

No attempt will be made to further identify users of our social media channels except where authorised by law. Fitzroy Victoria Bowling & Sports Club is not responsible for the privacy practices or content included on our social media channels or any linked websites.

Attire

Fitzroy Victoria BC respects and welcomes all visitors to our club, regardless of their race, religion, gender or sexuality.

Please be considerate and respectful of this when planning your function and at all times whilst at the club. 

All patrons must be fully clothed at all times, including footwear (unless barefoot bowling).

Miscellaneous

No bikes, skateboards, etc. are to be ridden within the boundaries of the FVBSC. Bikes are to be locked up in the designated area next to the maintenance sheds. FVBSC takes no reasonability for the security of bike, but do provide permanent bike racks to lock bikes onto if the bike owners wish to use this.

No animals are to be brought into FVBSC under any circumstance (unless accompanying a patron for medical purposes).

No patron is to enter any back-of-house areas; this includes the bar, kitchen foyer and kitchen, sheds, office, locker rooms and dry or cool storage room areas. Patrons found trespassing on back-of-house areas will be ejected from the venue immediately.

Club Conduct and Behaviour Policy

FVBSC adheres to the ClubsVic code of conduct and behaviour policy, available by contacting ClubsVic. Employees, members and guests have the right to enjoy the venue without be subjected to behaviour that is unwanted, humiliates or offends them.

FVBSC has the right to eject from the premises anyone who transgresses the ClubsVic code of conduct and behaviour policy.