Succession and Retirement Announcement

The Board of Diggers The Entrance advises Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Byfield, has given notice of his intention to retire after 2 decades of leadership and employment over 47 years with the organisation, and by agreement with the Board, will officially hand over the CEO role from 1st January 2026.

Diggers The Entrance Chairperson, Gayle Gribble, said “On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Diggers team, we thank Steve for his outstanding contribution to leadership, the organisation and the community during all his previous roles since 1979 and as our Chief Executive Officer from March 2006″.

Since his appointment as CEO in 2006, Steve has led our organisation through a significant transformation, growing Diggers with the addition of our Anytime Fitness Gym, Ibis Styles Hotel, many renovations and additions including the currently under construction outdoor dining precinct, pickleball and bowls areas plus the now on sale & soon to commence construction of our Lakeview over 55’s village.

A tenure of more than 47 years in total, and our longest serving CEO, is a remarkable and admirable legacy. Steve is leaving our organisation in a healthy position enabling us to continue our work in contributing to our local communities and providing the very best of facilities for our members & guests.

Chairperson Mrs Gayle Gribble, “We are thrilled to announce Michael Kowaliw as the new Diggers The Entrance, CEO”.

Michael has been the Chief Operating Officer of our club for some 23 years and has extensive experience both within the hotel & club industries. Michael is a proven business leader who is passionate about leadership, culture and customer experience. As a long-term member of the Executive Team, Michael has a deep understanding of our organisation and has been intrinsically involved in the growth and success of Diggers. We know Michael will continue to deliver our vision with purpose and a commitment to future success.

Steve said, “The decision to retire is not an easy one as Diggers has been part of my life for virtually all my life, commencing as an excited 6-year-old waiting on the front steps for the annual Xmas Party & presents for kids way back then. I’m immensely proud of my team and the extraordinary things we have achieved. Whilst we have and continue to grow the organisation’s finances and size, we have never forgotten our motto ‘made by the community for the community’. Whilst I look forward to the next chapter of my life which initially includes a fair amount of gardening leave after which I will finalise my tenure bowing out with much appreciation, pride, gratitude and humility.

“I have the utmost confidence in Michael who has already had his feet under the desk here at Diggers for some 23 years, as he takes on the role of CEO. Michael embodies everything we stand for, and his humanistic-encouraging approach, and extensive operational experience has been a key contributor to our success. Michael and I will continue to work closely together and with our Board of Directors and Executive team in Q1 of 2026 as we transition the organisation towards a new future whilst continuing to strengthen our position as a community club benchmark.