There’s something quietly special about walking into a place where the staff feel like family. At Engadine Bowling Club, for sisters Nicole and Shannen, that’s quite literally the case.
With Nicole coming up on eight years at the club and Shannen not far behind at four, the two have grown into some of our most trusted leaders, all while navigating the unique adventure of working alongside your closest friend. We sat down with them to find out how they do it.
How long have each of you been at the club, and what first brought you here?
Nicole: I’m coming up on eight years this June. I came here after having my second child, looking for a change from thirteen years in hairdressing. I wanted something that would fit better around family life, where I could work nights while my husband worked days.
Shannen: Four years for me. Nicole had been telling me how great it was, and honestly, the Bowlo was already a place we’d come to for family get-togethers our whole lives. I’d also met some of the staff playing Oztag in the club team, so I thought I’d give it a go and ended up loving it.
What roles do you work in, and how do your day-to-day jobs differ?
Nicole: Since starting in 2018, I’ve worked my way through all aspects of the club and eventually moved into management. The one area I don’t have much knowledge in, besides changing a keg, is the cellar!
Shannen: While we are both Club Supervisors, we do shifts like bar and reception that still give us the opportunity to work together.
What’s it like working alongside your sister?
Nicole: Anyone who knows Shan and I knows we’re extremely close, so I love it. Since she became a manager, we don’t get to work side by side as often, mostly just at changeover, but that hasn’t changed a thing.
Shannen: It’s a lot of fun. We’ve always been close, so transitioning that into a working relationship came naturally. We butted heads a couple of times early on with differing opinions, but it didn’t take long to figure out how to communicate properly in a work environment.
Has working together changed your relationship at all?
Nicole: If anything, it’s brought us closer. There have been arguments and disagreements along the way, but we always work through them. Now we lean on each other to debrief when something happens at work. It’s become a real strength.
Shannen:When I first started, we would work together quite often, but once I had been promoted to Supervisor, we didn’t get to work alongside each other as much. If anything, it has brought us closer together and strengthened or friendship and communication.
Do you have different strengths, and how do they complement each other?
Nicole: We have quite different leadership styles. Shan is great at delegation and keeping the workflow moving. My strengths tend to be more technical and detail-oriented. But we both communicate well and work best under pressure, so together we cover a lot of ground.
Shannen: I’d say I’m more confident handling customers and problem-solving on the spot, while Nic is the fix-it queen. She has the patience to work through anything electrical or mechanical that goes wrong on a shift. We both like to lead by example, and I think that sets the tone for the whole team.
Any funny or memorable moments from working together?
Nicole: Getting to share the staff events and Christmas parties together is always a highlight. There’s something special about celebrating those moments with your sister.
Shannen: One changeover shift, I spotted Nic coming up the stairs on the cameras, so I hid under the supervisor’s desk and grabbed her leg as she walked past. Very funny. For me, at least.
What do you enjoy most about working at the club?
Nicole: The people, without a doubt. Working with such a great team and getting to socialise with our patrons day to day never gets old.
Shannen: It’s more than just a workplace. It feels like a little community. I also enjoy coming in with friends, as it’s a place we all love. We enjoy the energy, the sense of belonging, and honestly, the cocktails.
What makes the club a great place for families to work?
Nicole: The staff here have felt like one big family since the day I started. Adding actual family into the mix just fits.
Shannen: With so many of our staff related to each other in one way or another, it gives the whole place a real homey feeling. Everyone is close regardless of whether they share a surname, and that closeness means better communication and a genuine sense of respect across the team.
What’s one thing patrons might not know about working with your sister?
Nicole: People don’t realise how much we communicate without saying a word. Shan and I can know what each other are thinking by just a look across the room.
Shannen: They might not know there are actually two of us! We get called by each other’s names constantly, and people often think we’re the same person. That is, until they see us side by side and notice the difference. The reactions are always worth a laugh.
We are so thrilled to have Nicole and Shannen as part of the Engadine Bowling Club family. Not just for their skill and dedication, but for the warmth and familiarity that makes this place feel like home. Here’s to many more years of sibling supervision, well-run shifts, and the occasional desk ambush.
Meet more of our Engadine Bowling Club team:
