Tatt made history as the club’s first female Head Professional when she was appointed in 2023, having previously served as Assistant Professional for seven years.
“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Tatt said.
“It was a proud moment to get the job, whether it’s being a female or not, and the club is very, very supportive here.
“Sometimes you’ve got to pinch yourself that you actually get paid for this, because there are a lot of days where it feels like just having fun with members.”
Growing up in Ballarat, Tatt developed into a talented golfer and turned professional in 2006, competing on the Australian Ladies Professional Tour – now known as the WPGA Tour of Australasia.
While she found success, the demands of elite golf eventually took their toll, with episodes of golf-related anxiety contributing to her decision to step away from competition.
Her return to the industry through her Assistant Professional role reshaped her relationship with the game, allowing her to turn lived experience into a powerful tool for coaching and connection with members.
“I’m a very open book when it comes to all the anxieties and everything that I went through,” she said.
“Being able to use a lot of what I went through just makes everyone feel relaxed in their lessons, particularly in the women’s clinics.
“Everyone suffers it to a point, it’s just a matter of how much and when it’s going to affect you on the golf course.
“I honestly believe that being from a female perspective, it’s definitely a lot easier for them to open up and tell me that they’re struggling.”
Since joining the club 10 years ago, women’s participation has been a key focus for Tatt, who recognises the importance of creating a welcoming, supportive and social environment for women in golf.
“We obviously need a lot more women in this game, and over the last few years you can start to see the change in what golf is,” she said.
“It’s becoming a lot more social and people are starting to play the game for the right reasons.
“For the majority of people, it is a hobby and something we’re supposed to go and have fun at, not chucking tantrums and letting it dictate our moods.
“They just like playing with their mates, having a few beers and playing with the same people every week.
“To go out there, have a laugh with them and sit back and have a wine after it, it’s probably one of the highlights of my day.”
Mead’s journey to becoming the club’s first female General Manager is a story of persistence and progression through the ranks.
She has been employed at the club for 19 years, beginning as a food and beverage attendant at just 14 years of age.
From there, she steadily worked her way up through a range of roles, including front-of-house supervisor, clubhouse assistant manager, and club assistant manager.
In 2024, she stepped into a joint General Manager role as part of a structured transition process, before assuming the position solely in 2025.
“It’s heartwarming to know that I’ve got the support here, not only through the board, but through the membership and staff as well,” Mead said.
“It’s an important stepping stone for us doing our part to improve gender diversity around a number of leadership roles.
“It goes as far as gender diversity amongst committees and then greater representation within golf administration as well.
“I’m really proud to be in the position that I am right now and I only want the best success for the club.”
Mead highlighted the importance of the club’s commitment to the R&A Women in Golf Charter, joining more than 1,500 organisations worldwide working to drive change, break down barriers and build a more inclusive culture within golf.
“We really just wanted to show a commitment to women’s golf and create measurable steps that we can take to achieve that for the future,” she said.
“We want to strengthen what we’re currently doing with our existing programs, and we want to enhance our developmental pathways so we can actually progress women.
“It really felt like a natural step because it aligns with what our women’s golf development committee are trying to achieve.”
