Minutes of the 2023 AGM
Posted on: 6 November
MINUTES OF THE 67TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF WOOLOOWARE GOLF CLUB LIMITED HELD TUESDAY 31ST OCTOBER, 2023.
Meeting opened at 7.05 pm. President Sid Guinane chaired the meeting.
ATTTENDANCE: 65 members (as per signed attendance sheet)
APOLOGIES: L.Willis, T.Hilder, R.Hirst, G.Turner, M.Thompson, B.Armstrong, A.Ellis, C.Parker-Smith.
President Sid Guinane declared the meeting open and welcomed Trent Atlee from Maher Partners and Dennis McCroary from the Australian Election Company and also thanked all members for their attendance.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the 66th Annual General Meeting were emailed out to members and posted on the Club website.
BUSINESS ARISING: Nil.
Moved – A.Lohman Seconded – J.Clarke
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 25th October 2022 be adopted.
Carried.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT:
President Sid Guinane reported to members that it has been a very good 12 months for our Club and the golf course that we manage for the community.
Sid said it is a credit to our Management teams in the Club – Mandy, Jackie, Simon, Peter Anthony and David Sperando and his team from JDS , the Course- Cameron & Brad and led by our General Manager John.
Sid noted that he would take these teams and all our permanent, part time and casual staff over any comparable organizational teams.
Sid advised members on the expiring date of the Club House lease and the Course licence.
The Club House expires 29th June 2032 with the challenges of the opening of the Sharks Development in 12 months and the impact of the new anti-money laundering and cashless gaming regulations for clubs.
The licence for the community course which we manage expires 30th June 2026, with only 2.5 years left this is our biggest challenge. Brad, John, Phil, Peter along with John Rayner are very focused on working with Sutherland Shire Council to achieve a long term solution. The process to achieve the end result will involve input from Sutherland Shire Council, Golf NSW, local Indigenous groups, Women in sport and Children in sport.
Most likely the impact of the Moore Park Golf Club situation with Clover Moore and the State Premier Chris Minns will also have a bearing on our situation.
Moved- D.Lohman Seconded – D.Gray
The President’s Report as presented is accepted.
Carried.
ADOPTION OF THE BALANCE SHEET
Treasurer Phil McColl presented the financial report for the year ended 30th June 2023.
Phil noted that we have two entities in Woolooware Golf Club and Woolooware Golf Course Management and both have had good years financially.
Woolooware Golf Course Mgt returned a profit of $95,000 which is a really good result with the year starting off with the tail end of the rain which went from February to August. Taking into account all the constraints we have experienced there was still capital and maintenance projects achieved on the course .
Phil thanked Cameron and his team for the great condition of the golf course.
Woolooware Golf Club Ltd returned a profit of $584,000 which was an excellent result and very much driven by our poker machine room . The Club House is in a strong position moving forward to meet the gaming constraints and regulations from the State Government.
Phil welcomed new Treasurer Peter Hankin who is taking over the role for the next term. Phil said that Peter Hankin has a background in business management over many years and will do a fantastic job for the club.
Moved – Trevor Lee Seconded – V.Hewitt
The Treasurer’s Report as presented be approved.
Carried.
ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS:
The first Ordinary Resolution relates to Director’s benefits and expenses during the 12-month period preceding the 2024 Annual General Meeting.
Members further acknowledge that these benefits and expenses are not available to Members generally but only to those members who are elected Directors of the Club and approved in a sum not exceeding $15,000.00.
This is a requirement under the Registered Club’s Act, for the
members to consider and if thought fit, pass.
Moved – P.Clarke Seconded – S.Smith
Ordinary Resolution No.1 be approved.
Carried.
The Second Ordinary Resolution relates to ongoing Club expenses in a sum not exceeding $75,000.00 during the 12-month period preceding the 2024 Annual General Meeting. Resolution No.2 includes expenses for:
Induction evenings for new members
Sponsorship of sporting events and charity days
Cadet/Junior Development Programs
Green and competition fees for current life members
Men’s and Women’s pennant teams.
This is a requirement under the Registered Club’s Act, for the members to consider and if thought fit, pass.
Moved – M.Rugless Seconded – V.Hewitt
Ordinary Resolution No.2 be approved.
Carried.
MEMBER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION:
Member of the Year Nomination was received for the Course Volunteers Group comprising of members listed below of various categories:
Ken Brunker, Brett Carden, John Clarke, Stephen Dounis,
Paul Lesmond, Sid Parris, Anthony Ruppas, Leslie Schwab,
Roger Walsh.
The members were nominated for this award because of their commitment to the creation and maintenance of the garden areas of the course and surrounds.
This group also provide their time to do other projects such as pathways, rope & post fencing, safety barriers and enhancing the ambience around the Club House and course.
At the 27th July 2023 Board of Directors Meeting this nomination was approved and to be recommended for approval by members at the 2023 AGM.
Moved- N.Dobner Seconded- A.Lohman
The member of the Year nomination for the Course Volunteers be approved by members present at the AGM.
Carried.
CLUB PATRON NOMINATION:
President Sid Guinane spoke on the nomination of Mark Speakman for the position of Club Patron. Sid advised that the Club has not had a Patron since the passing of life member Nancy Silcock.
As per the Club constitution any Patron (if not a member of the Club) thereby will be deemed to be an honorary member while he or she remains a Patron.
The Board of Directors at the 31st August 2023 Board Meeting agreed to nominate State Opposition Leader Mark Speakman for the position of Club Patron and seek the approval of the members at the 2023 AGM.
Discussion was held on the role of the Patron.
The nomination of Mark Speakman for the position of Patron of Woolooware Golf Club was put to the members for decision and was unanimously approved.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION:
Liane Nowak was presented with a certificate of appreciation and pro shop gift voucher from the Club Board of Directors in recognition of her outstanding service and commitment to Woolooware Golf Club.
Liane has been a golf playing member for the past 50 years and has contributed countless hours of her personal time volunteering in support of club events, charity days and members wellbeing.
Liane has also been elected to various official positions over the years on the club Board of Directors and the Women’s Committee.
RESULTS OF THE 2023-2025 BIENNIAL ELECTIONS
Dennis McCroary from the Australian Election Company announced the result of the 2023-2025 Biennial elections inclusive of the number of votes received for each candidate for the 2023-2025. Listed below is the new Board of Directors elected by members:
President: Sidney Guinane
Vice President: David Lohman
Captain: Mitchell Rugless
Vice Captain: Patricia Huthwaite
Treasurer: Peter Hankin
General Committee: Phil McColl, John Clarke,
Lynne Willis, Philip Duke
CLUB CHAMPIONS AWARDS
The 2023 Men and Women club champions were presented with their trophies by Club Captain Mitchell Rugless and Women’s Captain Belinda Hammond.
2023 WOMEN WINNERS
Champion: Suanne Sutherland
Division 2: Sue Taferner
Division 3: Lorraine Alexander
Division 4: Pat Stoffels
2023 MEN WINNERS
Club Champion: Jake Hallinan
A Reserve: Victor Ying
B Grade: Peter Cox
C Grade: Mason Kerr
Senior: Mitchell Rugless
Junior: Adam Jackson
GENERAL BUSINESS:
# Sid Guinane said at this stage the information is the Sharks Leagues will be opening next October/November.
# Sid Guinane said the Vets group purchased $5,500.00 worth of tickets for this years Cook Community Raffle with the prizes inferior to last year.
# Ash Lohman asked about the 3rd 4th and 16th holes. Sid Guinane advised that the 3rd hole for members is open and will be played as it is now. The 16th hole back markers will be used for pennants and medal competition days.
# John McMahon spoke on the Course licence with the Council engaging external contractors for the Sutherland Shire Sports strategy for golf courses.
# Phil McColl said we will continue to work with Council and Golf NSW to achieve the best outcomes for the club and the course.
# Sid Guinane said they he has been working on grant opportunities for the last 8 years and we need longer term leases for the club and course to help our applications. We also need to have plans in place ready to go for when opportunities do arise along with some funds committed from the club house.
# Sid Guinane congratulated Cameron and his staff for the presentation of the golf course and said it is the best it has ever been.
CLOSE: With no further business the meeting was closed at 7.45pm.
John McMahon
General Manager