Dear fellow members
Last night we held our 77th Annual General Meeting. We had 61 registered eligible members attend. The format this year changed slightly in that we progressed sharply through the compliance requirements with the AGM and then closed and opened the floor to an informal Q&A. The combined meetings concluded in an hour. Congratulations to all those in attendance.
The motion to amend the constitution on section 16(c) was passed unanimously. This means a minimum between 50 members or 10% of eligible voters will be required to meet a quorum to hold a General Meeting. In addition, the reports included in the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements 2021/22 were received.
The Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Terry Gale. Terry has been a member since 1984 and has served on the Match Committee for 10 years from 2010 - 2020, was the Chairman of Greens and a Board member for 5.5 years from 2015 - 2020. Terry has been an active course volunteer since March 2019. Again, congratulations Terry, very well deserved.
The election for board positions was resolved:
President - Shane Thompson held under casual vacancy with 1 year remaining under rule 11(c)
Vice President - Lino Scartozzi held under casual vacancy with 1 year remaining under rule 11(c)
Captain - Paul Cooper elected unopposed
Treasurer - Bill Keays held under casual vacancy with 1 year remaining under rule 11(c)
Chairman of Greens - Terry Gale elected unopposed
Board Member - Charlotte Hall elected unopposed
Board Member - Robert olde elected unopposed
I would like to thank again outgoing board members in Neil Rigby (Treasurer) and Andrew Woods (Chairman of Greens) for their term in office and their contribution to the club.
I made a special thank you to members Ken McKinnon and David Ford for the significant assistance they have afforded myself and our general manager in the affairs of our property and lease matters. This has assisted the club greatly in our current lease negotiations and land matters generally.
I thanked our board members, committee members, life members, volunteers, and our staff. We are very grateful for their hard work and personal sacrifice.
During the Q&A I updated members on the work our board has been hard at work over the past few months.
We have undertaken financial modelling of an Indoor golf complex including simulator bays, dedicated teaching bays, driving range nets, a café and bar and improved practise facilities. It is envisaged that with accommodation and support from the City of Gosnells, we will establish a state of the art and one of the best golf practise facility which would be available to members and public.
It 'IS' our intention to retain and attract new members.
WA Golf estimates with its research that only 14% of active golfers are members of private clubs. We can establish facilities like no other in the southern corridor that will provide our club with a greater prospect of new membership income. Not to mention a contribution towards capital funding from an increase in nomination fees. We need to stop taxing ourselves and look externally for new income. This may very well lead to an eventual reduction in our annual membership fees. This is my ultimate objective!
In addition, the board has been working on a masterplan for wholesale changes to our clubhouse.
We are very confident of the amenity changes that are required. We are also very aware of the need to generate better income streams from the asset we have here on top of the hill! "the Clubhouse".
Before we advance the scope of works to the stage of costings and funding, we will seek feedback and input generally from members. Again, we believe we have considered many of the comments that are around generally, however, it's prudent and timely to seek further insight to members views before we progress plans any further. For example, members currently enjoy an after-round drink looking over the carpark, wouldn't it be wonderful to have the best seat in the house overlooking the two finishing holes. There are many other changes we have considered.
Questions from the floor last night including concern around practise facilities, car parking and funding. Some details are yet to be considered but these are all highly relevant. From a funding perspective, it is our intention to "tap into" the many available sources of government both state and local and other charity group to achieve our goal.
We will communicate in the week ahead a short survey seeking a response from a short series of questions. This step will provide the board with guidance before we progress to costings and the next stages.
I look forward to sharing with all members in the coming weeks/months the concept plans and drawings. This is an exciting time to learn the full potential of our great golf club.
Shane Thompson
Club President
