Dear Members,

I would very much like to thank those members who took the time to attend the reconvened Special General Meeting (SGM) on 30 October. I am particularly grateful to those members who returned after attending the first meeting or, attended even though they may have already cast an absentee ballot.

As you would recall, the Club did not achieve a quorum of 65 voting members for the SGM on 23 October. This meant that the meeting reconvened on Thursday 30 October at 7.00pm. While a quorum of 65 was not achieved again, the meeting proceeded as per the Constitution.

There were 193 votes cast in total. This total included absentee votes and only represents 20% of the Club’s eligible voting members. 129 members, 66.8% of those who voted, supported the proposed changes. 64 members, 33.2% of those who voted, were against the proposal.

Under the Associations Incorporation Act WA (2015) all changes to the Club’s Constitution require a majority of 75% of those voting to be in favour of the Special Resolution. This high bar was not achieved and, the proposal was defeated.

Notwithstanding this, I was encouraged by the significant number of members who supported modernizing the Club’s governance model. Clearly, it would not require much of a swing to achieve the 75% majority required under the Act when the proposal is next presented to the members.

If you are an eligible voting member (all Ordinary, Ordinary age group, Ordinary Nine Hole and Life members), I encourage you to further consider the proposal to modernize the Club’s governance model, in line with Golf Australia guidelines. Then when the proposal is next presented to the members for approval, please be ready exercise your right to vote.

In ensuring you are well informed and not misinformed prior to the next ballot on this matter, I recommend you also consider the following question. Why are so many clubs making similar changes and, why is Golf Australia actively promoting these more modern and effective governance models for clubs at all levels?

Once again, thank you to all the members who attended the meetings and participated in the SGM ballot process.

Mark Bonser
President