Dear Members,

You will have noted, as I just have, that two Special Resolutions have been added by the Interim Secretary, to the Agenda for the Annual General Meeting.

This will no doubt be of concern to those members who have given their proxies to me or any other member and I therefore will address this issue:

Firstly, what is proposed is contrary to the Association Incorporations Act 2012, which enshrines the right of All members to vote, be it by proxy (in terms of our Rules), or in person.

There is no provision restricting a member from giving whomever they wish their proxy. All such proxies are valid.

Any such resolution, if passed would, I submit, be knocked back by the Regulator, as being in conflict with the Act.

So let us all be clear on the motivation behind this; it is a cynical attempt to disqualify the vote of those members who have appointed me as their proxy.

You need to see who would profit by the passing of these Special Resolutions and make your own judgement.

Apparently four members complained about my obtaining proxy votes, only one of whom actually took this up directly with me (and I had not even discussed the issue of proxies with any of the other three).

I offered the members who had appointed me, the opportunity to withdraw their proxy, yet not one of them did so. (In fact, I had a number of members who had not given me their proxy, offered their support, saying they see nothing wrong with my actions).

I did not seek office last year, but, when asked to stand, did so because of the perceived threat to the Club’s existence.

Similarly, I am more than happy to not to be Club President, if that is what the majority of members decide. But this must be a decision of the members, unrestricted by any illegal attempt to disqualify their vote.

The one member who approached me, (his issue being me talking to members prior to the announcement of the AGM), did so because he was concerned that he did not at that stage know who else would stand and what I and they stood for. I cannot satisfy him regarding who else stands, (as nominations can be made up to the start of the AGM), or what they stand for.

But let me address the issue of what I hope to bring to the table, if I am President for another year:

• • I believe the members are there to enjoy their golf, not to be told what to do.
  • I believe that members overwhelmingly are honest and do not require constant policing.
  • I believe that the committee should respond to concerns from members, (such as the seeding of Ambrose events, or the tees off which they play), not unilaterally decide what is good for members.
  • I believe the Committee should allow members every opportunity to enjoy their golf and should actively pursue opportunities such as the Super Senior event and Pennant competitions.
  • I believe that the Committee need to push the Club’s interests in matters such as the future of the Council’s contract for our course.
  • I believe that the majority of the current Committee back me on these aims.

So it is over to you. If you disagree with these aims, or believe that there is a better candidate for President, then I urge you to vote for that other candidate.

But make sure you do vote, either in person or by proxy.

Gavin Pearce, President

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