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Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Cooroy Golf Club Inc
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We’ve heard some rumours and rumblings around the Club regarding the proposed new Constitution and the Vice-President position. We want to set the story straight and provide clarity.
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What’s Happening?
- The Vice-President position is currently vacant. Under the current Constitution (clause 10.6), the Committee may appoint someone to fill a casual vacancy, but it is not automatic and not required immediately.
- The Committee has decided to defer filling this role until after the vote on the proposed new Constitution on Saturday, 13 December. Why? Because the new Constitution removes the Vice-President position entirely. It would be poor governance to appoint someone to a role that may soon cease to exist.
- Just because a member self-nominates for the vacancy, after foregoing their opportunity at the AGM, does not mean they are automatically appointed to a vacant committee role. The committee is entitled to conduct a due process to fill any vacancies. We are not in breach of the constitution, we are following it.
- If the new Constitution is adopted, the Vice-President role will be removed. If it is rejected, the Committee will immediately run a process to seek nominations and appoint a Vice-President as per the current rules.
Greens Director Appointment
We are pleased to announce that Mark Woolway has been appointed as Greens Director. This decision ensures continuity and leadership while the Course Superintendent role remains vacant. Mark will continue the important work he has been leading with:
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- The Greens team,
- Global Turf partnership,
- WH&S audit,
- Recruitment of a new Course Superintendent, induction and on-boarding
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This stability is critical for supporting the team and progressing key projects during this transitional period.
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Why Update the Constitution?
- The current Constitution is legally valid under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Qld), but it is outdated and does not reflect modern governance standards.
- The mandated committee structures are no longer aligned to the strategic or operational requirements of the Cooroy Golf Club.
- The review process began in December 2023 under the previous Committee, which engaged a specialist consultancy working with Golf Australia as part of its Club Governance Program and Stronger Clubs initiative. This program provides funding and expert support to help clubs adopt best-practice governance.
- The proposed Constitution is based on a template developed by Golf Australia and CPR Group and has already been successfully implemented at clubs including Nambour, Melany, Bulimba, Maryborough, and Rockhampton.
Rumours vs Reality
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Some claims suggest members are unhappy with the proposed Constitution. To date, no member has provided a single specific item of feedback identifying what is wrong with the proposed constitution; complaints without solutions. Simply saying "members are unhappy" as per an email received this week, without constructive input, does not help the Committee draft a new constitution that addresses the concerns of members, or assist the members make an informed decision.
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Modernisation is not arbitrary—it is about:
- Aligning with governance best practice and risk management.
- Incorporating technology (e.g., online voting, electronic notices).
- Clarifying roles and responsibilities to reduce ambiguity and liability.
- Positioning the Club for future funding and support.
Next Steps
- The vote on the new Constitution will occur on Saturday, 13 December. Here is the link to the amended constitution with the communicated changes.
- If adopted, it will not take effect immediately—it must first be lodged and approved by the Office of Fair Trading. CPR Group will manage this process on our behalf.
- Until then, the current Constitution remains in force, and the Committee will act accordingly.
Thank you for your continued support.
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Cooroy Golf Club Management Committee
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