29th September 2025
Board Update
Nominations for the Board will soon open with the following key dates:
- Nominations Open: Wednesday 1st October 2025
- Nominations Close: Wednesday 29th October 2025
- Ballot Opens: Wednesday 5th November 2025
- Ballot Closes: Monday 24th November 2025 (6:00 pm)
- AGM: Wednesday 26th November 2025 (6:00 pm)
The following Board roles will be up for election:
- President – 2-year term
- Vice-President – 1-year term
- Vice-Captain – 2-year term
- Treasurer – 2-year term
- Director (x2) – 2-year terms
As in previous years, I believe it is prudent to provide an update on the current Board’s renewal intentions.
As part of our governance function, we have a robust succession plan in place to ensure continuity and stability. This year, my term as President will come to an end, and I will be stepping down from the Board. With unanimous Board support, I am pleased to announce that Vice-President Doug Tester will nominate for the role of President for the two-year term. His leadership has been exemplary—particularly during his time as Club Captain—and the Board is confident in his ability to succeed in the role.
The proposal is that Matt Dowling will nominate for Vice-President, which will leave his Director role vacant. Helen Blanchfield has served as Vice-Captain for the past year and will also nominate for re-election to that role for the next two-year term.
Treasurer Paul Morris has confirmed that he will nominate to continue as Treasurer. Paul has been instrumental in overseeing the Club’s accounts and in developing the Club’s 10-year CAPEX plan.
Director Phillip Carrington has informed the Board and myself that he will not be nominating to continue as a Director. Therefore, this role will become vacant. Phil has told the Board that he feels he can no longer give 100% commitment and will vacate his role effective from the AGM.
With my tenure now coming to an end after 13 years of service on the Board, I believe we have seen many positive changes for the Club and its members over those years, including:
- The 2014 Constitution review, which reduced the number of Directors from 12 to 9—a prudent decision given the Club’s progress in recent years.
- The stance I took as Captain to improve fairways and increase the budget for course maintenance, resulting in continuing improvements to the course overall.
- A role in bringing to fruition and overseeing the construction of the new Greens Shed, as well as the current Clubhouse renovations.
As I step down, I thank all Board members I have served with over the years for their efforts and support. I leave the role happy and confident in handing over to Doug and his Board of Directors, as they continue the commitment to ensure the Club remains financially stable and successful into the future.
As I shared last year, the Board regularly reviews its composition and capabilities against its strategic objectives and the competencies outlined in the Club’s Board Skills Matrix. It also maintains an active succession planning strategy that promotes director renewal and fosters fresh ideas.
This year, there are two Director roles to be filled. It has been identified that ideal candidates would have experience or credentials in legal, commercial/government relations, or hospitality. It’s important to note that the re-nomination of incumbent Directors does not restrict any other members from nominating for any vacant roles.
I encourage anyone considering nominating for a Board role—whether it be an immediate or future aspiration—to reach out. I’m happy to discuss any questions you might have.
From a commercial perspective, I am pleased to report that the Club will once again report strong financial outcomes and has maintained its commitment to investing in the course through both operational and capital improvements. This increased investment began in 2022, and the benefits are now becoming evident.
Looking forward
The review of the Constitution is well advanced. After member consultation, it is planned to be issued to the membership for a vote in early 2026. This vital project will require members to carefully consider the Club’s governance framework and any necessary changes to ensure the Club continues to operate at its best.
The Club’s Strategic Plan also requires renewal—a significant and essential task for the coming year.
As with every year, much is planned and happening, making it an exciting time to be a Club member.
Kind regards,
Rod Rhodes
Club President
