Club resets election after ‘injustice’

FIVE days after the dramatic suspension of its annual general meeting (AGM) and board election, the Junee Ex-Services Memorial Club has announced a new date for the highly anticipated event.

The AGM will now take place in four weeks, on Wednesday, April 30, at 6:00 pm, with nominations reopening tomorrow, Thursday, April 3, and closing on April 17—giving members two weeks to submit their candidacy.

Members will then have six days leading up to the AGM to cast their ballot, with voting set to commence on Tuesday, April 22, following the Easter long weekend, and close at 1:00 pm on April 30, just five hours before the AGM.

Unlike the previous process, where members had just six hours to lodge nominations, the revised timeline provides more flexibility.

Each candidate will also now be allowed to nominate a scrutineer to observe the vote count.

Nomination forms are available at the Club’s front office and must be returned in person to the outgoing General Manager (GM) or, after the GM’s departure, to the Returning Officer.

Returning Officer Lee Rowe said the extended period between nominations and voting would allow candidates to prepare detailed information sheets for voters, which will be available at polling sites.

The Club has also introduced additional voting options to make the election more accessible, including email, in-house, and institutional voting.

“Voting hours will be flexible which enables as many financial members as possible to vote at a time that suits them,” Ms Rowe said.

“There will also be email voting in place for those who are away from Junee.”

Institutional voting will be available for members residing at Cooinda Court and the Junee Multipurpose Service, while individuals with illness or mobility issues can request in-house voting.

🔺 IN-PERSON VOTING

All financial members can vote at the club at the below dates and times👇

• Tuesday, April 22: 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 4pm
• Thursday, April 24: 10am – 12pm & 5pm – 8pm
• Saturday, April 26: 10am – 4pm
• Monday, April 28: 10am – 12pm & 1pm – 4pm
• Tuesday, April 29: 10am – 12pm
• Wednesday, April 30: 10am – 1pm

🔺 IN-HOUSE & INSTITUTIONAL VOTING

• Wednesday, April 23: 4pm – 6pm
• Tuesday, April 29: 1pm – 4pm

Members requiring an email ballot must contact the Club’s office to arrange for their voting papers to be sent electronically.

▪️WHY THE ELECTION WAS SUSPENDED

Ms Rowe made the controversial decision to halt the initial election process last week after a local veteran’s Board nomination was wrongfully rejected, and concerns were raised over ballot integrity.

Local veteran Jack Curtis was unable to submit his nomination during the original six-hour window due to a medical appointment in Sydney. He attempted to submit it a day early, but it was refused.

In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Rowe acknowledged this was an “injustice,” citing Rule 25.1c of the Club’s constitution, which allows early submission as long as it is delivered to the General Manager.

“Due to restricted time limits placed on nominations, [Mr Curtis] was unable to lodge their nomination,” Ms Rowe said.

“When this situation was brought to my attention, I acted within my power to make the decision to call off the election, per Clause 25.3 of the constitution.”

Ms Rowe also raised concerns about irregularities in the election process including incorrectly numbered ballot papers, polling officers being appointed before she could oversee and record them, and club staff being used as polling officials instead of independent officers.

“Although there is no rule preventing staff from being polling officers, I would have appointed independent officials to avoid any conflict of interest,” she said.
Ms Rowe said sufficient time had not been provided to put all constitutional procedures in place.

“My goal here is not to lay blame or make excuses, but to provide reasons as to why the election was ceased,” she said.

“Many of sub clauses of 25.1 of the Club’s constitution were expected to have been performed by me, but due to the lateness of my notification, these were done by other parties.

“This in itself is not illegal and the process can continue as stated in clause 25.3, however, when I was made aware of the injustice to a nominating candidate, I had the jurisdiction to cease proceedings and call for new dates to be set.”

Ms Rowe defended her decision to restart the election process and refused pressure to step down.

“I will not step down as returning officer,” she said. “I firmly believe in the judicial system’s many facets and would like to be given the opportunity to perform my duties per the constitution, whilst also giving consideration to equality, inclusion, democracy and legal concerns.

“However, if I am presented with a legal requirement to stand down, I will abide by that decision.”

You can read the Returning Officer’s full statement on the Junee Ex-Services Memorial Club’s website.

▪️THE BATTLE FOR THE BOARD

The AGM is shaping up to be a showdown between club leadership and frustrated members demanding transparency, accountability, and change.

There are seven seats on the board, and at least four of its existing members are expected to seek re-election, including the club’s current President, William Hulm, and Senior Vice President, Graham Besley.

Directors Benjamin O’Malley and Maggie Salisbury are also expected to run again.

They are likely to face tough competition from at least 10 other financial members, many of whom have expressed concern over the Club’s governance and financial position.

▪️FINANCIAL ISSUES & MEMBER DISCONTENT

A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the future of the club, which has failed to turn a profit since 2022.

According to its most recent Annual Report, the club recorded a net loss of $666,493 in 2024, following a $168,493 deficit in 2023.

As of December 31, 2024, its liabilities also exceeded current assets by $131,195, with negative operating cash flows of $10,981.

Additionally, the club’s cash reserves have been significantly depleted, plummeting from $1.849 million at the start of the 2023 financial year to just $323,228 by the end of 2024.

While the Club attributes much of its spending to renovations (including a new kitchen, car park and interior upgrades), some members argue the rapid depletion of its cash reserves, which took years to accumulate, has put the Club in a vulnerable position.

Members are also unhappy with the Board’s alleged treatment of Danny’s Kitchen which, after leasing the Club’s kitchen and dining space for 27 years, severed ties with the Club in mid-2024.

Owners Danny Yap and Emily Yin accused the Board of forcing them out to make way for Harvesters, alleging bullying, unfair rent increases, and discrimination.

As a result of the discontent, membership has declined over the past year, dropping from 2,208 members at the start of 2024 to 2,113 by the year’s end.
You can read the Club’s full Annual Report on its website.

▪️SENIOR VP UNDER FIRE

Meanwhile, the Club’s senior vice president, Graham Besley, has come under fire over recent public comments where he dismissed members’ concerns, seemingly referring to them as “outsiders”.

In his remarks, Mr Besley took aim at what he said was “misinformation” on social media and appeared to accuse members of not being able to read a profit and loss statement, while repeatedly boasting about his financial background.

Prospective board candidate Allan Tucker accused Besley of being out of touch with the Club’s members, and told The Junee Bulletin that the senior vice president had missed an opportunity to explain how the Board planned to rectify its current financial and operational problems.

“This was a chance for the Board to explain its plans to bring members back, but instead, all we hear about is Mr Besley’s financial experience,” Tucker said.

“[Mr Besley] blames members for not supporting the club and discusses his financial experience – running a board takes more than experience with numbers.”
Tucker warned that dismissing members’ concerns would only further fuel division.

“All of this could be seen as a deflection exercise, rife with criticism to all and sundry, including its valued and concerned members.

“If members express concerns, they should be treated as opportunities for improvement, not as something to be dismissed or criticised.”