‘Message sent’: All but one incumbent ousted in Club election

IN a stunning shakeup, all but one sitting board member seeking re-election to the Junee Ex-Services Memorial Club has been voted out, with members electing six new directors to help chart a new course for the Club.

The result follows one of the most highly contested and controversial elections in the Club’s history, ushering in sweeping change at one of the town’s most important community institutions.

The outcome was announced at tonight’s highly anticipated Annual General Meeting (AGM), which drew one of the largest turnouts the Club has seen in years.

There was standing room only in the Club’s auditorium as hundreds of members filed in for the high-stakes meeting.

A total of 16 candidates vied for seven board positions. With only four sitting board members seeking re-election, a shake-up was always inevitable.

Over 500 votes were cast in the election—the extraordinary result a stark contrast to last year’s AGM, which saw only 44 attendees and around 180 votes cast for six candidates.

In the end, only one of the four incumbents retained their positions, as members voted decisively for six new directors promising reform, financial stability, and a fresh leadership culture.

John Lillingston has replaced William Hulm as Club President, with Hulm demoted to the role of Junior Vice President.

Jennifer Duncan will take on the role of Senior Vice President, while the remaining four directors’ seats will be filled by Leo ‘Mick’ McCarthy, Jonty Bruce, Liz Cowled and Maree Allamby.

After serving over a decade as the Club’s Vice President, Graham Besley was voted out, along with former directors Benjiman O’Malley and Maggie Salisbury.

◾️ 2025–2026 BOARD LINEUP

• President: John Lillingston
• Senior VP: Jennifer Duncan
• Junior VP: William Hulm
• Director: Leo ‘Mick’ McCarthy
• Director: Jonty Bruce
• Director: Liz Cowled
• Director: Maree Allamby

The result caps off a turbulent 12 months for the Club, marked by public backlash following the mid-2024 departure of long-time tenant Danny’s Kitchen and growing concern over internal governance.

Long-simmering concerns around transparency, discrimination, financial management, and member treatment were at the forefront of the election campaign, dominating discussions across the community in recent weeks.

Many attendees voiced hope that the new board will bring accountability, stability, and a renewed focus on members.

“This isn’t just a vote — it’s a reckoning,” one member told The Junee Bulletin. “People were tired of not being heard. Tonight shows how powerful the members still are.”

“Members want improvement, but also experience on the board,” said another. “It’s a message: keep what’s working and fix what isn’t.”

The new-look board now faces the critical task of leading the Club through a pivotal chapter—one requiring the rebuilding of member trust, a steady financial hand, and a commitment to cultural change.

They must also navigate the fallout from months of internal unrest and community criticism.

“This is a chance to reset,” one long-time member said. “The Club means too much to too many people to let it fail. Now it’s up to the board to prove they’ve listened.”