By Jeremy Sollars
The Warwick RSL Memorial Club has a new president and committee – albeit in ‘caretaker mode’ – following a dramatic meeting of members in Kings Theatre last night, Tuesday 15 January.
Around 260 financial club members turned out for a special general meeting called by a group of members concerned about the club’s financial position and future.
The purpose of the ‘Save the Warwick RSL’ meeting was to seek the resignation or removal of the now-former management committee which was led by president Geraldine O’Neill.
Mrs O’Neill and former management committee members – with the exception of secretary Lindsay Goodwin – were not present at last night’s meeting, which voted all but unanimously to remove Mrs O’Neill and her fellow committee members.
A new committee was then elected which will oversee the running of the RSL until the next AGM which is due in March.
Mrs O’Neill had claimed earlier this week last night’s special meeting was unconstitutional but she appears to have now accepted it had complied with the club’s constitution.
The Free Times attempted to contact Mrs O’Neill for comment this morning, Wednesday 16 January but she was unavailable.
A spokesman for the club did however confirm to us the club had received advice today from Mrs O’Neill that the new committee had been elected legitimately, effectively confirming that she and the former committee had accepted the outcome of last night’s meeting.
The new management committee is as follows –
President – Greg Linnett
Senior Vice President – Lindsay Goodwin
Junior Vice President – Lorraine Dent
Secretary – Philippa Whitman
Treasurer – Peter Kemp
Committee members – Bob Bennett, Greg Byrne, Gary Amos, Tony Brewer, Russell Passfield and Harry Liaubon.
Last night’s meeting heard the Warwick RSL Memorial Club is ‘in the red’ to the tune of around $2 million, including bank loans and an Australian Tax Office debt.
But the consensus was that with the right management model and community support the club’s financial position could be turned around.
