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CONCERNED RESIDENT MEETING OUTCOME:

The outcomes from the meeting held at Sandhurst Club yesterday evening (17/8/23) are best summarised in the letter which was hand delivered and emailed to the CEO, Chairman, Board and Resident Committee earlier today.  See below.

19th September 2023

Dear CEO, Chairman and Board Members of Sandhurst – Club & SHAL,

Re: Formal notice to immediately cease political action on behalf of members, or failing this, notice to call an EGM to elect a new Board and Chairman due to a no confidence motion by shareholders, and call to terminate the contract of the CEO.

We write formally to you with sincerity, and on behalf of Sandhurst Members and Shareholders who have collectively decided to stand up, united in opposition to divisive decisions made on behalf of, and misrepresenting shareholders political views in a public statement, something which should not be part of the responsibilities we charge Sandhurst companies to do on our behalf.

In the past 72 hours, a growing collective of concerned residents have organised and taken various action in opposition to Board instigated political activism at Sandhurst:

1.       We have started a petition on change.org and have distributed access to sign up to the majority of residents at Sandhurst Club via a letterbox drop to 1,100 of the homes and online access via Sandhurst social media forums.  Distribution to remaining homes will continue into the weekend.

This petition has revealed that there is alarming division and escalating conflict in the Sandhurst community in response to decisions made by the Board and Chairman and implemented by the CEO and employees of Club and SHAL in relation to planned upcoming Indigenous Activism to:

•            Permanently fly the Indigenous flag at Sandhurst Club

•            Acknowledge traditional owners of our Sandhurst land by way of a plaque

•            Pay for a smoking and cleansing ceremony with an Indigenous elder using our money

•            Welcoming us to our own country at every opportunity

These 4 points are now referred to as ‘The Action’.

A growing number of residents have formed the view that just like big business telling us what to do – Sandhurst Club wants to dictate to us what to think, and ultimately how to vote in the upcoming referendum on The Voice to Parliament (VTP).

We know from the polls that over 50% of Australians don’t want a VTP.  So, why does Sandhurst Club think it appropriate to make political statements on behalf of residents supporting the Indigenous Industry, particularly at this time?  

The support for the petition to stop The Action has been overwhelming for a small community affirmative action group.  Within 72 hours, 204 residents signed the petition to stop The Action. Poll results are being sent to club@sandhurst.com and can be monitored by the Club as support grows.

The escalating divisive chatter online and between neighbours demonstrates the possibly irreversible rift caused in the Sandhurst Community. This growing animosity amongst previously peaceful neighbours is the direct result of The Action planned by the Board, Chairman and CEO and we hold all responsible for this unwanted action and its consequences: financial, social and emotional.

2.       At 6.30pm on 17/8/23 fifty-four (54) concerned resident members (Shareholders) met together at The Clubhouse and voted unanimously to write this letter demanding Sandhurst immediately cease The Action.  

Failing this, we hereby provide formal notice to call an Emergency General Meeting of the members (EGM) to elect a new Board and Chairman due to a no confidence motion by shareholders, and call to terminate the contract of the CEO, effective immediately.

•                     The Board has demonstrated they are dysfunctional, biased, and as currently incorporated not able to represent the Shareholders with balanced and consultative decisions that work in favour of shareholder financial and other interests

•                     The Board and CEO have demonstrated without doubt that they are not able to act in the best interest of shareholders – the main responsibility of the Director in any Company

•                     The Board has demonstrated complete lack of transparency in decision making, and going forward minutes of all Board meetings should be made public, so shareholders are kept informed

We note that the Chairman, Malcolm Thomson was fully aware of the meeting called by concerned residents and was invited personally by a member earlier in the day whilst playing golf to attend to listen and/or speak to members to inform decision making by himself and The Board in advance of The Action taking place.  The Chairman did not attend, further demonstrating the complete disregard for shareholders’ views on this and other matters.  

A further unanimous vote at the Shareholders meeting held 17/8/23 called for a change to the Sandhurst Charter, Constitution and other documents that direct the responsibilities and function of The Board and employees at Sandhurst, specifically exclude any Sandhurst representative from stating any political or religious views on behalf of members and Shareholders.  If this is already in place, then it is not being followed and is further reason for immediate dissolution of The Board, termination of the CEO and new representatives appointed to devise strategy, represent, and execute shareholder interests.

3.       A further, vote 51/3 majority voted to simultaneous to this letter, to publicly source funds and use to seek legal advice and representation for an injunction to stop The Action.

Several members made statements at the meeting on their knowledge of The Action and how/why it has come about.  It was noted by various long standing Sandhurst Committee Members that they have never heard of discussion of Indigenous initiatives and actions by The Club and that the statement by the Chairman in a letter dated 17/8/23 of it being “an ongoing conversation for several years” was false to their knowledge.

These Committee Members also confirmed they were aware of prohibition of politicisation of their activities as part of the responsibilities of Committee members and it was anticipated that this same standard must apply to The Board, Chairman, CEO and other employees.

Meeting attendees did not accept the Chairmans statement from earlier in the day that “The decision to acknowledge the land on which our Club is built has no connection to the referendum vote and has been taken out of context by some within our community” and led to the question whether Sandhurst was awarded a government grant or incentive of some kind to support the ‘Yes vote’ in the upcoming referendum.  In addition to other motions, we seek written confirmation regarding this question.

A final comment at the Shareholders meeting included the summarised statement:

Sandhurst is not a Council but is being run as one.  We are a private members club and shareholders and the Board need to be held accountable for decisions made, financial or otherwise.  Decisions should be made to support the financial interest we as shareholders all have in the Company and not against it.  The Board has not demonstrated this action in any way benefits shareholders and is based on personal agendas, not shareholder interests.

Signed for and on behalf of Concerned Residents

(saying No to Politics at Sandhurst Club)

We will keep everyone informed as to the outcomes from this letter. 

If you are willing or able to lend a hand with any of the actions please write to cr.sandhurst@gmail.com.  In particular we could use help with legal advice or anyone experienced with gofundme to secure funding for legal action.

Meanwhile, stay positive and ignore the trolls and name calling.  We will do our best to prevail!