SMELLS FISHY Governance of Torquay Angling Club questioned

THE governance of the Torquay Angling Club has been questioned by some of its members, with suggestions of a no confidence vote in the committee and calls to revert to its old constitution.

More than 50 people attended the club’s annual general meeting at its rooms at Fishermans Beach on Sunday in what the club’s website described as “unprecedented interest, number of candidates and confusion with respect to proxy voting” in the three open spots on its nine-person committee as well as the position of commodore.

Three candidates stood for commodore – Robert Earl, Colin McDougall and Andrew Miszczyk. Mr Earl was successful with 55 votes, followed by Mr McDougall with 24 votes and Mr Miszczyk with 10.

The nominees to serve on the committee were then announced: Tash Hilton, Mr McDougall (who immediately withdrew his nomination), Jan Menzel, Mr Miszczyk, Andrew Mitchell, Jeff Searle, Rolf Weiske and Adam Young. Ms Hilton, Ms Menzel
and Mr Young were elected.

When the meeting moved into general business, the first question was about how to submit a no-confidence motion in the existing committee.

In response, committee member Mike Meade said any motion at the AGM had to be made in writing to the committee at least seven days earlier, but the club would be “honour-bound to call a special general meeting” if such a motion was moved.

Following a question from the floor, Mr Meade said the club’s 2004 constitution did not allow proxy votes – of which there were many during both votes at the AGM – but the constitution updated in 2017 did, and this constitution was registered with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and thus valid.

“I’ll be quite frank with you, there is a group within the club who take strong issue with what I’m saying.”

He said he raised this dispute on Friday along with two witnesses in a meeting with a representative of Consumer Affairs Victoria, who assured him the AGM could still go ahead, but the minutes of that meeting had been lost.

“The fact that the minutes is not available is not a fatal flaw. The constitution stands. If we’re going to be confronted on that issue, bring it on.”