With four positions open for election to the Board this year, I know many of you spent time considering who you believed would best serve the club, over the next one to three years. I would like to thank every member who took the time to come to the club and cast a vote.<\/p>\n
I would also like to thank the 99 members who attended the AGM. Your presence shows genuine commitment and engagement. Let\u2019s aim to have even more members involved next year.<\/p>\n
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Transparency and Communication Transparency is a core value for us, and we take these concerns seriously. Our goal is to ensure that all members feel informed and confident about the decisions and activities of the Board. To that end, we will:<\/p>\n A few members have asked us to consider introducing electronic voting, believing it may increase participation. The Board reviewed this during our strategic planning meeting earlier this year and determined the cost of implementing such a system, including the constitutional changes required, would be significant.<\/p>\n While we continually explore ways to improve our processes, it\u2019s important to note that electronic voting has not yet gained full confidence at local, state or federal government levels.\u00a0 Given this, it is difficult to justify a substantial investment from a club of our size into a system that has not been clearly proven to be more effective than our current process. Additionally, in-person voting encourages members to visit the club, share a meal or a drink, and stay engaged with our community, which is an important part of who we are.<\/p>\n Our priority remains ensuring fairness, accuracy, and accessibility in all voting procedures.\u00a0 We will continue to monitor developments in this area and revisit the discussion if evidence shows clear benefits for our members and the club.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Strategic Planning In addition, the Board has engaged Cara Dale (C2Hills Consultancy) to assist with the development of our strategic plan, grant applications, and council liaison.<\/p>\n These steps reflect our commitment to ensuring the club\u2019s long-term sustainability and growth through expert advice and collaborative planning.<\/p>\n Key Approvals from the meetings<\/u><\/p>\n Why Some Information Isn\u2019t Shared Immediately Sharing ideas too early, before we have confirmed details often leads to misunderstandings, rumours, or unnecessary concerns. In some cases, information has been leaked before we are ready, and we are then criticised for not being \u201ctransparent.\u201d<\/p>\n Announcing ideas without proper investigation will only lead to greater frustration, if they later prove unviable. Our responsibility is to present members with projects that are fully considered and achievable.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Example:\u00a0 The New Halfway House Had we shared this publicly before completing these steps, and the deal ultimately fell through, the backlash would have been significant.<\/p>\n As it stands, we are awaiting final plans before giving final approval. If successful, the halfway house will be located where the old driving nets are, with a deck surrounding the caf\u00e9. A contractor would run it, not the Club as we do not have the staff nor the desire to operate it ourselves. They will build and install the facility at their cost, operate 7 days a week, sell food and continue selling club-owned alcohol at no cost to us. It will initially run as a trial.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Feedback on the 7th Hole Redevelopment The Board\u2019s responsibility is to deliver a professionally designed, well-constructed golf course, not a committee-designed experiment. This approach ensures the integrity, playability and long-term sustainability of the course.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Five New Holes Some have asked whether this project needs member approval. This was already put to members in 2012, and the proposal was approved. A DA was lodged and secured shortly after, and early work began such as clearing between the current 2nd green and 3rd fairway and constructing the tee on the current Par 5 5th.\u00a0 If this work had not been done back then, the DA would have lapsed.<\/p>\n Today, obtaining a new DA would be nearly impossible. Environmental regulations are tightening rapidly, and there is a real risk the government could revoke or restrict our existing DA in the future. Completing this project is not only beneficial, it is critical.<\/p>\n Some may ask, \u201cWhy change anything? Our course is great.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Yes, but only because Steve and his team have worked miracles. Many of our greens are over 50 years old, with inconsistent turf species, shallow root systems and insufficient drainage. Our fairways look beautiful from a distance, but closer inspection reveals invasive carpet grass spreading rapidly. A species that cannot be removed without harming the surrounding turf.<\/p>\n Other clubs that failed to future-proof their courses are now struggling, and some have deteriorated to the point of being called \u201cgoat tracks\u201d. We will not allow Port Macquarie to reach that point. The Board\u2019s responsibility is to protect the long-term health of the course and that includes making decisions that safeguard the next generation of members, not just those of us here today.<\/p>\n We must begin somewhere and members chose the starting point back in 2012. If we delay any further, the cost of maintaining the course will rise dramatically and the club will eventually become too expensive to run.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Social Media Platforms Posting complaints or attacking Board members, management, or fellow members on social media is not only inappropriate and cowardly \u2013 it can lead to disciplinary action, including possible suspension. The club has a strict social media policy which applies to all members.<\/p>\n We fully support open communication and constructive feedback.\u00a0 However, derogatory comments or personal attacks about management or board members on platforms that can be linked to Port Macquarie Golf Club will not be tolerated.<\/p>\n Thank you for helping us maintain a respectful and positive environment for all members.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In Closing<\/strong><\/p>\n Thank you for taking the time to read this, for your support, and for your ongoing commitment to the club. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.<\/p>\n If you have not yet booked your New Year\u2019s Eve celebration at the club, please do so soon \u2014 seats are filling quickly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/strong>It has come to our attention that some members feel the Board is not being fully transparent about certain matters occurring around the club. I want to address this directly.<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>As reported in the Annual Reports and reiterated by our CEO at the AGM, the Board has actively pursued strategic planning throughout 2025.\u00a0 At our Strategic Planning meetings held on 4 April and 23 September 2025, we had presentations from:<\/p>\n\n
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<\/strong>When the Board considers a new idea or project, there is a strict process we must follow. Before anything is announced publicly, we must:<\/p>\n\n
<\/u>A good example of this process is the proposed halfway house.\u00a0 Over the past six months, we have been:<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>Some members have asked why they were not consulted on the planning of the new 7th hole.<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>The same process will guide the upcoming development of the five new holes.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>If at any time you have concerns about a decision, or if you hear rumours about what the Board is doing, the right and respectful approach is to speak directly with Ian or myself. We will gladly arrange a meeting to explain the reasoning behind our decisions and the direction we are taking. We are always open to discussing any concerns or grievances you may have.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/portmacquarie.miclub.com.au\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Gavin.png\")
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