Amended Minutes of Management Committee Meeting of August 21, 2024

·       Welcome and Apologies. The meeting was opened by the President, in the Chair, at 1.30 pm.

Attendees: Gerry Moloney, President; Kevin Arnold, Vice president; Ross Barnes, Treasurer; John de Jersey, Secretary; Katy Hewitt, Kristo Bradley. Guests: Ross Hodgson, Graeme Andrews, Andrew Revie.

Apology: Simon Briggs, Captain.

·       Professional’s Report. Andrew reminded members about the Motoneuron Disease Charity Day on Friday 23 August. A full field of players had entered. Members accepted Andrew’s offer to organize activities for a Jarrod Lyle Day on a forthcoming Wednesday and Saturday.

Andrew told the meeting that he had appointed Connor White as a casual employee at 15 hours/week, given Mitch’s departure for the USA.

Andrew reported an email complaint he had received from member …... He turned up to play when the Super Seniors competition was on, without making a booking with the Pro Shop. 

Gerry will put a reminder in the Newsletter that members wishing to play a round need to book a time by phoning the Pro Shop. The Secretary is to send a reply to the …… email.

As previously mentioned, Andrew has requested an 18-month extension to his present contract to allow him to lease some new golf carts to replace old ones.  He responded to a question about the availability of food and the available menu choices. The kitchen is open daily from 10am-2 pm. Pies and sausage rolls would normally be available after 2 pm. Andrew said he is open to suggestions about additional menu items, in the context of what is sensible to provide. It was suggested that a sign should be put up near the bar noting the kitchen hours.

It was agreed to postpone the green fee increase approved at the previous MC meeting until after the new irrigation system had been completed, given the disruption that will cause.

Regarding the program for Women and Girls in golf, Andrew and Gerry had met with Rebel FM and agreed about a series of advertisements for a golf clinic/introduction. Andrew will talk to Bjorn about linking enrolments in the program with Golf Australia, important because they are providing the insurance cover. As a further encouragement for women and juniors, it was agreed to offer an initial year’s membership for $500, for a mother and two children from 10-18.

It was agreed to request quotes for a new PA system for the Pro Shop and Club House surrounds.

After discussion of a response from the President of the TM Netball Club, it was agreed to offer sponsorship of $750 from the Women and Girls grant in return for encouragement of netball players to undertake an introductory golf clinic. Gerry and Andrew to pursue.

In response to a question, Andrew said that there were two defibrillators available, one in the Club House and one in the Machinery Shed.

·       Course Report. Graeme noted that the fairways had just been fertilised and that koala trees had been planted beside the first fairway. Leon is obtaining additional rainforest trees as replacements along the northern side of the first fairway near the bore. Greens had been sprayed after consultation with an agronomist about winter grass and other pests.

Regarding finances, Gerry noted that he has succeeded in recovering the $35,000 excess we had to pay to our insurance company. He is also hopeful of obtaining some additional insurance money towards the irrigation fund, and also for sand, dying trees and concrete paths. He will have a meeting about this on September 4. Given the improvement in overall funds, it was agreed to reactivate the quote for the concrete pad for the proposed new cart sheds and storage shed, and also to request a supplementary quote for extension of cart paths. Kevin to pursue.

Geoff Hedges plans to start the irrigation installation on September 17 and it should take about two weeks. He will need an advance to cover the cost of the polypipe. This was agreed to and he should contact Ross. The practice hole will be brought into play during the installation period.

Gerry has nominated Graeme for the Course Superintendent’s Award under the QIGA Awards. Ross H and his wife Chris will accompany Graeme and Deb to the presentation dinner.

·       Minutes of Previous Meeting. The draft minutes of the July 17 MC meeting had been precirculated and were confirmed (moved Katy, seconded Kevin, carried unanimously).

·       Business arising. Kitchen floor waste. Ross B diverted the water overflow into a small pit near the steps and confirmed that the overflow water was coming from the ice machine. Monitor.

Bamboo growing near our advertising sign on Golf Course Road has been partly cut back by the Council. We need to cut further, perhaps a good task for a working bee.

·       New membership approvals. Applications were received from the following and all were approved:

Bri Hourigan, Country;

Phil Curd, Full;

Will Phelan, Young Adult;

Adam Bridges, Full;

Thomas Netherton, Young Adult;

David Thomson, Full;

Danny Hutchen, Full;

Brendan Nielsen, Full;

George Brady, Young Adult;

Jacob McMillan, Young Adult.

This brings the total of financial members to 231. MC members perused the list of 61 people who did not renew from July 1, and noted several that would have been expected to re-join.

·       Financial Report. Ross had precirculted the monthly financial report for July. This showed a final balance of $195,531.51 at the end of July. The final balance in the operating account at the end of the financial year was $144,146.96. The financial report was approved, moved Ross B, seconded John, carried unanimously. It was agreed to donate $200 to the Show Society as a gesture of support. It was noted that the Tamborine Mountain Motel, one of our sponsors, had recently changed hands. Katy will follow up on whether they wish to continue sponsorship.

·       Workplace Health and Safety. See above item about defibrillators. No other matters were raised.

·        Competition Report. Ross H. is keeping the competition schedule up to date in the absence of Simon on a work trip for three weeks. This situation highlights the need for an Assistant Captain. Ross noted some ongoing issues with MiClub. It was noted that the prizemoney for the different competitions should be related to the number of participants.

·        TMGC Strategic Action Plan.   Gerry is in negotiation with Mike Orloff re a marketing plan for the club.

·       Correspondence In. Proposal from Virtual Golf that the Club enter into a type of reciprocal arrangement, such that in return for Virtual Golf sponsorship of selected TMGC competitions, the Club make available a round of golf (18 holes for two people). This was approved.

An email was received from ……… alleging rumoured discrimination in the format/operation of 2024 Club Championships. The President replied by email that there was no evidence of discrimination.

An email was received from ……. requesting that Country members be permitted to play in Honour Board events after a trial period. It was agreed that in future full members and country members would be allowed to enter / win Honour Board events, provided they had submitted at least six competition cards in the six months prior to the event.

·       Correspondence out. 

QRIDA re excess on tornado insurance claim. See above.

·       General Business.

Preparation for AGM on September 28. Need to ensure completed nomination forms are put on Noticeboard two weeks before the meeting i.e. by September 14. The Notice of Meeting and Call for Nominations should also be put on the Noticeboard. The MC agreed to ask John Youngman if he would be prepared to be nominated for another year as Appeals Committee chair. The Competition on September 28 is set down as a Canadian Foursomes.

QRIDA Grant Applications for $10k and $25k will be submitted by Gerry on August 24.

QIGA nomination. See above.

Virtual Golf sponsorship. See above.

Honour Board Review. Ongoing.

2025 Insurance Cover. Kevin will obtain a quote from a different company for comparison.

Active Women and Golf Grant update. See above.

Bruce Bartle nomination for Life membership. This has been approved at a previous MC meeting to go forward at the AGM. Nomination form completed.

Green fee changes on hold. See above.

TMGC Charter has been put on the website (Gerry, Bjorn).

Succession Planning. Ongoing.

TM Netball sponsorship. See above.

Name tags for trees. Project completed satisfactorily for native trees. Additional tags will be obtained for some exotic trees. Many thanks to those responsible.

Pest control in Clubhouse. The MC will use our local Pest Control person who lives in the estate rather than Flick. Katy to organise.

Pro Shop speaker system. See above.

Quotes for Cart Sheds and Storage Shed. See above.

Review of Club Championships. Will take place shortly.

Additional items. 

Kevin showed a picture showing that the gutter on the front deck does not cope with heavy rain. He will ask the contractor about what can be done.

The Professionals franchise has been sold but Katy has confirmed that the new owners will continue with their sponsorship.

Katy discussed a quote for new furniture for the front deck. It was agreed to allocate up to $5000 towards new tables and chairs.

·       Closure and Next Meeting. The meeting was closed by the President at 4 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for 1 pm on Wednesday September 18.