Minutes of MC Meeting February 21, 2024

1.    Welcome and Apologies. The meeting commenced at 1.13 pm with the President in the Chair. All members were present: Gerry Moloney, President; Kevin Arnold, Vice-President; Ross Barnes, Treasurer, Simon Briggs, Captain, John de Jersey, Secretary, Katy Hewitt and Kristo Bradley. Graeme Andrews, Greenkeeper, and Andrew Revie (Club Professional) were present for relevant parts of the meeting as guests of the MC.

2.    Professional’s Report. Di Lilley had communicated unhappiness about social players interfering with the smooth running of the Ladies Competition on Tuesday mornings. Andrew said that the particular problem mentioned occurred when he was absent and that he considers that the appropriate timing arrangements for the ladies’ players and social players are in place. The MC agreed that a balance was necessary to ensure a good experience for our lady players as well as allowing necessary income from visitor green fees. Andrew noted that some ladies are now playing in the Thursday 9 hole competition which is seen as a good development. Kevin advised Andrew that access to the front deck would be impeded in about three weeks to allow cleaning and protection of the decking. This process is likely to take several days. Gerry inquired about progress towards involving the Club in Get Into Golf (connect new golfers particularly women and girls )and MyGolf ( Support Juniors) programs. Gerry indicated that he had put in two grant applications to GA and S&R to attract women and girls to try golf.

3.    Greenkeeper’s Report. Graeme noted actions he has been taking to counteract the huge amount of rain that has fallen over the last few weeks. He noted that the rain had caused major drainage problems at the 6^th green and to a lesser extent the second green. He raised the possibility of a drain behind the sixth green to divert most of the water which currently flows across and waterlogs the green. In the meantime, the programmed green renovations will continue as planned.   

Graeme indicated that he hasn’t had time to pursue koala trees but will do so as soon as the weather improves and the greens are in better shape.

Graeme asked about the Club’s fallback position if the large grant application for a new irrigation system for greens and tees (for $210,000) was unsuccessful. He mentioned Government backed loans for disaster areas, of up to $100,000 at 1.79% interest. It was agreed that the question of replacing the old and increasingly non-operational system was urgent.

Ross Hodgson has agreed to fill in on the roughs mower roster on Mondays.

 Graeme will prepare a list of jobs which can be undertaken by volunteers. Gerry to organise a working bee so Graeme can focus on the greens.

Gerry will put in a grant for $10,000 to fund work by Mountain Trees to clean up fallen limbs and a few trees that have become unsafe as a result of the Christmas night storm. This cannot be included in our insurance claim.

The person we agreed to approach about part-time work assisting Graeme is no longer available. Graeme agreed to come up with a list of activities that a support person could do, in the from of a job description. Katie noted that some advertisements appear on social media sites from people who appear to be well qualified and motivated to undertake part-time work of the type we require. She agreed to follow this up and the MC agreed that it would be very valuable to have a part-time worker to free Graeme from some of the less demanding but still time-consuming tasks.

Graeme also raised the question of WiFi to the greenkeeper’s shed. Gerry agreed to investigate obtaining a dongle for that purpose and to ask Bjorn for advice.

4.    Minutes of January Meeting. The draft Minutes of the January 17^th meeting of the MC had been precirculated and were approved unanimously.

5.    Business Arising. Work on the rubble pit to take kitchen wastewater and on the downpipes will be carried out by Kevin and Tim when Tim becomes available in early March. Additional items to be progressed are tree lopping for rebel FM and name tags for specimen trees on the course. Completed tasks include keys for Rebel FM and Website update.

6.    New Membership Approvals. Ross circulated a list of new membership applications, as listed below. All were approved.

Aaron Leach, full; Mick Webb and Arthur Gartrell, weekday; Wayne Job, lifestyle; James Lacey, country. The total number of financial members currently stands at 266. Ross and Gerry have a list of 20 members who did not renew from the end of the year. Katie agreed to help following up a small number who were expected to renew but have not.

7.    Financial Report. Ross pre-circulated the January financial report. The starting balance was $148,121.15 and the final balance was $74,290.07. January had a few yearly expenses: - Annual insurance premium $30 000, Affiliation fees $3 300, Quarterly tax $4 100, Mower repair $4 000, Front deck $25 000. The total expenditure on the front deck has been $64,716, with $22,636 of that being for the deck itself and the remainder for the roof. The grant of $18,000 from the Scenic Rim Council will now be acquitted. It is proposed to invite relevant Council members to an official opening in a few weeks’ time. Regarding the front deck, Kevin will make bin surrounds from the surplus decking timber and will remove the discoloured counter tops sitting on the outer rail of the deck. It was suggested that some chairs which may be suitable for the new deck may be in storage and their suitability will be checked out.

Gerry has been working closely with our insurer on a claim for damages resulting from the Christmas night storm. Our claim is progressing and work should start soon on repairs.

Ross provided a bank statement for the account operated by the Ladies’ Subcommittee. This account now has a signatory from the main Club (the Treasurer), ensuring that the treasurer can maintain oversight of this account as required by legislation.

Ross also provided information on the greenkeeper’s budget, showing that expenditure is according to budget. Ross and Gerry will visit the NAB to update signatories on the Club’s accounts.

8.    Workplace Health and Safety.  Kristo will check the operation of a new light installed in front of Andrew’s buggy shed and 5 Star Electrical will check the sensor activated light around the clubhouse.

9.    Captain’s Report. Simon reported that the program for the year’s Saturday competitions was complete and has been put on the website calendar. He noted that there had been problems with making reports on Ambrose competitions compatible with MiClub. He noted that he had spent time with Todd solving some of the problems. It was agreed that in Ambrose Competitions, all players should play off the same tees. It was noted that in Match Play competitions, it was essential for players to arrive punctually for their tee off time and that failure to do so would result in disqualification.

The King and Queen of the Mountain competitions will be held on April 20.   Attempts will be made to attract additional players from other clubs, and lady players from other clubs will be able to play by paying only the competition fee, not green fees.

Simon noted that he had applied for a Blue Card. John will follow this up.

10,11.  Correspondence. See elsewhere in Minutes. Several communications related to insurance cover for 2024 and claim for damages due to the Christmas night storm.

12.     General Business.

·       Grant application for generator. The Club wishes to purchase a generator in view of the losses incurred during the extended power outage resulting from the Christmas night storm and the enhanced possibility of further power outages in future. Accordingly, the purchase of a generator has been investigated. Because the Clubhouse has three phase power installed (required to run the cold room), a generator supplying three phase power is required. The cost of a suitable generator, plus installation is approximately $12000. It was agreed to apply for a grant under the Strengthen Rural Communities program run by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal towards the cost of the generator, moved Gerry Moloney, seconded Ross Barnes, carried unanimously.

·       Grant application for tables and chairs for front deck. Gerry suggested that the Club put in an application to the Scenic Rim regional Council Community Grant Minor Rd 2 for new tables and chairs for the front deck, to replace those not covered by our insurance policy. It was agreed to apply for a grant of up to $5000, moved Gerry, seconded Ross, carried unanimously.

·       Nomination for Kevin Arnold to become a Life Member, received from Leon Radunz and Bruce Bartle.  The MC endorsed the nomination for Kevin which will now be put to the AGM in September as a Special Resolution, according to the Constitution.

·       The Secretary is to contact the Electoral Commission to update the Club’s contact person (Secretary). The Clubs Queensland contact has already been changed.

·       It was noted that incorporated bodies will need to follow an approved grievance procedure from 1 July, 2024. The new Constitution contains a grievance procedure which is acceptable.

·       Continued search for a sponsor for part of the sign on Golf Course Road (Katie to pursue).

·       Course priorities and possible grant submissions. Gerry supplied a list which will be discussed at a future meeting.

·       Secretary to contact Stephen Berry over a suggested amendment to Vet’s Committee By-Laws.

·       Use of skip in car park. Gerry will include a message in the next newsletter confirming that the skip is for Club use only.

·       The pump servicing the Club’s rental house has failed. After advice, it was proposed that a new pump be purchased, a Davy pump for $1100. This expenditure was agreed to.

·       The rendering of the final sections of the clubhouse exterior will be completed soon.

·       Kevin to investigate the missing downpipe near the entry to the clubhouse,

14. Closure and Next Meeting.  The president closed the meeting at 3.54 pm. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday March 20 at 1 pm.

Minutes prepared by John de Jersey, Secretary, TMGC.