President’s Message – Project Unity

I hope all Members have now fully recovered from any difficulties experienced during the recent Brisbane floods. It is pleasing to see our golf course being enjoyed again and indeed it is in remarkable condition as we enter the cooler months of the year. Again, may I extend a huge thank you to our entire staff and volunteers for their tireless efforts since February.

I am pleased to also report that the Club Rules and Governance changes associated with Project Unity have now been formally completed. I would like to firstly summarise the steps in this process that have occurred since our AGM in December.

• At the AGM the Motion put to Members regarding the Project Unity Rule Changes was overwhelmingly passed in the affirmative.
• These Rule changes were then registered with the Office of Fair Trading in January of this year. Subsequently, Janet Nathanson (Women’s Captain) was appointed to the Club Committee. David Raman (Men’s Vice Captain) and the Women’s Vice Captain will now sit on the Match Sub-Committee .
• The Ladies By-Laws were rescinded on Wednesday, 30 March 2022
• The new Member Engagement Group Terms of Reference were approved by the Club Committee on Wednesday, 30 March 2022. This group sits under and reports to the Member Services’ Sub-Committee. These Terms of Reference can be read by Members as they now appear in our Corporate Governance Framework (Appendix L). Click here to peruse.

This new Club structure will now achieve the vision of having one united Club sitting under one banner. It will ensure maximum efficiency and enable the Club to work to improve the experience of every Member of the Club. True collaboration across all Member groups will become easier and greater awareness of the totality of the Club’s operations will lead to enhanced outcomes for golfing and social events.

It is appropriate currently to reflect on the amazing history of this Golf Club. I am fully aware that Project Unity represents another significant change for the Membership. Change is constant in our society, and I am proud that this Club is embracing change that will see future generations enjoy the benefits that come with this unification.

I also wish to reassure all Members that from a practical golfing and social event perspective, little will change. Women’s and Men’s golfing fixtures will continue as before, and the Member Engagement Group will serve to ensure that all Members continue to have input into running of events associated with the Club. I encourage all Members to offer their suggestions to this Group. Future appointments to this Group will occur through the Chair of Member Services.

It would be remiss of me at this time to not reflect upon and congratulate the tireless efforts of the Ladies’ Committees throughout the history of The Brisbane Golf Club. Indeed, this Club would not be held with such high regard without the work of our Lady Members. I know that our Club is the envy of many Clubs in Southeast Queensland – especially in terms of Ladies golf and their amazing social events.

This change in structure to the Club has been a difficult process for all of us. But I wish to thank the many Members who have contributed their thoughts, wisdom and energies to ensuring the outcome has become a positive experience. I particularly wish to thank Sue Lewandowski and her 2021 Ladies Committee. They have gone above and beyond in their efforts to achieve this outcome and the Club Committee is eternally grateful. Our Vice President, Deb Kember, has spent a huge amount of time and energy in driving Project Unity. I am grateful for her support and vision over the past 12 months. Finally, I would like to thank the various Club Committees over many years. These Committees have all shared this common goal to achieve a Club that is truly united and each Committee plotted the course through challenging times.

In conclusion may I wish each Member of the Club, our Staff, and their Families a Happy and Healthy Easter period. I look forward to seeing many of you through the Winter months enjoying the Course and our Club.

Kind regards

Mark Deuble, President