A WEEK after a sizeable majority of Hurstville RSL members voted for the merger with South Hurstville RSL, the dissident Friends of Hurstville RSL have decided to lay down their arms.
They had considered registering a protest with the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority at the way the meeting was handled, but decided to bow to the majority.
The friends had fought hard for Hurstville RSL to keep its identity and felt that members should have been given an opportunity to consider an alternative option to amalgamation — one which would have allowed them to keep their club.
Developer Skye Pacific had offered to build a multi-storey residential development on the site with a new club as part of the mix.
But the board would only allow one item on the meeting agenda — to merge or not to merge.
Friends of Hurstville RSL spokesman Mikall Chong said they suspected there was bias in the way the votes were counted and confusion in the translation of meeting procedure for the non-English-speaking Chinese, who subsequently might have voted against their intentions.
They had given Mr Bell a week to clarify aspects of the meeting they found questionable and were reasonably satisfied with his reply.
"If that's what the members have decided we will stand by the majority decision, although we still have reservations" he said.
"At this moment I am not willing to put my hand up again to fight it — I will rest my case."
Hurstville RSL chief executive Rod Bell said there was a clear majority of two votes to one for the amalgamation.
"It was an overwhelming victory for common sense and the future of our club," he said.
"However, I also understand that some people who were supporters of the 'no' vote have questioned the running of the meeting.
"The meeting took place as per normal meeting procedures and was run by the Hurstville board. There were speakers for both sides.
"People voted by putting their hands up and they were carefully counted by the Hurstville RSL solicitor and other club officials."
Mr Bell said the meeting had been delayed for about an hour so all people who were eligible to vote could have their membership and eligibility thoroughly checked.
"A group of the Friends of Hurstville arrived after the meeting had started, however upon legal advice it was decided that it was appropriate to let them take part in the vote."
South Hurstville chief executive Simon Mikkelsen said they would work hard to restore the club to profitability and that Hurstville members now had two clubs to go to.
Mr Mikkelsen said that he was confident that the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority would approve the amalgamation and refurbishment would follow.
"It has been no secret that Hurstville RSL has not had the necessary cash flow to make the necessary improvements to the club over the last five years," he said.
"Further down the track we will need to consider how best to develop the site so that all of our members are catered for and to ensure we have appropriate revenue streams."
What do you think of the outcome?
