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#1
Firstly, in writing this it is not an advocacy to elect Colin to the club’s Board at next Wednesday’s AGM but is and obversation of the remarks he has made in his spiel in promoting his cause.
However, I have taken onboard what he is saying - all very much food for thought as he considers the club is facing a critical time in it’s long history.
Colin, presently a company director and general manager of a large international company, was a member of the club’s first premiership team in 1961. He is not coming from an omniscience stance in what he is saying but to my mind of all the candidates he is one who has brought to the members’ attention critical fronts of just where our club presently stands - in particular about finance, team performance and administration.
Extract from Colin’s candidate statement:-
“The current Board's main aim has been sound financial management as distinct from success on the field and winning premierships. As a result, in recent years, we have had one of the worst performing football sides in the AFL But we are also now under financial pressure without the AFL Waverley compensation payments of around $l million a year.
"2004 was a catastrophic year. The Club was humiliated both on and off the field. Our Club was a laughing stock and our management was dysfunctional. The Club lost its way.
"In 2005 the Club has continued to struggle. The changes to the football administration will not guarantee success. It seems our future hopes now rest on an inexperienced coaching staff and young recruits and a new base at Waverley. Now is a critical time in our Club's history.
“I believe that the number one motivator, and the number one objective, should be winning Premierships. Whilst financial security is vital, success on the field is the best way to attract greater membership and financial support. This change of emphasis, as demonstrated in recent years by Brisbane and Sydney, is paramount.
“I am concerned that our facilities at Waverley may not be member friendly. I do not believe that the current Board has designed Waverley to encourage members to support our team as it trains even though this was stated by the Board, at the outset, to be one of the prime objectives in the Waverley move. We must make sure that we do not have a training venue remote from our supporter base where the direct involvement of members and supporters is lost. It was precisely this association that historically made us the family club and the envy of our competitors.
“I am also concerned about the future of Ausdoc (Glenferrie Oval) and the Linda Crescent Social Club. Our great Club suffered through loss of members when we moved to Carlton in the 1970s, away from our Glenferrie power base. We must ensure that our Club's fabric and membership are not undermined again when we move to Waverley.
“I sincerely hope and trust that Jeff Kennett will bring good leadership and a refreshing change to the Club as president. But, a balanced board, comprising capable directors, and representing a mix of skills and the diverse views of members, should not just be handpicked by one Individual from within the Club. We have been down that road before.
“The democratic process safeguarded by the Club's constitution means that members of the Club with different skill sets should be democratically elected.
As an Independent Board member, I guarantee members that I will bring an Independent vision to your Board and will do everything within my abilities to return the Club to its former greatness”.
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He has given a lot of food for thought - what are yours?
(I cant get to Melbourne for Wednesday’s AGM and have faxed to Colin my proxy voting form).
However, I have taken onboard what he is saying - all very much food for thought as he considers the club is facing a critical time in it’s long history.
Colin, presently a company director and general manager of a large international company, was a member of the club’s first premiership team in 1961. He is not coming from an omniscience stance in what he is saying but to my mind of all the candidates he is one who has brought to the members’ attention critical fronts of just where our club presently stands - in particular about finance, team performance and administration.
Extract from Colin’s candidate statement:-
“The current Board's main aim has been sound financial management as distinct from success on the field and winning premierships. As a result, in recent years, we have had one of the worst performing football sides in the AFL But we are also now under financial pressure without the AFL Waverley compensation payments of around $l million a year.
"2004 was a catastrophic year. The Club was humiliated both on and off the field. Our Club was a laughing stock and our management was dysfunctional. The Club lost its way.
"In 2005 the Club has continued to struggle. The changes to the football administration will not guarantee success. It seems our future hopes now rest on an inexperienced coaching staff and young recruits and a new base at Waverley. Now is a critical time in our Club's history.
“I believe that the number one motivator, and the number one objective, should be winning Premierships. Whilst financial security is vital, success on the field is the best way to attract greater membership and financial support. This change of emphasis, as demonstrated in recent years by Brisbane and Sydney, is paramount.
“I am concerned that our facilities at Waverley may not be member friendly. I do not believe that the current Board has designed Waverley to encourage members to support our team as it trains even though this was stated by the Board, at the outset, to be one of the prime objectives in the Waverley move. We must make sure that we do not have a training venue remote from our supporter base where the direct involvement of members and supporters is lost. It was precisely this association that historically made us the family club and the envy of our competitors.
“I am also concerned about the future of Ausdoc (Glenferrie Oval) and the Linda Crescent Social Club. Our great Club suffered through loss of members when we moved to Carlton in the 1970s, away from our Glenferrie power base. We must ensure that our Club's fabric and membership are not undermined again when we move to Waverley.
“I sincerely hope and trust that Jeff Kennett will bring good leadership and a refreshing change to the Club as president. But, a balanced board, comprising capable directors, and representing a mix of skills and the diverse views of members, should not just be handpicked by one Individual from within the Club. We have been down that road before.
“The democratic process safeguarded by the Club's constitution means that members of the Club with different skill sets should be democratically elected.
As an Independent Board member, I guarantee members that I will bring an Independent vision to your Board and will do everything within my abilities to return the Club to its former greatness”.
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He has given a lot of food for thought - what are yours?
(I cant get to Melbourne for Wednesday’s AGM and have faxed to Colin my proxy voting form).

