From www.souths.com.au
Message from Chairman Nicholas Pappas
By Nicholas Pappas
It has come to my attention that there have been a number of highly defamatory postings on various websites regarding the "Reclaim the Game" Fund.
These messages, the authorship of which remains anonymous, make various unsubstantiated allegations about how monies from the Reclaim the Game Fund
have been expended. These messages also make serious allegations about the trustees of the Fund, George and Nolene Piggins and Norm Lipson.
I am able to tell all South Sydney members and supporters that there has been no impropriety whatsoever in the administration and conduct of the Reclaim the Game Fund. The Fund has been administered by the Club's financial controller, Brandon Punter, and audited by KPMG. The only significant expenditure from the Fund has been directed to the production and publication of a historic book by Ian Heads and Gary Lester, the proceeds of which will be directed back to the Club.
In recent times there have also been a number of other highly inflammatory and offensive emails posted on different web sites relating to the actions of persons who have previously served our Club, including allegations of illegal transfers of funds between the Leagues Club and the Football Club.
Once again I can state to the members that these matters have never been raised by our auditors KPMG. I call upon the persons who persist in raising these allegations to come forward and provide factual information to the Board so that it can investigate the allegations made and if necessary take the appropriate action.
Unfounded allegations such as those raised above are not only defamatory but also unnecessarily hurtful to people such as George and Nolene and others who have made huge sacrifices for the Club. I call upon those responsible to desist from such conduct in the interests of our great Club which also suffers by these actions.
As I recently wrote in response to the misinformed article in Inside Sport magazine, the club's best interests are not served by these individuals seeking to discredit the efforts of others who have given their time tirelessly for the club. We need to move into the future together as a club, united in taking on our opponents each weekend on the field.
In closing, as your Chairman and as a devoted Souths fan, I again ask that the persistently offensive and defamatory postings regarding individuals associated with our Club cease once and for all.
If criticism of the performance of any individual associated with the Club is to be made, then it should be made publicly without the anonymity that the internet provides. Criticism should also be made without resorting to highly personalised and offensive attacks on individuals' integrity.
Nicholas G Pappas
Chairman
Message from Chairman Nicholas Pappas
By Nicholas Pappas
It has come to my attention that there have been a number of highly defamatory postings on various websites regarding the "Reclaim the Game" Fund.
These messages, the authorship of which remains anonymous, make various unsubstantiated allegations about how monies from the Reclaim the Game Fund
have been expended. These messages also make serious allegations about the trustees of the Fund, George and Nolene Piggins and Norm Lipson.
I am able to tell all South Sydney members and supporters that there has been no impropriety whatsoever in the administration and conduct of the Reclaim the Game Fund. The Fund has been administered by the Club's financial controller, Brandon Punter, and audited by KPMG. The only significant expenditure from the Fund has been directed to the production and publication of a historic book by Ian Heads and Gary Lester, the proceeds of which will be directed back to the Club.
In recent times there have also been a number of other highly inflammatory and offensive emails posted on different web sites relating to the actions of persons who have previously served our Club, including allegations of illegal transfers of funds between the Leagues Club and the Football Club.
Once again I can state to the members that these matters have never been raised by our auditors KPMG. I call upon the persons who persist in raising these allegations to come forward and provide factual information to the Board so that it can investigate the allegations made and if necessary take the appropriate action.
Unfounded allegations such as those raised above are not only defamatory but also unnecessarily hurtful to people such as George and Nolene and others who have made huge sacrifices for the Club. I call upon those responsible to desist from such conduct in the interests of our great Club which also suffers by these actions.
As I recently wrote in response to the misinformed article in Inside Sport magazine, the club's best interests are not served by these individuals seeking to discredit the efforts of others who have given their time tirelessly for the club. We need to move into the future together as a club, united in taking on our opponents each weekend on the field.
In closing, as your Chairman and as a devoted Souths fan, I again ask that the persistently offensive and defamatory postings regarding individuals associated with our Club cease once and for all.
If criticism of the performance of any individual associated with the Club is to be made, then it should be made publicly without the anonymity that the internet provides. Criticism should also be made without resorting to highly personalised and offensive attacks on individuals' integrity.
Nicholas G Pappas
Chairman
