Meeting Opened @ : 10:03am
On the Stage, Paul Cheifman, Brian Dellings, Daniel Ran, Paul Osborne, , John Chidiac (VC) , Ron Hilditch (C)
Ron Hilditch announced that the Clubs long term returning office Gay Buzardoh had died during the week and expressed his sympathies.
Minutes from the 2008 AGM
Moved by Dr Johnson # LM47 who was happy to move that the minutes be adopted
Seconded by Geoff Gerard # LM 58 Who agreed with Dr Johnson.
The Minutes were accepted unanimously.
Correspondence – No correspondence was received.
Address – CEO , Paul Osborne, welcomed us to the meeting and expressed it was a great honour to be in the position and also gave thanks to the board of directors at the Parramatta NRLC and Leagues Clubs. He acknowledged Denis Fitzgerald for his work in the position of CEO and he was attracted to the Job because it was Parramatta and because of the work Denis and the previous board had done including Alan Overton.
In his discussions with the Fans over the result of this years Grand Final he has found that fans are not as down as they were in 2001, the Run to the Grand Final was exceptional and was partially due to Jarryd Hayne who they expect to put pen to Paper in the coming week.
Some dates for 2010 of note were round 6 against the Rabbitohs will see Nathan Hindmarsh the most capped Eel ever, Jokingly he mentioned, brett Kenny is tripping Nathan up and putting things in his food so he might not make it. The First game against the Dragons is to Celebrate the opening of Parramatta stadium, there is some debate if it is 25 years since it opened or not. Timana Tahu will be a great addition to the club and (Jokingly) will be playing at Wentworthville.
To clarify, Dr Michael Johnston is not leaving the club but he is scaling back his duties with Dr “Death” McNamara to be the chief Medical officer at the Club.
The club has created a High performance united under Matt Cameron, and has control of all Junior Reps.
PDJRL Cabramatta and another NRL club looking to use them as their Premier League club, was stopped quickly and as soon as the eels knew about it, the club believes that may have upset some people at Cabra and they are sorry for that and looking on ways to support them into that competition instead.
Ron, Ian Mccann and Paul are trying to resolve some issues at Wenty.
All Parramatta Junior clubs will wear the Eels club emblem on their kit instead of the current NSWRL for next year and moving forward.
The Clubs Restructure is almost complete and will see Kevin Wise move into a Welfare and training role at the club, Kevin was honoured for his efforts.
Membership is important to our future, Bums on seats are important to our future, LC money might not be forthcoming in the future with its current financial situation. Some members have complained about the price rise and to compensate a membership benefits book may should be complete shortly to help make the membership better value. Membership will secure our future, currently we are in 2nd place in the NRL for members without to much trying. Over the next few weeks the NRL will put a big push into membership and Paul is pressuring our membership team to get it done.
Anti-Super League, Independent commission, Paul believes there is no truth in an breakaway league rumours, we need to secure the independent commission, and the decision makers need to make the right call. Parramatta will not play any part in a breakaway competition.
Directors for 2010, will remain the same with the exception of Brett Kenny who resigned from the Board at the November Board meeting and is replace by Robert Sassan in accordance with the Constitution. (Rule 3d I believe).
Annual Report
Moved by Geoff Gerard # LM 58
Highlighted our success in the past in NSW cup and wanted to highlight that our teams were going well, that we also would like to progress to a true Parramatta team in the 2nd tier competition. The HPU will see these teams feeding players into the NRL sides.
Seconded by Dr Johnson # LM47
Who agreed with what Geoff said and urged members to accept.
The Annual Report was accepted unanimously.
Financial Statement
Moved by John Fenwick #LM 89
PDRLC enjoys a close relationship with PLC, indeed the FC is dependant on the LC for the Bulk of their grants. Noticeably there was a decrease in profit to about $27,000, the LC put in 630,000 and had to pay 131,926 less in employment costs.
Seconded by Geoff Gerard # LM 58
Agreed and recommended the adoption,
The Financial Statement was accepted unanimously.
Notice of Motion.
Membership change of yearly date of membership.
Moved by John Chidiac PM #10 took great pleasure in moving it.
Seconded by Ray Price OAM (No membership number given) who asked did he need to move to the mic to speak to it, which he had to, he said that he agreed with Mr Chidiac.
Presentation of Awards,
Jack Boyle Tackling Award – Nathan Hindmarsh, 1955 tackles this year, Average 33 per game, Made 67 @ Brookvale vs Manly, Also won the Cronin Clubman of the year Award and Ken Stephens Medal for community work.
Murray Wilson Try Scoring Award – Luke Burt 28 Games, 15 tries, 227 Points, 203 Carries, 2 Tries in a game twice this year. 6 Try assists.
General Business.
Ryan Renyolds #1258 - Wanted to speak about life memberships and the issue surrounding Andrew Hill’s life membership, Wanted to state that what you do in the past does not reflect your future, Because of his defection to “Ping Pong” game the club should be bigger than the Petty action it is reported to have taken.
Denis Fitzgerald # LM18 - Agree with Mr Renyolds, Bealives this was part of a Personal Vendetta after Mr Chidiac called a special meeting once Hill’s membership recommendation had been accepted by the Board to be put to the membership at this meeting, to have this recommendation stopped.
John Chidiac responded that the on reflection of the nomination and Mr Hills Employment post Parramatta that it would be withdrawn, but reminded Denis that he could nominate Mr Hill again and if he received a seconder they would consider it.
Denis Fitzgerald #LM18 - Put to the Board that they should consider Andrew Hill for life membership,
John Fenwick Seconded this motion.
Ron Hildtich asked them to place this recommendation in writing and it would be passed on to the board, Ron then asked who at the meeting would support that action and most in the auditorium raised their hands.
Gordon Thompson #160 spoke in support of what was said about Andrew Hill efforts as a player and administrator at the club and that the retraction was done to make and example of him.
Colin Hussy # 935 Spoke that he believes that once it passed the board meeting, no extra ordinary meeting should have been held to revoke it and it should have been put to a vote of the membership.
Lyn Wallace #1060 wanted to clarify a point that Hill was not made redundant and that he left voluntarily.
Ron Pryce # 252 - spoke on a related topic wanted to know why if these things happened at the board level where they leaked to the Daily Telegraph and that he also noted the lack of many people at this meeting who voted for change at the last.
Denis Fitzgerald #LM18 - N.S.W League AGM happened recently and there was no official attendance from anyone from the Parramatta Club. Would also like to know where the clubs Long Term Lawyer Keith Hewitt was, as he was the club lawyer in a voluntary capacity till recently and Denis was disappointed that Mr Dellings was mentioned but no thanks given to the years of service to Mr Hewitt who served in the role just like his father did.
John Fenwick #LM 89 - Stated that while Denis would not say it, the reason he was contacted by the NSWRL on this issue was because he was made a life member of the NSWRL at that meeting.
Ron Hilditch responded that Paul Osborne’s Mother is dying of cancer and he was busy with work commitments but apologise on behalf of the club for not having a representative at the NSWRL AGM.
Colin Hussy # 935 - Has been a member for over 35 years, and lived out of the District for the last 20 so he cannot attend games. But wants memberships to be moved forward and respected for their tenure instead of being called now a Blue member, the club should reward Members Loyalty, members who have been members through good times and bad and he has a grave concern about the future of the club if we do not.
Paul Osborne agreed that there was an increase and had received information from Colin about this issue and had responded, he noted AFL do membership well and now he hopes Parramatta can do membership well.
Colin responded thanking Paul for his responses but noted that if you have been a member for a long term that loyalty should be rewarded and not just be called a Blue member.
Mario Libertini # None given, - Mario advised people to embrace the change.
Alan Overton # None given, - Thanked those who had supported him in the past and thanked the club on behalf of Ronald McDonald house for having 28 players at RMCH for the Xmas party and BBQ.
Greg # 59, “Goodbye”
Mark Hepworth #1442 - Mark spoke about the fact the members numbers were becoming obsolete, and that other clubs (Souths) can have them why can’t we ?
Ron Hilditch responded that if you wanted your number on your badge they could do that but that it was something they were working on.
Ron Hilditch thanks the members and will look into the membership issues raised in the near future.
Meeting Closed @ 11:03 AM.
