The 2009 AGM Review thread.

[Hellsy]

At least Ron Hilditch apologised for not being able to cover Paul O who was with his mother whom is suffering from cancer. I think it was Ron that said it was a miscommunication of sorts between Paul and himself wasn't it?

I'm sure we can all accept apologies when they have to do with family which will always be more important.

 

[Suitman]

My take on today was......in hindsight........it was always going to happen.
I was indeed surprised that there was as much anger as there was was coming from the Bradman sector.
I don't mean this in a disrespectful way, but it was always going to be the case that the (generally) 60, 70 and 80 year olds who have been comfortable with their mate Denis, were always going to feel uncomfortable at the first meeting under a new regime.

I believe the board handled the questions well. John Chidiac's response to Denis's motion was just the reply Denis would have responded with in reverse 12 months ago.
Denis has no cause to complain. I have no doubt, judging by his performance today that Denis still has sights on the top job again. If I'm wrong, the alternative is that he is out to make it as difficult as possible for the new board, which includes his old "right hand men" Hilditch and Gerard".
It's a shame Denis came across so childishly today. He did his cause no good imo.
Yelling into the microphone, on several occassions, did little more than reinforce the reasons why he was given the "dictator" label.
It was quite obvious today that the old guard were out to try and discredit the new board. The tone in the voices of some speakers was quite clearly an angry one.
It only came across as sour grapes.

Indeed credibly, I thought their arguments had merit.

1. Badge numbers is a touchy issue. If it's possible, it should be done.
2. Andrew Hill. Certainly worth looking into again. The AFL issue shouldn't come into it, but realistically, without all the facts - it's a board's decision.
3. FC Membership prices - EASILY fixed in my opinion. Anyone with 15/20/25 years services, can pay the $25 if they don't want the Blue and Gold Blood Package.

Other than that, the anger that came across from the older members today just wreeked of sour grapes.
With all due respect to those members, in 10/20 years time, sadly, a lot of them won't be around. I might not even be around myself.
But, the club is planning towards its future, and I can see, more than I could 12 months ago, that our future now looks sooo much brighter.

I heard a great saying last week in regard to a different matter.
To all those dissenters..........

"Suck it in Princess".
Those in control are doing the best to ensure the future of the Eels.
To my knowledge, none of them have ever said they couldn't guarantee the future of the Eels beyond 5 years.

Suity

 

[Suitman]

At least Ron Hilditch apologised for not being able to cover Paul O who was with his mother whom is suffering from cancer. I think it was Ron that said it was a miscommunication of sorts between Paul and himself wasn't it?

I'm sure we can all accept apologies when they have to do with family which will always be more important.

It must also be stated that Denis made a big hoo hah that he hadn't missed a meeting in 30 years.
Can anyone inform me as to why this weeks NSWRL meeting was SOOOOO important as to raise it as an issue that we didn't front?
Did we miss anything? Besides the fact Denis himself was nominated as a Life Member?

Can someone also tell me why someone from the NSWRL board rang "Denis" to ask why no one from the Parramatta club was present, when indeed, Denis doesn't have an official role at Parramatta now?
Why ring Denis??
Why not ring Osborne???
Obviously a perfect eaxample of how the old boys clubs operates.

Bring on the Independant Commision.............and for f**ks sake - make sure Colin Love is not on it.

Suity

 

[bartman]

Colin Love looks to be the real powerbroker in the game these days. Gallop is and always was just a figurehead...

 

[Suitman]

Colin Love looks to be the real powerbroker in the game these days. Gallop is and always was just a figurehead...

Problem is, Colin Love needs to let go for the sake of peace.

If he doesn't, the Independant Commission may not get to where it should be.
It'll be sad really. The League needs to move forward, and it is the same egotistical politics holding this back, as we saw in our own club last year.

I wish all these men who profess their love of the game of Rugby league, would just take a big breath and a step back, and let the game progress.
I really do.

Suity

 

[bartman]

Yep, I suspect Colin is trying to hold onto his empire and meal ticket, without seeing the opportunity that is currently there for the game if the structures change. I'm not sure this one is going to come to an end easily.

 

[Suitman]

Yep, I suspect Colin is trying to hold onto his empire and meal ticket, without seeing the opportunity that is currently there for the game if the structures change. I'm not sure this one is going to come to an end easily.

Agreed, hence my comment regarding the situation as being sad.

All these old fogies who have been scoffing down champagne and pavlova for 30 years have got to have a good look at themselves.
It's time for a restructure, and it's time for restructure with some new DNA.

Suity

 

[strider]

It must also be stated that Denis made a big hoo hah that he hadn't missed a meeting in 30 years.
Can anyone inform me as to why this weeks NSWRL meeting was SOOOOO important as to raise it as an issue that we didn't front?
Did we miss anything? Besides the fact Denis himself was nominated as a Life Member?

Can someone also tell me why someone from the NSWRL board rang "Denis" to ask why no one from the Parramatta club was present, when indeed, Denis doesn't have an official role at Parramatta now?
Why ring Denis??
Why not ring Osborne???
Obviously a perfect eaxample of how the old boys clubs operates.

Bring on the Independant Commision.............and for f**ks sake - make sure Colin Love is not on it.

Suity

well I guess the changing face of the game's structure would suggest you try and listen in at any level involved to try and keep up with sh*t thats going on .... probably is an important time to be attending such things to find out what the different bodies are doing

 

[strider]

...
With all due respect to those members, in 10/20 years time, sadly, a lot of them won't be around. I might not even be around myself.
...

wow - I never knew you were THAT old :shock:

 

[Suitman]

well I guess the changing face of the game's structure would suggest you try and listen in at any level involved to try and keep up with sh*t thats going on .... probably is an important time to be attending such things to find out what the different bodies are doing

Point taken, but if the meeting was regarding that issue, I'm sure we would have provided a representative.

wow - I never knew you were THAT old :shock:

I don't look too bad for 118, eh?

Suity

 

[MarkInTheStands]

It must also be stated that Denis made a big hoo hah that he hadn't missed a meeting in 30 years.
Can anyone inform me as to why this weeks NSWRL meeting was SOOOOO important as to raise it as an issue that we didn't front?

I think Strider has already covered that, but I can remember that there was a great deal of press before the QRL and NSWRL board meetings that the issue of an independent commission was to be raised.

Did we miss anything? Besides the fact Denis himself was nominated as a Life Member?

As above.

Can someone also tell me why someone from the NSWRL board rang "Denis" to ask why no one from the Parramatta club was present, when indeed, Denis doesn't have an official role at Parramatta now?
Why ring Denis??
Why not ring Osborne???
Obviously a perfect eaxample of how the old boys clubs operates.

I will take you back to the first part of our Meeting today, the apologies, from Luke Burt and Nathan Hindmarsh for their non attendance. The NSWRL and or its CEO would make a representation to any Persons receiving awards, if Denis was to be made a life member then they would have been in contact to ensure his attendance to receive the Honor.

Now if in the normal course of that notification of the AGM, a member club has not RSVP'd to the AGM, and you are speaking to that Member Club's former representative about his attendance I would think it would be as simple as asking the question to someone who may well still have his ear to the ground at Parramatta.

I am quite sure the NSWRL informed Osborne and Hilditch (the clubs nominated representatives) first and did not receive a reply before trying to get a confirmation from a Non-Direct source.

But what is of interest to me is not just that Ossie and Ron could not attend but that task was not given to the Vice Chair, or any other member of the Board. Or could all 8 of them not attend this meeting about the games future?

 

[strider]

I think it IS bad no one from our club represented .... yeah there may be unfortunate reasons for it, but its still bad .... kinda amateurish tbh

 

[Jodeci]

Those problems really were not problems IMO. They were about 5 guys that stood up and talked and some that nodded approvals here and there but had nothing to say themselves :lol:

Dennis little reindeer's?

 

[Nikki]

Keystone Cops is the reference Denis made to it.. :lol:

 

[fish eel]

I think it IS bad no one from our club represented .... yeah there may be unfortunate reasons for it, but its still bad .... kinda amateurish tbh

I agree, on the face of it, it's poor, I'd be wondering though, were any other NRL clubs not represented, or was it just us? Would be quite poor if we were robinson crusoe

 

[JessEel]

What I didnt get, or maybe I just missed it, is why Denis didnt attend if he was getting Life Membership?

I assume he did attend..but he is no longer a delegate from the Eels...

Life Memberships get announced and voted for on the day - it is very possible that noone from the Eels or Denis himself knew that it was going to happen (if NSWRL did not sneakilly inform him that it would be wise to attend)?

I agree, on the face of it, it's poor, I'd be wondering though, were any other NRL clubs not represented, or was it just us? Would be quite poor if we were robinson crusoe

Again, can't say for sure, but know the NSWRL clubs it's very likely that other club's weren't in attendance either..

 

[fish eel]

Life Memberships get announced and voted for on the day - it is very possible that noone from the Eels or Denis himself knew that it was going to happen (if NSWRL did not sneakilly inform him that it would be wise to attend)?


Again, can't say for sure, but know the NSWRL clubs it's very likely that other club's weren't in attendance either..

so it's not really a biggie then if other clubs reguarly dont turn up.....

 

[eels81236]

so it's not really a biggie then if other clubs reguarly dont turn up.....

If we let other clubs set our bench mark then it is no biggie....

 

[parra pete]

If Clubs don't attend..it is a huge slap in the face for the NSWRL.
Imagine what would happen if ALL Clubs took that stance, and a meeting had to be abandoned due to lack of quorum.
If Clubs don't attend it puts them to a disadvantage. It is like not voting at an election, or voting informal on purpose and then complaining later about decisions made that affect YOU.
Apathy is very destructive in the long run.
Imagine if Groups failed to send delegates to a CRL AGM....!!!!! What would happen to the game in the bush?

 

[JessEel]

If Clubs don't attend..it is a huge slap in the face for the NSWRL.
Imagine what would happen if ALL Clubs took that stance, and a meeting had to be abandoned due to lack of quorum.
If Clubs don't attend it puts them to a disadvantage. It is like not voting at an election, or voting informal on purpose and then complaining later about decisions made that affect YOU.
Apathy is very destructive in the long run.
Imagine if Groups failed to send delegates to a CRL AGM....!!!!! What would happen to the game in the bush?

We would look after it for them