Four Deniliquin RSL Club members have had their memberships suspended pending disciplinary meetings.
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Two of them - Martin Wilmshurst and Stuart Calagaz - were sitting directors at the time of the suspension.
Another is the board’s former volunteer financial adviser John Tushuizen, and the fourth is former director and past chair John Jansen.
Each has been accused of being in receipt of or sending confidential information, and attempting to “destabilise the board”.
Other individual allegations were also levelled at some of the former members.
The confidential information allegations refer to correspondence with the club CEO, who is on leave.
Most of the correspondence referred to in the letters was from 2024.
The letters - which have been seen by the Pastoral Times - are all signed by club chair Bob Crampton, and were received by email and post just days before last week’s AGM.
It meant none of those who were suspended could attend the meeting.
Earlier in April, Mr Calagaz, Mr Wilshurst and Mr Tushuizen had sent letters to the board requesting to table concerns at the AGM relating to club finances and the alleged conduct of some directors.
Mr Tushuizen was a financial adviser for the club, but his position was terminated in August last year.
Chief among the concerns was the solar energy project, which after phase one is almost $1 million over budget.
Another is the now closed Deniliquin Taxis business, with claims the 2024 annual report did not indicate the true cost of the business to the club.
Members of the club who attended the AGM said questions were asked regarding the absence of the CEO and two of the directors, and that the board would not entertain any discussion on the matter.
Speaking with the Pastoral Times following the meeting, Mr Crampton said as procedures were ongoing, “the board would not be making any comment at this time” regarding the suspensions.
The four men suspended approached the Pastoral Times regarding the developments, saying they felt the club membership needed to “know what’s going on”.
Mr Tushuizen said he had attempted to raise financial concerns with the board on several occasions, including the taxis and solar project.
In a copy of a letter dated April 16, sent to the board before the AGM to table as part of the discussions, Mr Tushuizen claims the cost of purchasing Deniliquin Taxis was understated in last year’s annual report.
“The chairman’s report states that the taxis were purchased for $480,000.
“The financials show the taxi business was purchased for $718,932 comprising $480,000 license fee and $238,932 plant and equipment.
“Total write off to date is $580,000.”
Mr Tushuizen said the same annual report indicates that phase one of the solar project was originally contracted at $1.6 million but ended up costing $2 million.
Mr Crampton explained to the Pastoral Times that the overspend on the solar project was mainly due to unforeseen construction costs.
“The extra cost was a result of a few things, including additions made by the board to add additional EV (electric vehicle) chargers.
“But most of the cost was because when they dug up the car park, there were a number of pipes underneath that no-one knew about.
“They were not on any plans held by the club or Edward River Council, but they had to be dug up and replaced.
“If you’ve only got half a car park done before you find that, do you stop or do you proceed?
“We took out a loan (to cover the additional cost) as we did not have the cash on hand.”
Based on their concerns about finances and board dynamics, including allegations of being pressured to stand down last year, Mr Wilmshurst and Mr Calagaz had intended to officially resign at the AGM.
Elected last Thursday to take their seats were Rachelle Austin and Peter Taylor.
Other board members include Mr Crampton, vice chair Jack Bond, Vicky Holloway, Tony Tonta, Steve Fawns and Tony Whitehorn.
Among the agenda items that were discussed at the AGM, a motion to increase director fees was not supported and did not pass.
Board members did pass a motion to recognise WWII veteran and long time Deniliquin RSL Club volunteer and supporter Russell Eames.
The original intention was to bestow Mr Eames life membership, but as he is no longer a financial member of the club, a certificate of appreciation will be presented instead.
• More on Mr Eames’ recognition will appear in a future edition.
Senior journalist