De-amalgamation Update
The decision to unwind the 2017 amalgamation is welcomed
The Board of the St Georges Basin Country Club (SGBCC) announced on 24 December 2024 its intention to pursue a de-amalgamation of Country Club Vincentia, unwinding the 2017 amalgamation and allowing a vote by members on the future of the Vincentia precinct.
The Vincentia Community welcomed the decision.
It followed on from a lot of work by many people concerned by SGBCC unilaterally closing the Vincentia precinct when Country Club members voted against a Board proposal to sell part of the course and clubhouse to Oakstand to develop a luxury aged housing project. Since September various community groups, including Vincentia Residents and Ratepayers Association, Vincentia Matters and Friends of Vincentia Golf Club, have been working together in a Working Group which also includes the golfing sub-clubs, residents and other community members to provide a collective voice in liaising with SGBCC.
Decide to pursue multiple options
Over the last 2 weeks the Project Team, set up by the Working Club, has been examining the various options available to achieve de-amalgamation, without or with amalgamating with another registered club. The de-amalgamation Expressions of Interest to SGBCC close on 1 March. Expressions of Interest are purely indicative and a precursor to more detailed discussions and negotiations, but they are not a commitment. These detailed discussions and negotiations will likely take a few months before a final detailed proposal is put to the various members groups for in principle votes. If the various member group votes are all positive an application will have to be made to the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority for regulatory approval before assets and any liabilities are transferred.
The Project Team has also been in discussions with a few registered clubs which are considering lodging an Expression of Interest in order to assess if it would be in the Vincentia community’s interest to partner with them or support their Expression of Interest.
In particular, discussions have been held with Club Jervis Bay, which recently announced to its members that it was considering lodging an Expression of Interest. Unfortunately, they have now decided not to lodge an Expression of Interest. Given the shared interests, there was the potential to collaborate to develop an innovative proposal which would deliver substantial benefits to the members of Club Jervis Bay, the former members of Vincentia Golf Club, and the broader Vincentia community.
The Project Team has recommended to the Working Group that at this stage it would be best to follow a multi-pronged approach, involving:
1. Setting up a new entity to lodge a proposal with the SGBCC to de-amalgamate Vincentia and establish a new registered club; also.
2. Continuing discussions with registered clubs which lodge an Expression of Interest, which are likely to be in the interests of the Vincentia community.
Setting up a new entity
A new entity, called the Jervis Bay Community and Sports Club Ltd (JBCSC) has been incorporated as a company limited by guarantee, which could become the new registered club to take over the de-amalgamated Vincentia, if it could meet the stringent benchmarks laid out in the legislation to demonstrate that it would provide a secure viable future as a standalone club.
JBCSC has been established with John Clark, Craig Hatton and Al Moore as initial directors. A website has been established for this club with information about the club’s vision and objectives and will be the prime source of future information about the de-amalgamation going forward. The website will invite supporters to register and when determined by the JBCSC Ltd Board also offer invitations for membership.
JBCSC has lodged a de-amalgamation Expression of Interest with the SGBCC.
Continuing Discussions with interested Registered Clubs
Because Expressions of Interest are only the first stage in any de-amalgamation/re-amalgamation process, they will be followed by discussions and negotiations between the SGBCC and the party, or parties, it selects to pursue proposals with.
It is therefore important that we continue discussions with any registered clubs that are likely to, or do, lodge an Expression of Interest so that the Vincentia Community’s interests are promoted and become part of any discussions and negotiations with the SGBCC. The “dissolved members” (ie Vincentia Golf Club members at the time of amalgamation with SGBCC and who have remained members of SGBCC) have a separate vote on any de-amalgamation proposal and re-amalgamation proposal, so this is a strong mechanism to ensure their voice is heard and their views taken into account.
Where to now
The project team, led by Tom Karp and comprising Stephanie Pursley, Graeme Lawless, Craig Hatton, Lyn Hay, Graeme Thompson and John Dyball, will continue to work on this multi-pronged approach with the directors of the new entity and other Community stakeholders. Work will encompass, amongst other things, discussions with numerous parties, development of a business plan and funding plan for JBCSC.
The future of the current negotiations and planning is very dependent on the support of all sections of the Vincentia community and its many visitors. We ask you to keep watching for events, activities, and public gatherings where you will be able to show your support and please participate with us.
Stay in touch
Things may move quickly over the coming weeks.
You can obtain further information from the new website jbcsc.com.au , as well as registering as a supporter and advising if you are a dissolved member. We need to identify all dissolved members so we can ensure you get all the relevant information prior to any votes occurring.
1 March 2025