Club president fights back as row escalates

THE president of the troubled Gold Coast Italo-Australian Club claims her “good name has been tarnished” by the “treacherous behaviour” of some members.

In an email to all 120 members of the Clear Island Waters club on Wednesday, Robyn Wallace accused disgruntled and former members of planning to take over the club “for monetary gain”.

The Bulletin last week revealed a split between a number of members and the board over business decisions, alleged bullying and the cancellation of memberships.

The accusations were denied by the board.

The split followed concerns of some members that the club’s $250,000-a-year lease deal with the Queensland Football School had not gone ahead – the board insists a lease is in place.

Members also claimed there has been a “toxic culture” after two men were stripped of their memberships for alleged bullying of staff – which they deny.

“They have spread our good name across the tabloids with an article appearing in Friday’s Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper – with the editorial being tainted with their vindictive obsession and untruths,” Ms Wallace wrote in her email.

“Unfortunately, I was dragged into this with my good name being tarnished.

“It is our opinion they did it because they wanted to take over the club for monetary gain – they don’t hide the fact of what they are trying to do.

“At no time have they had the mandatory numbers they needed to call an EGM (even with suspect requisitions for new full members), nor was their motion legal, so when they couldn’t secure a meeting legitimately, they went to the papers.

“We consider this to be shameful behaviour.”

Disgruntled members will hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) tomorrow over concerns about the club’s future. However, the board has dismissed the meeting as unconstitutional.

Instead, the board will hold an information session on Tuesday to “ease members concerns.”

“The board has come to the decision that, as we have nothing to hide, we will have an information night,” Ms Wallace wrote in her email.

The information night will be open for financial members only.

Despite the email, a group of a dozen members said they would continue with the EGM at the club as intended tomorrow.