FoVGC Christmas message 2025

Well, what a year it has been!

The FoVGC Committee would like to thank all the 'Friends' in the community for their interest, ideas and support. It has been the combined efforts and contributions of many that have achieved so much, and all the volunteers who have been working tirelessly to save the Vincentia Golf Course and Clubhouse that have got us to this point.

There is still some way to go but we are very hopeful that de-amalgamation will occur in mid 2026.

Our Aim remains "to ensure the preservation and future enhancement of VGC as a hospitality, golf and community recreation venue”.

About this time last year, the club and course were closed, with no way forward, despite the Working Group liaising with the Country Club (CC) for 4 months. The community was not happy. Corflutes appeared throughout the neighbourhood, and a WIN TV News story was broadcast. There was increasing antagonism that was dividing the broad Jervis Bay community.

Our Local State member, Liza Butler intervened, recommending the Country Club Board end the division and move on. At that Board meeting on the 19 Dec 2024, an informal EOI was presented and the Board voted unanimously to move down the de-amalgamation path and to open the golf course on 1 January 2025. Since then things have moved fairly slowly with many ups and downs however we are ending the year with optimism for the future of Vincentia Golf Club and course. The Members’ vote to de-amalgamate which was anticipated by the President to take place “in early 2025” is now likely in 2026.

Key dates this year include:

• Vincentia Golf Course re-opened 1 January with a BBQ and Community celebration.

“It’s packed. The course is full, the sun is out, the bbq is running hot, every seat taken and a long line of people to get in. Lots of happy people.”

• 19 January VGC celebrates 56 years, with hundreds of people attending, including a massive 144 golf players. John Hatton (AO), who was the Shire President when the Course was opened in 1969, was present and he commended the community working together to achieve this outcome.

• On 28 January, the CC called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from registered clubs for the de-amalgamation & re-amalgamation of Vincentia Golf Club, effectively a sale to a new parent club. Due by 1 March.

• In January, a Project Team was formed to explore a range of de-amalgamation outcomes. This team worked over the next few months with several Clubs who were considering submitting an EOI, to explore options, impacts and benefits.

• 14 February: FoVGC held a trivia fundraiser at JB Brewery.

• In February, the Jervis Bay Community and Sports Club (JBCSC) was established, and submitted an EOI on behalf of the community for de-amalgamation.

FoVGC’s Go-Fund-Me funds were used to establish this company and initial administrative costs.

• 28 April: 2 CC Board members that were not re-elected in 2024 were re-instated to the Board without a member vote, using special powers in the club constitution (sect 29.1(b)).

• 19 May: JBCSC became an Industry Member of Golf NSW, and met with their regional representative to discuss how Golf NSW could assist our future golf operations.

• In May, the Mounties Group decided not to continue with their offer.

At that point, JBCSC re-stated the Community commitment to a straight de-amalgamation. (De-amalgamation under the Registered Clubs Act means transfer of assets and liabilities back to the separating Club, and potentially an agreed payment for “consideration”. The $2 million to be paid to the CC is that agreed “consideration”. This is not a sale process, just as the amalgamation in 2016 was not a purchase.)

• June: The CC President required JBCSC to provide a firm bid by 23 June, which JBCSC did.

• 7 July: Liza Butler issued a press release commending JBCSC’s proposal that met the CC Board’s de-amalgamation requirement, with the enormous potential to provide a great partnership with the community.

• In July, the CC called an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on 3 August, to consider 5 Members’ resolutions that were submitted in late 2024. Four of these related to removal of specific Directors and one was a proposal to turn all Vincentia land to non-core.

• The CC also provided a survey for members visiting the club, to indicate acceptance (or not) of the $2 million for de-amalgamation.

• 25 July: President Bob Proudfoot issued a notice recommending that Members vote NO to all 5 resolutions at the EGM. The President also advised that following significant approval in the member survey, the Board resolved to give in-principle support to the de-amalgamation and advised that the CC “intend to commence negotiations in a transparent and constructive manner”.

• 3 August 2024 the EGM was held to resolve the Members’ resolutions that had been submitted in late 2024, when there was no pathway ahead for re-opening or re-claiming the Club. All the stakeholder bodies were united in recommending a No Vote, allowing de-amalgamation to proceed. All resolutions were defeated.

• 4 September: JBCSC launched its fundraising drive, to raise immediate operating funds, as well as pledging future contributions towards the costs to re-open the Clubhouse.

• 28 September: Country Club AGM, where the President’s report made absolutely no mention of the Vincentia precinct or any of the significant Club challenges in the year. There was no discussion of members’ questions that had been duly submitted, instead attendees were directed to a document on the CC website for answers. It can be seen that the CC saved $32k in the year by closing the Vincentia precinct, a paltry gain considering the Board and management effort in the year, and the deterioration of those Club assets during the year.

Two 2 incumbent Directors were re-appointed, and a former Director was elected.

• 30 October: BY Group announced as JBCSC financier (via loan).

• 24 November: A joint meeting was held of the SGBCC and JBCSC Boards to discuss the path ahead. A co-operative and positive meeting. SGBCC intends to move forward with de-amalgamation.

• 2 December: JBCSC held a meet & greet session for people who can volunteer their time and skills in the lead-up to de-amalgamation, as well as once JBCSC opens as a registered and operational club. There are over 150 Volunteers on board.

• 30 November: FoVGC’s Go-Fund-Me funds are being held in reserve for future legal advice and action if required. FoVGC has pledged to give the remaining Go-Fund-Me funds to JBCSC on de-amalgamation (currently approx $30K).

As Country Club members it has been interesting to see the irregular flow of information about this very significant change to the club. All members of the Country Club should know what is happening with the progress of the de-amalgamation with regular updates to all. Friends are encouraged by the weekly updates from JBCSC and appreciate their efforts to keep the community informed.

FoVGC look forward with optimism for next year and a sincere hope that de-amalgamation can be achieved smoothly. Enjoy the festive season, stay safe and please continue to support your community in this challenging enterprise.