Tatts boss Stuart Fraser comes out in support of the ‘yes” vote for women to join the club

The Tattersall’s Cub president Stuart Fraser has made it crystal clear he believes a “yes’’ vote to allow women to join the Brisbane institution is essential for its financial health.

Tattersall's Club in Brisbane.

PUSHING CHANGE

Stuart Fraser has now shed any pretence of impartiality.

The Tattersall’s Club president made it crystal clear this week that he believes a “yes’’ vote to allow women to join the Brisbane institution is essential for its financial health and to reverse a slide in membership.

In a text sent out to members late Monday, Fraser included a link to a rather stilted YouTube video in which he lays out the case for change and attacks the “no’’ camp as a bunch of unknown outsiders with murky intentions.

“We need you to vote yes to change our rules to allow women to be members. A yes vote will return this club to a busy social place and a respected member of our community,’’ he says, standing in front of a still pic of the club’s interior.

Tatts Club president Stuart Fraser.

He notes that the “yes’’ camp has the support of six Tatts presidents, six vice presidents, seven treasurers and most of the life members of our club. None are named.

“These are people who have a detailed understanding of our club and hundreds of years of experience in stewarding our great club,’’ he points out.

He then accuses unspecified “voices outside our club’’ of hijacking the debate, a clear reference to the “Tattsmyths” group of the old guard insiders who are actively lobbying to maintain the status quo.

“We have all witnessed with great disappointment a small, vocal and anonymous group acting free of scrutiny of their motivations and short on truth,’’ Fraser sniffs.

Given how polarising the debate has become, we would not at all be surprised if Fraser falls on his sword if the upcoming vote falls short and the club remains open only to male members.

Kind of like a political party leader who steps down after an election drubbing.

As of yesterday, the 2½-minute video had been viewed more than 3500 times, with just 53 “likes” and a whopping 1000 “dislikes”. Tellingly, the usual comment section was “disabled’’!

One member told City Beat that the tactic reeked of “desperation’’.

“This bloke has got so many people off-side with his own agenda,’’ he said.

GOING TO THE DOGS

It’s not a stretch to say James Grugeon is going to the dogs.

The Good Beer Co. boss has just teamed up with the RSPCA and Brisbane’s Slipstream Brewing to launch his latest brew for a good cause.

Their cleverly-named “Pale Tail’’ will see 10 per cent of all sales revenue channelled back to the dedicated folks who rescue and rehabilitate more than 56,000 animals every year.

It follows Grugeon’s previous social enterprise efforts, which generated money from beer sales to help save the Great Barrier Reef and promote marriage equality.

The first batches of his latest beer, an easy-drinking session pale ale with 3.5 per cent alcohol, will be served up this Sunday by Small Business Minister Shannon Fentiman at Slipstream’s brewery at Yerongpilly.

Yes, dogs are welcome at the “pours for paws’’ event!

Grugeon has already rustled up $1000 for the RSPCA at this year’s Beer InCider festival, where patrons helped choose the name of the new brew.

The bright yellow cans feature two rescue dogs greeting each other in the, how-shall-we say, traditional way, and a bit of advice to drinkers to say “bottoms up’’.

Continuing the canine theme, Grugeon tells us that he’s a big dog lover and his beast Bobby is actually the company mascot.

Look for Pale Tail to show up on the shelve of BWS and Dan Murphy’s in the new year.

Grugeon is also looking to relaunch his Love beer with a new charity in early 2019.