Current board remains at helm of Wynnum Manly Leagues Club

The current board of a troubled club east of Brisbane will remain in power after members ‘overwhelmingly’ voted to keep them at the helm at a special meeting last night.

Wynnum Manly Leagues Club members have voted to keep their current board.

MEMBERS of the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club have voted to keep their current board in power.

An extraordinary general meeting was held last night with a group of members seeking to overthrow the current leadership team including chairman Bruce Baxter and board directors John Quinn, Peter Smith and Marnie Burns.

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Mr Baxter said members “overwhelmingly” voted in support of the current board with 300 of almost 400 votes cast in their favour.

Mr Baxter said about 300 of 400 voting members in attendance voted to keep the current board.

“This is a tremendous vote of confidence in the current Board and management, its direction and for the ongoing stability of the club,” he said.

“Everything this voluntary board does is for the benefit of our members, the advancement of the great game of rugby league and for our vibrant community.”

The meeting was called after four board members resigned within a week in April over leadership and a proposed $10 million expansion of the club.

Ex-board member Paul Asher was one of four members who challenged the board for leadership and over concerns that the redevelopment was “financially risky”.

“I hope we’re all wrong and they’re right because I wouldn’t want to see the club lost to the community,” he said.

Mr Asher said he respected the decision of the members.

“That’s what the members decided and we abide by it,” he said.

The club, established in 1981, currently has 26,000 members and 1100 voting members.

It has just completed a $4.2 million renovation of its Fielders club at Tingalpa and has received pre-finance approval for $14 million for the redevelopment.

The redevelopment will include a new grand foyer, lounge and bar space, more dining, entertainment and poker machines.