Bob Dwyer, Steve Christou nominate as candidates to join Parramatta Leagues Club board

An ex-Lord Mayor and current councillor are vying to join the board of directors at a major western Sydney leagues club which has just started plans for a $300m redevelopment.

Parramatta Leagues Club president Greg Monaghan with a snapshot of its masterplan.

Former Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer and incumbent Cumberland councillor Steve Christou are joining the race to become a director at Parramatta Leagues Club where perennial candidate Roy Spagnolo will also contest the election.

They are part of eight nominees throwing the hat in the ring ahead of the club’s annual general meeting on February 25 when members can only vote in two new faces from a field of eight.

A member of the club for 30 years, Mr Dwyer conceded he did not have “much of a chance” to win election but wanted to contribute “stimulus” to the “tired” club’s long-awaited redevelopment.

“In my view the leagues club needs some revolution,’’ he said.

“I know it’s got the development and, having been a consumer, it seems like a lot more people are prepared to go to Club Parramatta – and that seems to be more receptive to the people.

“Being interested in marketing and business development, I like to see if I can contribute to the development of the club and make the place a little more desirable with what people are looking for.’’

The former banker operates a consultancy business assisting companies that secure work and permanent residency visas for employees.

Bob Dwyer. Picture: Dylan Coker

Steve Christou. Picture: Toby Zerna

He was elected on Parramatta Council in 2012 and served as the mayor from 2019 to 2021.

Mr Christou is going for a second tilt on the board after he failed to secure a spot last year.

He said he believed he could make a “real difference”.

“The club is in need of invigoration and I’d like some new members of the board to be elected and help drive Parramatta Leagues Club in a new direction, and give the community a successful leagues club and rugby league team that it deserves.’’

Mr Spagnolo is standing again nine years after he was the centre of an independent Liquor and Gaming Authority investigation that found he had not demonstrated the skills and knowledge expected of a club director.

Parramatta Leagues Club has 65,000 members.

Mr Spagnolo previously said the allegations that he had not followed the correct procedure for claiming expenses for Christmas parties at his home and giving the former chief executive a bonus were “technical breaches”.

He said almost $1m was spent in legal fees to try and stop his return but the courts had cleared the way for him to stand again.

In the candidate statement sent to members this year, the former leagues and footy chairman – who served from 2009 to 2013 – said the club generated $15m in profit and reduced debt by $1.1m in four years.

“My 40+ years of experience as an accountant and a property developer, coupled with my dedication to our community (recognised as an OAM in 2005), equips me to effectively guide the club towards continued success,’’ he said.

The election follows an extraordinary general meeting in November after a group of club members, called Make Parra Great Again, submitted a petition calling to oust directors Sue Coleman, Joy Cusack, Richard and Mark Jenkins.

A concept design for the new Parramatta Leagues Club precinct.

But the rebel group, founded by former pizza shop owner Michael Barillaro, failed when less than 100 voting members were present at the meeting, meaning they could not cast their votes.

Other candidates in this month’s election include Lions Club founding director Ellena Wong, who wants to expand dining options and members’ activities such as mahjong and bushwalking.

Long time club member Tony Beuk is also vying for a spot on the board, along with perpetual member and veteran Carlingford real estate agent Francis Wong.

Existing members on the board of directors Mark Jenkins and Phil Sim are up for re-election.

Mr Jenkins – the former Assistant Commissioner of Police – has served on the board since 2019 while Mr Sim – the MediaConnect Group chief executive – has served for five years.

Plans were recently unveiled for a $300m revamp that will transform the club into an entertainment quarter with a clubhouse for its 65,000 members, a hotel, restaurants, a 1000-capacity theatre and youth facility.