My Account
Around 50 people attended the postponed 2021 annual meeting of the Kawau Boating Club at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on Saturday, February 19.
The run-up to the event, which had been delayed several times due to Covid restrictions, caused ructions on the island, with a group of breakaway members, led by residents Lin Pardey and David Haigh, criticising chair Mike Maloney and questioning the legitimacy of how, where and when the AGM – and the club itself – should be run (Mahurangi Matters, Dec 8).
There was some division on the day, with fiery addresses concerning the committee and its constitution, and Haigh was among five new nominations for the committee, hoping to be elected as new chair.
In the event, there were two new elections to the committee – Beth Houlbrooke and Fendall Halliburton – and Mike Mahoney retained his position as chair.
Mahoney said in his report that the differing views expressed showed the passion members had, whether for keeping the club as a simple Kawau Island facility or progressing it with new events such as yacht races and a spring ball
“My opinion is that unless the club progresses and responds to the wishes of the majority of members, then I struggle to see the reason for membership at all, other than acknowledging that perhaps the membership subscription is, in fact, just a donation to a community facility – even if it is a very special facility.”
Officers elected at the meeting were: Club captain John Whisker, chair Mike Mahoney, treasurer Annette Ridder, secretary Tom Coote, committee Bryn Sutherland, Beth Houlbrooke and Fendall Halliburton.
Houlbrooke said afterwards that common ground had been reached in acknowledging the need to review the club constitution in consultation with all members.
“I think we need to turn a page,” she said. “There were some genuine concerns and I just hope they’ve got the confidence in the new committee. We need to do a bit of work to find common goals and aspirations. It’s a special place and we’re all very passionate about it.”
