Chairman's Corner

No.13, July, 2007

The proposed amalgamation of the FABC and NSWBA is progressing nicely. The broad parameters of the merger have been largely agreed, at least within the joint FABC/NSWBA sub-committee set up to formulate a proposal to put before the members of the two organisations. In essence, the representation of affiliated clubs on the NSWBA Council will be increased from three councillors to four. One of these will be elected by Sydney metropolitan clubs; one by outer metropolitan clubs, essentially a belt encompassing Newcastle, Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Wollongong; and two by country clubs, partitioned into north and south NSW by an imaginary line drawn due west from Sydney. The constitution of the NSWBA will be redrafted so that membership of the Association which is currently restricted to ‘natural persons’ is broadened to include corporate and community entities as well. While anyone will be able to nominate for an individual ‘FABC’ position, voting will be restricted to affiliated clubs within the designated geographic area. The number of votes allocated to a club will depend on the size of its membership. A sliding scale will apply which tapers off sufficiently rapidly to ensure that larger clubs can’t swamp the vote of smaller ones.

The assets of the FABC will be quarantined in a trust fund administered by the NSWBA under strict instructions imposed by the FABC to guarantee that they can’t be plundered. The amount remaining in the “Betty Hill Trust” will be applied only for the benefit and promotion of country bridge. The balance will be applied for the benefit of all affiliated clubs wherever they are located. None of the moneys will go to support the NSWBA.

The amalgamation will result in considerable cost savings through the elimination of duplicated accounting, auditing, banking and secretarial services. One element of the FABC structure that will be retained is the use of regional representatives to act as intermediaries between affiliated clubs and the central body.

The timetable we are working towards is as follows:

• Finalise the amendments to the NSWBA Constitution by 1 Oct 2007
• Adopt the amended constitution at the NSWBA Annual General Meeting on 13 Dec 2007 
• Dissolve the FABC as soon as practicable thereafter.

In the meantime, the NSWBA is pushing ahead with its second regional workshop which will be held in Wagga on the weekend of July 28/29. The following clubs are being invited to send representatives.

Alinga Bridge Studio Batemans Bay Bridge Club Bathurst & District Bridge Club Inc Bega Valley Bridge Club Bowral Bridge Club Inc Bridge at the Bay Bungendore Bridge Club Canobolas Bridge Club Commercial Club (Albury) Bridge Club Condobolin Bridge Club Coonabarabran Bridge Club Cowra & District Bridge Club Dubbo Bridge Club Inc Forbes Bridge Club Goulburn Bridge Club Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Bridge Club Ingleburn RSL Bridge Club

Leeton Soldiers Bridge Club Milton Bridge Club Mollymook Bridge Club Inc Moruya Bridge Club Mudgee Bridge Club Narromine/Trangie Bridge Club Nyngan Bridge Players Club Orange Bridge Club Inc Parkes Bridge Club Sapphire Coast Bridge Club Inc. Southern Highlands Bridge Club Inc. Tumbarumba Bridge Club Tumut Bridge Club Urunga Bridge Club Wagga Wagga Bridge Club Inc Wellington Bridge Club West Wyalong

If your club is listed and you haven’t received your invitation as yet please contact our office.

Dr Alex Yezerski
Chairman NSWBA