NSWBA Transition

What’s happening with the NSWBA separation?

After the Extraordinary General Meeting on 6 November 2023, we are now back on track to continue our preparations for the separation of the NSWBA into two new organisations.

Members will have seen the announcement that the NSWBA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Wednesday 28 February 2024.  At the AGM, in addition to the usual business of presenting the Company’s financial statements for the financial year 2023 and election of Councilors, members will vote on the proposed separation. Details of the meeting and an Explanatory Memorandum regarding the separation are currently being prepared and will be provided to members in early February.

By combining the additional separation motions with the usual business of the AGM we will save members and the Company the cost and inconvenience of having to schedule an additional meeting. It also gives the opportunity to present audited financial information for the year ending 30 September 2023, and proforma financial statements for the two new organisations in the Explanatory Memorandum. This up-to-date information will help members better understand the finances of each standalone business. We are grateful to many people who will work hard for weeks to prepare this information for members.

Victor Clarke, a retired Partner from PwC, is generously volunteering his time to assist in this process. Emeritus Professor Michael Bryan from Melbourne Law School, an expert in constitutional law, is also volunteering, working with our Honorary Solicitor to guide us through the necessary steps to achieve separation.

We plan to implement operational and accounting separation of Club and State functions from 1 January 2024. Assuming members approve the separation at our February AGM, all profits and losses after this date will be attributed to each entity when full and legal separation occurs. To support this operational separation and accelerate delivery of needed changes and improvement programs for the NSW bridge community, we will hire an Executive Officer for Bridge NSW on a permanent, part time basis. Ideally, we would like to have this new person start as early as possible in 2024. If you happen to know someone who is passionate about growing the game of bridge across NSW with a background in stakeholder management, marketing and administration, please forward them this EO advertisement and encourage them to apply.

For members in and around Sydney, please join us at the NSWBA’s premises on Wednesday 6 December for a day of bridge and our Christmas party, which will be followed by a celebration of John Scudder’s contribution to the club and the bridge community, and a brief Town Hall meeting.  Numbers for the bridge are limited, so please book early.  All are welcome to attend the club rooms from 5:30pm to join the after party for John, and the Town Hall where you will get the opportunity to understand more about the separation and ask questions of those involved. For more details about the bridge event please see here.

Thank you for your continued help and support.

Kind regards,

The Project Team
NSWBA Transition Project