R2K's St.George Leagues Club Board candidates and policies
18 February 2008
R2K (Return to Kogarah) staged its 2008 St.George Leagues Club policy launch yesterday afternoon at the Kogarah Hotel Inn.
R2K announced its final two candidates for the March ballot after announcing Graeme Fleming as a candidate earlier in the week.
Graeme Fleming is the son of the late John Fleming, who was in charge of the St.George Dragons when they won their last premiership in 1979 and when they won their last silverware – the Panasonic Cup in 1988.
Along with Fleming, Lachlan McLean (R2K President) and Paul Blair are the three R2K candidates that will challenge the incumbents of Jim Grant, Jim Farmer and Peter Black at the March elections.
The R2K candidates outlined a new vision for the St.George Leagues Club, with an emphasis on new facilities and services for loyal club members.
Lachlan McLean co-founded R2K in 2000 and is employed as a Superannuation Project Manager in a Human Resources Department. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Sydney University and holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Superannuation) and a Certificate of Public Relations. He is the former Secretary and Public Officer of the Kogarah Cougars and has been actively involved in a number of local community groups.
Paul Blair is probably best remembered as the Dragon Army member who launched the original big jersey in 1999. He holds a Diploma in Information Technology (Network Engineering) and is employed by the World’s largest electrical supplier as a Logistics Controller. He is a life member of Seven Hills JRLFC with over 15 years of playing and coaching experience.
“It is R2K’s vision that the St.George Leagues Club anticipates changes in the Club industry and endeavours to expand its existing facilities to meet and exceed member’s expectations,” said R2K President Lachlan McLean.
“Our vision is for the St.George Leagues Club to be recognised by ClubsNSW as the best Club in the State within the next decade.”
Graeme Fleming outlined that R2K must now address the Club’s issues holistically, rather than focusing on the issue of OKI Jubilee Stadium alone:
“It is now time for R2K to put its focus into ensuring that Club members and guests want to return regularly to Kogarah to visit an iconic Club that provides great facilities and services.”
Paul Blair outlined that it was essential for the Club to resolve its long-standing Auditorium issue if it is to go forward:
“How can we hope to compete with Super Clubs such as Mounties and even Canterbury and Souths Juniors if we don’t have a suitable venue for live entertainment?”
The election commences on March 24 (Easter Monday) and runs for four days until March 27. Full St.George Leagues Club members can vote from 10 am to 8 pm.
At the Club’s AGM on March 30, R2K member James Young will put forward a motion to employ the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to run all future elections at the St.George Leagues Club.
If the motion is successful, it will help to ensure that the St.George Leagues Club meets ClubsNSW Best Practice Guidelines.
R2K announces St.George Leagues Club policies
Facilities and Services
* Provision of a St.George Leagues Club Courtesy Bus for Members and their Guests.
* Establishment of a Kid's Creche/Play Centre in the Prince Edward Room to create a family friendly environment following the closure of the Heritage Family Restaurant.
* Weekly complimentary movie nights in the Grange Function Room.
* Opening of a St.George Rugby League Museum and a complementary Dragons’ merchandise shop which will sell Dragons and St.George Leagues Club merchandise.
* An immediate focus on providing a long-term plan to reopen and utilise the Club's Auditorium which has been closed since 2000.
* Creation of a Health Club at the site of the former bowling clubhouse which will incorporate a gymnasium and the relocation of the Club's Spa and Sauna Club.
Community Relations and Best Practice
* The implementation of a Neighbourhood Relations Program with two forums a year which will act as an information sharing exercise between the Club and its neighbours.
* Full adoption of ClubsNSW Best Practice Guidelines
* Member election to receive Journal electronically to minimise unnecessary printing and postage costs, while protecting our environment.
Rewarding Member Loyalty
* 10% Member drinks discount.
* Widening of Member benefits outside of the current gaming points to encourage frequency of visitation.
Leagues Club commitment to Dragons
* Continued focus on the upgrade of OKI Jubilee Stadium, with an ongoing commitment to 50% of Dragons’ NRL matches at the venue.
* Appointment of Dragons' players as Junior mentors for each junior Club in the St.George District.
* Protection of the Red V, and a more active promotion of St.George DRLFC membership and emphasis on the Dragons’ history since 1921.
* Higher performance benchmarks set for the Coaching and Administration of the St.George-Illawarra Dragons.
* Encouragement provided to St.George Junior Clubs to form a strategic alliance with the aim of entering a Jim Beam Cup side in the NSWRL.
* Review of funding arrangements to St.George Junior Clubs to determine if current levels are adequate.
Mission Statement
That the St.George Leagues Club anticipates changes in the Club industry and endeavours to expand its existing facilities to meet and exceed Member’s expectations. That the St.George Leagues Club continues to remain an integral part of the St.George Community and fund the Dragons’ NRL Club at appropriate levels that will ensure success.
Vision Statement
That the St.George Leagues Club be recognised by ClubsNSW as the best Club in the State within the next decade.
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