ALL but two of Orange City Bowling Club’s directors have been voted out after the club recorded a net loss of $238,057 for the 2011/2012 financial year.
The club ended the previous year with a surplus of $23,820.
A club member, who wished to remain anonymous, described the loss as disgusting and demanded answers at yesterday’s annual general meeting.
“How can this happen? I can’t believe the club has sunk to this level,” the member said.
Former treasurer Bob Lambert attributed the loss to general maintenance on lighting, new computer systems, new telephone systems, an outdoor smoking area and changes to poker machine regulations.
According to the 2012 financial report, administrative, member and facility expenses were $261,338 more than the previous year.
Mr Lambert said the board was not aware of the loss until the auditors compiled their report in July.
Garry Marriage will chair the incoming board, with Ian Spencer and David Ellis as vice chairs and Pat Egan as treasurer. The three directors are Jean Kennedy, Chris Brand and David Beadle.
Mr Lambert said the meeting was heated.
“It think it was going to be bit of dirty laundry being hung out,” he said.
“I’m wary of the incoming board because only two of them [Ian Spencer and David Beadle] have ever had board experience as far as the bowling club is concerned.”
All previous board members put in nominations for positions this year. There was a record turnout of 181 voters.
Former chairman Jim Gersbach declined to be interviewed by the Central Western Daily.
In his report he said the auditors brought issues to the board’s attention that had not been addressed previously, which exacerbated the loss.
The secretary manager David Sander did not write an annual report due to ill health, Mr Gersbach said.
Mr Sander was appointed secretary manager after Jean Kennedy resigned from the position about a year ago.
Club members Geoff and Irene Dwight and Robert Patrick were pleased there would be a new board for the club.
“I think the members voted for change. The club was going in the wrong direction, everyone believed that, especially losing so much money over 12 months,” Mr Dwight said.
He declined to comment on the reasons given for the loss during the meeting.
“It’s a great result for the club,” he said.
The previous board consisted of Jim Gersbach, vice chairs Ian Spencer and David Dean, Bob Lambert and directors Lynne Hodgins, David Beadle and Peter Ruming.