The Port Kembla RSL sub-branch executive was sacked by RSL NSW over ‘‘significant’’ breaches of the group’s constitution, including the apparent absence of the club’s cash books, according to a letter sent to members.
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The five-member executive of the sub-branch was dismissed by letter last week and an administrator appointed to replace them.
The initial letter did not offer an explanation for the sacking, however a three-page follow-up letter sent out to both the executive and members outlines the reasons the NSW RSL state council decided to take action.
The letter, signed by RSL NSW president Don Rowe, listed three reasons for the sacking which, he wrote, ‘‘have significant impact on the possible charitable status of not only your sub-branch but RSL NSW in general’’.
It listed three areas of ‘‘non-compliance’’ but said these were not the only issues.
The first dealt with a sum of money the RSL NSW audit team found as a deposit in the bank.
It was a donation but RSL NSW said ‘‘it is for a purpose that does not meet the aims and objects of the League’’.
‘‘The money has been collected from local members of the public to help fund the financially struggling Port Kembla Club Ltd,’’ the letter said.
‘‘The club has gone into receivership but the donation money still remains in the sub-branch bank.’’
This, the letter said, could lead to the sub-branch losing its charitable status and also ‘‘possible legal action’’ from people who had not had their donation refunded.
More serious was the claim that the audit team could not complete the process because they could not find the sub-branch cash books and ledgers.
‘‘As a result we cannot confirm that the cash books exist...,’’ the letter said.
It was also claimed the sub-branch building was not insured, creating a potential problem should damage occur.
‘‘The sub-branch took possession from the administrator of the club in June 2013, and as such was required to look after all aspects and outgoings of their property including building insurance,’’ the letter said.
It also said the actions of the state council, which included the sacking of the executive, were ‘‘temporary measures’’ to ensure the Port Kembla sub-branch complied with a range of organisations, including the Australian Tax Office and Gaming and Racing NSW.
A member of the sacked executive, secretary-treasurer Peter Edwards, was unhappy RSL NSW had taken such a drastic step.
‘‘It would have been nice if they approached us first and spoke to us about it and asked for the information,’’ Mr Edwards said.
He said the executive did indeed place donations to save the club – $4245 – in the sub-branch account.
‘‘The big question there is where was I to put it?’’ he asked.
‘‘Was I to put it in my own bank account and pay all the fees and cheques, if we ever wrote cheques?’’
He said he had kept records of each of the donors.
‘‘Everybody that made a payment, every amount there’s a receipt for it and every amount is listed with their address,’’ he said.
‘‘It was suggested if people wanted it back we’d refund it. We’d agreed at one of our meetings to refund it if people wanted it back. But we’ve got to contact them all and ask them to contact us if they want it back.’’
As for the existence of cash books or ledgers, Mr Edwards said he had kept records on computer.
