Two MRC committee members switch camps
Two Melbourne Racing Club committee members who initially sided against a move to spill the board have dramatically changed their allegiances and backed the Save Our MRC group.
Board members Caitrin Kelly and Alison Saville wrote to their fellow committee members on Wednesday claiming that there was a “longstanding poor culture and toxic atmosphere” and that there were “previous instances of bullying”.
The pair had on Friday co-signed a letter to members lambasting the Save Our Campaign movement. In their letter they claimed they were pressured into signing the letter.
The Save Our MRC campaign is being led by fellow committee member John Kanga who is seeking to overthrow retiring chairman Matt Cain, Nick Hassett, Jill Monk, Mark Pratt, Brooke Dawson and Scott Davidson.
“Nothing can be more democratic than the members voting on whether to remove executive committee members that are not considered to be listening to genuine member concerns that we are trying to resolve,” Saville and Kelly’s statement said.
The under-pressure MRC committee again wrote to members on Wednesday objecting to the dissenting group.
“The timing of Mr Kanga’s motion seems designed to override the club’s election process this year and cause confusion and instability. As a matter of good governance, we strongly oppose such tactics,” the MRC committee’s letter said.
“The club is currently seeking legal advice to fully understand the implications of this motion. We will provide members with further information as soon as practical. Our priority is to minimise disruption for our members, especially as we approach the spring carnival.”
Save Our MRC wants to move the Caulfield mounting yard back to its original spot as soon as practicable, scap plans to build a new grandstand at the city track and retain Sandown for the purposes of racing.