At the 19 April 2010 General Meeting of MIBC Ltd, members voted in favour of two significant resolutions relating to the proposed de-amalgamation of MIBC Ltd into two separate clubs. Since this meeting the Board has proceeded to implement the proposed de-amalgamation.

Nominations were called for a Steering Committee of Tura Sporting members in late April. This Committee is responsible for progressing de-amalgamation, and in particular, independently confirming the financial viability of the proposed new Tura Club, creating the new Tura Company and preparing the application for the new Club Licence. Following receipt of many outstanding nominations for this committee, the Board appointed Kevin Nowland, Bill Keith, Terry Jackson, Bernie Russell, and Gary Kichenside to the Committee on 11 May 2010. The Committee members elected Kevin Nowland to chair the Committee.

The Steering Committee has made good progress in the three months since appointment. The Chairman of the Steering Committee reports, on behalf of the Committee, to the Board at the monthly Board meeting. The Committee regularly posts minutes of its Committee and sub-committee meetings and newsletters and other significant items on the club website at clubsapphire.com.au, and is planning to hold information nights for members.

The Steering Committee held its first information night for members on 16 June 2010 with over 80 members attending. At this meeting the Committee provided an update on a range of issues including progress to date on incorporation of a new company, the Club's financial position, a new constitution and existing contract and leasing arrangements.

At the meeting members were invited to help shape many aspects of the future Tura Club by nominating for sub-committees of the Steering Committee. These sub-committees will look into many aspects of the new club including; Club Constitution, Computers/Information Systems, Course and Greens Management and Development, Finance, Management and Contracts, Strategic and Business Planning. The first meeting of the various sub-committees was held on 6 July 2010.

The Board has progressed the drafting of the application to the Supreme Court for court approval of the proposed de-amalgamation. It is anticipated this application will be finalized and lodged in coming weeks. It is expected that the Court will request that members vote at general meeting to approve the finer detail of the proposal. If this is the case the Board is planning to place this matter on the agenda of a special general meeting to be convened immediately following the close of the company AGM, currently scheduled for 24 October 2010. If the Court's orders are not received in time for this meeting to held on the same day as the AGM, a separate date will be set for this meeting soon thereafter.

The Board has recently approved printing of a survey form to be designed and distributed by the Steering Committee throughout the Tura area seeking feedback on the services and activities residents would like to see at the new Tura Club.

The Board has approved funding for the implementation of a new stand alone IT system for Tura and the purchase of two new 12 seat buses to replace the existing larger courtesy bus so that each venue will have its own modern bus at the time of de-amalgamation.

The process of de-amalgamation is complex but is progressing well and is currently on target for 1 July 2011 implementation.

Gerry Hammond
Chairman