Petition delivered to club

But due to a misinterpretation of the rules in putting motions to the meeting, reportedly by the club, the sub-branch’s motion and two others associated with it were disallowed.

Mr Harris said he has since handed a copy of the petition to a board member, in the hopes it be tabled and discussed by the new-look board when it meets on Tuesday, or be put to an extraordinary general meeting.

“While we could not present it to the AGM, there were that many people who signed the petitions that we have an obligation to put it forward,” Mr Harris said.

“The petition has about 300 signatures.

“Our motion was asking that the club reinstate the membership of Mr Philip Stone as an RSL Member and retains continuity of his membership, and invites Mr Stone to participate in the annual general meeting.”

Mr Stone was removed as chairman of the Deniliquin RSL Club board in March after his membership of the club lapsed.

The club then refused to accept a membership renewal application from Mr Stone.

The decision generated a lot of debate in the community in the weeks that followed, particularly when no concession was made to let Mr Stone - a service veteran and Deniliquin RSL Sub-branch member - attend the RSL Club for Anzac Day functions.

As a result, the sub-branch moved its planned activities to the Coach House Hotel.

Mr Stone’s membership status dominated discussion at the AGM on Tuesday, as well as that of Yvonne Lloyd who has been fighting a ban from the club for a number of years.

In anticipation of this, board vice chairman Martin Wilmshurst said they had solicitor Tony Johnson in attendance to field any questions the board could not address in public.

“Our solicitor from Sydney explained to the members in attendance that because Mr Stone’s membership had ceased, he was no longer eligible to serve on the board.

“He also explained that the board is not required, under its constitution, to disclose why someone’s membership is not renewed.”

Mr Wilmshurst said while Mr Stone’s membership status did dominate discussion, there were also questions regarding ongoing upgrades at the club and the recent appointment of Mel Clarke as CEO.

Recruitment into the restaurant was also discussed, with Mr Wilmshurst revealing two new chefs were expected to join their newest recruit in the kitchens very soon.

The AGM also saw the election of three directors, two of whom are new to the board.

Bob Crampton retained his seat on the board, while Ben Littmann was unable to garner enough votes to retain his.

Filling the seats that once belonged to Mr Littmann and Mr Stone were Steve Fawns and Tony Tonta.

They join Stuart Calagaz, Mr Wilmshurst, Marie Cherry and Tony Whitehorn as directors.

Four of the directors are also members of the Deniliquin RSL Sub-branch.

Other unsuccessful candidates were Lee Pattinson, Peter Taylor and Robert Tubb.

The board will meet on Tuesday evening to elect their chair and vice chair for the coming 12 months.