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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Davistown enters club merger talks

 

Davistown RSL has revealed that it is in talks with Woy Woy Bowling Club about a merger between the two clubs.

Davistown RSL manager Mr Ian Roberts said that they were still in "initial talks" with Woy Woy Bowling Club about a merger.

Davistown RSL chairman Mr Brad Kennedy said that nothing was formal yet about the decision.

Woy Woy Bowling Club secretary-manager Mr Warrick Smith was unavailable for comment.

However, Woy Woy Leagues Club announced in an advertisement on September 10 that its committee was considering an amalgamation with the same club.

Woy Woy Bowling Club has denied that it was considering an amalgamation with Woy Woy Leagues Club.

Club employee Mr Neil Johnson said that Woy Woy Bowling Club had informed Woy Woy Leagues Club on September 2 that "they were not pursuing any amalgamation with the club".

Mr Johnson said that he could not comment on why they were not pursing a merger, as it was a "board decision".

Woy Woy Leagues Club manager Mr Michael Creighton said that, when the letter was submitted announcing the talks, his club did not know that Woy Woy Bowling Club no longer wanted to pursue merger talks.

"I'm not sure Woy Woy Bowling Club understands the ramifications if it amalgamates with Davistown RSL," he said.

Mr Creighton said that under new liquor administration laws clubs within 1km of each other could amalgamate with approval from the State Government.

"But Davistown is two to three kilometres away as the crow flies, and 20 to 25 minutes away by car," he said.

"Its pretty ludicrous.

"It's not far by water but it's way too far for people to drive," he said.

"If the clubs listen to their members, I think they will get the message that members of both clubs would be opposed to this," he said.

Mr Creighton said that Woy Woy Leagues Club wanted a partnership with Woy Woy Bowling Club.

He said rumors that the Leagues Club was going to knock down the bowling club should they amalgamate were untrue, as under new liquor laws they would not be able to dispose of assets.

"We would have liked to amalgamate to make junior sport stronger on the Peninsula, to merge two strong clubs," he said.

"It would have been of more benefit to the Peninsula as profits would have stayed on the Peninsula," he said.

Alison Branley, September 20.