PUBLIC STATEMENT

Subject: SUNBURY MODEL RAILWAY CLUB INC. – PUBLIC STATEMENT

This statement has been prepared with the assistance of Lewis Holdway Lawyers, who represent the Sunbury Model Railway Club Inc.

To: Sunbury Model Railway Club Members, Model Railway Club members across Australia, Australian Model Train Manufacturers and Australian Model Train Hobby Shops.

We, the Committee of the Sunbury Model Railway Club have noted that the recent termination of the memberships of Mr Brett Watson, and Mr Brett Greenland from the Sunbury Model Railway Club has generated public comment.

We have been reluctant to make any comment in the public arena to date as we were endeavouring to maintain the privacy of Mr Watson and Mr Greenland and give space for the Club’s processes to be worked through including the appeals process our club is required to follow.

However, to correct some of the public statements made, the Committee wishes to make clear that Mr Watson and Mr Greenland did not resign from the Club.

The Committee also wishes to make it clear that it has acted at all times in accordance with the legal requirements of the Associations Incorporation Act (Vic), the Sunbury Model Railway Club’s Rules of Association (Constitution), and its by-laws.

The memberships of Mr Watson and Mr Greenland were terminated because of behaviours, which were found by the Committee to have contravened the Club’s Rules, such as to justify expulsion. The expulsion was communicated to Mr Watson and Mr Greenland and they were given an opportunity to respond and informed of their appeal rights under the Club’s Rules.

Mr Greenland indicated he wished to appeal but withdrew the appeal before the date that the appeal group were scheduled to hear the appeal.

We ask that all, including Mr Watson and Mr Greenland, only make public comments that are respectful of all involved and do not personally attack people for carrying out their duties as Members of the Club and as Committee Members.

The Sunbury Model Railway Club exists to pursue the common good and benefit of the hobby of model railways and we look forward to continuing to do that as the Club enters its 46th year, as well as through the operation of our annual exhibition on the 3rd weekend in October 2024.

Kind Regards

Warren Roche (Acting President)

Mark Warner (Secretary)

Michael Holian (Treasurer)

John O’Shea (Committee Member)

Greg Berntsson (Committee Member)

David Baird (Committee Member)

Committee Members

Sunbury Model Railway Club Inc.