THE Golden Rivers Football League faces at least one season of financial restraints after investigations found the past board had not paid significant financial accounts.
In what the league’s working party have described as a “series of errors”, the league owes the Australian Taxation Office $23,424 after not submitting Business Activity Statements, as well as AFL Central Murray $30,000 for fees associated with the development and running of the regional administration centre.
Club representatives in attendance at Monday’s annual general meeting learnt the full extent of the league’s finances, which needed to be rectified following the resignation of the board at the end of the 2015 season.
“From what we understand, it was largely a competency issue, not a criminal matter,” AFL Central Murray commissioner, Neville Brady said.
AFL Central Murray created a working party to oversee the management of the competition in September after board members Oscar Aertssen, Brent Heitbaum and Glenn Hogan resigned from their positions.
The trio managed the league during the final weeks of the 2015 season after former chairman, Phil Symes quit his role in mid-August.
During the past five months, a working party consisting of AFL Central Murray commissioners and GRFL representatives have put together a budget to ensure the league will return to financial viability whilst paying off its debts.
“Everyone has to take a hit financially,” working party member, Ken Symons said.
“We hope it is appreciated by all in the room that we had to make some difficult decisions to get the league back in the black.”
Club representatives accepted at the meeting that past attendees at annual meetings did not enquire about the league’s financial situation.
“Nine presidents voted on the financial statements at past annual meetings, and if anything, it is hard to point fingers and jump at shadows (regarding responsibility),” GRFL working party member, Trevor Grant said.
“Everyone has got their fingerprints on it (in relation to the situation),” Brady said.
New board members, Daryl Billing, Greg Bear, Kellie Crellin, Angela Hird and Scott McNeil will manage the competition, ensuring a predicted surplus of $12,290 is achieved this season.
AFL Central Murray commissioners, Aaron Garvie and Jim Hirst will act as observers on the new board, but have the authority to veto any financial decisions made due to the commission overwriting the unpaid fees.
“I commend the working party on the work done,” AFL Central Murray, Sunraysia and Wimmera Mallee regional general manager, Bruce Petering said.
“We are looking forward to starting a new chapter in this competition.”
New by-laws have also been created, with clubs set to ratify the document at next month’s special general meeting.
