Board Election 2015 / Chadwick & O’Shannassy re-elected [update]

[Stalin]

It really would be a house of cards if one or two new faces to the board were to tear the club apart.This is basically the argument against change. If this is the case then its not worth keeping in the first place.

Weak... 

[YellowandBlackBlood]

It really would be a house of cards if one or two new faces to the board were to tear the club apart.This is basically the argument against change. If this is the case then its not worth keeping in the first place.

Pretty much agree with the sentiment. However, it really is up to new guys putting there hand up to tell us exactly what they will bring to the table. The current board have already demonstrated their successful time their. They don't have to prove anything. We know they can work together and not leak to the media. We know they have turned the club's finances around. To change that chemistry you have to demonstrate why and how you will improve the board with your presence. It is healthy to have new blood of course but it has to be the right new blood.

[WilliamPowell]

Joe Russo was on 3AW while I was driving home

went to "head to head" with Caro

Not going to give a summary or a opinion on what I thought of how he handle things

Have had a crap day just not in the mood

[Petey]

can you say if it was positive or negative?

[WilliamPowell]

can you say if it was positive or negative?

I am sure his supporters will say he was great

Just like those who don't support him will say he was poor

Sometimes it isn't what you say but how you say it

Caro was Caro, you know dog with a bone , refusing to let up on something and he didn't handle it too well at times (IMO)

[Francois Jackson]

http://www.3aw.com.au/news/joseph-russo-and-caroline-wilson-clash-over-russos-push-for-spot-on-richmonds-board-20151201-glcvog.html

Caro and that president have obviously been colluding. My vote has been justified. Hawthorn model bring it

[YellowandBlackBlood]

http://www.3aw.com.au/news/joseph-russo-and-caroline-wilson-clash-over-russos-push-for-spot-on-richmonds-board-20151201-glcvog.html

Caro and that president have obviously been colluding. My vote has been justified. Hawthorn model bring it

No need for that Angus.

Looking at it from both sides. Firstly Caro was just interrupting the guy far too much. He was making some valid points. However, he should also have gone through the process of going through the nominations committee. Doesn't matter if he felt that it would be a waste of time. He should learn to go through the right processes.  He then could not be criticised for not following rules. If the nominations committee do not feel he is a suitable candidate, he will still be able to nominate for a board position.

It would be good to have a self made man on the board.  However don't forget the last self made property developer we had who then became president - Clinton Casey.  So it doesn't always mean you get the person that is best for your club.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

Plenty of property developers on boards of AFL clubs. Even Hawks 

[WilliamPowell]

http://www.3aw.com.au/news/joseph-russo-and-caroline-wilson-clash-over-russos-push-for-spot-on-richmonds-board-20151201-glcvog.html

Caro and that president have obviously been colluding. My vote has been justified. Hawthorn model bring it

Did you actually listen to the interview (click on the link and listened) or have you based your judgement on what you've read in that very brief article?

As I said his supporters will say he was great

Those who don't support him will say he was poor.

I just thought he didn't handle some answers well at all. Will repeat sometimes it not what you say but how you say it. 

Reckon he helped some of the undecided make their decision after the interview. Actually know he did   And that isn't necessarily a good thing for his chances 

[WilliamPowell]

Looking at it from both sides. Firstly Caro was just interrupting the guy far too much. He was making some valid points. However, he should also have gone through the process of going through the nominations committee. Doesn't matter if he felt that it would be a waste of time. He should learn to go through the right processes.  He then could not be criticised for not following rules. If the nominations committee do not feel he is a suitable candidate, he will still be able to nominate for a board position.

It would be good to have a self made man on the board.  However don't forget the last self made property developer we had who then became president - Clinton Casey.  So it doesn't always mean you get the person that is best for your club.

Although I agree Caro interrupted a lot. Mentioned before she was like a dog with a bone.   

Unfortunately, Mr Russo (IMHO) didn't help his cause with the way he answered or you could argue didn't answer the question. Also, suddenly saying now that it was someone high up in the AFL who told not having a tertiary education would mean he didn't have chance, well did not sound genuine. Was actually bizarre to be honest (again IMO)

Think I posted previously, he needed to respect the process even he didn't agree with it and meet the nominations committee, he's failed to that and now is being criticised for it.

Although I agree with the idea of having maximum terms for the directors; like the Hawks, reckon it's a winner. Outside of that I don't think we learnt anything new.

And BTW we actually already have a "self made man" on the board, would think starting up your own law firm sort of equates  to starting a business from scratch

Finally, will say it one more and for the last time; sometimes it's not what you say but how you say it

[Francois Jackson]

well considering i posted the link while you were rambling about your hard day, its fair to assume that i listened to the audio. Wake up WP

He handled it as best he could,when he finally got a bloody word in. Some very valid points he made, again when he could get a word in.

Il think il prefer we follow the  process of the hawthorn FC before a flog like caro and that idiot of a president, who will probably extend dimwits tenure very soon.

[one-eyed]

Candidate Statements

William Rex Chadwick

Rex Chadwick was appointed to the board on December 16, 2009.

Rex worked in advertising agencies for many years and was an associate director of the – then largest agency in Australia; and later Managing Director of a leading agency in Asia. His career in advertising provides a strong background in advertising and marketing. He is now Managing Director of Chadwick Merchandising Services Pty Ltd.

He is a member of The History & Tradition Committee and is chair of the Tigers In Community  Foundation Limited.

Although Rex will not claim any credit for the phenomenal growth of the club during his time on the board – It is a fact that when he was elected in 2009 – membership was just over 46,000. Today, as you know, it is in excess of 70,000 members. 

The cash situation was a diabolical $4,500,000 in debt. Today we have no debt and have shown good profit figures. 

Rex believes that these results will soon translate into a “winning finals” formula; and he wishes to complete the task he set out to do, 6 years ago.

“I believe that you hire the best people you can – in Commercial Operations, Membership, Football, Rehab & Fitness etc. If they fail to deliver, you replace them, but you don’t interfere, let them get on with the job. Some guidance is necessary from time – to – time, but undue interference is counter productive.”

“I believe we are setting up a dynasty that will produce premierships; and I am as impatient as anyone to win them now; but I can’t kick a football as well as most AFL players and although I tell our coach on a regular basis – that he should listen to my advice because I know more about football than the entire AFL community – the fact is, I don’t – and he just laughs at my bold boasts anyway.”

But what I can do is help provide good governance; worthwhile ( and I hope erudite) marketing advice and (most important of all) stability.

“I believe the best outcome for our football club is to continue with the current board who will provide a United, Conflict Free and Stable Environment that relates extremely well with all departments of our club.” 

[one-eyed]

Jason Dowd

Dear Tiger Member, 

I have one key message. 

If I am elected to the board, everything I do will be focused on helping Richmond win a Premiership. 

The current board has done a great job in resurrecting the club in terms of our financial position, structures around the club, strong corporate governance and introducing gender balance. They should be congratulated for all their efforts to date and I would welcome the opportunity to work with them. 

With the strong base that has been created, now is the time to be bold in our decision making and continue to demand excellence and improvement in every area of the club. 

As a board member, I am not going to interfere with the day to day running of the club, but I will demand that we push the boundaries and continue to strive for improvement.....so that the end goal of winning a premiership can be achieved. 

I am 48 Years old and have a family of 5 passionate Richmond Supporters. 

I have a background in Corporate Recovery as well as Commerce, where I helped build my company Mitchdowd into one of the leading Australian Underwear and Sleepwear brands. I understand competitive business environments and what is required to be successful (there is no more competitive environment than the AFL competition). 

I have also served on numerous boards, charities and junior football committees. I also played football at a reasonable level for many years, including training at several VFL clubs and Amateurs. 

Richmond has become one of the most progressive and well run sporting clubs in Australia and like all well run organisations, it needs to ensure there is renewal on the board to allow fresh thinking and new ideas. (Hawthorn is a great eg of this where board members have set terms).

I believe I have the business development, planning and entrepreneurial skills necessary to help ensure we continue to improve key decision making within the club and take Richmond to the next stage of success. 

I ask for your strong consideration and support. 

Go Tiges!

[one-eyed]

Maurice Joseph O’Shannassy

Dear Fellow Tiger Member

I am currently the Vice President of the Richmond Football Club and am seeking reelection for another term.

Over the past number of years this club has been rebuilt both on and off the field after many decades in the wilderness. It hasn’t been easy - it has been a long hard journey. The rebuilding has been a team effort.  I am proud to have been part of that team. Stability has been an important feature of the rebuilding and I believe that it is important going forward.

I have served on or chaired a number of the Board standing and ad hoc committees including Finance, Branding, Selection of senior roles (CEO and Head of Football Department), Gaming and Review of the Football Department - to name a few. Currently, I am Chair of the Risk, Compliance and Integrity Committee.

When I first joined the Board the club was near the bottom of the ladder, had just lost millions of dollars to put it further in debt and had one of the lowest spending football departments in the competition.  In short, we had few resources and no money.

We all know the solid position that we are now in - no debt (in fact cash in the bank), profitable every year I have been on the Board, one of the largest memberships in the competition, one of the best facilities in the competition (and at our traditional home) and, importantly, a well-funded football department. We have a talented and stable administration – I would say the envy of the competition.   

There is no doubt in my mind that it is a combination of all of the above factors that has enabled us to get to three finals appearances in a row with what is still a relatively young list.  It has been disappointing that we haven’t as yet been able to go further in the finals but I am confident that thestructures the Board has put in place across the whole club will enable us to take the next step.

I have seen five Premierships. I want my kids to see some and that is what drives me to want to continue to contribute. I believe that my track record on the Board and extensive experience in being one of the team that has rebuilt the club stands me in good stead to continue to be a major contributor to finishing the job and winning Premierships. 

Finally, by way of information, my background is in business. After working in the Commonwealth Treasury in Canberra, I worked in senior positions in the funds management industry in London and Asia. Eighteen years ago I returned to Australia and became Chief Executive of BlackRock Investment Management, a position I held for many years.  I am currently involved with a number of corporates in a variety of industries and, in a number of cases, I am Chairman. These companies are involved in
the Finance, Biotechnology, Social Networking and Property industries. I am also writing a book on the Global Financial System.

Go Tigers

[one-eyed]

Joseph Russo

As a proud and passionate Richmond supporter I am excited to advise that I have nominated for the Board at this year’s Annual General Meeting.

I acknowledge the achievements of the Board and administration to date, particularly those who contribute in an honorary capacity.

There is no doubt the club has taken massive strides off the field. We are now one of the few AFL clubs that can proudly control our own destiny, without relying on the benevolence of the AFL. The statistics around membership, attendance, merchandise sales and profit are testament to the Board’s commitment.

While I am regularly told that we are on the cusp of achieving the ultimate success – an AFL Premiership, the scoreboard does not lie. We haven’t won a final since 2001 or a flag in 35 long years. The time has come to expand on the board's ability to provide attractive incentives for currentand future players alike. We need to be able to offer players  security for life after football through education and resources and this will  add much needed depth to the club.

I am standing as a candidate because I want my kids and all Richmond members to experience what I did in 1980. I was at the MCG that day with my father – also a devoted Richmond man. I can still remember the sheer ecstasy of winning. Since 1980, three generations of Richmond supporters have been left disappointed, deprived of success year after year.

I can no longer sit by and watch the team I love continue to show incremental improvement without realising our pursuit of sustained premiership success. Until now, I have kept a low profile in my private life and business interests, including my support of the RFC. I have been a significant contributor to the Fighting Tiger Fund under the condition that the VFL development team be bought into competition a year earlier than anticipated.

I am 44 years of age and married to Elvia. Together we have two beautiful children, Sienna and Christian - all fanatical Richmond supporters.

I am the Principal and Founder of Caydon Property Group, Melbourne’s largest apartment developer.

From humble beginnings, developing townhouses in the outer northern suburb of Thomastown, my company now employs over 60 staff. I have completed over $1 Billion in developments to date, with a further 4,500 apartments in our pipeline worth in excess of $2 Billion. This includes the famous Nylex site in Cremorne that will be Melbourne’s new inspired destination at the Punt Road end.

All businesses need to innovate and evolve to lead their industry and a football club is no different. I know the sacrifice and commitment it takes to breed success – I’ve lived it. With my entrepreneurial background, I will inject fresh ideas at board level that will work as powerfully for RFC as they have in my own business.

Here’s our chance to become the most successful and biggest club in the country – a premiership will deliver that.

I ask for your vote and support to back a new game plan.

Go Tiges!

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