Tension hung in the air at the Tamborine Mountain Sports Association (TMSA) Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 26 November, where clubs, councillors and committee members gathered at the Bridge Club building to elect a new board and confront the future of the Long Road Sports Complex.
Tamborine Mountain Bushrats president Alick Kilsby was elected unopposed as the new TMSA president after long-serving president Mick Angus withdrew his nomination, calling for a “reset” in leadership.
“Despite the work that’s been completed and the successes we’ve had, we’ve reached an impasse,” Mr Angus said.
“If this community asset is to survive and flourish, there needs to be a reset and new relationships to drive it.
To that end, I’ll withdraw my nomination for President and not stand again so that new leadership can begin.”
His resignation followed weeks of mounting tension between TMSA, member clubs and Scenic Rim Regional Council, which recently voted to renegotiate the Long Road lease and rejected the association’s request for reimbursement and urgent infrastructure funding.
The dispute centred on responsibility for maintenance and capital works on the land.
At the AGM, mild hostility surfaced between some TMSA committee members and clubs, particularly around membership status, voting eligibility and transparency.
At some points, the independent election chair reminded attendees to remain respectful, and solutions focused.
Incoming President Mr Kilsby, who also resigned as president of the Bushrats, was eager to ‘give the clubs a voice’.
“I’m stepping into this with no agenda to change everything,” he said.
“My priority is to work with the committee, work with the clubs and put the interests of the kids first. I’m committed to being very transparent and open with how we work together.”
He acknowledged the challenges ahead but said he welcomed them.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” he said.
“I look forward to learning quickly and keeping the place in the green financially, operationally and as a community asset.”
Other elected committee members include Bruce Patterson as vice president, Adam Chandler as secretary, and Cole Fletcher and Hope Kerslake as directors, with their specific committee roles yet to be allocated.
The next general meeting for TMSA is set for January 14.
