Governance on top of Governance. The other week we talked about club level governance and some of the boring things we had to do to run and maintain a club. Last week there was a Special General Meeting and all AusCycling affiliated clubs were requested to vote on a resolution to remove the current board chair. At the end of the day, a total of 243 clubs registered to vote (with 164 in attendance), representing approximately 35 per cent of AusCycling’s membership. Following a period of discussion and debate, the resolution was put to a vote and was unsuccessful, with 70.09 per cent of votes against the resolution and 29.91 per cent of votes for the resolution. As a result, Craig Bingham will remain in his position as Chairperson and Director.
So how did we get here? There is a lot, so if you are interested, strap in.
Over the last 6 months a number of clubs had started discussions with other member clubs about the possibility of an SGM. Harlequin Wheelman CC (Nov 2025), Canberra CC (Jan 2026), Midland CC (Feb 2026) all talked about similar issues that clubs have been facing the past few years. Declining membership, clubs seeing no value in aligning with AusCycling and not agreeing with strategic direction set out by AusCycling. On top of that, a view that AusCycling has not delivered on any of its planned strategic outcomes since the merger of the state based organisations into a national body.
A formal request was initiated by Midland asking for club support on the following resolutions –
- The removal of Craig Bingham as a Director and Chair with immediate effect
- The removal of Marne Fechner as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect and initiation of an open, transparent recruitment process for a new CEO
A total of 32 clubs supported (more than 5%) and therefore triggered a SGM to be called by AusCycling. On the 13th Feb, a formal notification of SGM from AusCycling for 23rd April was announced.
In March 2026 Canberra CC added 2 more resolutions –
- The election of Chloe Hosking as a Director of AusCycling with effect from the close of the meeting
- An expression of support from voting members for the appointment of Chloe Hosking to the position of Chair and a call upon the Board to give due consideration to the clearly expressed will of the membership in electing the Chair of AusCycling.
Now Chloe Hosking is a very decorated and experienced cyclist that represented Australia for many years on the world stage. She stood for the board in 2023 but was not voted in. In 2024 the eligibility criteria for board members was changed to require a minimum of 3 years board experience on a State or National board. It is important to note that Chloe Hosking’s partner is the current president of the Canberra CC that added these resolutions (edit: not president, but contacted clubs on behalf of Canberra CC).
3 of the 4 resolutions were rejected by AusCycling with only the resolution to remove the chair being allowed to be voted on. The removal of the Canberra CC resolutions was due to the ineligibility of Chloe to be voted into a board position, and the removal of the CEO (as far as I understand) was a legal matter where that position is not determined by the membership, so cannot vote it out.
Canberra was pushing hard to get proxy forms to vote in their favour and had prefilled forms supporting the resolution, making it easier for clubs to send a proxy instead. Leading up to the vote both sides put out comms restating their positions, with AusCycling showing that the cost to the organisation of holding a SGM was approximately $60k.
A meeting that could have been an email.
On the actual night of the SGM both parties (Midland and the Chair) had time to state their positions before the floor was opened up to any clubs that wanted to talk for or against the motion. There were also questions that clubs could submit to the SGM chair which were then directed at the appropriate people. The biggest and weirdest comment came from Canberra CC that spoke about not supporting the motion (edit: it was Canberra Off Road Club). Most clubs spoke against the motion even though they agreed that AusCycling may not have delivered on strategic outcomes and clubs still face the same issues. The general view was that stability was a better outcome.
We did discuss this as a committee before the SGM and decided to vote against the motion. Our reasoning is that although we may share some of the concerns about strategic outcomes, removing the chair did not fix the problem and not real solutions were presented by those presenting the resolution.
The meeting went for a bit over an hour (if I remember correctly) and my main takeaway was that middle-age men have little concept of time or know how to read a clock. People had either 3min or 90sec to state their case and most flew well passed that and often waffled on repeating their points. I’m sure that if time limits were enforced, the meeting would have been over in 30 min. An interesting question was asked in relation to the cost of the SGM at $60k. This was explained as the time to setup the event, hiring the platform to allow clubs to speak/vote, getting oversight so that votes are independently assessed, legal advice on the resolutions tabled, and I guess, just general time spent by AusCycling staff.
There are portions of constitutions that make allowances for members to have some say over how things are run. These are always very important guardrails to ensure that no one individual or group can take over and act like a dictator. Our own constitution requires that each committee position gets wiped every year to ensure that all positions are voted in by the membership. Calling for an SGM is an important right that the clubs have and can often be seen as the only way that they can get their message across. It was mentioned a few times over the course of the meeting that removing the chair was not personal, but rather a way to show displeasure with how things are being run. With the AusCycling AGM coming up soon, it will be interesting to see if the current board see this as a validation or a wake-up call.
Other Information
SPR Giro d’Italia Dinner Tuesday 19 May 2026
6.00pm for a 6.30pm start
The 109th edition of the classic grand tour Giro d’Italia starts on the 8 May in Bulgaria and finishes 31st May in Rome. The club is having a dinner at the Italian restaurant Bravo’s in East Vic Park to celebrate. – fabulous food and friendly staff make it special.
Bring family and join friends for a modern Italian meal. This year we have a new and expanded 3-course menu for $70 pp – fully licensed. Select your dietary requirements at checkout. Menu link
Tickets are available via the club shop.
2026 and 2027 international trips –
PR is again looking to organise trips overseas after the success of ones to the Italian & Swiss Alps 2025 and The Grand Alps France 2024.
Please complete this brief EOI for either or both tours
Note: no SPR member nor the club benefit from the organising of these trips – it is intended to extend the cycling experience with fellow cyclists
Tour de Cowaramup 18th Oct –
The Tour de Cowaramup charity road bike event is on again this year on Sunday 18 th October. Three distances 60km (piccolo), 85km (medio) and 130km (gran) with funds going to assist men suffering from Prostate Cancer.
Start/ finish: Juniper Estate
Register for early bird $105 until 30 April 2026; normal entry $125 until 30th September, late registration $145-$180. If no SPR team already established when you go to register, please set up a SPR team based on the distance eg SPR-Gran, SPR-Medio or SPR-Piccolo so others can join you.
We will look to book accommodation for three nights at the Leeuwin Apartments as per last year, cost to be advised; in Friday 16 th October out Monday 19 th October; shorter stay if preferred for the same price. You can register your interest for accommodation via this EOI.
For further queries please contact Carol or Danielle via comdev@southperthrouleurs.com.au.
Upcoming Racing
1. WACX Numbat Cup #3 Fishmarket Reserve (3 May)
2. West Coast Masters Road Race Herne Hill (3 May)
3. ATTA Season Close at Champion Lakes (10 May)
Juniors
Last weekend, James took part in his first bike race at the Stan Gurney VC Memorial Criterium. He rode generously, launching attacks for much of the race and showing strong initiative throughout. Unfortunately, toward the end he missed the final moves after not hearing the bell for the last lap, and he finished toward the back of the field.
Overall, it was a very positive first race experience, highlighting both his determination and plenty of room for growth.
After the race, he joined the junior ride in Kings Park and delivered another impressive performance, particularly on Cardiac Hill, where he managed to drop Adriam Emilsen—who still recorded his second-best time on the climb, just two seconds off his personal best. I was quite relieved not to be involved in the final sprint!
The training program for this week is as follows:
Saturday (2/5):
Our U11 riders will meet again at the DNA Tower car park in Kings Park for a hill training session at 10:30am. The bravest riders will tackle Mount Street—and earn a well-deserved treat at the top!
Our teenage juniors are invited to join the adult club ride, departing at 7:00am from the Coode Street car park in South Perth. I’ll be there to support our faster juniors.
Please check the SPR Junior WhatsApp channel for any last-minute updates. If you’re not yet in the group chat and would like to be included, just let me know.
Events coming up
3/5/2026 CX: Liquor Barons Numbat Cup Series #3 (Fishmarket Reserve, Guildford)
CX series. Check the calendar here: https://wacyclocross.org/racing/calendar/
From the Ride Coordinator
Having a set of working lights is a great idea with sunrise now close to 7am.
At SPR, we encourage all riders to familiarise themselves with the planned route before joining a group ride. Not knowing the next turn can increase the risk of accidents — for you and others in the group.
Saturday 2nd May
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special
All rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Development group (*) – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday
Transition: Trans Shelley 40.59km SPR Saturday
Fast & Main: Canning Vale & Welshpool 49.74km SPR Saturday
(*) Please note that our Ride Leaders will adjust the composition and route for Development, Transition and Main 4 to suit people and conditions on the day.
Sunday 3rd May
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Kal Glenisla Palm Lwnbrk 60.03km SPR Sunday
Short Hills: Kal Glenisla Palm Lwnbrk 60.03km SPR Sunday
Long Hills: Kal Chook Obs Hum 87.14km SPR Sunday
Monday 4th May
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
south stock 33.76km SPR Monday
Tuesday 5th May
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Two groups – solid roll through vs relaxed pace
SPR Tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
Wednesday 6th May
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
No drop recovery ride
SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)
Thursday 7th May
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Three groups fast paced roll-throughs
SPR Thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
Friday 8th May
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am