At the May Greater Shepparton City Council meeting this week, councillors were split on the need to revamp the rules.
Cr Anthony Brophy, who is deputy chair of the committee, went in to bat first, arguing that the changes would have been made last year but the committee didn’t meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was resolved by the committee in 2019 that the existing terms needed to be revised to reflect learnings, particularly the clause that required inductees to be retired from the sport for two years,” Cr Brophy said.
Cr Brophy moved a motion that differed from the recommendation in the meeting's agenda, arguing that excellence and achievement should be recognised as close to the event as possible.
He said a clause that allowed for inductees to be stripped of their honour, if for example they were found guilty of doping, provided a sufficient safeguard.
Cr Shane Sali supported the removal of the requirement to have been retired from the sport for two years.
“When we induct people it is a celebration, and if we can offer that to people who are still active in a sport after competing at the highest level, I am supportive of that,” he said.
Cr Seema Abdullah flagged moving a different motion if Cr Brophy’s failed.
“My opposition to this is due to the timing. I believe the timing of the revision of nominee guidelines is not the right time given we are in the process of assessing nominations we have received,” she said.
“The two-year waiting period is a best practice guideline and I hope we consider to retain it.”
Cr Sam Spinks said inducting people mid-career did not appreciate their entire performance and contribution.
“They may have reached a peak level but all they achieve won’t be captured,” she said.
Cr Fern Summer opposed the motion, likening it to moving the goalposts part way through a game.
“I’m not opposed to (the) recommendations and I would support a formal review process at a later stage,” she said.
“Regardless of the circumstances, we do already have a set of criteria in place for these upcoming awards.”
Cr Greg James was in favour of recognising sports achievers while they were still competing.
“This supports sports people at the peak of their sporting career, I support the recommendation that Cr Brophy has brought to the table today.”
The motion was passed, four votes to three, with councillors Summer, Spinks and Abdullah voting against.
Mayor Kim O’Keeffe declared a conflict and did not participate while Cr Geoff Dobson was an apology for the meeting.
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