Dear Members,
The DBV Board wish to advise that the Australian Tax Office has recently extended the deadline for mandatory constitutional changes, by a further 12 months. Changes that were previously required by November this year can now be completed by this time next year.
In light of this extension, and in response to strong feedback from members requesting broader consultation around the new constitution, the Board will be postponing the motion to vote on its adoption. We recognise and appreciate the significant interest from our members.
A timeline outlining the consultation process has been developed and will be communicated in detail by the end of this week. This will include a call for working group members, opportunities for all clubs and members to submit comments and suggestions, with the draft constitution reflecting the best interests of the whole association, whilst meeting all regulatory requirements. DBV aims to have a final draft ready for formal consideration by the end of January, 2026.
Given the large registration numbers for the scheduled Special General Meeting (SGM) this Wednesday, the meeting will proceed as a Q&A session. This is the first step towards commencing dialogue and the consulation mentioned above. The Board is aware of several questions, queries and ideas being actively discussed by members, and we welcome the opportunity to address them in an open, transparent and collaborative forum. This session is designed to provide clarity, facilitate informed discussion, and ensure everyone is equipped to contribute constructively to the constitution review process.
We want to assure members that the Board has received ongoing legal advice and that our lawyers remain available to address specific constitutional or governance questions as needed. The forthcoming forum is an important opportunity for members to engage deeply with the issues at hand and to help shape the direction of our association. We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your ongoing commitment to Dragon Boat Victoria. | 
