Members packed an extraordinary meeting on Monday night to vote on the motion which follows disharmony over the administration of the sub-branch and the dumping of chef Lee Botting.

After 30 minutes of debate, a secret ballot was conducted with the meeting told the motion had failed, although no margin was announced.

The Border Mail was told it was 78 for, 86 against.

Sub-branch president Kevyn Williams said “I’m very happy” and flagged that he could heal the split.

“Put it this way I will get unity back in the club as per corporate governance,” he said.

Mr Williams, who will not face re-election at next month’s annual meeting, welcomed the prospect of complainants running for the management team.

“To see all the knockers come forward and do some doing (would be good),” he said.

Sub-branch member Ian Deegan, who presented a petition calling for a no-confidence motion, was downcast at the result.

“I’m really surprised but that is democracy,” he said.

Mr Deegan suggested those upset at the sub-branch’s control would leave, rather than seek a role on the committee of management.

“I know a lot said if it goes down they’re transferring to Albury, Rutherglen or Melbourne because the same committee will be there and the same things will happen,” he said.

Two speakers spoke for the motion and two against.

Proponents labelled the committee “totalitarian and undemocratic” and “a cartel with a dictatorial approach”.

It was alleged the current regime had a “history of bullying, intimidation and sexual harassment”.

Those against the motion spruiked the management’s record.

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One said it had behaved in an “exemplary manner” while another stressed the financial record of the committee, saying the doors of the sub-branch would be closed without its work in recent years.

Before the ballot, it was deemed members who had joined in the last fortnight would be ineligible to vote in line with sub-branch rules.

Mr Deegan claimed some of those members still proceeded to vote and that tainted the outcome.