Intention was to first tell members directly

We suppose that based on the old adage that any publicity is good publicity, we shouldn't grumble about your leading article in the Peninsula News that you published on 12 February 2018 and indeed we thank you for your interest.

Even so, it is disappointing for our members that they might assume from the article that the possible amalgamation is a "done deal" when in fact there are more details to be negotiated and even more importantly, the memberships of both clubs will be given full details and the opportunity to vote on whether or not an amalgamation proceeds.

We appreciate that it probably wasn't intended, but we are also particularly concerned that on one interpretation you have identified our President Robert Henderson as the "source", implying that he provided a copy of the relevant letter to you when, of course, that is not the case.

Not only is that not true, all of that is an embarrassment because it suggests that our president or our club is:

1) somehow taking for granted how our members or the members of Sporties might vote; and

2) happy to provide some details to you and to the wider public before telling our members when in fact our intention was to do our members the courtesy of first providing the details directly to them.

We are mindful that you are a voluntary association and happy to assume that there was no malice in that. Letter, 14 Feb 2018 Tim McGavin, CEO Ettalong Bowling Club EDITOR'S COMMENT: We accept Mr McGavin's point that readers could interpret the letter as having been provided to us by Mr Henderson where this was not the case.

In fact, the letter was forwarded to us by a number of other people and the article written on the basis of substantial community interest.

As a result, in future, we will provide a standing explanation of how the source lines should be interpreted.

We believe the article in question made it clear that this is just was an expression of interest and nothing more than a proposal at this stage.

Both Mr Henderson and Mr McGavin have been invited to provide further information if they wish.