It's a matter of trust: how to win friends and influence people
The chairman of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, Tony Shepherd, says he will not continue in the position once his term ends late next year.
“I’ve indicated to the government that I will not be seeking an extension after my next term expires,” said Mr Shepherd, first appointed as a trustee under Labor in 2002, and named chairman in 2014. Mr Shepherd’s next term expires in October 2020.
The composition of the high profile trust has been thrust into the limelight this week after NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley’s declaration he would sack all government-appointed members should Labor win this month's election.
According to multiple current and former trustees, the opportunity to steward the SCG and Allianz Stadium is a privilege that is taken seriously, and not something done for financial reward or status. Many trustees do not accept the $15,000 annual stipend that comes with the job.
“To be a trustee of the Sydney Cricket Ground was one of the great honours of my life,” said Rodney Cavalier, a trustee between 1996 and 2014, and the chairman between 2001 and 2014.
“The experience was humbling. To be a trustee was to hold something special in trust on behalf of the people of NSW,” said Mr Cavalier, a former Labor education minister.
But at the same time, the opportunity to play a part in the governance and maintenance of the storied Moore Park sporting grounds has long attracted enmity.
That is perhaps because trustees tend to be drawn from the political, business or sporting elite. It might also be because so many would want to have the opportunity to do the same thing.
“If you want to network it's the place to be,” Labor’s sports spokewoman, Lynda Voltz, said of a day in the Trust’s suites at Allianz or the SCG.
There are waiters, sit-down meals and there is a steady supply of national figures to mix with.
“I remember being there one Good Friday and Cardinal George Pell was there,” Ms Voltz said.
“He pointed out that he had other priests to take the services.”
As well as the opportunity to extend invitations to friends and contacts, another little-known benefit of being a trustee is being able to fast-track people to become members of the SCG.
Membership has a 13-year waiting period. But if you’re a “Trust special” – and sources said each trustee typically nominates one or two a year – you get to skip the queue.
Others said the type of people appointed to the trust would not be impressed by tickets or access.
“If you look at who goes on there, there’s no snouts in the trough,” said one former trustee. Trustees such as former premier Barry O’Farrell, and business and media figures Maurice Newman, Katie Page, Alan Jones and Nihil Gupta would be unlikely to struggle to secure tickets to events if left to their own devices.
For his part, Mr Shepherd said he thought there were good arguments for rotating trustees. He said he indicated his eventual retirement when he was reappointed chair last year.
He said he was keen to “watch football and cricket without having to worry” about trust duties.