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August 26, 2026 \u2014 7:00pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n One of Australia\u2019s most prestigious sporting clubs has systematically underpaid its kitchen staff over five years, with the matter now being investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman amid a fresh exodus of key leaders at the troubled private club.<\/p>\n The exclusive Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club has informed its members that the underpayment relates to 26 staff and their overtime penalty entitlements between 2018 and 2023.<\/p>\n Two key leaders have recently resigned from the club \u2013 non-executive director Sam Ejtemai and the club\u2019s head of food and beverage Chris Manti \u2013 both of whom had been in their respective roles since December last year.<\/p>\n A spokesman for Kooyong confirmed that the historical staff underpayments had been voluntarily reported by the club to the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) following an internal review of payroll practices.<\/p>\n \u201cThe review, initiated by management and the board, identified issues relating to the interpretation of overtime penalty entitlements for 26 kitchen staff in the period prior to 2024,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cSubsequently, the club engaged an independent external payroll specialist to undertake a detailed audit. An external auditor also reviewed the audit methodology to provide further assurance over the process.<\/p>\n \u201cThe club continues to cooperate fully with the FWO, keeping them updated on the progress of its review, including the process and timing for addressing any outstanding employee entitlements.\u201d<\/p>\n Ejtemai was contacted concerning his resignation after just nine months on the board but declined to comment. Manti could not be reached by deadline.<\/p>\n The revelations are the latest upheavals at the esteemed club, which in the 2025 financial year recorded a bottom-line loss of almost $1 million.<\/p>\n In 2023, the club was forced to call in independent auditors<\/a> Grant Thornton to investigate a $2.4 million loss from its food and beverage operations. The audit found poor financial management and reporting were to blame for the substantial losses from its dining arm.<\/p>\n Related Article Several sources who declined to be named to protect their membership status said the decision by the Kooyong board in December last year to withdraw from exclusive talks to buy the nearby Vision Australia site for more than $50 million as part of the club\u2019s broader Centenary Masterplan<\/a> had created disquiet among the broader membership.<\/p>\n The Age revealed earlier this month that Scotch College<\/a> was now in talks to buy the Vision Australia head office for about $60 million.<\/p>\n Kooyong is one of Australia\u2019s most exclusive tennis clubs and is often described as the \u201cspiritual home of tennis\u201d. For 15 years until 1988 it was the home of the Australian Open, before the Grand Slam tournament moved to the newly developed Melbourne Park.<\/p>\n Related Article On Wednesday, The Age revealed that the $20 million-a-year operation, which is chaired by former Tennis Australia boss Steve Wood, had just commenced the search for a new chief executive<\/a>. This followed the exit of well-regarded sports administrator Ian Robson \u2013 a former boss of the Essendon Football Club \u2013 from the club in May this year after just 17 months at the helm.<\/p>\n According to Kooyong\u2019s 2025 annual report, which is not publicly available, to gain membership to the club applicants must pay a one-off entry fee of $5880, plus an annual fee of $1960. At the end of July last year there were about 8650 members, with about 950 on the waiting list.<\/p>\n In the report, the club noted the possibility of wage underpayment claims as a \u201ccontingent liability\u201d. \u201cThe consolidated entity has engaged consultants to review possible overtime penalty claims from kitchen team members for additional hours worked in excess of 38 hours per week over a period ranging from 2018 to 2023,\u201d the note said. \u201cThe process is not yet finalised and the potential liability is unable to be accurately quantified.\u201d<\/p>\n In an update to members on July 30 this year \u2013 the day before the club closed its books for the 2026 financial year \u2013 the club revealed the matter was now in the hands of the FWO.<\/p>\n \u201cYesterday, the club voluntarily reported potential historical staff underpayments relating to the interpretation of overtime penalty entitlements for 26 kitchen staff to the FWO,\u201d the club update read. \u201cIt relates to historical payroll and timekeeping arrangements.<\/p>\n \u201cThe affected employees have been notified, with the club holding sufficient funds to meet anticipated employee payments.\u201d<\/p>\n The club spokesman said Kooyong had also \u201cstrengthened its payroll systems and controls, including the appointment of a people and culture manager and the implementation of an automated HR and payroll system designed to calculate pay rates, penalty rates and allowances in accordance with the relevant award\u201d.<\/p>\n The FWO declined to comment. \u201cWe have no comment on the organisation named. We encourage any workers with concerns to contact us directly for assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts<\/a> on email or turn on notifications in the app.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Kooyong](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/9f0d5a4b01c5d18251616b7c73339c3a8b8d4a82.jpeg\")
Kooyong underpaid its kitchen staff over a period of five years.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/4c34535277a5cec4522eb2550cfa07e3fbbe2a70.jpeg\")
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