Fifteen of the complaints against Steve Hopwood,which included an allegation of bottom-groping at the 2022 Christmas party,were substantiated by an external investigation by law firm Dentons,theHerald reported on Tuesday.
Sydney Legacy president Steve Hopwood issued an “unreserved apology”.Supplied
“While I deny any and all the allegations,the contribution Legacy makes to the community … is more important than to be dragged into this situation,” Hopwood told theHerald in a statement.
“So in the interests of Legacy … I will stand aside my position of president of Sydney Legacy whilst these allegations are proven to be completely without merit.”
When asked if he intends to return to the post,Hopwood did not respond.
Despite the findings,which resulted in staff being told they can work from home “if they feel uncomfortable returning to the workplace”,Hopwood remained in his post,with the unanimous support of the management committee of Sydney Legacy,a committee he heads.
Hopwood strongly denies any inappropriate conduct or touching,saying he simply has a “robust management style”.
On March 9,Hopwood sent all staff an “open letter of apology” in which he offered an “unreserved apology” for actions or language that may have been viewed as “untoward,unwelcome and unwarranted” by the mostly female employees of Legacy Club Services.
Legacy is a well-known Australian charity that cares for the dependents of military veterans.
The legal investigation into the complaints was instigated by Michael Ducie,the CEO of Legacy Club Services,the company that provides services to Legacy Club Sydney,of which Hopwood is president.
Legacy Club Services employs about 45 staff,most of whom are female,to provide care to the families of veterans alongside Legacy’s volunteers.
The company provides services for several clubs,including Legacy Club Sydney – which is an autonomous volunteer organisation with its own management committee,over which Hopwood presides.
While Hopwood shares an office with the staff of Legacy Club Services – the staff who made the 16 complaints – he does not work for that company,and its CEO Ducie has no power over his appointment.
“We are in a very unenviable position and a difficult situation,” Ducie said prior to Hopwood stepping aside.
“I am passionate about looking after the staff and I am frustrated about not being able to take stronger action. It is a complication of the structure of Legacy.”
On Wednesday,Sydney Legacy management committee secretary Dick Adams,,said the committee had considered the findings against Hopwood and had nonetheless passed a motion to support him.
“At a meeting of the Sydney Legacy Club Management Committee,held on 23-2-2023,the committee,having carefully considered the determination of the Legacy Club Services (LCS) board with respect to the Hopwood matters,passed a unanimous resolution affirming their support in legatee Hopwood’s continued leadership of Sydney Legacy,” Adams told theHeraldin a statement.
A meeting of the management committee,which has the power to pass a resolution asking Hopwood to stand aside,was scheduled for Thursday,however it has been postponed.
“I am endeavouring to convene a meeting of the club management committee,as soon as all members are available,to discuss current developments,” Adams said.
Once the Dentons investigation against Hopwood was concluded,Hopwood returned to his office in York Street but was told he could not deal directly with staff.
Staff were told they could work from home if they felt “uncomfortable” working with Hopwood.
Hopwood is active in NSW Liberal politics,and in 2022 he managed the election campaign of Maria Kovacic,who ran for the federal seat of Parramatta and is now NSW Liberal Party President.
There is no suggestion Kovacic has any knowledge of the complaints against Hopwood.
Legacy Australia,the national body which oversees Legacy clubs,will celebrate its centenary this year,with a torch relay beginning in Pozieres,France.
Legacy has a declining membership base and last year started a recruitment campaign to gain more volunteers.
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