Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc – Annual General Meeting – 18 September 2019 – Minutes of Meeting
Welcome
Social Secretary Terrylea Reynolds opened the meeting at 7:30 pm, inviting President Michael de Raadt to present his report. Approximately 40 members were present.
President’s Report
Michael summarised (with appropriate photos) the key initiatives of the previous year, which included:
- Commencement of abseiling and canyoning as Club activities;
- The Save Kosci Campaign – while the campaign was not an official Club activity, it had been led by Walks Secretary Linda Groom and had been supported by many Club members;
- Successful Family Bushwalking Activities and Come and Try Walks;
- Ongoing Navigational Training.
Michael noted that the Club’s membership had declined from a peak of 400 in January 2018, to 360 in January 2019, although it had improved to about 380 since then. He noted that dips in membership occurred from time to time – overall, the Club’s membership was in a healthy state.
Thanks
As the outgoing President, Michael extended his thanks to the many people who made the Club’s success possible. He noted in particular
- Leaders, who were so essential to the walks program
- Presenters, who made the Club’s monthly meetings so interesting and worthwhile
- Contributors to the Club newsletter
- Helpers who assisted on walks and at meetings
- Members who kept active
- Guests who came along on walks.
Michael also extended his personal thanks to the Committee Members of 2018-2019.
In particular, Michael noted the outstanding contribution of Walks Secretary Linda Groom, whose achievements over the years had been honoured with the conferral in 2019 of CBC Life Membership, and also the Chardon Award of Bushwalking NSW.
Walk Secretary’s Report
Walks Secretary Linda Groom summarised the achievements of the year:
- 419 different people had participated in Club activities, indicating the overall depth and diversity of the program; the number of younger members joining and participating had been particularly pleasing
- Day walks, including Wednesday Walks, had been a continuing strength;
- The Club’s program had included a number of longer walks, including to the MacDonnell Ranges (Central Australia); Bibbulmun Track (WA); Wilsons Promontory (Victoria) and to Mongolia.
- ‘Come and Try It’ walks had been a great success in introducing people (and potential new members) to bushwalking. There had been 29 participants on the second walk, to Square Rock.
- As usual, leaders who had led more than 5 walks in the previous year, and new leaders, were each acknowledged by a special gift.
Greg Buckley Award
Presented to Lorraine Tomlins for outstanding leadership and service over many years
Treasurer’s Report and Motions
Report
The Treasurer, Melinda Brouwer, presented Receipts and Payments for 2018-2019, and the 2019-2020 Budget, as published in the September 2019 Club newsletter. The 2019-2020 Budget included an amount of $7,500 for Web Enhancements. The President noted that this amount was a contingency, intended primarily to cover bug-fixing and other web-related issues that it was not reasonable to expect volunteers on the Committee to attend to.
Motions
Financial Statements 2018–2020
That the Club adopt the Financial Statements for 2018–2019 and the Budget for 2019-2020 as published in it, September 2019.
Moved: Melinda Brouwer
Seconded: Ian Wright
Motion carried.
Transport rate
That the transport rate be kept at 40c per kilometre (per car).
Moved: Janet Duncan
Seconded: David Williams
Motion carried.
Members’ subscription rate 2019–2020
That the subscription rate for the 2019–2020 year be set at $33 per member.
Moved: John Evans
Seconded: Sue Vidler
Motion carried.
Appointment of Auditor
That David Hatherly be appointed Honorary Auditor in line with Clause 6.6 of the CBC Constitution.
Moved: Terrylea Reynolds
Seconded: Alan Vidler
Motion carried.
The question was raised as to whether a member of the Club could also be an auditor (reviewer) of the accounts. David Hatherly undertook to clarify this matter and report to the new committee.
Handover to Returning Office
The returning officer for 2019 was Janet Duncan.
Elections for Committee
| POSITION | NOMINEE | NOMINATOR | SECONDER |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Diana Terry | Michael de Raadt | Tim Wright |
| Treasurer | Melinda Brouwer | Jenny Stewart | Julie Anne Clegg |
| Walks Secretary | Terrylea Reynolds | Jenny Stewart | Julie Anne Clegg |
| Assistant Walks Sec | Keith Thomas | Terrylea Reynolds | Tim Wright |
| Membership Secretary | Mac Kirby | Terrylea Reynolds | Julie Anne Clegg |
| Conservation Officer | Cynthia Breheny | Tim Wright | Terrylea Reynolds |
| General Secretary | Jenny Stewart | Sue Vidler | Alan Vidler |
| Social Secretary | Alan Laird/Marg Sharp | Terrylea Reynolds | Linda Groom |
| Training & Safety Officer | Pete Hegarty | Sue Vidler | Terrylea Reynolds |
| Editor | Gabrielle Wright | Julie Anne Clegg | Terrylea Reynolds |
| Publisher | David Williams | Julie Anne Clegg | Robert Dewar |
| Web Manager | Andrew Meers | Julie Anne Clegg | Tim Wright |
The appointment of the new Committee was carried with acclamation. Jenny Stewart (Gen Sec) confirmed that the Public Officer’s duties were part of those of the General Secretary.
Other Business
Cynthia Breheny advised members that the Cotter Broom clearing operation was on again this year and that there would be a special Kosciuszko Camp in the last 4 days of October. The meeting closed at 8:30 pm.