Canberra Bushwalking Club Inc – Annual General Meeting – 15 September 2021 – Minutes of Meeting (held via Zoom)
Welcome
Social Secretary Ana Vrancic opened the meeting at 7:30 pm, welcoming special guest Geoff Moseley and inviting President Diana Terry to present her report. 39 members were present via Zoom.
President’s Report
Diana reported that Covid-19 had posed major challenges for the Club. Nevertheless, there had been significant achievements which included:
- Planning for the 60th anniversary of the Club; Diana thanked Lauren Ogden for her work in leading the planning sub-committee; the Anniversary newsletter, edited by Meghan Bergamin and Greg Buckman had just come out, to great acclaim; unfortunately, the campout at Mt Clear had to be postponed due to the ACT lockdown
- Continuation of re-build work on the Club’s website
- Support for Reclaim Kosci campaign
- Support to ACT Parks and Conservation’s bid for Commonwealth funds to replace Namadgi infrastructure; advocacy to re-open Orroral Road; Roads Minister had replied that bridge repairs were expected to be completed mid-way through 2022
- A range of submissions on conservation issues, including the KNP draft management plan.
Diana noted that the Club’s membership had reached 431 members.
Thanks
Diana extended her personal thanks to all members of the 2020-21 committee and in particular to the outgoing Committee Members of 2020-21: Pete Hegarty and Lauren Ogden.
On behalf of the Club, Terrylea thanked outgoing President Diana for her wonderful work.
Walks Secretary’s Report
Walks Secretary Terrylea Reynolds summarised the achievements of the year
- there had been 290 completed activities over the year, representing 440 days of walking, a strong result
- a wide variety of walks had been presented, including a range of multi-day pack walks; Terrylea also drew attention to the self-guided walks on the Club website;
- A huge vote of thanks to the Club’s 50 active leaders! Those who had been conspicuous contributors would be honoured in the usual way.
Greg Buckley Award
Terrylea gave the history of the award, which commemorates the memory of Greg Buckley who died tragically on a 1992 Club trip to Nepal. The award for 2021 was presented to Peter Conroy for his long history of leading innovative walks, his contribution to paddling and kayaking, and his prominent role in explaining and promoting sat-nav-based navigation techniques to Club members. Peter had been a Club member since 1971.
Treasurer’s Report and Motions
Report
The Treasurer, Melinda Brouwer, presented budgeted and actual Income and Expenditure for 2020-2021, and the 2021-2022 Budget, as published in the September 2021 Club newsletter. The Club’s cash balances (total of $38,431.87) were particularly strong, as expenditure had been less than planned, in part due to disruptions as a result of Covid restrictions. The second instalment of payments for the rebuilding of the Club website would occur soon.
Financial Motions:
Financial Statements 2020 – 2022
That the Club adopt the Income and Expenditure Statement for 2020–2021 and the Budget for 2021-2022 as published in it, September 2021.
Moved: Melinda Brouwer
Seconded: Andrea Coomblas
Motion carried: 32 votes for, 0 against
Transport rate
That the transport rate be kept at 40c per kilometre (per car).
Moved: Lorraine Tomlins
Seconded: Julie M
Motion carried: 34 votes for, 0 against
The basis for the transport rate calculation was clarified (50% of current ATO deduction for car use; full info on the Club website).
Members’ subscription rate 2020–2021
That the subscription rate for the 2021–2022 year remains at $40 per member.
Moved: Diana Terry
Seconded: Mark Peirce
Motion carried: 34 votes for, 1 against
Appointment of Reviewer
Motion: That David Holt be appointed Honorary Reviewer in line with Clause 6.6 of the CBC Constitution.
Moved: Terrylea Reynolds
Seconded: Greg Buckman
Motion carried: 35 votes for, 0 against
Handover to Returning Officer
The returning officer for 2021 was Mark Peirce.
Elections for Committee
| POSITION | NOMINEE |
|---|---|
| President | Vacant |
| Treasurer | Melinda Brouwer |
| Walks Secretary | Terrylea Reynolds |
| Assistant Walks Sec | Keith Thomas |
| Membership Secretary | Andrea Coomblas |
| Conservation Officer | Cynthia Breheny |
| General Secretary | Jenny Stewart |
| Social Secretary | Ana Vrancic |
| Training & Safety Officer | Vacant |
| Editor | Meghan Bergamin |
| Publisher | Vacant |
| Web Manager | Andrew Meers |
The appointment of the new Committee was confirmed by the meeting. Mark noted that there were three unfilled vacancies.
Other Business
Thanks to Diana for her Presidential work and for chairing the meeting. Anyone wishing to nominate for a vacancy should contact Jenny Stewart. Information on remaining unfilled vacancies would be circulated in due course to members.
The meeting ended at 8:45 pm.
Jenny Stewart
General Secretary
18 September 2021