Minutes of General Meeting held on Sunday May 31st 2009

Broken Hill Riverland

a). Nasho News – after receiving several quotations – the Executive determined that we would stay with

the current printer, as costs for other printers was substantially more. Action: Remove from agenda.

b). PA system - the system used on National Service day worked very well. John Kelly reported that

Northern Central Areas Sub-Branch had received a grant from DVA for the purchase of a PA system –

which would be available to Headquarters or any Sub Branch if necessary. (This was confirmed by

Northern Central President Malcolm Kruss).

c). RSL survey – excellent response, information to be collated in next few weeks.

d) Postal voting - the vote for Postal Voting was defeated at State Council meeting in September 2009.

Attendance as per sheets (58)

The President opened the meeting, welcomed all members and visitors, and called for a Minute’s Silence for Departed Comrades.

Apologies; Upper South East, Broken Hill and Eyre Sub Branches, Vern Cracknell, Don McIntyre, Noel Campbell, Bruce Rufus, Max Kernich, Noel Reid, Bill Dowdy, Peter Tucker, Jim Walls, Robert Chabert, Marie MacLoughlin.

Minutes of the previous meeting: October 12 2008, as circulated.

1. Flinders Sub-Branch windup. Some property has been returned, including flag and banner, and a copy

of financial records on CD.

Proposed: Harold Dunn, seconded Malcolm Kruss. Carried.

As circulated.

John Kelly presented a statement of finances, and explained some of the expenses and items on balance sheet. Membership at present – 1057. It was mentioned that a number of members have passed away.

Some tardy payments are expected soon, after members receive the latest copy of "Nasho News".

Basically costs have risen significantly – and income is down. Questions from floor asked re various costs. Funds transferred from Cash Management Account of $5000, plus another transfer of $5000 likely later in year to cover general operating costs. Treasurer John to follow up specific questions from members when he has all necessary record books at Keswick (not all books at hand at this meeting).

Moved Malcolm Kruss, seconded Peter Luker that Treasurer’s report be accepted.

Coordinator John Piep reported that the books have been checked – with a healthy bank balance of about $12000 – some of these funds are member’s deposits for Canberra trip in 2010.

Proposed Harold Dunn, seconded Bernie Dickeson that social committee financial report be accepted. Both reports - Carried.

1. General correspondence for administration purposes

2. Information from DVA re new Call Centre (a "One stop shop for all enquiries) and that the organization

had undergone a restructure – advising of executive positions. Moved Lyall Baverstock, seconded

Clarrie Mitchell that correspondence be accepted. Carried.

Broken Hill – brief report circulated.

Eyre Peninsula

Report as circulated.

Fleurieu – Report as tabled.

President Colin Kuchel announced that the Sub Branch Memorial has been completed and invitations for the Dedication Service for July 19 will be sent out shortly. Bob’s museum visit – in report as a coming event, was held recently and a most excellent day had by all. Colin highly recommends a visit to museum.

Lower South East – No report.

Northern Central – nothing further to add

Para Districts – report as tabled, nothing further to add

Riverland – Report as tabled. President Peter Luker mentioned that Peter Tucker is slowly getting better, but still has 5 weeks of treatment to go. President Graham spoke for all members in wishing Peter Tucker a speedy return to good health.

Upper South East – Report tabled

Yorke Peninsula – Nothing further to add to report

RSL Don Blackmore

Don had nothing new to report – as the only meeting this year was "Locked out" and he had no minutes of events. President Graham reported that the RSL has a new CEO, Samantha Chapman – an ex RAN Lt Commander)

Don mentioned that no new business, or any matters of significance had occurred – the next meeting was planned for June 10.

Social Committee – John Piep reported that all was going well, Christmas lunch plans were in hand – have booked to have lunch at the British Workingmen’s Club at Wingfield, after the excellent response for ANZAC Day. Bus trip to Canberra – bookings going well. Local bus trips planned for members.

Touring Club – President Kevin Robinson reported that there was a full report in the "Nasho News", and that there was nothing further to add.

1.1 Repeal of By Law 10.5.7 by October 12 General Meeting was returned to State Council in March, and re presented to this meeting as per proposal by Keith Fitzgerald, and seconded by Margaret Taylor at that October meeting. The new wording – "Any person wishing to be nominated for a senior position of the State Branch should have at least 12 months experience on the State Council or a Sub Branch Executive".

Moved Keith Fitzgerald (who reserved his right of reply) seconded by Margaret Taylor.

President Graham stated that there would be no further discussion on this matter, and asked for it to be put to the vote. Vote: - 34 FOR, 18 AGAINST.

The President did not vote, 1 person was not eligible to vote, and 4 members abstained.

1.3. A member had requested that the "Nasho News" be reduced in size – or numbers of annual editions.

reduced from 4 to 3. Much discussion ensued – and some of the following points to be addressed or followed up before any decision is made.

Have tenders been called for printing costs?

Has sponsorship been sought?

What about current advertisers? Editor David Barr said that this was not viable.

Would black and white photos be cheaper than colour? David reported that the cost difference per

each edition would be $120 – colour gave much better quality

Had the Executive/State Council considered emailing magazine?

Proposed Lance Holmes that he actively seek advertising, seconded Doug Paterson. Carried.

Proposed Keith Fitzgerald, seconded Bob Reidy – that an email list be compiled for distribution. Carried. Headquarters only has a "dial-up" connection to Broadband, the system could not support such a load.

1.4 Appointment – Bruce Rufus has been appointed as a third Vice-President of State Branch, as VP Barry Presgrave has been appointed as Events Coordinator by National Council for the National Memorial Dedication.

National Memorial Dedication Report - Barry Presgrave

All arrangements are on course for official ceremony on September 8 2009

John Piep has arranged an excellent package tour from Adelaide to Canberra by bus, accommodation and most meals. A tour of Canberra – transport to/from the ceremony. If buses are filled, the cost will be less than $500 per person.

If making private travel and accommodation arrangements – please advise John or Barry – as National Council need to know the number marching, who’ll be at dedication ceremony etc – for seating/catering etc. A % of South Australian members will be invited to attend a Parliamentary Reception hosted by Prime Minister Rudd on Tuesday September 7. (% worked out on various States numbers attending) Please note – private accommodation may be hard to get – as the Floriade starts at the end of that week, and people attend this popular event from overseas and all over Australia.

All Sub-Branches have been kept fully informed of events by the Secretary, including picking up Riverland passengers en route, and Broken Hill members at Mildura.

As such a large number of people are expected – there will be NO Car parking anywhere near the Memorial on the day. If booking private accommodation- check with local companies re public transport to memorial.

Australian War Memorial Trust is "on board"

A tremendous amount of work has to be done – site works commenced the week after ANZAC Day, the current bus park is where memorial will be placed, underground car parking for 250 vehicles built – but construction work is expected to be completed by ANZAC Day 2010 – with a few months to allow for the finishing touches to parks/gardens etc.

Our Commander in Chief – the Governor General has accepted the invitation to take salute at the parade.

All Nashos will march as one group – no banners, just march behind the Australian Flag. The march will proceed up ANZAC Parade. No arrangements have been made for disabled Nashos to march – but there are full arrangements for disabled seating etc.

Queensland Pipes and Drums will lead the parade.

Please be there – the package deal John has arranged is excellent value.

The Federal Government has deemed it a significant occasion – and will be gazetted as such.

There are strict dress rules; grey trousers, blue or white shirt, Nasho tie, jacket, beret – medals.

Only 2 (maximum) lapel badges eg. RSL,Tri Service or Nasho badge. No slouch hats. All members to be dressed the same.

Quite a few ex Nashos who aren’t NSAA members are most welcome

REGISTRATION IS IMPERATIVE – numbers pleas by the end of June. It is realized circumstances may change – but we need to know numbers for all arrangements to be finalized.

John Piep has a ledger set up for members to pay weekly or however frequently they wish – to "lay by" the cost of trip, so that by the time September 2010 arrives – the trip should be paid for, at no financial hardship.

Ex Nasho Kerry Stokes made a large donation to the memorial Appeal – has guaranteed Channel 7 support, 100% coverage on all news and current affairs programs, including "Sunrise" – FREE.

Channel 7 will help to locate next of kin of Nashos who died on active service, and has offered to get 1 member per family to Canberra free of charge, accommodation possibly paid for by Department of Veteran Affairs.

A special coin will be produced by the Australian Mint.

Australia Post will issue a commemorative stamp (possibly a first day cover)

Memorabilia etc will be on sale – and available for pre order/pre sale by attendees.

Barry urged members to keep themselves fully informed as plans for the event unfolded.

1. Clarrie Mitchell reported that the Cherry Gardens Memorial Hall plans on installing a National Servicemen’s Honour Board in the hall.

Involved in the project are the Blackwood RSL, Onkaparinga Council, and NSAA – SA through Clarrie.

Names and details of Nashos names (and next of kin) will be sought by Clarrie.

Hopefully once established the Honour Board will be able to be viewed on a CD, or at web pages of the above 3 organisations.

The unveiling will take place at a pre arranged day, and time at the Cherry Gardens Memorial Hall.

For any further details the Secretary may be contacted-:

Don Wotton, RMB 737 Cherry Gardens Rd, Cherry Gardens 5157

2. Postal Voting.

The matter of postal voting for members who are subject to the tyranny of distance to attend meetings, was raised at the August 24 2008 State Council meeting, but inadvertently omitted from the agenda of the March 15 2009 State Council meeting. Councillor Doug Paterson and former Councillor Lance Holmes spoke particularly about the distance members of the two South East Branches need to travel to vote at meetings – particularly AGM’s – and the high costs of associated travel.

Some discussion ensued – with various (conflicting) opinions being expressed as to how postal voting should be implemented.

The matter will be addressed at the State Council meeting in September – however, in the meantime, enquiries will be made to the State Electoral Office to determine what action needs to be taken, and how exactly postal voting is managed, and, if necessary the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs re any legal requirements an Incorporated Association must meet.

Action: Secretary to follow up this line of enquiry.