From the President.... here are the minutes of the Annual General Meeting on 29 January 2011

H.M.A.S MELBOURNE ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2011

  NAVAL HERITAGE CENTRE GARDEN ISLAND, SYDNEY.

ON SATURDAY 29/01/2011

_____________________________________________________________________________________

THE MEETING OPENED AT 11.15 am

The President Bob BURCHILL declared the meeting open, welcomed all those present and thanked them for attending.

PRESENT:             As per Attendance Book   

APOLOGIES:

  John STEVENSON. Tony HORTON Dave RICHARD

  Peter FLEMING Bob BUNTON Bill ROSE

  Fred LEWIS Wayne MURPHY Shorty SHEWAN

  Doc PLUMMER Merv MANCER Jake WALDON-LAMOTTE

  Ross SWAN.                              

  And all Interstate Delegates and Members   

A SILENT TRIBUTE WAS OBSERVED IN MEMORY OF DEPARTED COMRADES

MINUTES:

            Vince FAZIO proposed the Minutes from the 20010 A.G.M. be accepted. Second by Adrian HALLEY. Motion passed.

BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES:

                        Nil

CORRESPONDENCE:

     INWARDS:

            E-mail from Luke RYAN, XO Melbourne (111). See attachment.

     OUTWARDS:

            Nil

PRESIDENTS REPORT:

Bob BURCHILL thanked all involved with a very successful Nowra Reunion. He had sent an e-mail to the Ship’s (Melbourne 111) Executive Officer, LCDR Luke RYAN to request permission to enter Garden Island for the Ships’ return to Sydney.

The President is awaiting the name of the winner of the “Sailor of the Year” award so as we can purchase the Mug and have it engraved with his/her name and particulars ready for presentation on ANZAC Day.

We are still contemplating a harbour cruise or BBQ at one of the islands in Sydney Harbour or Hawksbury River.

            Mike PERROTT moved the Presidents Report be accepted, seconded Dean GEDLING.

            Motion passed.

VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT:

2010 was a busy and I believe a successful year for the Association. We continued our close relationship with MELBOURNE (111) together participating in various events of the Ship and the Association. MELBOURNE (111) returns soon to Australia after a long and eventful deployment overseas and we look forward to greeting them on arrival back in Sydney at Garden Island.

Our major social function for 2010 was the H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE REUNION at Nowra. There were 262 registrations for the four events over three days. The weather, though windy, was fine and from the feedback the Committee has received everyone had a pleasant time catching up with old shipmates and their guests as well as the days at the F.A.A. Museum and H.M.A.S. ALBATROSS with tours and displays. Financially it paid for itself with a small excess, but this was mainly due to the generous support of RADM. R.C. SWAN A.O. C.B.E. RAN (Rtd) one of the Associations’ Patrons. The Committee wish to thank all those who worked and supported the organizing and running of those events.

I will be stepping down from the position of Vice President this year to concentrate on other aspects of the Association, so I would like to thank everyone for their assistance over the last few years while holding the position. I offer my full support to the new incumbent.

The Reunion Account (tabled) has been audited and I would like to propose that $10.00 remain in this account and the balance transferred to the main Association Account.

Bob BURCHILL moved that all but $10.00 be transferred from the Reunion Account to the Associations Main Account. Seconded Mike PERROTT.

Vince FAZIO moved that the Vice Presidents Report be accepted. Seconded Mitch MILLER.   Motion carried.

SECRETARYS REPORT

The Secretary tabled for attending members a detailed copy of his Report which included the following; there were 155 Financial Members in 2010 with 6 Life and Honorary members, 2 Patrons and there had been 9 new members, they being:

            440            Roger OKELL, ex ABMPT1 from BEROWRA HEIGHTS, NSW.

            442            Charles CIFALA, ex NAMAE from NURIOOPTA, SA.

            444            Donald BLACKLEY, ex LSMN from CONCORD, NSW.

            445            Murray THOMPSON, ex ME1 from GINGIN, SA.

            448            Kenneth WUNSCH, ex LAM(W) from BEACON HILL, NSW.

            449            Russell SLATTER, ex POSTD from BEAUDESERT, QLD.

            450            Peter WEIR, ex EM1(AIR) from RUSE, NSW.

            451            Frank GIUSTI, ex WOSTD from GUILDFORD, NSW.

            452            Paul DICKSON, ex LSSE from PARKENHAM, VIC.

            Resignations 536 Peter MOORE.

There was only one member whom had passed away, during 10, that the Association was aware of. That being: Myles HALLIDAY on 11/10/10. Our condolences to his good wife Pamela

Bob BURCHILL moved the Secretary’s Report be accepted. Seconded Adrian HALLEY. Motion carried

TREASURERS REPORT:

Mitch MILLER tabled a full report of the financial situation of the Association as of 31 Dec 2010 for those in attendance. The Balance Sheet reproduced below.

AUDITORS REPORT:

Mike PERROTT tabled his report which certified he had examined the books of accounts and vouchers of the HMAS Melbourne Association and made several recommendations:

1.      The Income and Expenditure Statement needs to double checked so as to refect the changes in the Balance Sheet as it shows excess money to the Income and Expenditure Sheet. This surplus money dosen’t indicates misappropriation.

2.      That because of workloads, the current position of Secretary/Treasurer be split into Secretary/Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer/Assistant Secretary.

3.      That the Association purchase two Laptop computers to be purchased and dedicated to each position for Association purposes.

Vince Fazio proposed the Treasures Report be accepted with the adoption of the Auditors recommendations. Second Dean GEDLING, motion carried.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

President Bob BURCHILL declared all Committee Positions vacant and called on Mr Tony SCOLLON to act as Returning Officer.

Position                                                    Nomination                             Proposed by:              Seconded by:

PRESIDENT                                         Bob BURCHILL                 Vince FAZIO                Dean GEDLING

VICE PRES                                         Mike McINERNEY              Dean GEDLING            Adrian HALLEY

SEC/ ASST. TREAS                                    Mitch MILLER                        Dean GEDLING            Vince FAZIO

TREAS/ ASST SEC                             Dean GEDLING                   Mitch MILLER            Bob BURCHILL

COMMITTEE                                     Adrian HALLEY                     Mitch MILLER            Mike PERROTT     COMMITTEE                                     Greg BAKER                       Adrian HALLEY            Vince FAZIO

COMMITTEE                                     Paul LEWSLEY                  Mitch MILLER            Bob BURCHILL

COMMITTEE (WELFARE)                Mitch MILLER                      Bob BURCHILL            Adrian HALLEY

COMMITTEE (HISTORIAN)            Vince FAZIO                           Dean GEDLING            Paul LEWSLEY

AUDITOR                                             Mike PERROTT                   Bob BURCHILL            Greg BAKER

The Returning Office stated that all those nominated for positions on the Committee were unopposed so they were duly elected.

The President, Bob BURCHILL, thanked Mr Tony SCOLLON on the behalf of the Executive Committee and Members, for acting as the Returning Officer

GENERAL BUSINESS:

1. Dean GEDLING moved that Vince FAZIO be grant Life Membership for his dedication to the Association. Vince has held nearly every position on the Executive during his many years as a member. During this time he continually encouraged, promoted, supported and financial assisted the Association and if it had not been for all the time an effort he expended, I doubt the Association would still be in existence. Seconded by Bob BURCHILL, proposal carried.

2. Bob BURCHILL moved that be officially named an Honorary Member in appreciation of his work as our WEBMASTER and his assistance with the Newsletter in his own time. Seconded Dean GEDLING., proposal accepted.

3. Bob BURCHILL proposed that because we have had to revert to snail mail for our newsletter and the cost of postage, printing, paper etc had risen, Membership annual fees be increased to $15.00 in 2012.

Seconded Mike PERROTT, motion carried.   Bob BURCHILL noted that the Association has not increased our fees for many years

4. Mike PERROTT stated that he was still in negotiations with the Tattersall Club with regard to the ANZAC Day after March gathering and asked permission for a budget $600.00 and that a $10.00 entry fee be made to try and recoup this outlay. Bob BURCHILL moved that permission be granted. Seconded Vince FAZIO, motion carried.

5. QLD member Bill ROSE would like to know (as he is the only member in his area, Airlie Beach) if any members near by would like to get together as a HMAS Melbourne Association group on ANZAC Day 2012, the 100 Year Anniversary of the RAN. He said distance and accommodation might be a problem, but he could work on it! Anyone interested please rig Bill on 07 4946 4486.

6. Our starting point, in Sydney, on ANZAC Day has changed! Still lining up in Castlereagh St, but this year we are between King and Market streets. We will be facing Circular Quay and turning left into King St. The nearest station is St James.

7. Mike PERROTT is looking into some social activities, possible the Postman’s Cruise up the Hawksbury River. Anyone interested please let he Secretary know.

8.   With no further business the President Bob BURCHILL declared the meeting closed at 1350. Next      

       Meeting TBA.

Mitch MILLER

Secretary/ Assist Treasurer.

Attachments:  1. E-mail from the XO of HMAS MELBOURNE (111) to our President Bob BURCHILL

E-MAIL FROM THE XO OF MELBOURNE (111) TO OUR PRESIDENT, BOB BURCHILL

Bob,

        Great to hear from you and thank you for the kind words. Whilst we were only executing our duty it was certainly great for the Ship's Company to see the amount of media attention we received from outlets across the world. We are very pleased to be able to do our little bit to uphold the good name of Melbourne.

        I found the time to read the history of Melbourne (II) that the association presented at our departure and enjoyed it very much. The books have certainly done the rounds and have been a welcome addition to the ship's library.

        The deployment has gone very well with the Coalition partners continuing to be very happy with what the RAN brings to the effort. We also received some very good news in December with Melbourne featuring very strongly in the annual fleet awards for 2010, winning the Spada Shield (foremost surface combatant), Combat Systems Proficiency Shield (combat systems and weapons engineering proficiency) and the Pakistan Shield (sporting Participation and Achievement). We were also runner up for the Wormald Shield (Combat Survivability Proficiency), the Supply Excellence award and the AIO shield.

        Most pleasingly Melbourne was awarded the Gloucester Cup as the pre-eminent ship of the fleet for 2010 and we expect to have the award presented by the Governor General sometime in the New Year.

I hope you and all of the association members had a great Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

I very much look forward to catching up on our return to Australia.

Yours Aye,

Luke

L.R. RYAN
LCDR, RAN
XO HMAS MELBOURNE

Tel: 0411 136 879
Email: luke.ryan1@fleet.defence.gov.au