Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia
2009 AGM - Minutes of Meeting
3 October 2009
FAAAA Federal Council Meeting 2009, held at Nowra, Saturday, 3rd October 2009.
Meeting opened 1000 EST
Minutes of the Meeting
Present:
Patron Toz Dadswell
National Executive:
David Farthing, National President and Chairman
Peter Welsh, National Vice-President
Dick Martin, National Secretary
Denis Mulvihill, National Treasurer
Division Delegates:
ACT: Bruce Tunnah
NSW: Greg Wise, Mike Heneghan and Jim Lee
QLD: John Stewart
SA: John Siebert
TAS: Proxy votes to National Secretary
VIC: Ron Christie, John Ikin
WA: Winston James
Observers: Keith Boundy, Ian Ferguson, Clem Conlan, Eric Bruce, Harley Dadswell, Terry Hetherington, Ian Warren, Denny Lynch, Bill Kerr and Peter Penny.
Apologies: G. Ledger, J Saywell, T Browning, G Sommer, L Coppins, G Gray, R Ray, R Geale, B Lister, M Blair, T Tite and Keith Taylor
Welcome by National President: The President opened the meeting by extending a warm welcome to all Delegates and observers. He then welcomed our Guest Speaker Fred Lane and his charming Lady to the meeting and thanked him in advance for agreeing to be our Guest Speaker.
He reminded delegates that, in accordance with the Constitution, only registered delegates are empowered to speak on matters before the AGM until 'Open Forum' starts, after which everyone is entitled to have their say.
David went on to welcome John Stewart as Delegate for Queensland (this was John's first Federal Council Meeting) before mentioning that all present were welcome to partake in refreshments at the White Ensign Club after the meeting.
Minute's silence: A minute's silence was observed for departed shipmates.
Members were informed of "the passing of Mr. Bill Trevethan that morning."
Minutes of the 2008 FCM (Federal Council Meeting): All office bearers had previously received copies of the 2008FCM Minutes and copies were available for members present.
Business arising from Previous Minutes (2008):
a. Retrospective award - HMAS Melbourne Indian Ocean Deployment 1980 - Nature of Service. The Delegate from ACT (Bruce Tunnah) informed members that this was an ongoing subject and that although progress was slow the pursuit was still proceeding.
Moved: SA, seconded: WA, "That Minutes be accepted". Carried.
National President's Report: The President presented his report for 2009 to the meeting and stated that a copy was available to members present and that it would also appear on our website. Moved: ACT, Seconded: VIC, "That the President's Report be accepted". Carried.
Secretary's Report: The Secretary's report was available to those present, and is also on our website. Moved: NSW, Seconded: VIC, "That the Secretary's Report be accepted". Carried.
Treasurer's Report: The Treasurer's report was available to all members present, and is available from the National Executive. The Treasurer informed the meeting that all insurances were up to date and answered a question from SA delegate stating that the books were audited by a professional firm IAW current regulation. Moved: SA, Seconded: WA, "That the Treasurer's Report be accepted". Carried.
Keynote Speaker Mr. Fred Lane
Mr. Fred Lane gave the members an interesting insight into the Korean War via an entertaining talk and slide show. Fred also represented the Association at the recent "Korean Memorial Dedication" and gave members a report on this Dedication Ceremony.
On completion of his presentation the President thanked Fred for his attendance and members showed their appreciation with a warm round of applause.
Fleet Air Arm Museum
The President invited Mr. Terry Hetherington (Museum Manager) to inform members of the progress of the Museum. Terry welcomed all to the Museum and stated that 2009 had been a year of consolidation for the Museum after the Air Show and Reunion of 2008. He then went on to state:
- a. That there were no Air Shows planned for the next two years due to the redevelopment of HMAS Albatross;
- b. Major projects that were proceeding were the Gannet restoration and a restoration of a Westlands Dragonfly Helicopter (the museum had been assisted in these projects by many volunteers and students from the local high schools undergoing work experience);
- c. An approach is being considered to obtain an F111 for the Cold War display;
- d. Due to recent heavy dust storms, a considerable amount of extra cleaning is required to keep the exhibits up to scratch;
- e. The Art Gallery is being set up for a War Memorial display
Historic Flight Terry informed members that there are ongoing discussions in relationship to the Historic Flight and it is hoped now that all Aircraft will be remaining on site at HMAS Albatross.
In conclusion Terry acknowledged that assistance of all volunteers that help keep both the Museum and the Historic Flight at such a high standard.
At the conclusion of Terry's Report the President of the Victorian Division (Ron Christie) presented him with some Photographs (courtesy of Mr. George Self) for display within the Museum. Terry thanked the members and George Self for their ongoing support.
Slipstream and Wall of Service Reports:
Slipstream: Editor Greg Wise gave a verbal report on the state and progress of our quarterly journal Slipstream stating the following.
This month's edition will be later than usual due to this Federal council meeting as details of this meeting are better included in this edition than 3 months later in the Christmas edition.
The financial side of the magazine is satisfactory with the increases from last year being sufficient to not recommend increasing prices at this current time.
Some small problems arise from correspondents submitting articles that are too long - the ideal article should take somewhere between one -two pages. It would be nice if all Divisions had the same computers and software as this causes hassles from time to time.
We are starting to include small articles in the magazine pertaining to benefits that may affect our members giving the aging generation that we are (an example of this is the article on "Power of Attorney" that will appear in the next issue).
Greg finished his report by asking for question from the floor and stated he was available to members most times to do the same.
Wall of Service Report:
WO Ian Warren presented the Wall of Service Report giving details of this year's inclusions and the number of applications awaiting finalization. His full report will appear as an Annex to these minutes and will also be published on the website.
FAAAA Website Report - Webmaster Harley Dadswell
Harley's report appears as an appendix to these minutes. He is to be congratulated for the impressive way that the website continues to flourish. He encourages Divisions and members to continue to support this medium as a way to get their message out to other members.
The Secretary stated that Harley had also saved the Association considerable funds by transferring our site to a different host.
Registration Fees, Capitation Fees and Slipstream levy for 2010
It was moved SA, Seconded by NSW, "That the Registration and Capitation Fees should remain unchanged for the coming year." Carried.
Notices of Motion
- a. Award of Life Membership to Mr. Colin BUSHE-JONES (Sponsored by Western Australian Division)
- b. Award of Life Membership to Mr. Brian Leslie JOST (Sponsored by Western Australian Division)
- c. Award of Life Membership to Mr. Robert GEALE (Sponsored by NSW Division)
- d. Award of Life Membership to Mr. Clem CONLAN (Sponsored by the Victorian Division)
- e. Award of Life Membership to Mr. Roger HARRISON (Sponsored by the South Australian Division)
- f. Award of Life Membership to Mr. Ian LAIDLER (Sponsored by the South Australian Division)
- g. Award of a Diploma of Merit to Mr. Michael STUBBINGTON (Sponsored by the South Australian Division)
All Life Membership and Diploma of Merit Awards were approved unanimously and the National President presented the Certificates to the recipients. Recipients who could not attend will be presented their awards by their State presidents on behalf of the National Body.
h. A proposal by the Western Australian Division to the effect that:
."That the Executive of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia, endeavor to ensure suitable levels of exposure on the FAA Website and Slipstream magazine is given to Reunions of which former members of the Fleet Air Arm would be involved, such as HMAS Melbourne/USS Frank E Evans Reunion recently held, and where possible attendance by the National President or other; or message of support be supplied". The proposal was seconded by the ACT Division. The President of the WA Division then spoke to the motion and after due discussion the motion was put to the delegates and Carried.
i. A proposal by the National Executive and the NSW Division to establish an "Australian Naval Aviation Wall of Honour" dedicated to those who lost their lives in Aircraft incidents whilst serving their country.
The President pointed out to the Delegates and Members that the above motion was currently a proposal only and that an "Approval in Principal" had previously been sought from Divisions to enable research to be carried out on this subject. He also mentioned that a considerable amount of research and work had been done by Toz Dadswell and Greg Wise to bring this subject to where it could be presented to the Delegates.
A slide presentation was then presented to the Delegates and Members relating to the "Wall of Honour" and further information was added by Toz Dadswell as the presentation proceeded, delegates were also invited to ask questions and suggest improvements etc. on the subject.
Names for inclusion on the Roll of Honour
The criteria adopted for including a person's name on the Roll of Honour were:
- (a) RAN and RANVR personnel who lost their life as a result of naval aircraft operations.
- (b) Other Service persons who lost their lives as a result of Australian naval aviation operations.
A considerable amount of discussion took place over the Criteria for including a persons name on the Roll of Honour. As a result of this discussion, it was moved SA, Seconded by NSW, that the criteria be amended so that paragraph (a) of Slide 4 reads:
"(a) RAN, RANVR and RANR personnel who lost their life as a result of naval aircraft operations". The amendment was then voted on and Carried by 6 to 1 (Victoria dissenting).
Individual Plaques Discussion took place on the layout of the Individual Plaques - however it was decided to leave them as displayed.
Original Proposal Further discussion proceeded on the subject (it would be impossible to record all discussions that were forthcoming in these minutes). An amendment was then put to the original proposal (it was pointed out by the Delegate from SA (John Siebert) that the National Executive could not be included in a "Notice of Motion", the Amendment to Read:
"A proposal by the NSW Division to establish an "Australian Naval Aviation Wall of Honour" dedicated to those who lost their lives in Aircraft incidents whilst serving their country. The National Executive is authorized to use funds up to $10,000 to establish the Australian Naval Aviation Wall of Honour". Moved SA, Seconded NSW. The amendment was then put to the vote and carried by the divisions 6 to 1 (Victoria dissenting). The amendment then became the motion which was voted on and carried by the divisions 6 to 1 (Victoria dissenting).
13 Open Forum
ACT: Delegate Bruce Tunnah informed members of the progress of the reformed ACT Division stating that the Division has enjoyed steady growth and now had 61 financial members on their books. The Division's venue (for meetings) has moved to the Canberra Services Club in Manuka. The Division has recently reviewed its Social Calendar and will be meeting on a bi-monthly basis.
WA: Western Australian President Winston James (the youngest Grandfather in Australia) informed the delegates and members of a WA initiative to record all their members' details in a secure environment so that they could refer to them in times of emergencies etc.
Winston also informed the Divisions and members of the need to correlate information to back injuries suffered by naval aviators as the Department of Veterans Affairs had no criteria on this subject - the President then informed members that recently a letter relating t this matter had been sent to DVA. And he would forward same to Divisions so that they are aware of current situation.
A display of Tie Pins, Key Rings and such (Bearing the FAAA Crest) were shown to members with the WA Division wishing to know if members would be interested in obtaining such items.
Ian Ferguson Ian stated he wished to protest as to the exclusion of 3 CPOs that were killed whilst on duty in New Zealand from the proposed Australian Naval Aviation Wall of Honour. The president replied that when the project is brought to being there would be a process for submitting such requests.
Change of Dates for Federal Council Meetings The National Secretary bought to the attention of delegates and members a need to change the dates of the Federal Council Meetings, reasons as follows: (a) it is currently held on a long weekend; (b) It is usually the start of school holidays (the first week in October)" and (c) Cost of travel and accommodation inevitably rise overlong weekends/school holidays.
The Delegates and members agreed to establish the last weekend in October as the time to hold the Annual Federal Council Meeting.
Keith Boundy Keith raised the subject of an email that he has sent to the NSW Division on behalf of the historic Flight requesting support for refurbishing the engine of the Firefly. The secretary informed the meeting that NSW had forwarded the email to the National Executive and the matter would be up for discussion at the next Executive Meeting.
The date of the next AFCM was set at 31 October 2010.
There being no further business the President closed the meeting at 1203, reminding all present that at the next AFCM the tri-annual election of office bearers would take place.
D Farthing, President, R Martin Secretary
See also:
President's Report
Secretary's Report
Treasurer's Report (PDF file)
Wall of Service Administrator
Webmaster
or
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