Patron: Lt Col Maurie Pears M.C. (Retd)

MINUTES OF THE AGM ON 3^th June 2017
for the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Association
held at Geebung-Zillmere RSL Club, Brisbane

One Minute’s silence was observed for deceased Veterans and Members.

Open:

President Don Graham opened the AGM/GM at 1.41 pm and read his President’s Report. He thanked committee members for a very busy and successful year and gave a précis of the year’s events including – Kokoda Day 2016 at Cascade Gardens – Remembrance Day in Brisbane including the short meeting and luncheon following – ANZAC Day and lunch in Brisbane as well as events in Sydney and Townsville – New members – plans for the 75th Anniversary celebrations of Kokoda on August 8 this year – thanks to website and newsletter editors.
Moved: D. Graham      “That the President’s Report be received”
Seconded: K. Smith
CARRIED with acclamation.

Present:D.Graham, K.Horton, I. Ogston, K. Smith, R.Lange, G. Ivey, G. Farr, L. Quinlivan

Apologies: P. Jesser, R. Wade, G. Johnson, G. Screen, H. Howard, D. Dymock, S. Hill, F. Cordingley, J. Morris, M. Pears, T. Edwinsmith

Minutes of 2016 AGM/GM

Moved: K. Horton     “that the Minutes of the 2016 AGM/GM as circulated be confirmed”
Seconded: R. Lange
CARRIED
Business Arising: Because of the fragility of the NSW banner the offer of Dry Cleaning costs being paid was declined.

Correspondence

– carried over to the General Meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

Secretary/Treasurer Kev Horton tabled and circulated copies of his Report (see below). The Balance of our funds is $1623.90 as per bank statement and we have 34 car stickers remaining. The Paypal Account has a balance of $77.68

Moved: K. Horton    “that the Treasurer’s Report be received”
Seconded: D. Graham
CARRIED

Election of Office Bearers

President Don vacated the Chair and Ian Ogston conducted the elections.
Chairman Ian thanked the outgoing Committee and called for nominations for the following positions:

Patron: Major General Brian Howard MC has agreed to continue as Patron.

President:

Moved: K. Horton    “that Don Graham be nominated for President”
Seconded: L. Quinlivan
CARRIED

Vice President:

Moved: I. Ogston     “that G.Ivey be nominated for Vice President”
Seconded: K. Smith
CARRIED

Secretary/Treasurer:

Moved: D. Graham     “that K. Horton be nominated for Secretary/Treasurer”
Seconded: R. Lange
CARRIED

Assistant Secretary:

Moved: G. Ivey    “that G. Farr be nominated for Assistant Secretary”
Seconded: D. Graham
CARRIED

Brisbane Representative:

Moved: K. Horton     “that Phil Adam be nominated for Brisbane Representative”
Seconded: G. Farr
CARRIED

Interstate Representatives:

Moved: G. Ivey     “that Gary Screen NSW, Frankie Maclean, NT, and George Johnson WA be nominated as Interstate Representatives”
Seconded: K. Smith
CARRIED
(The position for Victoria is Vacant.)

History Officer:

Moved: G. Ivey    “that P. Jesser be nominated for History Officer”
Seconded: G. Farr
CARRIED

Newsletter Editor:

Moved: K. Smith     “that Ian Ogston be nominated for Newsletter Editor”
Seconded: L. Quinlivan
CARRIED

Membership Co-ordinator

Moved: G. Ivey    “that Kevin Smith be nominated for Membership Co-ordinator”
Seconded: D. Graham
CARRIED

Website Managers

Moved: G. Farr    “that K. Smith assisted by F.Cordingley, be nominated for Website managers”
Seconded: D. Graham
CARRIED

Medals Officer:

Moved: G Ivey     “that a new position of Medals Officer be created and that Russ Wade be nominated for the position ”
Seconded: D. Graham
CARRIED

The AGM was declared closed.

General Business

President Don resumed the Chair, thanked Ian Ogston for conducting the elections and opened the General Meeting.

Correspondence:
Major inward/outward items were tabled and discussed relating to (1.) Dr B. Nelson re Last Post Ceremony Canberra (2.)Bridge Naming Requests re our Late President (Sgt Frank Wust) for the Caboolture overpass (3.) Membership and Dues (4.) Kokoda Day 2017 program (5.) ANZAC Day 2017 letters to members,parade c’tee, 2nd 14th, 39th Assns (6.) Paving stones re paver for H.Rogers (7.) Thank you letters to T.S.S. and Alan Whelan re Kokoda Day 2016 (8.) Letter of Support for “Saluting the Service Commemorative Grants Program” (9.) Hon D. Tehan re 75th Kokoda plans and ‘Jock’ Wilkinson to be considered (10.) Invites and related items re Kokoda Day 2017.

Moved: K. Horton     “that the inward correspondence be received and the outward endorsed”
Seconded: D. Graham
CARRIED

Items of General Business

1. Report on PNGDF Medals issued 2015/16 – G. Ivey reported that 2 Members received their medals and requests are pending for 2 others – All members requesting the PNGDF Medal have supplied Military Service evidence re eligibility and the Medal supplier has processed all orders.
2. Discussion was held on the 2017 Anniversary of Kokoda –1942 on August 8 at Broadbeach. – Outline of planning so far was given by K. Horton and G. Ivey. After discussion re head table costs at Surfers RSL after ceremony it was Moved I. Ogston Seconded R. Lange “that the Association pay for the cost of Lunch for those guests at the ‘Head Table’” . CARRIED
3. After discussion it was Moved G. Ivey Seconded D. Graham “that Honorary Life Membership of the association be bestowed on David Yardley (Sculptor) in recognition of his present and continuing work on the Kokoda Memorial Wall, as proposed at the Committee Meeting on 11.11.16.” CARRIED
4. After discussion re 75th Battle of Kokoda celebrations in PNG and reviewing the response from The Hon D. Tehan MP in regard to advancing age and health concerns for Veterans who are now in their 90’s it was resolved to support Veterans attendance at commemorative activities in Australia.
5. Resolved that the Association purchase a wreath to lay at the Melbourne Kokoda Service on 26 August.
6. Report on membership – Kevin Smith reported that membership had increased to 110 – Treasurer K. Horton was to send reminders to those few non-financial members and was to remove those who were more than 2 years in arrears from the mailing lists if no dues were received. Resolved that Kev Horton and Kevin Smith will simplify the membership and dues recording process to avoid double recording/sending of information.
7. A report on progress of a Bridge in Caboolture being named to honour the late Sgt Frank Wust was given by K. Horton. In consultation with the Wust family Support has been obtained from Local MP’s, Councillors, Caboolture RSL Sub-branch, the Caboolture Historical Society. Letters of support as requested by the Dept of Transport and Main Roads as per their ‘Bridge Naming policy’ from the Kabi Kabi Aboriginal Corporation and Burpengary Community Organization have also been requested. (The Wheels of Government turn slowly!!!)
8. ANZAC Day report – As per the latest Newsletter the association was represented strongly in Brisbane, Sydney, Townsville and Port Moresby. (The newsletter and website managers would appreciate any photos from all states next year.)
9. Newsletter editor, Ian Ogston was congratulated on newsletters this year and requested members to send any newsworthy items or photos to him at ozoggies2@gmail.com
10. Kevin Smith Reported that the Website www.soldierspng.com is running smoothly. Any members with a story to tell of their PNG experiences, especially Patrol stories/photos are invited to send them to Kevin at kevinsmith26@bigpond.com
11. Remembrance Day – 11.11.17 following the success of the 2016 get together, it was resolved that members be again invited to attend the service in Brisbane and to meet for a lunch following.
12. Thanks were expressed to Committee Members & especially Secretary Kev
13. Thanks to Christine Ivey’s cooking skills our President Don cut a delicious cake to celebrate the 10th Anniversary celebration of the re-formation of our Association in April 2007 (after the PIR Association in NSW disbanded).
14. Ex CO of 1PIR, Ron Lange has been in contact with Lutheran Padre, Erik Riedell, who sends his regards to all those who knew him in PNG.

Lest We Forget:

Lt Col Ron Hamlyn (PIR 1959-61)

Meeting closed at 3.20 pm.

Minutes confirmed____________________________ / /2018

Balance C/f from AGM 2016 INCOME     Dues     Donations     Interest Total Income	$785.00 $50.00 $0.06	$1339.09         $835.06
Balance c/f plus Income		$2174.15
EXPENDITURE    Ink cartridge – Black    Postage/printing/gifts reimburse G. Ivey    Remembrance Day Wreath    Sydney PIR wreath reimburse P. Porteous    Paypal transfer re Website    Stationery/printing/stamps/L.M. Certificate 2017/    Printing/Document holder/envelopes    Kokoda 75th Handout    Printing/frame/postage/certificate Hon Life     Membership 2016    Ink Cartridge Colour Total Expenditure	$36.00 $25.45 $65.00 $35.00 $100.00   $34.50 $200.00   $15.30 $29.00	($550.25)
Income less Expenditure		$1623.90
Balance as per Bank Statement		$1623.90