Patron: Lt Col Maurie Pears M.C. (Retd)
for the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Association
held at Geebung-Zillmere RSL Club, Brisbane
Introduction
A welcome was extended to all by Hon Sec/Treas Kev Horton.
Open: President Frank opened the AGM/GM at 1.15 pm and thanked all for their attendance.
One Minutes Silence was observed to remember ‘The Fallen’ members of the PIB NGIB HQ and PIR with special reference to Ben Moide and Alan Hooper who passed away during the year past.
A DVD portraying the life, exploits and achievements, with an emphasis on PNG WWII experiences, of Alan Hooper was created by Lynne Hooper and shown to all present. (Frank Cordingley arranged the DVD showing.)
A thank you to the family was proposed by G. Ivey and supported by K. Horton and carried by applause.
Present: F. Wust, N. Wust, K. Horton, D. Graham, G. Ivey, F. Cordingley, T.Edwinsmith, L. Horton, C. Ivey, I. Ogston. Guests – Ian Hooper, Lynne Hooper
Apologies received: G.Farr, G.Screen, P.Jesser, I.Heath, G.Johnson, F.Maclean, R.Wade, D.Dymock, S.Hill, K.Hill, R. Boddington.
Minutes of 2013 AGM/GM
Moved: T. Edwinsmith Seconded: F. Cordingley
“that the Minutes of the 2013 AGM/GM as circulated be confirmed” CARRIED
Business arising from the Minutes:
– Membership increase thanks to efforts by Membership Officer, G. Ivey
– Attendance at ANZAC Day Parade C’tee meetings a continuing necessity especially this year because of plans for the 100th Anniversary of ANZAC.
Correspondence: Most correspondence is now by e-mail with 352 e-mails available for perusal on computer
Inwards: – Thank you letter from F. McIntosh re Life membership
– Letters/Accounts from G.Ivey re trip to Port Moresby to represent Assn at State Funeral of Ben Moide
– E-mails from c’tee members re support for a representative to attend Funeral
– PIB NGIB HQ PIR Sticker design – Ted Middleton
– ANZAC Day correspondence from other states
– ANZAC Day C’tee correspondence
– Correspondence re PIB NGIB HQ PIR Plaques wording/intended erection/ dedication at Broadbeach Memorial-Friday 8th August, 2014. – Lt Col M. Pears
– Membership applications received and will be archived once acted on.
Outwards:
– Letters re Car sticker design – printed stickers sent to all members
– E-mails to c’tee members re Approval for assistance with costs of attendance at State funeral for Ben Moide in Port Moresby.
– Outward corres re PIB NGIB HQ PIR Plaques wording/intended erection /dedication at Broadbeach Memorial on Friday 8th August, 2014 – G.Ivey
– ANZAC Day Parade requests/Press release etc
– Letter to Hon F. Pok Minister for Defence PNG requesting original Anniversary Medal eligibility statements
– Dues reminders
Business arising from Correspondence: Sticker initiative has been a great success in promoting the Assn. – No response from PNG re Medal criteria – Pleasing increase in membership
Moved: F.Wust Seconded: D. Graham
“that the inward correspondence be received and the outward endorsed” CARRIED
Treasurer’s Report:
Secretary/Treasurer Kev Horton tabled and circulated copies of his Report showing a balance of $659.50 plus 93 car stickers remaining. (See Attached)
After discussion, a motion was proposed by K. Horton, seconded by F.Wust to ratify the Committee’s previous approval of $400 from Association funds towards costs incurred by G. Ivey in representing the Assn at the State Funeral for Ben Moide in Port Moresby. CARRIED
Moved: K.Horton Seconded : D. Graham
“that the Treasurer’s Report be received” CARRIED
President’s Report
Sgt Frank Wust thanked all members for their support – thanked Greg Ivey for representing him at the Funeral for Ben Moide – talked on his long time friendship with Alan Hooper – thanked the members of Alan Hooper’s family for their attendance – mentioned his continued support for the 39th and 2/14th Battalions – discussed his delight at ANZAC Day 2014 which he said was the most outstanding of recent marches when 10 members marched in support of the PIB, NGIB & PIR – apologized for not doing more due to his health this year.
Moved: F. Wust Seconded: K.Horton “That the President’s Report be received” CARRIED with acclamation
Election of Office Bearers:
President Frank vacated the Chair and Assistant Sec Ian Ogston conducted the elections.
Chairman Ian congratulated and thanked the outgoing Committee for another successful year.
Patron: Moved: D. Graham Seconded: F.Wust
“That Lt Col Maurie Pears continue as Patron subject to his acceptance.”
CARRIED
President: Moved: T.Edwinsmith Seconded: N.Wust
“that F. Wust be nominated for President”
CARRIED
Vice President: Moved: K.Horton Seconded: G. Ivey
“that D. Graham be nominated for Vice President”
CARRIED
Secretary/Treasurer: Moved: G.Ivey Seconded: D. Graham
“that K. Horton be nominated for Secretary/Treasurer”
CARRIED
Assistant Secretary: Moved: K. Horton Seconded: F. Cordingley
“that I. Ogston be nominated for Assistant Secretary”
CARRIED
Brisbane Representative: Moved: G. Ivey Seconded: F. Wust
“that N. Wust be nominated for Brisbane Representative”
CARRIED
Interstate Representatives: Moved: G. Ivey Seconded: T. Edwinsmith
“that F.Maclean NT, R.Wade NSW, G.Johnson WA, P.Parker VIC, be nominated as Interstate Representatives”
CARRIED
History Officer: Moved: K. Horton Seconded: F.Wust
“that P.Jesser be nominated for History Officer”
CARRIED
Newsletter Editor: Moved: K.Horton Seconded: D. Graham
“that R. Boddington be nominated for Newsletter Editor”
CARRIED
Membership Co-ordinator Moved: F. Wust Seconded: D. Graham
“that G. Ivey be nominated for Membership Co-ordinator”
CARRIED
Website Manager: Moved: G. Ivey Seconded: D.Graham
“that F. Cordingley be nominated for Website Manager”
CARRIED
Committee Member: Moved: G. Ivey Seconded: F. Wust
“that I. Heath be nominated as Committee Member
General Business
Re-elected President Frank Wust resumed the Chair, thanked Ian Ogston for conducting the elections and thanked all those who had accepted positions.
1. $225 private donations towards travel/accommodation costs incurred by G.Ivey and deposited in Assn account. Moved N. Wust, Seconded D. Graham that the payments be noted. CARRIED
2. Moved I.Ogston, Seconded N. Wust that expenditure on items over $100 be authorised after the Treasurer has contacted and obtained the approval of a majority of committee members. CARRIED
3. Celebration of the 75th Anniv of the founding of the PIB in June 2015.
After discussion it was Moved G.Ivey Seconded F. Cordingley “that
a) the Assn move towards setting up a dedicated website to promote the PIB NGIB & PIR
b) the Assn approves Don Graham as our leading representative and encourages others to join him at any celebrations in Port Moresby
c) that the Assn investigates having a dedicated ceremony at the site of the PIB NGIB PIR Plaques at the Broadbeach Memorial and a luncheon to follow in June 2015
4. Webpage financial support. Frank Cordingley explained the current situation with minimal cost involved which he covers personally. However to set up a dedicated website for the Assn would cost approximately $220 over 3 years. A website name would need to be decided on and a means of ensuring the continuation of the site into the future needs investigation.
Moved: F. Cordingley Seconded: I. Ogston “that $250 be earmarked to support the creation of a future dedicated website for the PIB, NGIB & PIR”
CARRIED
5. Discussion re Plaques at Broadbeach Memorial – G. Ivey explained the situation so far – Dedicated plaques recognizing the contribution of PIB, NGIB and PIR are designed with wording carefully negotiated and agreed on; Plaques are manufactured & ready to attach to Broadbeach Memorial. All costs for our two Plaques covered by two Donors.
The ceremony will be promoted through our website and newsletter encouraging as many members as possible to attend the Dedication ceremony to be held at 10.30am on Friday 8th August in conjunction with Kokoda Day Commemoration. Indications of attendance by members from interstate already received. Social activities are planned to create a Reunion atmosphere.
Don Graham suggested approaching Ross Eastgate re promoting the 8th August event and also the 75th Anniv of the PIR in June next year.
6. Stickers discussion – Moved I. Ogston Seconded F. Cordingley “ that a further 100 stickers be purchased.” CARRIED
7. Membership discussion – Currently over 65 members – Good increase this year – continued expanse of membership interstate – G. Ivey and all members to continue working on expanding the membership base.
8. Medal policy Moved: G. Ivey Seconded: I. Ogston “that the Assn authorise the Medal Policy Team to draft a set of eligibility criteria for issuing the 50th Anniversary PIR Medal pending advice from PNG re the original criteria; and continue to seek its official approval by Aust. Defence Dept as a Foreign Medal .” CARRIED
9. Newsletter. Ian Ogston and Don Graham expressed the Assn’s thanks to Richard Boddington on a job well done on the Newsletter production and Frank Cordingley passed on his thanks for Richard making his job of transferring it to the website much easier. Agreed with acclamation.
10. Other General Business. Historical Interest Moved G.Ivey Seconded: I. Ogston “that the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Archives be formally named the ‘Alan Hooper Archives of PNG’ in recognition of the late Captain Hooper’s long and successful contribution to promoting the history of the PIB NGIB and PIR”.
CARRIED
11. Banner Moved: D. Graham Seconded: I. Ogston “that the Association banner be dry cleaned in the near future.” (Noel Wust to organize) CARRIED
Lest we forget
Lance Sergeant Ben Moide (PIB) was born in 1924 and died on 30 December 2013 in Port Moresby.
Captain Alan Hooper (PIB, ANGAU), Honorary Member, was born in 1918 and died on 16 January 2014.
Comrades in War, and great mates after the War, there were few Servicemen whose contribution to the Papuan Campaigns and its history could surpass that of Alan and Ben. They were, in the view of some, two sides of a shining PIB coin – unmatched in their long service in the cause of their fellow Servicemen and to cross-cultural (Australia-PNG) understanding. Obituaries to Ben and Alan can be viewed by clicking on their name.
WE SALUTE THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE. REST IN PEACE.
We respectfully acknowledge the service of Life Members Colonel Donald Ramsay OAM and Victor Svenson MBE who are sadly no longer with us.
Meeting closed at 3:25pm 01.06.2014
Minutes confirmed____________________________ / /2015