Minutes of General Meeting 3 April 2023

Minutes of General Meeting

North Beach RSL Sub-Branch

3 APRIL 2023

MEETING OPENED at 17:00, President John Rolfe welcomed, 120 members and recited the Ode.

HOMAGE FOR APRIL

I take a moment to remind us of the most significant event from April in Australia’s military history.

On 25 April 1915 Australian soldiers landed at what is now called Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

For the vast majority of the 16,000 Australians and New Zealanders who landed on that day, it was their first experience of combat.  By that evening, 2,000 of them had been killed or wounded.

Over 620 Australians died that day, and 59 were from Western Australia’s 11th Battalion.  Only 13 of the 59 who died on the day of the landing have known graves.

Supporting the troops were the Nurses, over 2000 served in WW1, 25 died and 8 awarded the Military Medal for bravery.  Australian and New Zealand nurses were in Hospital Ships anchored off Gallipoli from the commencement of the campaign, and later on Lemnos.

Although the Gallipoli campaign was a military failure, the traits that were shown there – bravery, ingenuity, endurance, and mateship – have become enshrined as defining aspects of the Australian character.

The Sad passing of our esteemed member Tony Samiotis, Tony’s Biography on display.

Funeral and other arrangements:

Viewing 2.00pm Tuesday 4 April, Simplicity Funeral Home, 442 Scarborough Beach Rd., Osborne Park.

FUNERAL Service: 10am Thursday 13 April, Pinnaroo Chapel, followed by Burial, then Wake, arrangements tba.

Also, we acknowledge the passing of former respected and active member, Mark Stuchbury aged 87, also of 2/16^th Battalion, other as per displayed biography.

Members toasted absent friends.

LEST WE FORGET

APOLOGIES

Approximately 28 noted by the Secretary by RSVP emails and advised in the register recorded by attending members.  Many thanks. 

NEW MEMBERS/VISITORS / GUESTS

New members to signup, ex- OC 13 Fld SD Engineers, David Kennedy-Stiff, introduced by Tom Fisher, and Gavin Mcintosh introduced by Graeme Bourne, ex-Sig, many roles Despatch and Support.  Most welcomed additions and rousingly acknowledged. 

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Minutes of 13 March, having been available by email, website, and hard copy, considered as read.

Moved by Wayne Sprlyan and Seconded by Brad Harrison, that “the Minutes of the previous meeting be accepted”. Carried

Business arising as below and actioned as appropriate in Committee Reports. 

Noted, All in Favour & Carried.  

Secretary again reminds old & new members that easy access to current and recent minutes, our By-Laws and Annexure are via our website: www.northbeach-rsl.asn.au 

CORRESPONDENCE IN & OUT – Pending/Reciprocal.  Agenda items included below from our Executive Management meetings of 31 March 2023.

• RSLWA 107^th State Congress 10 June 2023.  Annual Submissions Completed, Agenda Items due by 14^th April.  Secretary to advise RSLWA our 4 Delegates,  President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary.
• Broadcasts to Troops:  Christmas in July.  Table Captains/Action.
• Rosters for Anzac Collections Bunnings/Warwick/Carine/Stirling Markets – 22/23 April.
• Schools Talks, sorted to date, West Greenwood, Warwick HS, Hawker Park, Poynter, Wanneroo, Dalmain.  Late notice requests may be declined.  Davallia  Secretary & Owen Vladich, Bethanie Aged Care, thanks David Potter, South Padbury PS, Balga PS, list to be updated.
• 30^th Annual Graham Edwards Football Match on Saturday 22 April from 1:30pm at Charles riley Memorial Reserve.
• Lotterywest ANZAC signage. Dai Camillo , RSLWA, 9287 3799. admin@rslwa.org.au ALL Good.
• Goodwill/Wellness Hampers now ongoing. Anzac Spirit Hampers being delivered to five of our members.  
• Vietnam Veterans Medallion/Certificate, Applications www.dva.gov.au/vietnam50  
• RSLWA Sub-Branch Signal and associated information updates.
• Refer to Committee Reports. – for Business Arising from Correspondence – Carried forward as General Business: 

Acknowledgement of Correspondence matters, Moved by Graeme Bourne, and Seconded by Drury Heath.  Carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Treasurer David King provided a comprehensive report and Balance Sheet of our monthly finances and provided a copy for each table.  An explanation of financial transactions and account balances was provided, included as always, line by line of All Transactions for the preceding month.

*Some Annual Memberships OVERDUE.  $15 N.B.B.C. Social Memberships Now due which allows us to use these premises with limited overheads.  Check with Treasurer and Management Committee. 

Asset Register is a live document, updating is ongoing.

• Moved by Barrie Morgan and Seconded by Stuart Davies, that “the Treasurer’s Report be accepted”.  Carried  

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Welfare – Greg Gough advised pleasing updates on the progress of Ray Carroll, Arthur Greaves and Jim Greenacre.  Also our new Wheelchair has been proved as a valuable acquisition. Stay Safe All.

Peer Health.:  Wayne Koch, 

Firstly: Re acquisition/disposal of Grant and other items as below in particular, and computing items, a timely reminder. 

• The matter of donation/disposal of the old Kayaks, Trailer and equipment has been documented in our minutes for over 18 months.  
• Old Laptops and equipment are still in use as a backup.  New laptops are with Secretary, President, Treasurer/Membership Officer.  Welfare Officer has acquired a member donated Laptop that is not part of Sub-Branch assets.
• Most recently, in 12 consecutive monthly GM minutes April 2022 to date, allocation of the old Kayaks and Trailer was advised: consideration to the  local Hillarys Yacht Club juniors, the 704 Marmion Naval Cadets, or suggestions from the members. 
• In the absence of any further suggestions, and declined by Hillarys Yacht Club, in due course the presentation went to the Naval Cadets.  (Well publicised over 6 months ago in our Minutes, Website, Community Media, and elsewhere.)   Stringent Grant requirements and protocol issues complied with.
• Comments, as always welcomed to the Executive and Executive Committee members no later than Friday before each Monday General Meeting.   Members are welcome to attend Executive Meetings as guests for the preamble of raised issues.

Thus:

• Kayak Trailer s finished,
• Better Communities Grant monies now exhausted, and we are to return the unspent $3441.15 pending final Department of Industry review.
• Saluting Service Cabinet setup, well done to Owen Vladich, Peter Bowring, Peter Hodgson, and Wayne Koch.  Secretary to finalise Grant correspondence with DVA.
• Meeting efficiencies – from the floor to respect time for the more worthwhile Speakers and Guests

Anzac Day 2023 Update – Barry Lloyd, Peter Bowring, and Bill Kynaston.  All arrangements proceeding according to plan.  More volunteers needed for Gunfire Breakfast and Rosters at Bunnings Balcatta, Carine, and Warwick.  Roster circulated and to be followed up.  Can You Help notice arranged.

• Bill asked for some members to bring on disposable/non-returnable plates, non-heated finger foods.
• 05:00 onwards to the Bowling Club canteen on ANZAC morning.  Contact Bill,          0418 121 003. 
• Wreath Layers and Seating progressed.

Website & Related Matters. Brian Jennings / Helen Burgess.  Brian Jennings advised all well with the website and is updated daily.

www.northbeach-rsl.asn.au

Website Homepage includes details of the 30^th Annual Graham Edwards Football Match on Saturday 22 April from 1:30pm.  Successful “Photo Shoot” for publication in Perth Now mid-April edition, including Graham Edwards, Bill Fielding, John Rolfe, Peta Connolly, Travis Ingleby, the Coach, and players.  Participants were thanked for giving their time.

Social Activities Paul McGuinness  0417 929 895 

• Paul McGuinness scheduling events along with Member notifications being planned for 2023.  e.g., Stirling Naval Base,
• Anzac Day March for the 1965-72 “Local” National Service men, now positioned rank 35, cnr William Street and St. Georges Terrace. 
• 2023 Tour of Duty Esperance – recap of Tour & health documents returned.  2024 Tour will be Hobart. 15 -22 March 2024. 
• Christmas in July organised by Peter Bowring and Les Young… Proceeding satisfactorily.  Bookings essential.
• Rolling Thunder Vietnam, $80. more info from Paul and to be advised: www.northbeach-rsl.asn.au/events Sat. 20 May

Presidents Report.

John advised regarding a perception by some members that a friendship group he has coffee with, outside the Management committee, as having undue influence.  Explained clearly that this friendship group is no different to any other group activities by other members within our Sub-Branch.  

Vigorous input without notice from the floor taken on board, followed by overwhelming support for the President by those present at the meeting.

Preamble for process for August Annual General Meeting, details advised of election process with nomination forms being available from the Secretary.  Positions of Secretary and Treasurer are positions due for election with current occupants eligible for renomination.  More information will be provided at our May General Meeting.

Tour of Duty process reiterated – it is a voluntary option open to all members at members own expense, and long standing practice of announcing the destination of the next Tour of Duty during a current Tour.  All members have been able to suggest Tour destinations at any meeting during the year in General Business. 

Member Deb Thatcher thanked Paul McGuinness and John Rolfe for the work they have done organising the Tours, and that they have had been of great benefit to participants and the Sub-Branch.  Comments met with hearty round of applause.

(Note from Secretary: – Our Sub-Branch Tours of Duty have had positive praise and publicity from RSLWA in its publications, Australia wide exposure with DVA online news, newspapers at Tour destinations and from Sub-Branches visited)

Matters relating to transparency of expenditure discussed and has been well covered in all previous minutes to members.  Our By Laws ensure that members are consulted on expenditure and that the Executive are able to function in managing the Sub-Branch on a day to day basis.

Past President Alex Lennox advised the meeting that current arrangements outlined in the By-Laws has been long standing practice, provides for scrutiny, and is a necessity to enable the effective management of the Sub-Branch

GENERAL BUSINESS

• Merchandise items well received, Thanks to John Whitford-Smith and others. 
• Floor matters, inserted to above committee reports.

Jeff Edwick proposed that a donation of $250 be made to the Stroke foundation.  On Treasurer’s advice, the President advised that he would seek advice from RSLWA regarding Sub-Branches making donations to non-service related organisations, and report back at the next meeting.

MEETING CLOSED – 1813 hrs. 

NEXT MEETING – Monday –  8 May 2023 at 17.00

120 attended this meeting, with 77 members paying for meal.  Thanks again to Gate Keepers Deb Thatcher, Jess Welfare and Jim Muscat.

Dinner Arrangements – Ladies and Older Veterans were given the usual courtesy of “First Serve” of our Caterer Kenny’s Curried Chicken and Vegetables with “Steaming” Rice and the promptly positioned selection of prepared pampered buttered breads.  

Thanks go to our Trolley Guns,  including Lez Young and Stuart Young, and serving and clean up members Gorddard, Dwyer, McGrath, Healy, Edwick, , and microphone courier Jon McKenzie

Also well served were the Raffle Winners, Greg Young, Greg Gough, Chris Rampant. Well played.

Note from Secretary, 0407 478 963:  

Members are advised that details of the Joondalup Hub are on our website, along with details of our Advocate Ted Leunig other providers of Advocacy support. 

Joondalup Hub is contactable 24/7 on 0437 378 498.