WARRNAMBOOL RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION INC
P.O. BOX 7042, WARRNAMBOOL. 3280
No. A0103129N
MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
DATE: 19TH. September’2019
VENUE: 60 Liebig Street, Warrnambool
TIME: 7.00PM (Meeting opened 7.17pm)
APOLOGIES: Steve Moore, Lisa Mourdant, Peter McDonough, Julie McDonough, Paul O’Brien, Jennifer McKinnon, Elwyn Taylor, Wes Taylor, Peter Sycopoulis, Willy Benter, Ann Vickery, Les Roulston, Sue Wilkinson.
CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES: Minutes of our inaugural meeting from 30th. May 2018 were distributed to members. Motion moved to accept by R. Ziegeler, Second D. Thompson. Passed.
GENERAL REPORT:
The President – Brian Kelson thanked all the members for supporting the WRA and regularly attending meetings. The committee was thanked for their work and a special thank you to Ann Vickery for having taken those first steps and contacted the Victorian Ratepayer Association which lead to the establishment of the WRA. A brief summary was given on some of the issues that the WRA has been involved in. Motion moved to accept by R. Ziegeler, Second David Thompson. Passed
TREASURERS REPORT:
The Treasurer – Angie Paspaliaris-Pye presented the financial report (copies made available to members) which had been presented and endorsed at a prior committee meeting. Motion moved to accept by R. Ziegeler, Second D. Thompson. Passed.
President removes himself from the chair and Dick Barns is appointed as the temporary chairperson. Moved D. Thompson. Second C. Thompson
Brian Kelson was nominated for President and as there were no other nominations was returned unopposed, he then resumed his role as chair of the meeting.
Ben Blain was then elected unopposed to the role of Vice President
Joan Kelson was then elected unopposed to the role of Secretary
Angie Paspaliaris-Pye was then elected unopposed to the role of Treasurer.
committee member numbers:
A discussion was undertaken regarding the capping of numbers for the committee, it was decided that nine would be the maximum. Motion moved R. Ziegeler, Second C. Thompson. Passed.
Nominations had been received from four members prior to the meeting, W. Benter was nominated by R. Ziegeler and Second by D. Barns on the night. No further members nominated, therefore, the five nominees were elected unupposed.
- Brian Kelson (President)
- Ben Blain (Vice President)
- Joan Kelson (Secretary)
- Angie Paspaliaris-Pye (Treasurer)
- Glenn Heazlewood (Committee Member)
- David Thompson (Committee Member)
- Richard Ziegeler Committee Member)
- Willie Benter (Committee Member)
- Christine Thompson (Committee Member)
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES: Minutes of General Meeting from the 8th. August was distributed to members. Motion moved to accept D. Edwards, Second R. Lewis. Passed
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
A discussion was held regarding the main focus areas for the WRA for the next 12 months, it was decided that the three main areas would be parking/crossings, rates, and governance. Governance would include live streaming of council meetings, questions not being answered and staffing. Motion moved R. Ziegeler, Second D. Edwards. Passed.
An update was given on the process of any action by the Minister for Local Government ie: only acts on recommendation from the Ombudsman or the Local Government inspectorate.
Members were updated on the objection process for their rate valuations.
A discussion was held regarding members attending council meetings, an understanding was made that members were doing so on their behalf and were responsible for their own behaviour. It was felt that the Standard newspaper referring to the gallery as ratepayers were inferring that all were WRA members when in fact a large portion of the gallery were not members. A request will be made to the Standard reporter to refer to the gallery as was always the case in the past.
MEETING CLOSED 8.25PM
