SJASC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025
5.30 pm, JULY 3, 2025, CWA ROOMS, PAMBULA
JULY 2025 GENERAL MEETING FOLLOWS AGM
Meeting commenced 5.30 PM
Attendance:
Robert Spinks, Susan Bradley, Penny Oakes, Cheryl Dillon, Peter Buggy, Christine Welsh, Martin McGee, Denise Perry, Mick Brosnan, Jack Gray, Peter Reid, Geoff Manning, Jayne Boughton Manning, David Gallan, Chris Ralfs, Meryl Ralfs, Mick Pryke, Susan McGee, Denise Perry, Wendy Wait, Sue Chancellor, Russell Jennings.
Apologies:
Peter Gorton, Wendy Gorton, Jo Riley Fitzer, Roz Hansen, Colin McPherson, Robin McPherson, Pam Skelton, Peter Skelton, Jan Reynolds, Ann Wykes, Beth Moore, Simon Hoyle, Arlene Hoyle
Chair – “You may know that the SJA’s Indigenous Issues sub-group, co-convened by Olwen Morris and Helene Garrett was recently re-branded as the “Allies and Mob” sub-group. This re-naming has been warmly received by SJA members and accompanies an increase in membership and a surge of activity within the group. “
Olwen Morris, Co- Convenor of the group delivered the Acknowledgement of Country.
CHAIR – “As this is a combined AGM and General Meeting, we are required to go through certain protocols required of incorporated organisations. In particular the standing down and election of office bearers, the ratification of our sub-groups, and a couple of other bureaucratic necessities.”
Election of SJA Office Bearers.
The positions of Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer were declared vacant.
CHAIR – handed over to presiding officer Mick Brosnan.
MICK – Asks Secretary whether any nominations for positions.
CHAIR Peter Reid
Nomination Wendy Wait
Seconded Martin McGee
DEPUTY CHAIR Martin McGee
Nomination Penny Oakes
Seconded Wendy Wait
TREASURER Peter Gorton
Nomination Michael Pryke
Seconded Denise Perry
SECRETARY Russell Jennings
Nomination Peter Reid
Seconded Susan McGee
PUBLIC OFFICER
Peter Buggy
Chair: “I speak on behalf of all SJA Office Bearers in thanking you, members and friends, for what we might perceive to be a vote of confidence in the current office holders. We do our best. We are happy to continue for another year, confident that the SJA is functioning well, meeting its obligations as an incorporated body, and doing the best we can to support the work of the sub-groups and through them, our community.”
Nominations for roles as Sub-Group Convenors were called for
Non elected positions. No changes. See website for current conveners.
Conveners were acknowledged and thanked individually
All were recognised by attendees at AGM.
CHAIR – “Congratulations and thanks to the Sub-Group Convenors. The sub-groups are really the engine rooms of the SJA. They are where SJA people truly interact with the community and drive social justice initiatives. I thank the sub-group convenors, and all the people who work with the sub-groups, for their great work in promoting social justice in the Bega Valley.”
Ratification of SJA sub-groups:
** link to current SJA Constitution https://sjasc.org.au/constitution/
CHAIR – Paragraph 21 of the SJA Constitution requires that we formalise the existence of our sub-groups. This was discussed at the SJA Executive meeting on June 19. Peter Gorton drafted a form for Sub-Group Convenors to sign.
The ratification of that delegation to sub-groups requires that we table that document at an AGM and have it adopted by popular vote.
Document is tabled, and move that we vote in favour of ratification of the formal existence of our seven sub-groups.
Ratified by all attendees by show of hands.
CHAIR -confirmed that the minutes of the 2024 AGM have been circulated and accepted as accurate please.
Seconded Martin McGee
Treasurers Report:
CHAIR – Treasurer Gorton has asked me to present the financial statements for the year 2024/25, as provided by our Auditors, along with the Treasurers Report for 2024/25. Financially, the SJA is in good condition. We are meeting all our fiduciary duties, paying our debts and we have a comfortable amount of money in the bank.
Key numbers…………Total Income 2025 FY $377k up from $342 in 2024
$281 of that from grants and donations. Surplus for the year $68k
Total assets $362k
Anybody wishing to peruse these financial reports is welcome to do so.
Treasurer Gorton will email you a copy on request and is happy to discuss it with you.
I move that that financial reports for 24/25 be approved by the meeting.
Seconder Jack Gray.
CHAIR – The SJA’s Audit for 2024/2025 is complete. It assures us all is in order. SJASC has another audit tick. Thank you to Treasurer Gorton, the SJA Bookkeeper Robyn Morillas and everybody else who contributed to the completion of the 2025 audit.
Audit documents are available from Treasurer Gorton.
I move that the 2025 AGM accept and approve the 2024 / 2025 audit report.
Seconded: Helene Garratt
CHAIR –
Matter arising from our SJA Constitution.
Committee of Seven:
CHAIR – Treasurer Peter Gorton has asked me to table a motion that we constitute, at this AGM, a committee of 7, comprising the four SJA Office Bearers ( Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer and Secretary), plus three more SJA members, preferably Sub-Group Convenors. That we constitute such a Committee is a requirement of our current Constitution. It will be a nominal committee, a committee in name only. It will serve no function other than ensuring we comply with our now somewhat out-dated constitution. I will be announcing a review of our constitution in a minute. But as for this committee, please be assured that I, as Chair will continue to consult with the whole of the Executive, not just this committee, when it comes to important decision making. Frankly, nothing will change – this is a formality only.
The four Office Bearers have agreed to be on this committee, but we need three more nominations please
Nominations: Jack Gray, Olwen Morris, Wendy Wait.
CHAIR – Move that Chair, Deputy Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and the three nominees Jack Gray, Olwen Morris, Wendy Wait be endorsed by this AGM as constituting ‘the committee’ as required by our Constitution.
Fully supported by show of hands.
Chair: moved that the AGM vote in favour of a review of the constitution, led by Treasurer Gorton, with a view to ratifying the new version at the 2026 AGM.
“Treasurer Gorton and I promise you that should you vote in favour of a review of the constitution we will ensure that such a review will be very transparent and consultative process.”
All in favour please raise your hand.
Meeting AGREED.
CHAIRPERSONS REPORT:
“2024 / 2025 – dare I say a brilliant year for the SJA. We have achieved a great deal for the community, and I thank every single person who has contributed
I thank all our support people – our web page managers Ray Temmerman and Simon Hoyle.
Our social media publishers, Sue Chancellor and Russell Jennings. Special thanks also to our bookkeeper Robyn Morillas.
Jayne Boughton Manning and Geoff Manning who are looking after the SJA collection tin business.
Michele Patten, who prepares SJA Certificates of Appreciation.
And all the many people who take on specific tasks for us.
Thank you all so much.
Special thanks to those people working hard to establish SJA chapters at Eden High, Bega High and SCAC. This work with school age students is very important for the future of social justice for our community.
Thanks also to all paid up SJA members. Your support and interest in the SJA reminds us all that the work of the SJA is valued. Having a solid paid up membership base is important. The SJA is, after all, a team and we are all energised by the spirit generated by members and supporters.
2024 / 2025 has been another very successful year in terms of our partnerships with other community groups, our friends and supporters, and our sponsors.
Thank you all!!
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GENERAL MEETING:
Secretary – Apologies. As above.
SECRETARY – correspondence sent and received. All correpsondance circulated to appropriate sub group conveners or office bearers.
CHAIR – moves that we accept that the minutes of the previous general meeting have been circulated and posted on website.
Seconded: Denise Perry
CHAIR – sub-group reports have been circulated via email and after this meeting will be posted on our website. I will take them as read.
CHAIR – moves that we accept reports as received
Agreed by all. Show of hands.
Mick Brosnan requested that sub group report NOT be published on website.
Reports to only go to financial members.
Secretary: this will require a grace period to July 31 2025 after which non-financial members will be removed from the list, and the current list maintained by our bookeeper Robyn Morillas to be forwarded to Secretary and updated monthly with new members.
The list will be updated and culled where appropriate July 31 each year.
Public Officer has forwarded a list of current financial members and email addresses.
Proposed Denise Perry
Seconder Wendy Wait
ACTION:
SECRETARY: Ask sub group conveners to publish or not / Secretary Ray Simon re publish on website.
Inform Webmasters of this decision.
Robin Morillas (Bookeeper) updates list of members.
Reports to remain internal – email list to be reviewed for financial members.
Proposed Denise Perry
Seconder Wendy Wait
Sub-group convenors present were asked to briefly expand upon any current sub-group activities:
Bega Valley Advocates For Timor-Leste (David Gallan)
Dave spoke of the difficulties of pricing works overseas $1800
Meeting approved donation
Youth Sub-Group (Jack Ewen Gray / Robin Spinks)
Jack Gray centralized marketing for business cards that sub group conveners can update themselves.
ACTION: Secretary to search this, forward to sub group conveners and file.
There were suggestions re managing this process
Mick Pryke stated that branding is important.
Christine Welsh volunteered to manage the process and liase with Jack Gray and inform us of process and progress
Allies and Mob (formerly Indigenous) (Olwen Morris / Helene Garrett)
Helene spoke re music video Donation requested $2000.
Raising funds for a video
Denise P spoke re benefits for Indigenous students in Bega spoke to support.
Meeting approved the request.
Helene spoke of logo changes please hold on printing until changed.
Bega Chapter (Jan Reynolds)
Refugees / Multicultural (Gavin Bell)
Environment/Forces for Nature (Wendy Wait)
Working bee at Potoroo July 19 9.30-11am
Housing and Homeless (Mick Brosnan)
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Guest speakers are Jack Ewen Gray and Robin Spinks, the Co-Convenors of the SJASC Youth Initiatives Sub Group. Robin and Jack continue to do outstanding work with the Youth Group, and are active in many SJASC projects beyond the Youth Group. Reported on their achievements to date and their aspirations for the future.
Chair – GENERAL BUSINESS:
CHAIR – At a meeting of the SJASC Executive on June 19 we discussed the way the SJA manages its finances. This resulted in a decision that Treasurer Gorton should review the SJA’s Expenditure Protocol. That protocol is our policy paper on how sub-groups should ask for financial support for projects and how such requests should be dealt with.
As part of that discussion, the meeting called for the formation of a small committee which basically serve as the SJASC’s think tank with regard to fund raising. The committee would be self-managed. The committee would not necessarily be responsible for carrying out fund raising activities. Rather it would consider and suggest ideas that the SJASC could pursue in raising funds. Committee member participation in actual fund raising activities would be voluntary.
If you would be so kind as to volunteer to be a member of such a committee, please let Treasurer Peter Gorton know of your interest.
Chair – Certificates of Appreciation awarded since previous meeting:
Black Daisy Trading – for continued support of fund raising
Cheryl and George Kesteven – Cheryl and George conducted a Garage Sale in April and raised $500 which they donated to the SJA. What a fabulous idea! What a great concept that other members might like to think about emulating. Thank you so much for that Cheryl and George!
Cert of A presented to: Bessie MacMahon (Granny) – for her generous donation to our Pilot Solar garden project, our social housing group and to the Crossing Land Education centre to fund our SJASC Youth leader leaders camp in October.
Certificate of Appreciation presented to JAYDE RANKIN of Dive Eden
In recognition of contributions to marine conservation and public education, and at the Long Spine Dining event
Certificate of Appreciation – to be presented to NICHOLAS YEE of Elgin Associates In recognition of contributions to marine conservation and ecosystem sustainability on the Sapphire Coast.
Certificate of Appreciation – presented to Jesse Tankard Manager of the Picture Showman Merimbula for supporting SJA to bring independent environmental documentaries to our area.
I wish to make special mention of tireless work of Stephen Garratt in assisting the SJA with our Solar Garden project. We have already awarded Stephen a Certificate of Appreciation but I just have to say that Stephen is of incalculable benefit to the Solar Garden project. Stephen’s work should not go unrecognised, and nor should the work of Janine Houghton who is working so hard on the project. Thank you Janine and Stephen. Your commitment and hard work is highly commendable.
Chair – Key activities since last meeting:
SJA donated $2,500 to Black Duck Foods following Bruce Pascoe’s guest speaker appearance at our April GM
On April 29, the SJA signed a formal dedicated partner agreement with the organisation known as Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness (ALCW). This has been enthusiastically accepted by SJA members. Atlas is an on-going citizen science project. It is locally based. It was originally the initiative of a small group of dedicated people who, in 2011, recognised the biological importance of the far south coast region of NSW. They sought to encourage the documentation of the area’s biodiversity, building a community-based resource and network of contributors.
The Atlas of Life has grown to involve hundreds of people, numerous organisations, and a wide variety of projects and initiatives. It is a volunteer, non-profit organisation now recognised as a Registered Environmental Organisation.
Raymond Daly, who I am hoping will be our guest speaker at our next General Meeting, is the prime mover of Atlas. Raymond approached SJA in early 2025, seeking an auspicing arrangement. As we talked it became clear that agreeing to work together would bring significant benefits to both organisations. So they now come under the umbrella of the SJASC and we welcome them.
On May 20, SJASC joined other local community groups at a BVSC organised Volunteers Expo at Club Sapphire. An opportunity to set up stalls and publicise our work as well as meet with other local volunteer organisations. Thank you to all those who contributed.
SJA Caravan. You have probably seen photos of the new SJA Caravan, which we fondly refer to as Annie. Annie was donated by a lady named Ann, who lives in Candelo. The caravan was deemed by Mick to be a bit small for use as crisis accommodation, but perfect as an SJA promotional tool. Mick, Mark Smith, Denise Perry and Jacqui Brosnan all contributed to turning it into what it is today. It will serve as a brilliant mobile advertisement for the SJA. It will house all the SJA promotional gear and will be a great help in facilitating SJA attendance at the many events in which SJA participates.
On May 31 Toby Jennings ran a weeding and planting event on a piece of Crown land on Long Point, above Bar Beach. A group of Advocates joined some Council staff and, I think, some Sea Shepherds in pulling out noxious weeds and planting some natives. Thank you for organising that Toby.
On June 25, SJASC received a grant of $10k. 5K was earmarked for the IUTU homeless fund, and 5K went to the Solar Garden project. That’s very good news for the Solar Garden who have been writing grant applications for start-up money.
On June 14, SJASC teamed up with a number of local community groups to host “Spine Dining” at the Merimbula Big Game Fishing Club premises. It was a great event focussed on promotion of the eating of the predatory Sea Urchin roe as a way to deal with the infestation of urchins to the detriment of a balanced ocean eco-culture. My thanks to everybody who contributed.
On June 19, the SJA Executive met to discuss how Sub-Groups should apply for project funding, and how the Executive should deal with applications. Outcomes will be spelt out in a revised SJA Expenditure Protocol which will soon be finalised and circulated by Treasurer Gorton.
Chair – Coming key events…………….
November 9 – the annual SJA fund raising concert, this year headed by local musician made good on the world stage Daniel Champagne. Keep that date free for a great concert featuring a great array of the very best musicians from the Bega Valley?
Eden LALC Naidoc Week Flag Raising event at Eden Whale Museum Tuesday 8/7 10am
The Bega LALC NAIDOC week celebrations will held July 11 at Bega High School. The SJA Bega Group and the Allies and Mob group are working together to contribute to the celebrations. Everybody very welcome to attend and even more welcome to help – contact Denise Perry or Helene Garrett.
Other Business:
Mick Brosnan passed on Thanks to Sue C for car donation
Mick Pryke – Mumbulla Foundation –
applications are open for the 2025 Continuing Education Scholarships from Mumbulla Community Foundation.
These scholarships offer up to $1,000 to support Bega Valley residents who are pursuing post-secondary study in 2025.
https://mumbullafoundation.cmail20.com/t/j-e-wdiuikk-iuujdupjj-o/
Wanderer Festival Stall contact Wendy Wait Oct 4/5 A 3 hour roster will be prepared – ticketing arrangements TBA.
Next General Meeting
SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 5.30 pm
CWA Rooms 1/24 Toalla St Pambula
GUEST SPEAKER: RAYMOND DALY, CHAIR, ATLAS OF LIFE OF THE COASTAL WILDERNESS.
Meeting closed 7.00pm
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