Patron - Cpl Mark Donaldson, VC. Vice Patron GCPT Guy Burton CSC, ADC. RSL Services Club, Amberley Room, Ipswich 25 th APRIL 2014

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1 Patron - Cpl Mark Donaldson, VC Vice Patron GCPT Guy Burton CSC, ADC Annual General Meeting RSL Services Club, Amberley Room, Ipswich 25 th APRIL 2014 POSITIONS: President Secretary Treasurer Event Coordinators Des Andrews Kim Hodges John Kingston (Stand in for Ty Trost) Jack Willmott Meeting Opened by the President at 1300 hours President welcomes all attending. One minute silence observed in memory of the fallen and departed comrades. The President asked Chris Armanasco to read out the names of the fallen during the one minute silence. Present: Des Andrews,, Kim Hodges, Jack Willmott, Ted Tooth, Anthony Routley, Graham Wilson, Keith Emmerson, Terry McMullan, Tom Connolly, David Girvin, Ian Wintle, Gary Blain, Chris Armanasco, Steve Palmer, Bill Whyte, Don Bates, Norm Christopher. Colleen Jones.(19) Apologies: Ty Trost, John Kingston, Alex Glover, Kol Kajanto, Wayne Crossley, Kevin Couzner, Arthur Schonrock, Denis Burrell, John O Loughlin, Glen Andrews, Bruce Jarvie, Stan Willoughby, Robert McMaster, Maggie Perrett, Garth Delbridge, Bob Warn, Ray Feldman, Charlie Magarry, Nev Kleidon.(19) Minutes Moved: Anthony Routley Seconded: David Girvin that the minutes from the previous AGM held on 25 th April 2013 be tabled. Business Arising from the previous AGM. Moved Graham Wilson Seconded Jack Willmott that the 2013 AGM minutes be accepted. Correspondence In and Out Moved Graham Ian Wintle Seconded Ted Tooth that the 2013/2014 correspondence In and Out be accepted. Presidents Report Moved: Des Andrews Seconded: Kim Hodges that the President s Report be tabled. It just seems like yesterday when I compiled my report for the AGM last year. Over the past two years the RAAF Dog Handlers Association (RDHA) has gained in membership to a total of 160 and has been 1

2 involved with a lot of PR work for the good of the RDHA. The committee has attended RAAFSFS Working Dog Handlers Basic Course Graduations, Memorials, for War Animals, and other special, functions. The march this ANZAC Day is a historic event for the RDHA as this is the first time we have marched outside of Toowoomba. This is great recognition for us all, as it shows we can attend any ANZAC7 Day march in different cities or towns if possible by our members. For us to march at other places someone has to put their hand up as you can't expect the committee to organize the proceedings especially if it's a good distance away. This is my last report as a committee member, as I am standing down and will take up travelling with my wife to many places around Australia. We have bought a caravan especially to take us around and as we have many members in all States & Territories you could get a call from me to have a beer or a get together at a local pub/club. I take this opportunity to thank the men on the committee, volunteers who helped us on many occasions during RDHA functions, and I must say we have worked well together and I wish the next committee all the best and I know the RDHA will go forward even further with the help by all members being involved and assisting the committee when it is required. Des Andrews President Business arising from the President s report Moved: Norm Christopher Seconded: Tom Connolly that the Presidents Report be accepted. Secretary Report: Moved Seconded Don Bates that the Secretary s Report be tabled. It has been a very busy year, some parts good and others not so good. In the past year, we have attended the opening of the Animal Hero Monument at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast, an Australian War Animal plaque at the Redcliff RSL, a Doggie Fun Day conducted by the Currumbin RSL and the Animal Pet Expo on the Gold Coast. All of which our Mascot RaDHA, also attended. RaDHA turned 1 on the 6 th April 2014 and is growing up to be a very beautiful young lady. That is, when she is not chewing, eating or ripping things up that she is not supposed to. There have been some very sad times also. The passing of four members in the past twelve months. Robert Casey Jones June 2013 Ronald Lambert October 2013 John Connolly March 2014 and Glen Gadsby April 2014 Our thoughts and prayers were, are and always be with their families. R.I.P. We have recruited well in the past year and now have 163 members with two pending. The website has now had over 3,800 hits and is moving along nicely. Keep sending in your photos for use on the website. Please let me know if you think the newsletters are a little lengthy. 2

3 I would like to thank the outgoing members of the Management Committee for their help and commitment to the RDHA in the past three years. They have all been a great help in getting the RDHA where it is today. Secretary Business arising from the Secretary s report Moved: Steve David Girvin Seconded: Tom Connolly that the Secretary s Report be accepted. Treasure s Report Moved: Kim Hodges Seconded: Norm Christopher that the Treasurer s Report be tabled. Please see attached sheets at the end of these minutes. Business arising from the Treasurer s Report. Moved: Ian Wintle Seconded Terry McMullan that the Treasurer s Report be accepted. There being no more reports, the President declared all positions on the Management Committee vacated for new elections and due that Des Andrews is standing down from all positions, called upon Des Andrews to oversee the process. Nominations received for positions: Position Nomination Nominated By Seconded By Accepted/Declined President Des Andrews Kim Hodges Accepted Secretary Michelle Halliday Kim Hodges Accepted Christina Millard Kev Couzner Declined Terry McMullan Des Andrews Jack Willmott Declined Treasurer Kim Hodges Des Andrews Accepted E/Coordinator1 Patrick Yates Ty Trost Accepted Deployment Backup John Kingston Ty Trost Accepted E/Coordinator2 Keith Pearce Kim Hodges Accepted Web Administrator Des Andrews Kim Hodges Accepted The Des Andrews called on nominations from the floor. There being no more nominations, Des Andrews declared that the New Management Committee for the year 2014 to 2015 is as follows: 3

4 President: Secretary Michelle Halliday Treasurer Kim Hodges Event Coordinator 1 Patrick Yates / John Kingston Event Coordinator 2 Keith Pearce Web Administrator Area Representatives: Due to the posting of Ty Trost to Edinburgh SA, and the fact that Mal Holland is touring Australia, the RAAFSFS and Townsville Area Reps are vacant. Propose that Patrick Yates take the RAAFSFS position and Ted Tooth take the Townsville position. Townsville Toowoomba RAAFSFS Sunshine Coast Gold Coast Amberley Brisbane NSW/Newcastle Canberra South Australia Western Australia Northern Territory Ted Tooth Bruce Pobar/Jack Willmott Patrick Yates Chris Armanasco John Baguley Ian Wintle Bob McMaster Phil Essam Kol Kajanto/Kev Couzner Kim Lilly Dave Young Moved: David Girvin Seconded: Anthony Routley that Patrick Yates and Ted Tooth take up the positions in RAAFSFS and Townsville respectfully be adopted. General Business: Item 1. Past and New Members: Passed Members Robert Casey Jones Ronald Lambert John Connolly Glen Gadsby New Members Will Askcroft, APS and Reservist 13 SQN, Cairns and his wife Kylie. Aaron McGregor, Air Force Security and Military Working Dog Handler, Townsville. Anthony Tulk, Air Force Security and Military Working Dog Handler, Townsville. Melissa Reibel, Air Force Security and Military Working Dog Handler, Townsville and her husband Grant. Grant Reibel, Air Force Security and Military Working Dog Handler, Townsville and his wife Melissa. Justin Farr, General Manager Commercial Services, Barkuma Inc, SA and his wife Cathy. Gerry Diffey, RAAFSFS Dog Developer, Amberley and his wife Veronica. Zoe Giles, 1SECFOR, Williamtown from No.1/13 Basic course and Partner Matt Nissen Kyle Ketchell, 1SECFOR, Williamtown from No.1/13 Basic course and Partner Rebecca Bendel Martin Dominick, Ex RAAF Police Dog Handler now owner of the K9 Centre Dog Training Business and his wife Julie. Ross Stokes, ex RAAF Police Dog Handler now a CIT Officer and his wife Gail. Norman Christopher, ex RAAF Police Dog Handler now Mobile Dog Groomer and Airforce Reservist and his wife Pamela. 4

5 Phil Zabell, ex RAAF Police Dog Handler now a Locksmith in Katherine, NT and his wife Chris. Steven Doyle, ex RAAF Police Dog Handler now Licensee/Nominee at Kirby s Hotel, Katherine, NT and his wife Louise. FSGT Brad Pitcher, MWD Handler, Puppy Foster Development Cell RAAF SFS and his wife Linda. Akio Lambert, Son of the late Ron Lambert, Per-Delivery Accessories Installer, Mike Carnet Toyota, Townsville. Akio will be an Associated Member of the RDHA. Darren Boswell, ex RAAF Police Dog Handler now Distribution Manager, SA and his de-facto Helen. Dennis Lewis, ex RAAF Police Dog Handler now retired and his wife Christine. Gary Pommy Watkins ex RAAF Police Dog Handler now Asset & Development Manager for Southern Cross Community Housing Limited and his wife Anita. Robert Gravy Grava ex Police Dog Handler now Bus Driver for the Brisbane City Council and his partner Peter Beswick. Grant Edwards, RAAFSFSA Training Development (AFSEC) and his wife Ellen. Lynton Prosser, Ex RAAF Police Dog Handler now retired in Adelaide, SA. David Towerton, RAAFSFS, WOFFIC AFSEC Training and his wife Karolynn. Dan Johnson, new graduate from Session 0001 AFSEC course and posted to 1SECFOR RAAF Williamtown. Anthony McFarlane, new graduate from Session 0001 AFSEC course and posted to 1SECFOR RAAF Williamtown and his wife Natalka. Item 2. Change of venue for ANZAC Day march. It is proposed that as it is the 100 th year of the landing on the shores of Gallipoli, the RDHA will be marching in Toowoomba, QLD next ANZAC Day Moved: Chris Armanasco Seconded: Steve Palmer that on ANZAC Day 2015 the RDHA will march in Toowoomba, QLD for the 100 th anniversary of Gallipoli be adopted. Item 3. New Perpetual Trophy for the Air Force Security Basic course called the AFSEC Most Improved Award. It is proposed that due to the restructure of the Military Working Dog mustering that a new perpetual trophy for the AFSEC Basic course for the Most Improved by purchased by the RDHA and donated to RAAFSFS at a cost to be open and determined by the Management Committee. The trophy will be inscribed with the RDHA Logo. This award is presented to the student who demonstrates the highest individual and team improvement on course and will be selected by the course Instructors. Moved: Des Andrews Seconded: Chris Armanasco that a Trophy be purchased for the AFSEC Basic course at a cost to be open and determined by the Management Committee be adopted. Item 4. Life Membership. Proposed by Tom Connolly at the 2013 AGM that we look into Life Membership for RDHA members. There have been several scenarios put forward over the past 12 months. The discussion must focus on after members obtain Life Membership, there would be no subscriptions forthcoming from those members, thus adding pressure on the financial situation of the Association. LIFE MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS 5

6 Option 1. RDHA. Option 2. RDHA. Life membership after turning 70 years of age and pay no more yearly subscriptions to the Life membership after turning 75 years of age and pay no more yearly subscriptions to the Option 3. Life membership after serving five consecutive years or ten non-consecutive years on the RDHA Management Committee and pay no more yearly subscriptions to the RDHA. Option 4. Life membership after turning 75 years of age and receive a Life Membership badge and still pay yearly subscriptions to the RDHA. Option 5. No Life Membership be awarded to any further members unless in extreme circumstances. Option 6. A way we reward our faithful workers are to award them with a Life/Loyalty Memberships, only allow 4 at one time. If one passes, one more may be elected if 100% of the memberships votes (YES) so the association is very selective. Honorary Life membership may be awarded to an active member or a past active member who is considered to have given exceptional and outstanding service to the Royal Australian Air Force Dog Handlers Association and has demonstrated a commitment to its ideals. Option 7. A. Life Membership Badge to be awarded to any financial member who has been a member for a 20 consecutive years and are 70?/75? Years of age, B. A financial member who has served on the RDHA Committee for six (6) consecutive years or ten (10) non-consecutive years and pay half or full yearly subscriptions, C. A Life Member in the RSL is usually someone who has contributed to the Sub Branch either by being a member on the committee or volunteered their time to the branch. After discussion from the members present, it was decided that the proposal of future Life Memberships be demolished. Moved: Norm Christopher Seconded: Steve Palmer that the final proposal for Life Membership be demolished and be adopted. Item 5. Changing the Statement of Principles for past and present RAAF Dog Handlers for the purposes of the Veterans Entitlements Act. Propose that the Management Committee retrieve any past and present Impact Surveys, Physical Employment Standards (PES) on Military Working Dog Handlers conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and if favourable submit the findings to the Department of Veterans Affairs to be considered when past and future RAAF Dog Handlers submit claims for compensation. Moved: Bill Whyte Seconded: Gary Blain that the Management Committee follow up on the Physical Employment Standards (PES) on Military Working Dog Handlers conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation DSTO) be adopted. 6

7 Item 6. Get well card for Maggie Perrett Moved: Des Andrews Seconded: Gary Blain that a get well card be purchased and sent to Maggie Parrett be adopted. Item 7. Janet Girvin The President extended his thanks to Janet Girvin for the contribution she has made in making three ceremonial coats for the RDHA Mascot RaDHA, fantastic job, they all look great. There being no further general business after asking each member present the AGM was closed by the President at 1410 hours. 7

Annual General Meeting. Sportsman s Club, Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, QLD 25 th April Keith Pearce

Annual General Meeting. Sportsman s Club, Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, QLD 25 th April Keith Pearce Page 1 of 7 Annual General Meeting Sportsman s Club, Ruthven Street, Toowoomba, QLD 25 th April 2015 POSITIONS: President Secretary Treasurer Event Coordinators Ray Thomas FSGT Michelle Halliday Kim Hodges