OTU ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Minutes of the meeting held at
Toorak Services Club
72 Clendon Road
Toorak
1830hrs
Wednesday 1st September 2010
Minutes
1. Attendees
Frank Miller, Brian Cooper, Neil Leckie, Harry Moyle, Ralph Bertinetti, Roger Nation.
2. Apologies
Apologies:
Ian Kelly, Wal Hall, Tony Sonneveld, Graeme Chester, Warwick Walker, Alistair Pope, Steve Ormerod, Wayne Bruce, Brian Scantlebury, Ray Elder, Rob Youl, Robin Hunt.
Apologies and nominating the Chairman, Frank Miller as proxy:
Giles Waterman, Jim Box, Michael Shum, Noel Perry, Peter Lauder, Ray Andrews, Dick Adams, Ian McEwan, Jim Madden, David Maddison.
Apologies and nominating the Secretary Roger Nation as proxy:
Jay McDaniell, Peter Morgan, John Hetherington, Ray Williams, Dave Sabben.
Apologies and nominating Mick Hart as proxy:
Eric Blythe.
3. Previous Minutes
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 4th November 2009, as circulated were accepted as a true and correct record of proceedings.
N. Leckie / B. Cooper Carried.
4. Chairman’s Report
Frank Miller presented the 2010 Chairman’s report, which is attached to these minutes. The Chairman listed the advances that the National Executive has achieved in its first year, and thanked the Executive members for their effort during this period.
F.Miller / B. Cooper Carried
5. Financial Report
In the absence of the Treasurer, the Chairman sought dispensation from the meeting for the Executive be given power to approve the audited accounts when they become available.
The meeting expressed its concern that the financial reports and bank reconciliations had not been presented to the AGM, and resolved to meet with the Treasurer, on his return, to determine his willingness to continue in the role.
The meeting resolved to appoint Harold Moyle as auditor.
F. Miller / R. Nation Carried
6. Membership Report
In Graeme Chester’s absence, Roger Nation (acting Membership officer) reported that to date 354 members have renewed their subscription or are honorary members of the association. Graeme intends following up the unfinancials by e-mail when he returns.
Roger noted that eight Scheyvillians have used the on-line facilities of the website to renew their membership.
7. Scheyvillian
Neil Leckie reported that the 3/2010 edition will be produced later in the year, before Christmas.
The meeting again passed a vote of thanks to Neil on his sterling work as Editor.
“The lynchpin of the organisation”.
8. Webmaster
Roger Nation reported that the website is operational with just a few minor adjustments necessary to finalise the re-build.
9. State Reports
WA.
The status quo remains with regard to the WA Chapter,
Jay McDaniell, as National Committee, Dave Ward as Chairman, Jim Hancock, secretarial duties and Frank LeFaucheur, social activities.
A reasonably laid-back organisation seems to suit their chapter best.
VIC.
Frank Miller presented a state report that is attached to these minutes.
The report detailed the many social activities undertaken during the year.
F. Miller / N. Leckie Carried
10. Election of Office Bearers
All positions were declared vacant, and the following were elected unopposed:
Chairman; Frank Miller
Deputy Chairman; Brian Cooper
Treasurer; Ray Elder
Secretary; Roger Nation
Youth Leadership; to be confirmed
Membership; Graeme Chester assisted by Peter Matters
Scheyvillian articles; Neil Leckie assisted by Peter Matters
QM; Wayne Bruce
Memorabilia Officer; Robin Hunt
Committee members; Brian Scantlebury,
Unanimous Approval
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 1915hrs.
Roger Nation
Secretary
OTU ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA, 2010 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
It is my pleasure to report on progress made since responsibility for the National Body transferred, in accordance with rotational requirements, from the ACT Chapter to Victoria in March of 2009.
A National Council meeting was held in Melbourne on 5 June, 2010. This was attended by representatives from the State Chapters and the National Executive. It proved a useful forum enabling a clear focus on our true purpose and our future direction. As well, it provided confirmation for the plans developed by the National Executive since November.
Discussion took place over a wide range of topics including updating the constitution, the funding of Youth Development initiatives, the maintenance of Memorabilia and of the Scheyville site itself, a future National Reunion and finance sharing arrangements.
We were indeed pleased with the outcomes reached.
Among the advances made to date are the following :-
1. The constitution has been upgraded in a number of areas, foremost among which has been guide lines for winding up the Association as membership ages or diminishes.
2. The website has been revamped by webmaster Roger Nation, making it more user friendly whilst giving a far more comprehensive cover of information, news and future events.
3. The National “Scheyvillian” continues as a fine and informative news magazine thanks to
dedicated work of Editor and National Executive member Neil Leckie.
3. As reported by National Treasurer, Ray Elder, our finances are robust to the point where
opportunities for their use in accordance with the stated aims and goals of the Association are sought from the State and Territory Chapters.
4. Our New South Wales Chapter is working closely with the Scheyville National Park
Management to ensure that the memory of the OTU days is carefully maintained.
5. A full inventory of all OTU memorabilia held at RMC Duntroon has been received and a
search for any other such material is underway..
6. The Q Store has been stream lined and is open for business thanks to Wayne Bruce.
7. It is planned that a National reunion be held in Sydney over the ANZAC weekend of 2013.
8. The OTU Association has become affiliated with the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia. We will be joining this body on 8 September for a ceremony where the Governor
General will unveil a Dedication Plaque at Canberra’s National Service Memorial.
9. Membership remains firm with over 300 who shared “The Scheyville Experience” financial
for year 10/11.
The National Executive meets every month – a fact which demonstrates our enthusiasm towards ensuring everything possible is done to enable the Association to pursue its aims and goals to the maximum. We look forward to the future with eager and well deserved anticipation.
At this time I would like to take the opportunity to thank all on the Executive for their splendid effort over the last year.
Finally, may I congratulate Treasurer Ray Elder on his recent award of Life Member, OTU Association of Australia.
Frank Miller.
Chairman.
OTU ASSOCIATION VICTORIAN CHAPTER
ANNUAL REPORT 2009/ 2010
The past twelve months were busy indeed for the Victorian Chapter. With the assumption of responsibility for running the National Body in March 2009 we were kept well on our toes.
None the less we enjoyed a very successful twelve months’ activities.
In October our fifth annual golf day was held, once more, at the Waverley Golf Club. Again this proved a great success with every one going home with a prize.
November saw a good number of our people converge on the Mornington Peninsular for the yearly weekend away. All had a most enjoyable time reminiscing, dining and sightseeing. It was fascinating to visit the now abandoned Portsea Officer Cadet School – much was left in the condition it was when in operation – the Cadets’ Lines evoking long past memories! Our thanks go to Brian Scantlebury and Cathy Donovan for putting together a truly memorable occasion.
The Victorian Chapter, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Healesville, sponsored a total of twenty four young people to this year’s Lord and Lady Somers Camps. A number of our members took the opportunity to come and see the “Groupers” in action then join them for lunch.
Such visits serve to confirm in our minds the true value of sending our youth to these Camps.
Early in the year we held a wine tasting at the Toorak Services Club. Again this was most enjoyable with a very pleasing attendance. Thanks go to Peter Hateley for arranging this.
Our next event took the form of a tennis day at the Kooyong courts. This was a first for us and, judging by the enthusiastic response from so many will not be the last. Our thanks for this go to Colin Lindsay, Denise Cosgriff and Graeme Chester.
For the third year in succession we marched under the OTU Banner in this year’s ANZAC Day Parade. A fine pub lunch followed. We are indebted to Brian Cooper for putting this together.
The William Angliss College was once more the site for our June annual dinner. Some one hundred and twenty Scheyvillians and their partners attended, making it one of the biggest for many years. MC Ray Andrews did a splendid job and Chairman Frank Miller gave a talk on the Scheyville journey. The evening was topped off with a not too tuneful rendition of the OTU song. Our thanks go to Chris Coates and his team at the college, Ray Andrews and Roger Nation.
The next morning we hosted the first National Council meeting held since management was transferred to Victoria. We are grateful to the Toorak Services Club and Ray Elder for their facilitating this gathering.
In August a record number of members and friends sat down for the fifth Geddes Dinner held once again at the Toorak Services Club. Our speaker this year was Maj Gen Mike O’Brien who gave a fascinating talk on the recent reinternment of fallen Australian soldiers in Frommelles, France. It was an excellent night. Our sincere gratitude is extended to Ray Elder for his tireless work in putting together such a fine evening.
Deserving of specific mention is Ray’s being awarded Life membership of the OTU Association of Australia for his enthusiastic commitment to the organization over so many years. Well done Ray!
Finally may I take this opportunity to thank all on the Victorian Committee for their dedicated work in making the year the undoubted success it was.
Frank Miller.
Chairman.