Minutes of AGM
Wednesday 29 November 2023 at 5 pm
1 Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, the Yulukit Willam clan of the Boonwurrung. We recognise their ancient and continuing connection to Country and acknowledge that they never ceded sovereignty. We pay our respects to their ancestors and Elders. And, in our small way, we work to improve biodiversity by propagating and planting plant species that once were on this land.
2 Lyn Allison welcomed members and supporters to the AGM.
3 Present
Lyn Allison (chair), Janet Bolitho (minutes), Jackie Kerr, George Fotheringham, Lecki Ord, David Knott, Chris Nicholson, Angelo Indovino, Chris Stephens, Liz Grieb, Hart Grieb, Rhod Cunningham, Janet Bolitho, Gail Bevan, Linda Lucas, Baida Hercus, Pete Petinatos, Jenny Petinatos, Duncan Fitzpatrick, Faulucca, Graeme Cutler, Mark, Benjamin Edokpolo, Amy Denyer
Apologies
No apologies were received.
4 Confirmation of the minutes of the 2022 AGM
The minutes of the AGM held on 24 October 2022 were confirmed.
5 Presentation of the 2022/2023 Annual Report
Lyn Allison presented highlights from the Annual Report
- City of Melbourne will assume management on Westgate Park on 1 January 2026. Funds have been allocated to prepare a masterplan.
- The Hollows for Habitat and Coastal Saltmarsh grant funded projects were a focus of the year
Motion: that the Annual Report be accepted.
The motion was approved.
6 To determine the membership fee for 2023/2024
Motion: that the annual membership remain at $10
The motion was approved.
7 Number of committee members
Motion: that the number of committee members remain at ten.
The motion was approved.
8 Financial report
Angelo Indovino spoke to the financial report, noting the following:
- Expenditure is up and income is down. The year ends with a deficit of $40k.
- This is partly attributable to Hollows for Habitat funding which was received the previous year and expended this year.
- The loss of Melbourne Bushfoods has had an impact on income.
- Although the Park has no dedicated income source, expenses are incurred at the Park, such as green waste collection, material and equipment, offset by corporate volunteering income.
It was suggested that showing income and expenditure separately for the Park and the Nursery would be useful in future reporting, noting that this is now done for monthly financial reports.
Motion: that the 2022/23 financial report be accepted
The motion was approved.
9 Election of committee members
The following nominations were received:
Lyn Allison President
Angelo Indovino Vice President
Rosey Haas Treasurer
Janet Bolitho Secretary
Chris Stephens
Linda Lucas
Duncan Fitzpatrick
David Knott
Amy Denyer
10 Any other business
A question was asked about the theft of equipment from the compound.
George Fotheringham responded that 24 hour security is now in place at the former Herald and Weekly Times site. Security has also been improved at the compound. The Gofundme appeal has raised $4,400. A new trailer suited to the present and future needs of the Park has been identified.
11 Close of meeting.