Welcome: Vice President Geoff Stratford took the chair and expressed thanks to Catherine Carlyle, Wendy Bedggood and Alison Bainbridge for their work leading up to calling this meeting.
Alison Bainbridge was minute secretary for this meeting.
Attendance: Geoff Stratford, Rod Thompson, Judith Thompson, John Minchin-King, Alan Bedggood, Wendy Bedggood, Neil Macumber and Alison Bainbridge
Apologies: Catherine Carlyle, Clive Carlyle, Elia Pirtle, James Maino, Andrew Cunningham, Sue Cunningham, Darren McClelland, John King, Jocelyn King, David Steane, Leigh Douglas, ben Gunn, Cindy Thompson
Motion: Apologies be accepted
Moved: Alan Bedggood Seconded: Judith Thompson Carried
All apologies registered their proxy in favour of all motions as foreshadowed in the Notice of this Special General Meeting.
Reason why a special meeting was called: Chair invited Wendy Bedggood to provide a brief outline of the why and how we have reached the position where Friends of Grampians Gariwerd (FOGG) could take the action to achieve charity status.
Wendy Bedggood: We’re hosting a special general meeting to discuss and pass motions for FOGG to become a Charity and officially register with the Australian Charities Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). This followed the new Australian Tax Office (ATO) regulations for non-charitable not-for-profits (NFP)with an active Australian Business Number (ABN) to lodge annual NFP Self-review returns.
We need to adopt the model rules as distributed via email. A detailed explanation was sent out by the Secretary on 8th February 2025. The model rules meet the requirements for becoming a Charity. In the long run becoming a charity will simplify actions for the Secretary and Treasurer.
Motion: FOGG register as a charity with the ACNC.
Moved: Wendy Bedggood Seconded: John Minchin-King Carried Unanimously
Motion: FOGG adopt the model rules, with the inclusion of the Statement of Purpose as circulated in the notice of this meeting, for our constitution.
Statement of Purpose
The Friends of Grampians-Gariwerd (FOGG) is established to be a charity with a purpose of enhancing the natural environment by –
- Promoting the conservation, protection and restoration of the Grampians Gariwerd National Park.
- Increasing the community’s involvement, knowledge and enjoyment of the Grampians Gariwerd National Park
- Assisting with projects selected by FOGG and Grampians Gariwerd National Park.
- Providing a community voice in support of the Grampians Gariwerd National Park
Moved: Wendy Bedggood Seconded: Rodney Thompson Carried Unanimously
Motion: The secretary update the Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) with a copy of our constitution
Moved: Wendy Bedggood Seconded: John Minchin-King Carried Unanimously
Moved: FOGG pay the CAV fee to update our constitution.
Moved: Wendy Bedggood Seconded: Judith Thompson Carried Unanimously
Moved: The four office bearers (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) be listed as the responsible members for the ACNC application.
Moved: Wendy Bedggood Seconded: Neil Macumber Carried Unanimously
Moved: FOGG accept the Landcare Victoria Policy for working with vulnerable people and children.
Moved: Wendy Bedggood Seconded: Alan Bedggood.
A query was raised as to the potential change to the situation we currently work under whereby a minority of members do not hold a working with children’s check. It was believed FOGG could continue to operate as we have done previously. Carried Unanimously
(Please note that all volunteers on Parks Land are expected to have a working with children check)
Moved: FOGG accept the Landcare Victoria Policy on conflict of interest.
Moved: Wendy Bedggood Seconded: Alison Bainbridge Carried Unanimously
Moved: FOGG renew our membership with Landcare Victoria which includes insurance for volunteers and office bearers.
Moved: Wendy Bedggood Seconded: Rodney Thompson Carried Unanimously
General Business
Newsletter
This position is vacant. Calling for volunteers.
FOGG Calendar
It was suggested that Friday evening meetings start a bit later to include those working away from Halls Gap. Plus that some activities are held on Sundays rather than all on Saturdays.
Meeting closed 1:40pm