Our AGM was held on October 9 and was followed by a general meeting.
Election of Office Bearers
President: Stan Parfett
Vice President: Prue Pyke
Secretary: Frank van der Peet
Treasurer: Kathy McDonald
Editor: Margo Sietsma
Public Officer: Kathy McDonald
Committee: Alison & John Fisher; Ewen Johnson; JanBert & Mabel Brouwer; Leigh & Ben Gunn; Errol Hoffmann.
General Business
Newsletter: It was decided we have been too lenient with sending newsletters to unfinancial members:
- Advise if member is more than six months overdue indicating with a sticky dot on newsletter.
- Include in newsletter – ‘ please check address label to see if you are up to date’.
Mail: It was moved that FOGG ask for their own PO Box at Halls Gap rather than mail being sent to NP Office – can be quite inconvenient for those collecting mail.
- Kathy followed up Monday at PO – an ‘internal’ box has been put aside for FOGG mail – will not require fee.
Monthly Activities: We agreed that FOGG should, once again, organise activities for usually either the 2nd Saturday or Sunday of the month. ‘ Threatened Species’ occurs mainly weekdays not allowing for participation from those who work during the week.
Student groups wishing to help:
- November – Students from Monterey College, Frankston will be in Halls Gap to carry out voluntary work where needed – could work down at Red-gum Walk undertaking various tasks.
- Another group of students looking for voluntary work is expected in late Sept, but without transport. It was decided other local community groups such as the Botanic Gardens would be better recipients for this second work party.
Red-Gum Walk: Committee discussed a new name for the walk, however decided to leave name as is. It was decided that FOGG approach Parks to employ an expert to gauge age of some of the larger red-gums eg. ‘walk-through’ gum that has now fallen over track. A number of these trees could prove to be more than 600 years in age. FOGG would pay for cost of expert if fee within a ‘reasonable’ range.
Correspondence
- Submission re Fire Operations Plan – Proo Pyke wrote to DSE re Fire Operations Plan 2008 – Wimmera District, outlining FOGG concerns on the prescribed burns. (Answer was received later).
- Sylvia van der Peet (Parks) advised of letter she received outlining Australia Post Community Development Grants up to $3,300 – closing date 19/09/08. It was decided as FOGG bank account is reasonably healthy and time-span to closing date is short we would not apply for the grant.
Next Annual General Meeting
September 13, 2009
NOTE: A red dot on the front of your newsletter means your subscription has expired and this is your last newsletter unless you act NOW! If you have paid please contact the treasurer. See back page for contact info.