The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch)

Transcription

1 The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) Minutes of the 96 th Annual State Congress 29 th May to 30 th May, 2012 ANZAC House 245 Castlereagh Street SYDNEY NSW 2000

2 i INDEX SUBJECT PAGE 1. Wreath Laying Ceremony 1 2. Arrival of Official Party 1 3. Silence in Memory of Departed Comrades 1 4. Pledge of Allegiance 1 5. Address and Official Opening of Congress by The Hon.Victor Dominello MP 1 6. Vote of thanks by Mr Don Rowe OAM, State President 1 7. State President s Report 1 8. Address by The Hon. Warren Snowden MP 1 9. Vote of thanks by Dr. R. Bain, State Vice President Southern Country Address by the National President, Mr. RADM K. Doolan, AO RAN (Rtd) Vote of thanks by Mr J. E. Haines AM, State Vice President Metropolitan Meritorious Service Medal Awards Presentation State President s Shield Presentations Adjournment First Working Session to commence at 1.30 pm on Tuesday, 29 th May, st WORKING SESSION - TUESDAY, 29 th MAY, In Attendance Address by Mr Paul McNab, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal 2 - Attendance figures for First Working Session Appointment of Timekeeper Appointment of Tellers Appointment of Scrutineers Returning Officer Appointment of Committees (Suspension) Minutes of Annual State Congress Nomination National Officers for Confirmation 4 - Honorary State Treasurer s Report Annual Report 2011 for receipt and adoption Financial Statements and Auditor s Report 4 MOTIONS STANDING MOTIONS 1. Membership Fees (State Council) 4

3 ii (i) CONSTITUTION 2. Amendment to RSL NSW Governance Regulation (North Bondi) 5 3. State Council/District Council Conflict of Interest (North Bondi) (unendorsed) 5 4. Amendments to the RSL NSW Constitution (State Council) 6 2nd WORKING SESSION WEDNESDAY, 30 th MAY, Congress resumed 9 - In Attendance 9 - Address by Senator Michael Ronaldson, Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs 9 - Attendance figures for The Second Working Session 10 - Congress Running Minutes 10 (i) CONSTITUTION 5. Amend RSL NSW Constitution Clause 34.4 (j) (i) (North Bondi) Amend RSL NSW Constitution Clause 34.4 (j) (ii) (North Bondi) 10 (iv) SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAX 8. Pension Discount (Bowral) 11 (v) DEFENCE SERVICE HOMES (vi) RSL NSW 9. State Council Regional Representation (Grafton) 11 - Address by Mr Tom Barnsley, State Co-Ordinator RSL Day Clubs 11 (ii) RSL NATIONAL CONSTITUTION (iii) VETERANS AFFAIRS MATTERS 7. Gold Card for Remaining WWII Veterans (Cessnock) 12 - Veterans Affairs Forum 12 - Presentation to Professor Ken McDonald AO, Chair, Repatriation Medical Authority 12 - Address by Sgt Shaun McGill of the Younger Veterans Forum 12 3rd WORKING SESSION WEDNESDAY, 30th MAY, Congress resumed 12 - In Attendance 12 - Address by MAJGEN David McLachlan AO (Rtd), State President, Victorian Branch 12 - Address by Mr Terry Meehan, State President, Queensland State Branch 12 - Address by Mr Jock Statton OAM, State President, South Australia State Branch 12 - Attendance figures for Third Working Session 12

4 iii (vi) RSL NSW 10. Sub-Branch Executive Term of Office (Northern Metropolitan District Council) New Class of Membership (Castle Hill) Life Subscriber Membership (Far Western Metropolitan District Council) 13 - Announcement Annual State Congress Coffs Harbour Memorandum of Understanding (Forestville) Honorary Membership (Auburn) Review Committee for New Constitution Documents (Far North Coast District Council) 14 (vii) ANZAC, COMMEMORATION, CEREMONIAL AND MEMORIALS 16. RSL Priority for Service Records (Rose Bay) 14 (xiii) AGED CARE IN THE VETERAN COMMUNITY 17. Mobile Scooter Parking (Bomaderry) Retail Leases Act 1994 (North Bondi) (Suspension Committee) Persons conducting a business or undertaking (State Council) (Suspension Committee) 15 - Report by Mr W. Harrigan, State Councillor regarding CCWA Congress 16 - Destruction of ballot papers 16 CONCLUSION 1. Congress 2012 Running Minutes Appreciation 16 - Vote of thanks to the President and Directors of Rooty Hill RSL Club, the Club General Manager and staff: to the President and Members of Rooty Hill RSL sub-branch Congress 2013 Dates 16 - Closure 16

5 1 STATE CONGRESS 2012 OFFICIAL OPENING TUESDAY, 29 th MAY, Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Memorial in front of the Rooty Hill RSL Club and Resort. 2. Arrival of the Official Party. 3. Silence in Memory of Departed Comrades. 4. (i) Pledge of Allegiance to the League. (ii) Pledge of Allegiance to Her Majesty, the Queen. Mr D.E.J. Rowe OAM, State President moved the motion of Allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen: That this 96 th Congress of the New South Wales Branch of The Returned and Services League of Australia, representative of over 42,000 ex-servicemen and women, expresses its continuing loyalty and allegiance to Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Elizabeth The Second, Sovereign of Australia and extends sincerest wishes to Her Majesty and to His Royal Highness, Prince Phillip and all the Royal Family for continued good health and happiness. 5. Official Opening of Congress by The Hon. Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Citizenship and Communities Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. 6. Vote of thanks by Mr Don Rowe OAM, State President to The Hon. Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Citizenship and Communities Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. 7. State President s Report. 8. Address by The Hon. Warren Snowden MP. 9. Vote of thanks by Dr. R. Bain, State Vice President Southern Country to The Hon. Warren Snowden MP. 10. Address by the National President Mr. RADM K. Doolan AO RAN (Rtd). 11. Vote of thanks by Mr J.E. Haines AM, State Vice President Metropolitan to the National President, Mr RADM K. Doolan AO RAN (Rtd). 12. Meritorious Service Medal Awards Presentation. 13. State President s Shield Presentations. 14. Adjournment. 14. First Working Session to commence at 1.30pm on Tuesday, 29 th May, 2012.

6 2 STATE CONGRESS st WORKING SESSION TUESDAY, 29 th MAY, 2012 Congress resumed at 1.30pm Mr. D.E.J. Rowe OAM, State President, in the Chair IN ATTENDANCE Mr Mark Bowen Mrs Patricia Campbell Mr John Cannings OAM Mrs Jennifer Collins Mrs Thelma Crawley OAM RADM Ken Doolan AO RAN (Rtd) Mr Colin Little Hon. Charlie Lynn Mrs Robin McKinnon MAJGEN D. McLachlan AO (Rtd) Mr Paul McNab Mr Terry Meehan Mr Derek Robson AM Mr Jock Statton OAM Mr Hadyn White Ms Mosika Zeid - Bowen Legal - Chief Executive Officer, War Widows Guild of Australia NSW Limited - Senior Honorary Legal Adviser, PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal - Deputy Commissioner, Department of Veterans Affairs - President, RSL Central Council of Women s Auxiliaries - National President, RSL of Australia - PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal - Parliamentary Secretary for Veterans Affairs - State Secretary/Treasurer, RSL Central Council of Women s Auxiliaries - State President, RSL Victorian Branch - Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal - State President, RSL Queensland Branch - National Secretary, RSL of Australia - State President, RSL South Australia Branch - Executive Officer to the Deputy Commissioner DVA - PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal Mr John Cannings OAM, Senior Honorary Legal Advisor invited Mr Paul McNab, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal to address Congress on the Review of the Income Tax Compliance of sub-branches. Mr Chris Perrin, State Secretary advised that the attendance figures for the First Working session were: Delegates 228 State Councillors 14 A total attendance figure of 242 as registered in the attendance register.

7 3 Appointment of Timekeeper Resolved: That Mr Ray Steer be appointed as Timekeeper. Appointment of Tellers Resolved: That Messrs I. Henderson, L. Manning, B. Burges, J. Clegg and B.M. Speery be appointed as Tellers. Appointment of Scrutineers Resolved: That Messrs G. Mason, D. Green, B. Glover, G. Salmon, B. Metcalf and Ms P. Richardson be appointed as Scrutineers. Returning Officer In accordance with The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) Constitution, sub-clause 18.8, Mr C.P. Perrin is confirmed as Returning Officer. Resolved: Mr C.P. Perrin, State Secretary, Returning Officer as noted. Appointment of Suspension Committee Resolved: That Messrs J. Diews, B. Boughton, N. Keogh, B. Stewart, K. Craddock and J. Mathers be appointed. Minutes of the Annual State Congress 2011 Resolved: That the Minutes be adopted.

8 4 Nomination National Officers for Confirmation National President - RADM Ken Doolan, AO RAN (Rtd) Deputy National President - Mr Don Rowe OAM National Treasurer - Mr David Sinclair National Solicitor - Mr Brian Loftus National Trustee - Mr Donald Porter DFC Resolved: That the nominations put forward be approved. Honorary State Treasurer s Report The Chairman invited Mr R. D. White AM RFD, Honorary State Treasurer to give the Treasurer s Report. Resolved: That the Honorary State Treasurer s Report be received and adopted. Annual Report 2011 for receipt and adoption Resolved: That the Annual Report for 2011 be received and adopted. Financial Statements and Auditor s Report Resolved: That the Financial Statements and Auditor s Report be received and adopted. MOTIONS STANDING MOTIONS 1. State Council Membership fees That in accordance with RSL NSW Constitution Clause 16.7 & By-Law No. 2 item 43 that the annual subscription for 2013 be $30.00 and that the breakdown for the annual subscription be as follows: Capitation fee to RSL NSW be $20.00 Capitation fee to RSL National be $5.00 and the retention fee to RSL sub-branch be $5.00.

9 5 (i) CONSTITUTION 2. North Bondi (Eastern Metropolitan) Amendment to RSL NSW Governance Regulation That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) Governance Regulation Chapter 4, Annex B (Form of Welcome to New Members) be amended to insert the words: (1) serving members and in the sentence It is also your duty as a member of The League to work for the benefit of all exservicemen and women and their dependents, to guard their good name and to perpetuate the ties of comradeship created in military service between the words all and exservicemen. Thus the amended sentence should read: It is also your duty as a member of The League to work for the benefit of all serving members and ex-servicemen and women and their dependents, to guard their good name and to perpetuate the ties of comradeship created in military service. BY A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY 3. North Bondi (Unendorsed) State Council/District Council Conflict of Interest That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) Constitution, Clause 15 be amended to insert the following sub-clause 15.8: 1. No person shall simultaneously hold the Office of Delegate or Alternate Delegate on any District Council of RSL sub-branches and the Office of State Councillor. If a person who holds the Office of either a Delegate or Alternate Delegate on any District Council is elected as a State Councillor, they shall immediately resign their position as Delegate or Alternate Delegate. 2. This change shall be effective on the rising of the 2012 Annual State Congress. Congress resolved that the motion be heard. LOST BY FAILURE TO MEET A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY

10 6 4. State Council Amendments to the RSL NSW Constitution (i). That the Constitution of The Returned and Service League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) be amended to allow Affiliate membership by the following changes:- Remove sub-clause 3.1 and insert new sub-clause 3.1 to read: 3.1 A person may become a Member by being admitted in one of the following classes of membership: (a) Service Member in accordance with this Constitution; (b) National Member in accordance with this Constitution and the National Constitution; or (c) Affiliate Member in accordance with this Constitution. (ii) That the Constitution of The Returned and Service League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) be amended to allow Affiliate Membership by the following changes:- Remove sub-clause 3.2 and insert new sub-clause 3.2 to read: 3.2 All Service Members and National Members have equal status in RSL NSW as set out in the Constitution. Affiliate Members will have conditions placed on their membership as detailed in the By-Laws. (iii). That the Constitution of The Returned and Service League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) be amended to allow Affiliate Membership by the following changes:- Add the following to Clause 44 Definitions: Affiliate Member means a person that has been admitted as an Affiliate Member of RSL NSW in accordance with this Constitution & By-Laws. Amendments to RSL NSW By-Laws (iv). That By-Law 1 of The Returned and Service League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) be amended to allow Affiliate Membership by inserting new items 12, 13 & 14 and including outline design of Affiliate Badge as follows:- AFFILIATE BADGE 12. Each Affiliate Member will, on payment of their first Annual Subscription, be issued a Badge free of any additional charges. 13. Affiliate Members must comply with protocols for Badges as described in this By-Law.

11 7 14. Affiliate Members may wear the prescribed badge for that type of membership. The badge must only be obtained from RSL NSW and is depicted below. Badge of an Affiliate Member (i) (v). That By-Law 2 of The Returned and Service League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) be amended to allow Affiliate Membership by amending item 1(c) and by inserting new items 56 to 70 as follows:- 1(c) RSL NSW has jurisdiction over all Service Members and Affiliate Members and shall have jurisdiction over all National Members who are Service Members in respect to any matter relating to, or affecting, RSL NSW. AFFILIATE MEMBERS OF RSL NSW 56 Membership is only available in NSW sub-branches that are registered with NSW RSL and that they accept the class of Affiliate Member. 57 Affiliate Members shall carry out and further the Objects of the League in the same manner as a Service Member. 58 Affiliate Members shall have a separate badge to the League (Service & National Members) and shall be in such form as the New South Wales State Congress determines. Each RSL Affiliate Member shall, on payment of the first annual subscription, be issued with a badge, provided by RSL NSW, as part of their annual subscription. 59 No person who is eligible for Service Membership of the League shall be admitted as an Affiliate Member. 60 Persons who are eligible to become an Affiliate Member must be eighteen year age or over or older and comply with the following is a person who is any relative of a person (living or deceased) who is or was eligible to be a Service or Life Member of the League (proof of eligibility to be provided to the sub-branch);

12 8 (ii) is a person who has been awarded the Certificate of Merit or a National or State Certificate of Appreciation for giving valuable service to the League; (iii) is a Cadet and/or Officer of Cadets; (iv) is any such person deemed by the sub-branch Committee to have provided significant service to the sub-branch and support of the Objects of the League. 61 Affiliate Members will be required to fill out an application form, as prescribed by the RSL NSW, which expressly requires the Affiliate Member to agree to be bound by the Constitution of The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) and any By-Laws and Regulations of RSL NSW and approved By-Laws and rules of the sub-branch. Such form must be lodged with the sub-branch Secretary, and each applicant must be nominated by a Service, Life Member or an Affiliate Member and seconded by a Service, Life Member or an Affiliate Member. 62 The name and address of the person applying to be an Affiliate Member must be read out at a General Meeting of the sub-branch. If passed by a simple majority, the application may proceed and be dealt with by the Committee of the sub-branch in the proper manner. 63 An Affiliate Member of a sub-branch may be a member of the Committee of that Sub-Branch, subject to the following: (i) An Affiliate Member may not be elected to the position of President or Vice President of the sub-branch/district Council. (ii) That the number of Affiliate Members on the Committee shall not be greater than 60% of the total membership of the sub-branch Committee or such lesser percentage as may be determined by the sub-branch at an Annual General Meeting from time to time. 64 An Affiliate Member shall not be eligible to hold any Office on District Council or State Council. 65 A person may only be an Affiliate Member at one sub-branch at any one time. An Affiliate Membership shall not be able to be transferred but such member may reapply at the closest sub-branch registered to accept Affiliate Members. 66 An Affiliate Member may speak and vote at a meeting of the sub-branch on any sub-branch matter, including voting for all sub-branch Committee positions, save and except that an Affiliate Member may speak but not vote on any matter relating to the alteration or amendment to the RSL NSW/National Constitutions, By-Laws & Regulations. 67. An Affiliate Member shall pay to that sub-branch an annual subscription equal to that of a Service Member of that sub-branch. The Application Form must be accompanied by the amount of the Annual Subscription.

13 9 68 RSL NSW shall pay annually, in relation to an Affiliate Member, to the League at the same time as it pays its capitation fees, a fee in respect of each Affiliate Member, equal to the amount of the capitation fee set by National & State Congress for that year. 69 All Annual Subscriptions must be paid: (a) for new Affiliate Members, at the time of approval of their membership; or (b) for all continuing Affiliate Members, on or before 1 January of each year. 70 If a continuing Affiliate Member fails to pay their Annual Subscription for a financial year on or before April 30 of that financial year, they will cease to be an Affiliate Member. BY A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY Congress adjourned at 3.47 pm 2nd WORKING SESSION WEDNESDAY, 30 th MAY, 2012 Congress resumed at 9.03am Mr D.E.J. Rowe, OAM, State President, in the Chair IN ATTENDANCE Mr Ian Campbell PSM Mr Shane Carmody Mrs Jennifer Collins Mrs Thelma Crawley OAM Mr Doug Humphreys MAJGEN Mark Kelly Prof. Ken McDonald MAJGEN David McLachlan AO (Rtd) Mr Terry Meehan Mr Darren Mitchell Senator Michael Ronaldson Mr Jock Statton OAM Mr Hadyn White - Secretary DVA - Deputy President, Repatriation Commission - Deputy Commissioner, Department of Veterans Affairs - President, RSL Central Council of Women s Auxiliaries - Principal Member Veterans Review Board - Commissioner, Repatriation Commission - Chair, Repatriation Medical Authority - State President, RSL Victorian Branch - State President, Queensland State Branch - Director Veterans Affairs NSW - Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs - State President, RSL South Australia Branch - Executive Officer to the Deputy Commissioner, Dept. of Veterans Affairs Senator Michael Ronaldson, Shadow Minister of Veterans Affairs was invited to address Congress.

14 10 Mr Chris Perrin, State Secretary advised that the attendance figures for the Second Working session were: Delegates 201 State Councillors 14 A total attendance figure of 215 as registered in the attendance register. That the Running Minutes of Congress pages 1 3 inclusive as displayed on the floor bulletin boards be confirmed as correct wording. (I) CONSTITUTION 5. North Bondi (Eastern Metropolitan) Amend RSL NSW Constitution Clause 34.4 (j) (i) That The Returned and Services League of Australia New South Wales Constitution, Clause 34.4 (j) (i) be amended to read: make a donation or gift of $7,500 or more and may not make donations or gifts totalling $60,000 or more in any one calendar year. LOST BY FAILURE TO MEET A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY 6. North Bondi (Eastern Metropolitan) Amend RSL NSW Constitution Clause 34.4( j) (ii) That The Returned and Services League of Australia New South Wales Constitution, Clause 34.4 (j) (i) be amended to read: incur an expense of $25,000 or more on any single item, activity or event and may not incur expenses totalling $60,000 or more in any one calendar year. LOST BY FAILURE TO MEET A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY

15 11 (iv) SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAX 8. Bowral (Central Southern) Pension Discount That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) lobby the New South Wales Government to; A. Increase the pension discount of $ per annum for land rates and $28.80 quarterly rebates on both water and sewage charges B. Apply these rebates to all holders of Veterans Affairs Gold Cards. (v) DEFENCE SERVICE HOMES (vi) RSL NSW 9. Grafton (North Coast) State Council Regional Representation That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) adopt the proposal to amend the Constitution to adjust the role of State Councillor to reflect smaller areas of control in order to provide further information; that is to revert to the previous system of regional representation. LOST Mr Tom Barnsley, State Co-Ordinator RSL Day Clubs and other RSL Day Club representatives addressed Congress on the RSL Day Club movement. ii) RSL NATIONAL CONSTITUTION (iii) VETERANS AFFAIRS MATTERS 7. Cessnock (Hunter Valley) Gold Card for Remaining WWII Veterans

16 12 That RSL NSW request RSL National to lobby the Federal Government to award the Gold Card to the remaining WWII Veterans who served or were prepared to serve their country at the time of war. The State President, Mr Don Rowe, OAM, advised Congress that there would now be a DVA Forum. Professor Ken McDonald AO, Chair, Repatriation Medical Authority was presented with a State Council Certificate of Appreciation. Sgt Shaun McGill of the Younger Veterans Forum addressed Congress. Congress adjourned at pm 3 RD WORKING SESSION WEDNESDAY, 30 th MAY, 2012 Congress resumed at 1.35 PM Mr D.E.J. Rowe, OAM, State President, in the Chair IN ATTENDANCE Mr Derek Robson MAJGEN David McLachlan AO (Rtd) Mr Terry Meehan Mr Jock Statton Mr Hadyn White Mrs Thelma Crawley OAM - National Secretary RSL of Australia - State President, RSL Victorian Branch - State President, Queensland State Branch - State President, RSL South Australia Branch - Executive Officer to the Deputy Commissioner, Dept. of Veterans Affairs - President, RSL Central Council of Women s Auxiliaries MAJGEN David McLachlan AO (Rtd), State President Victorian Branch addressed Congress. Mr Terry Meehan, State President Queensland State Branch addressed Congress. Mr Jock Statton OAM, State President South Australia State Branch addressed Congress. Mr Chris Perrin, State Secretary advised that the attendance figures for the Third Working session were: Delegates 195 State Councillors 13 A total attendance figure of 208 as registered in the attendance register.

17 13 (VI) RSL NSW 10. Northern Metropolitan District Council sub-branch Executive Term of Office That the State Branch of The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) change the term of office for the Executive Members of sub-branches from the current one year to three years to align them with State Branch and District Councils as from the next Congressional Elections. Amended Motion That the State Branch of The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) change the term of office for the Executive Elected Committee Members of sub-branches from the current one year to three years to align them with State Branch and District Councils as from the next Congressional Elections. 11. Castle Hill (Far Western Metropolitan) AS AMENDED New Class of Membership That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) in accordance with the terms of the RSL National Constitution, accepts Affiliate Membership for sub-branches that elect to have this membership category. WITHDRAWN 12. Far Western Metropolitan District Council Life Subscriber Membership That the Council of the Returned and Services League of Australia (NSW Branch) at the rising of Congress 2012, re-instate the LIFE SUBSCRIBER Membership availability. Mr Chris Perrin State Secretary, as Returning Officer, announced that the Annual State Congress will be held for the next three years in Coffs Harbour at the Coffs Harbour Ex-Services Club. 13. Forestville (Manly Warringah Pittwater) Memorandum of Understanding

18 14 That the State Council provide an explanation to Congress, justifying their actions and reasons for their unanimous endorsement of the Draft Memorandum of Understanding with the Veterans Association of Vietnam (MOU) at the State Council Meeting of 19 th August 2011, without referring such a sensitive matter to the general membership via the sub-branch network. LOST That the Running Minutes of Congress pages 4 10 inclusive as displayed on the floor bulletin boards be confirmed as correct wording. 14. Auburn (Western Metropolitan) Honorary Membership That RSL NSW request RSL National to offer serving members of the Australian Defence Forces honorary membership of the RSL while they are in the services. LOST 15. Far North Coast District Council Review Committee for New Constitution Documents i. That RSL NSW form a working party to review the Constitution, By-Laws and Regulations and amend the errors contained therein and ii. That such working party consist of members of sub-branches and be chaired by a State Councillor and iii. The working party call for submissions from all sub-branches for errors which have been identified and iv. The results compiled into a list of changes to be made by State Council or the 2013 State Congress as appropriate. (vii) ANZAC, COMMEMORATION, CEREMONIAL AND MEMORIALS 16. Rose Bay (Eastern Metropolitan) RSL Priority for Service Records

19 15 That RSL NSW lobby the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Australian Government National Archives to give priority to all requests for military service records from RSL sub-branch Welfare and Pension Officers as these records are necessary and invaluable when preparing for and delivering an RSL funeral service. WITHDRAWN (xiii) AGED CARE IN THE VETERAN COMMUNITY 17. Bomaderry (Central Southern) Mobile Scooter Parking That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) lobby governments at all levels of Federal, State, Regional and local to provide mobile scooter parking for the disabled in areas under their control and that the RSL lead the way by ensuring that specific type parking is provided at all RSL Clubs and other sites where the RSL has influence. (VI) RSL NSW LOST 18. North Bondi RSL sub-branch (Suspension Committee) Retail Leases Act 1994 That Returned & Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) lobby the New South Wales State parliament to amend the Retail Leases Act 1994 in order to exempt charitable organisations, including but not limited to the Returned and Services League of Australia, its New south Wales Branch, District Councils, sub-branches and its subsidiaries thereof, from the ACT. 19. State Council (Suspension Committee) Persons Conducting A Business Or Undertaking 1. That RSL NSW State Branch accepts any request from RSL NSW sub-branches to transfer the management of RSL sub-branch employees and charge back to the RSL sub-branch all expenses involved in managing such employees. 2. That all RSL sub-branches that employs staff advise RSL NSW State Branch whether they wish to remain a PCBU or not. WITHDRAWN

20 16 Mr Bill Harrigan State Councillor, in his capacity as a C.C.W.A. Liaison Officer, gave a report to Congress on the recent RSL C.C.W.A. Congress held in Dubbo. Congress moved a vote of thanks to the members of the Women s Auxiliaries for their fundraising efforts. UNANIMOUSLY Mr Chris Perrin, State Secretary, requested permission of Congress to destroy the ballot papers. 1. Congress 2012 Running Minutes CONCLUSION (a) That the Running Minutes of this Congress up to and including page 14 as displayed on the floor bulletin boards be confirmed as correct wording. (b) Copies of completed minutes be forwarded to all sub-branches and District Councils during the next eight weeks. 2. Appreciation (a) Thanks to the President and Directors of Rooty Hill RSL Club, the General Manager and Staff. (b) Thanks to the President and members of Rooty Hill RSL sub-branch. CLOSURE The Chairman declared the 2012 Annual State Congress closed at 3.52 pm on Wednesday, 30th May, NEXT CONGRESS Tuesday 28 th and Wednesday 29 th May 2013.