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 Annual State Congress 24 th May to 25 th May, 2016 ANZAC House 245 Castlereagh Street SYDNEY NSW 2000

2 i INDEX SUBJECT PAGE 1. Arrival of Official Party 1 2. Wreath Laying Ceremony 1 3. Silence in Memory of Departed Comrades 1 4. Pledge of Allegiance 1 5. Address and Official Opening of Congress by His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor of New South Wales 1 6. State President s Report 1 7. Meritorious Service Medal Presentation 1 8. Certificate of Merit Presentation 1 9. State Council Certificate of Appreciation Presentation Address by The Honourable. Dan Tehan MP Minister for Veterans Affairs Vote of thanks by Mr William Hardman, State Honorary Treasurer Address by The Honourable David Feeney MP, Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs Vote of thanks by Mr Glenn Kolomeitz, Chief Executive Officer Address by The Hon. David Elliott MP, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Veterans Affairs Vote of thanks by Mr John Haines, State Vice President Metropolitan Presentation by the RSL Youth Choir First Working Session to commence at 11.00am on Tuesday, 24 th May, st WORKING SESSION - TUESDAY, 24 TH MAY, In attendance 2 - Appointment of Timekeeper 2 - Appointment of Tellers 2 - Appointment of Scrutineers 2 - Returning Officer 3 - Appointment of Committees (Suspension) 3 - Minutes of Annual State Congress Honorary State Treasurer s Report 3 - Annual Report 2015 for receipt and adoption 3 - Financial Statements and Auditor s Report 3 MOTIONS (III) VETERANS AFFAIRS MATTERS 9. Hearing Disability (Monaro and Far South Coast) Appointment of Minister (North Coast) Gold Card (Central Southern) 4 - Attendance figures for First Working Session Gold Card for WWII Veterans (New England) Department of Veterans Affairs Copy Correspondence (Newcastle) 5

3 - Suspension of Standing Orders for DVA Forum 5 - Resumption of Standing Orders 5 - Congress adjourned 5 ii 2 nd WORKING SESSION - WEDNESDAY, 25 TH MAY, Congress resumed 5 STANDING MOTIONS 1. Membership Fees (State Council) 6 (I) CONSTITUTION 2. Amend sub-clause 15.4 (State Council) 6 3. Amend sub-clause 26.1 (State Council) 6 4. Amend sub-clause 44. Definitions (State Council) 7 5. Amend sub-clause 45.2 (c) (State Council) 7 - In attendance 2 6. State Council Term of Office (State Council) 8 7. State Council Structure (State Council) 9 8. Amendment to Clause 44. Definitions (State Council) 10 (VI) RSL NSW - THE LEAGUE 14. Proposed Structural Change to State Branch (Lower North Coast) 10 - Attendance figures for Second Working Session Candidates for State Council Positions (Far North Coast) State Council Actions (Far North Coast) Woolworths Contract (Central Southern) 12 - Suspension of Business for Presentation 12 - Presentation of Keys to the City 12 - Congress adjourned 12 3 rd WORKING SESSION - WEDNESDAY, 25 TH MAY, Congress resumed 12 - In attendance 12 - Running Minutes 12 - Presentation by Mr D. McManus-Smith regarding Invictus Games Appointment of Assisting Returning Officer 12 - Attendance figures for Third Working Session 13 - Venue Ballot Result 13

4 - Congress 2017 Dates 13 - Presentation by Mr P Stephenson regarding digitising Reveille 13 - Presentation by Acting National President, Mr Robert Dick on behalf of the National President 13 - Presentation by the Consul General of Greece, Mr Stavros Kyrimis Amend By-Law number 6, sub-clause 15-3 Paragraph 15 (Central Southern) Administration Fee (State Council) 14 iii (VII) ANZAC, COMMEMORATION, CEREMONIAL AND MEMORIALS 20. September 11 Commemoration (Lower North Coast) Sydney ANZAC Day March (North Coast) Memorial to The Desert Mounted Corps (State Council) Conservation of the Fig Tree feature at Tobruk, Libya (State Council) 15 (VIII) DEFENCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS 24. Army Chaplains Department Badge (Hunter Valley) Posthumous Promotion of General Sir John Monash (South Western) 15 - Thanks to ANZAC House Staff from the Chief Executive Officer 15 - Open Forum 15 CONCLUSION 1. Congress 2016 Running Minutes Appreciation 16 - Vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor and Town Hall General Manager and Staff 16 - Vote of thanks to the Staff at ANZAC House Congress 2017 Dates 16 - Closure 16

5 1 1. Arrival of the Official Party. 2. Wreath Laying Ceremony. 3. Silence in Memory of Departed Comrades. ANNUAL STATE CONGRESS 2016 OFFICIAL OPENING TUESDAY 24 TH MAY, (i) Pledge of Allegiance to The League. (ii) Pledge of Allegiance to Her Majesty, the Queen. Mr R.D. White AM RFD, State President, moved the motion of Allegiance to Her Majesty, the Queen: That this Congress of the New South Wales Branch of The Returned and Services League of Australia, representative of over 30,000 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 His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret d), Governor of New South Wales. 6. State President s Report. 7. Chief Executive Officer s Report 8. Meritorious Service Medal Presentation 9. Certificate of Merit Presentation 10. State Council Certificate of Appreciation 11. Address by The Honourable Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Veterans Affairs 12. Vote of thanks by Mr William Hardman, State Honorary Treasurer 13. Address by The Honourable David Feeney MP, Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs 14. Vote of thanks by Mr Glenn Kolomeitz, Chief Executive Officer 15. Address by The Honourable David Elliott MP, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Veterans Affairs 16. Vote of thanks by Mr John Haines, State Vice President Metropolitan 17. Presentation by the RSL Youth Choir 18. First Working Session to commence at 11.00am on Tuesday, 25 th May, 2016

6 2 1 st WORKING SESSION TUESDAY, 25 TH MAY, 2016 Congress resumed at 11.00am Mr R.D. White AM RFD, State President in the Chair IN ATTENDANCE The Hon. David Elliott MP Mr Peter EveilleState Mr James Davidson Maj. Gen. David McLachlan AO (Ret d) Maj. Gen. Mark Kelly AO DSC Mr Robert Dick Mrs Pauline James Mrs Serena Sutherland Ms Emily Sturman Mrs Caroline Mackaness Ms Letitia Hope Mr John Hodges Mrs Samantha Jackman Mrs Wendy Thompson Mr Haydn White Mr John Cannings OAM Mr Garrie Gibson Minister for Corrections, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Veterans Affairs President, RSL of Australia (ACT Branch) Chief Executive Officer, RSL of Australia (ACT Branch) State President, RSL of Australia (Victorian Branch) Repatriation Commissioner State President, RSL of Australia (Tasmanian Branch) Acting State President, Central Council of Women s Auxiliaries Honorary State Secretary/Treasurer, Central Council of Women s Auxiliaries Bowen Legal Director, NSW Office of Veterans Acting DVA Deputy Commissioner for NSW & ACT National Veterans Affairs Advisor Chief Executive Officer, RSL of Australia State President, War Widow s Guild of Australia (NSW) Executive Officer to the Deputy Commissioner Senior Legal Advisor Chief Executive Officer, RSL and Services Clubs Appointment of Timekeeper That Mr R. Steer be appointed as Timekeeper. Appointment of Tellers That Messrs G. Mount, E. Burgess, B. Glover, G. Jackson, G. Carlson and Mrs E. Henderson be appointed as Tellers. Appointment of Scrutineers That Messrs G. Mason, D. Green, G. Salmon, L. Stockley, D. Cohen and Ms P. Richardson be appointed as scrutineers.

7 3 Returning Officer In accordance with The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) Constitution, sub-clause 18.8, Mr G.R. Kolomeitz is confirmed as Returning Officer. That Mr G.R. Kolomeitz s, appointment as Returning Officer be noted. Appointment of Committees (Suspension) That Messrs J. Mathers, B. Boughton, E. Bell, K. Craddock, D. Pankhurst and J. Brown be appointed. Minutes of the Annual State Congress 2015 That the Minutes be received and adopted. Honorary State Treasurer s Report The Chairman invited Mr W.H. Hardman, Honorary State Treasurer, to give the Treasurer s Report. That the Honorary State Treasurer s Report be received and adopted. Annual Report 2015 for receipt and adoption That the Annual Report for 2015 be received and adopted. Financial Statements and Auditor s Report That the Financial Statements and Auditor s Report be received and adopted.

8 4 MOTIONS (III) VETERANS AFFAIRS MATTERS 9. MONARO AND FAR SOUTH COAST Hearing Disability That the Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) request The Returned and Services League of Australia make representation to the Federal Government that Veterans with an accepted hearing disability be provided with hearing devices that meet society s current and future contemporary standards. 10. NORTH COAST Appointment of Minister That RSL National lobby the Federal Government to appoint a Minister for Veterans Affairs, with Veterans Affairs as his/her only portfolio and sole area of responsibility. 11. CENTRAL SOUTHERN (Bomaderry) Gold Card That all ex-service personnel who have served a minimum of 20 years Defence service should be awarded the privilege of being granted a GOLD CARD once they reach the age of 60 years. LOST Mr G. R. Kolomeitz, State Secretary, advised the attendance figures for First Working Session were: Delegates 232 State Councillors 14 A total attendance figure of 246 as registered in the attendance register.

9 5 12. NEW ENGLAND Gold Card for WWII Veterans That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) request RSL National to lobby the Federal Government to award the Gold Card to all remaining WWII Veterans who served or who were prepared to serve their country at the time of war. 13. NEWCASTLE (Toronto) Department of Veterans Affairs Copy Correspondence That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) approach the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to attempt to achieve a system that Veteran s Representatives are kept informed by a CC copy of all correspondence after the Delegate has accepted liability for a claimed condition under all repatriation compensation legislation not just Military Repatriation and Compensation Act (MRCA). AS AMENDED Suspension of Standing Orders for DVA Forum Mr J.M. Hodges, National Veterans Advisor in the Chair Resumption of Standing Orders Mr R.D. White AM RFD, State President in the Chair Congress adjourned at 12.30pm 2 ND WORKING SESSION TUESDAY, 25 th MAY, 2016 Congress resumed at 1.53pm Mr R.D. White AM RFD, State President in the Chair IN ATTENDANCE Mr John Hodges Ms Robyn Collins Ms Letitia Hope Mr John Cannings OAM Mr Robert Dick National Veterans Affairs Advisor General Manager, RSL DefenceCare Acting DVA Deputy Commissioner for NSW & ACT Senior Legal Advisor State President, RSL of Australia (Tasmanian Branch)

10 6 STANDING MOTION 1. STATE COUNCIL Membership fees That in accordance with RSL NSW Constitution Clause 16.7 & By-Law No. 2 item 43 the annual subscription for 2017 be $35.00 and that the breakdown for the annual subscription be as follows: Capitation fee to RSL NSW be $22.00; Capitation fee to RSL National be $5.00; and Retention fee to RSL sub-branches be $ STATE COUNCIL Amend sub-clause 15.4 (I) CONSTITUTION That existing sub-clause 15.4 (a) be amended to include after the word 'Secretary' the words 'of a sub-branch' to read: A State Councillor will automatically be deemed to have vacated office if they: (a) take a position of profit within RSL NSW other than as a paid Secretary of a sub Branch; BY CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY 3. STATE COUNCIL Amend sub-clause 26.1 That existing sub-clause26.1 (i) & 26.1 (j) be amended and reformatted as sub-clause 26.1 (h) (i) and (ii) to read:- (h) move any motion formulated in accordance with this clause at State Congress, provided that: (i) (ii) District Council may only hear and resolve on matters affecting a sub-branch within its District upon a written request signed by the sub-branch President and sub-branch Secretary; and any motion of District Council must be raised at State Congress for ratification and further action. LOST BY CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY

11 7 4. STATE COUNCIL Amend sub-clause 44. Definitions That the following definitions in sub-clause 44 be added in alphabetical order.- "District Council Executive" "District Council President" "Sub-Branch President" means the District Council President, one or two District Council Vice Presidents, and either a District Council Secretary, a District Council Secretary (who is also appointed as District Council Treasurer) or a District Council Secretary and a District Council Treasurer. means the President of District Council of sub-branches of each District, elected in accordance with this Constitution. means the Service or Life Member of RSLNSW elected as sub Branch President in accordance with this Constitution. BY CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY 5. STATE COUNCIL Amend sub-clause 45.2 (c) That existing sub-clause 45.2 (c) be deleted in its entirety and insert new sub-clause 45.2 (c) which reads: (c) An Officer means:- (i) A Trustee, President, Vice President(s), Treasurer or Secretary of a sub-branch or Subsidiary as the case may be; (ii) State Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of RSL NSW. WITHDRAWN 6. STATE COUNCIL State Council Term of Office That the Constitution of the Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) be amended as follows: 1. Amend 15.1 to delete the words ( State Councillors ) 15.1 State Council consists of the following persons elected in accordance with this Constitution: (a) State President; (b) State Treasurer; (c) 6 representatives from the Metropolitan District, including the Vice President (Metropolitan);

12 8 (d) (e) 3 representatives from the Southern New South Wales District including the Vice President (Southern NSW); and 3 representatives from the Northern New South Wales District including the Vice President (Northern NSW). 2. Amend 15.2 to read; 15.2 Each member of State Council will, subject to this Constitution, be elected to State Council for a full congressional term of 3 years. 3. Insert new No State Councillor may serve as a representative of Metropolitan District, Southern New South Wales District and/or Northern New South Wales District for more than 3 consecutive full congressional terms. 4. Renumber new clause 15.4 to Insert new definition in clause 44 Definitions Full Congressional Term is the 3 year period served by State Council between Congressional Elections. 6. Amend clause 44. Definitions State Councillor means the Service Member or Life Member elected to State Council of RSL NSW in accordance with this Constitution. LOST BY CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY 7. STATE COUNCIL State Council Structure That sub-clauses within Clause 15 (State Council) of the Constitution which currently reads: 15.1 State Council consists of the following persons ( State Councillors ) elected in accordance with this Constitution: - State President; - State Treasurer; - 6 representatives from the Metropolitan District, including a Vice President (Metropolitan); - 3 representatives from the Southern New South Wales District, including the Vice President (Southern NSW); and - 3 representatives from the Northern New South Wales District including the Vice President (Northern NSW) 15.2 Each State Councillor will, subject to this Constitution, hold the office of State Councillor for a term of 3 years.

13 9 that they be amended to read: 15.1 State Council consists of the following persons ( State Councillors ) elected in accordance with this Constitution: - State President; - State Treasurer; - 4 representatives from the Metropolitan District, including a Vice President (Metropolitan); - 2 representatives from the Southern New South Wales District, including the Vice President (Southern NSW); and - 2 representatives from the Northern New South Wales District including the Vice President (Northern NSW) 15.2 Each State Councillor will, subject to this Constitution, hold the office of State Councillor for a term of 3 years and retire in rotation in accordance with the By-Laws. The remaining sub-clauses 15.3 to 15.7 remain unchanged. LOST BY CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY 8. STATE COUNCIL Amendment to Clause 44. Definitions That in clause 44 (Definitions) of the Constitution, the following definitions currently read: Congressional Election State Council State Councillor means the election of the State Council held every 3 years. means the governing body of RSL NSW. means the Service Member or Life Member elected as the state councillor or director of RSL NSW in accordance with this Constitution. That they be amended to read: Congressional Election State Council or Board State Councillor or Director means the election of the State Council for a 3 year term and subject to at least one third of the Council retiring by rotation each year. means the governing body of RSL NSW. means the Service Member or Life Member elected as the state councillor or director of RSL NSW in accordance with this Constitution. LOST BY CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY

14 10 (VI) RSL NSW - THE LEAGUE 14. LOWER NORTH COAST (Wingham) Proposed Structural Change to State Branch That the RSL (NSW Branch) have the Constitution suitably amended to state the following: That 2 or 3 district councils be clustered together to form an area; That there be 8 areas within the State; That each area shall elect from within that area a director to the board of management of the RSL (NSW Branch); That the person to be elected shall reside within the boundaries of those district councils forming that area; That the person elected to that position shall liaise with each district council through the district council president. He shall attend district council meetings within his area; That each district council shall meet no less that twice (2) a year; The cluster of district councils to form an area would be: Area 1 Far North Coast, Mid North Coast, New England Area 2 Lower North Coast, Hunter, Newcastle Area 3 Upper North Western, Lower North Western, Western Area 4 Riverina, Far South Western, South Western Area 5 Eden Monaro, Central Southern Area 6 Far South Western Metropolitan, Far Western Metropolitan, Blue Mountains Area 7 Eastern Metropolitan, Southern Metropolitan, Western Metropolitan Area 8 Central Coast, Northern Beaches, Northern Metropolitan. LOST Mr G.R. Kolomeitz, State Secretary advised that the attendance figures for the Second Working Session were:- Delegates 237 State Councillors 14 A total attendance figure of 251 as registered in the attendance register.

15 FAR NORTH COAST Candidates for State Council Positions That candidates for State Council positions have greater access to providing their information which could include a video or any of the more modern communication methods to sub-branches prior to voting. 16. FAR NORTH COAST State Council Actions That upon consideration of a motion submitted by a sub-branch or District Council, which seeks to bring about a change in RSL NSW policy or procedure, State Council will: record the entire motion and supporting argument in the Minutes of State Council Meetings and; record the decision and, if rejected, the reasons for rejection in the State Council Minutes and; communicate the results in writing to the originating sub-branch or District Council. 17. CENTRAL SOUTHERN (Austinmer-Thirroul) Woolworths Contract That the Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) make strong representations to RSL National not to renew the contract with Woolworths and other retail chains, which allows them to sell official RSL memorabilia. LOST The State President moved Suspension of Business to conduct a special event. Lord Mayor Clover Moore presented the Keys to the City of Sydney to The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch). Congress adjourned at 3.30pm.

16 12 3 RD WORKING SESSION WEDNESDAY, 26 TH MAY, 2016 Congress resumed at 9.00am Mr R.D. White AM RFD, State President in the Chair IN ATTENDANCE Mr Robert Dick Maj. Gen. David McLachlan AO (Ret d) Mr Peter Eveille Mr John Hodges Mrs Sam Jackman Mrs Pauline James State President, RSL of Australia (Tasmanian Branch) State President, RSL of Australia (Victorian Branch) State President, RSL of Australia (ACT Branch) National Veterans Affairs Advisor Chief Executive Officer, RSL of Australia - National Acting State President, Central Council of Women s Auxiliaries That the Running Minutes of Congress pages 1 12 inclusive as displayed on the floor bulletin boards be confirmed as correct wording. Invictus Games 2016 Presentation by Mr D. McManus-Smith OAM Mr G.R. Kolomeitz appoints Mr J.M. O Brien to be Assistant Returning Officer to assist with the Venue Ballot Mr G.R. Kolomeitz, State Secretary, advised the attendance figures for Third Working Session were: Delegates 232 State Councillors 14 A total attendance figure of 246 as registered in the attendance register. The result of the Venue Ballot was announced to be Albury City. That the Venue Ballot papers be destroyed. Congress 2017 Dates That Congress 2017 will be held on the 21 st to the 24 th of May, 2017 inclusive.

17 13 Presentation on digitising Reveille by Mr P Stephenson. Presentation by the Deputy National President, Mr Robert Dick on behalf of the National President. That a letter be sent to Rear Admiral Ken Doolan and his wife to express the appreciation of The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) for his service to the RSL. Presentation of a plaque from the Consul General of Greece, Mr Stavros Kyrimis. 18. CENTRAL SOUTHERN (Austinmer-Thirroul) Amend By-Law number 6, sub-clause 15-3 Paragraph 15 That By-Law number 6, sub-clause 15-3 Paragraph 15 Line 1 Voting for State Council of the NSW RSL By-Laws be amended as follows: Delete at least four weeks and insert at least eight weeks. UNANIMOUSLY 19. STATE COUNCIL Administration Fee That commencing on the 1 st January 2017 an annual Administration Fee of 5% is to be payable by sub-branches, calculated on the annual investment income in excess of $2,000, received the previous financial year, and paid to State Branch with the sub-branch annual returns. LOST (VII) ANZAC, COMMEMORATION, CEREMONIAL AND MEMORIALS 20. LOWER NORTH COAST (Port Macquarie) September 11 Commemoration That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) recommend to RSL National that September 11 each year be prescribed to commemorate the service of all those men and women who served their country in all conflicts from and including the First Gulf War. LOST

18 NORTH COAST (Maclean) Sydney ANZAC Day March That the North Coast District Council requests State Council to endeavor that the re-routing of the 2016 Sydney ANZAC Day March is a change to the route that will revert to the time honoured original route at the duration of the work to George Street, Sydney i.e. Martin Place past our Cenotaph and left up George Street and onwards past Sydney Town Hall. WITHDRAWN 22. STATE COUNCIL Memorial to The Desert Mounted Corps That Congress requests the RSL National Executive to seek Federal Government assurance, that the memorial to The Desert Mounted Corps at the mouth of the Dog River or Nahr el Kelb, near Beirut, is confirmed as being of Australian military historical significance and to determine its current status with the view to conservation and restoration leading to the centenary in STATE COUNCIL Conservation of the Fig Tree feature at Tobruk, Libya That Congress requests the RSL National Executive to seek Federal Government assurance, that the precinct known as The Fig Tree feature at Tobruk, Libya, is confirmed as being of Australian military historical significance and to determine its current status with the view to conservation and restoration of the plaque and signage, in due course, with this year being the 75th anniversary of the Siege of Tobruk. 24. HUNTER VALLEY (VIII) DEFENCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS Army Chaplains Department Badge That this Congress directs RSL National to lobby the Federal Government against changing the Army Chaplains Department badge. WITHDRAWN

19 SOUTH WESTERN Posthumous Promotion of General Sir John Monash That the Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) recommend to RSL National, as a salute to Australia s greatest General and an extraordinary citizen, steps be taken for the posthumous promotion of General Sir John Monash one step in rank to the rank of Field Marshal, effective 11 November 1930, in accord with the Blamey precedent, where Blamey was placed on active service for one day to allow his field marshal promotion to proceed. The Chief Executive Officer, Mr G.R. Kolomeitz thanked the staff of ANZAC House, for their work on Congress The Chairman conducted a State Council Open Forum. Congress 2016 Running Minutes CONCLUSION That the Running Minutes of this Congress up to and including page 12 as displayed on the floor bulletin boards be confirmed as correct wording. That copies of the completed minutes be forwarded to all sub-branches and District Councils during the next eight weeks. Appreciation That a vote of thanks be extended to the Lord Mayor, Town Hall General Manager and Staff. That a vote of thanks be extended to the Staff of ANZAC House.

20 16 Congress 2017 Dates That Congress 2017 will be held on Tuesday the 23 rd and Wednesday the 24 th May, 2017 in Albury City. Closure The Chairman declared the 2016 Annual State Congress closed at 12.20pm on Wednesday, 26 th May, 2016.