ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING REPORT 2002
GAY & LESBIAN RIGHTS LOBBY (NEW SOUTH WALES INC.)
MINUTES OF THE 2002 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Meeting chaired by co-convenors Alex Sosnov and Anthony Schembri.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from 8 Financial Members - David Buchanan, Shane Garland, Gillian Mahony, Lex Lutherburrow, Suzy Tay, Cathy Fox, Jane Marsden and Henry Collier.2. Confirmation of minutes of previous annual general meeting
RESOLUTION
That the minutes of the annual general meeting held 13 November 2001 be adopted.Moved: Peter Trebilco. Seconded: Nikki Maloney.
Carried.
3. Co-convenors' report
Jenny Mann assumed the Chair.Anthony Schembri and Alex Sosnov spoke to the report in the Annual Report. In particular, they discussed the following matters:
- Federal Election and Howard re-election
- State issues including missing pieces, age of consent and parenting
- Spoke of the challenges and difficulties of events and fundraising
- In relation to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, spoke of the current concerns and commitment to look at options
- Acknowledged the work of Tim Moyes, Office Manager
- Thanked the Committee Members of the GLRL
- Discussed the behind the scene work, including the State Network of Government Agencies on Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Issues, Attorney General's Advisory Committee, Same Sex Domestic Violence Interagency and Lesbian and Gay Anti Violence Project Community Advisory Committee.
- Media work, providing information to members and non-members and teaching in universities
- Standing down due to personal and professional commitments.
- Farewells and thanked everyone
RESOLUTION
To adopt the Co-Convenors' report.Moved: Jenni Millbank. Seconded: Luke Gahan.
Carried.
Anthony Schembri resumed the Chair.
4. Financial report
Jenny Mann, Treasurer spoke to the Financial report in the Annual Report, including:- Annual Report typo - missing few last lines of profit and loss statements for this year - copies of full report made available.
- Thanks to First Fleet Productions and Nitegroove for financial support, and South Sydney Council for rental subsidy.
- Mentioned Mardi Gras problems and the effect of the loss of Botannica.
- Sydney Sydney Council review which could lead to the Lobby becoming homeless.
- Recommended continuing with budgetary constraint.
- Jenny Mann also standing down after 5 years on committee.
Took questions from the floor:
- Peter Trebilco stated that the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service Board agreed to provide space to the Lobby if current arrangements with South Sydney Council were lost.
- Paul Noble asked why a full-time person is not engaged to undertake campaigning on federal and state issues. Jenny Mann responded that GLRL needs administration person and the current budget may have to help the Lobby survive over at least the next year but possibly the year after.
RESOLUTION
To adopt the treasurer's report.Moved: Jenny Mann. Seconded: Peter Trebilco.
Carried.
5. Secretary's Report
Andrew Pickles, Secretary spoke to the report in the Annual Report, including:- 1999-2000 employment of Tim Moyes has meant that the GLRL can keep operating smoothly.
- Tim's role being expanded to include data entry for the Treasurer.
- Information resources - redesign of the website and new additions of reports.
- Thanks to newsletter writers - Kathy Sant, Jenny Mann and Nikki Maloney.
- Superannuation and numberplate campaigns.
- Membership levels - 136 compared with 220 last year at the same time.
- AGM brought forward due to Gay Games, State Election and Mardi Gras.
RESOLUTION
To adopt the Secretary's report.Moved: Andrew Pickles. Seconded: Jenni Millbank.
Carried.
6. Events and fundraising report
Nikki Maloney spoke to the Events and Fundraising report in the Annual Report, as well as the following matters:- The particular importance of fundraising in light of SGLMG difficulties and the loss of Harbour Party.
- Thanks for ongoing support from First Fleet Productions and JoJo Fernandez and Nitegroove.
- Thanks to Iris Group for assistance to gain Harbour Party on our behalf.
- Ran through year's events and activities, including Benjamin Franklin, Launch Party, Community Forum, Rhythms of the Night, Fur Ball, Fair Day, Parade
- Thanks to leaving Executive members and Kathy Sant.
RESOLUTION
That the events and fundraising report be adopted.Moved: Nikki Maloney. Seconded: Anthony Powell
Carried.
7. Campaigns Reports
Anthony Schembri spoke on Age of Consent, including the following matters:- School of Social Work, UNSW paper on age of consent.
- Jan Burnswoods and Arthur Chesterfield-Evans support
- Some cause for optimism but NSW is now the last state
- Bob Carr has flagged his support for age of consent as has John Brogden
- Lobby work - upper house MPs, report made available to library, media etc
- State election campaign - Launched at Forum during Pride Week and estimated over 500 last state postcards sent and many from outside Bligh.
Jenni Millbank spoke on Parenting, including the following matters:
- Process explained
- Mentioned research about Lesbian families in Australia (as compared to overseas). Lesbians having children with a known gay donor. No space for this in social and legal discourse.
- "Brides changed nappies" in the next year.
- Grant received from Law and Justice Foundation to get the document together.
Took questions from the floor:
- Stevie Clayton asked who are Shane Garland and Luca Balboni. Praised the design work on the campaign materials.
- Paul Noble stated that he believes the struggle is about justice not equality. He mentioned the International Convenant of Civil and Political Rights and that the GLRL should give it consideration. It should be honoured by the Federal Government. He also noted that focus should be given to the issue of censorship.
RESOLUTION
That the campaigns reports be adopted.Moved: Kathy Sant. Seconded: Alan Kirkland
Carried.
8. Awards
Alex Sosnov provided the background to the new Awards. A number of people over the years have contributed to the work of the Lobby and the Awards have been established to recognise those people.Kathy Sant presents a Volunteer Award to Alan Kirkland for both the quantity and quality of his contribution - as a convenor and continually since standing down from the position.
Andrew Pickles presented a Volunteer Award to Michael Flynn for his many years on committee and in particular his work on the Gay and Lesbian History Project and exhibition held at Parliament House.
Grant Colquhoun presented a Supporter Award to First Fleet Productions for their many years of financial support to the Lobby through the annual Harbour Party.
Nikki Maloney presented a Supporter Award to JoJo Fernandez for his ongoing advice, financial support and personal production of Lobby parties.
Alex Sosnov presented a Hall of Fame Award to Stevie Clayton, Lobby convenor between 1999-1998, ongoing gay rights activist and instrumental in putting parenting issues on the agenda beginning with the Bride Wore Pink.
Anthony Schembri presented a Hall of Fame Award to Craig Johnston, co-founder of the GLRL, author of significant gay and lesbian literature and ongoing gay rights activist.
9. Election of Committee
Anthony Powell moved motion:"In accordance with clause 7(i) of the Constitution, that acceptances of nominations for the positions of office bearers be accepted in writing or by proxy"
A question was asked relating to clarification of the motion. Andrew Pickles clarified.
Amended Motion put:
"In accordance with clause 7(i) of the Constitution, that acceptances of nominations for office bearers be accepted in writing, by proxy or orally at this meeting."
RESOLUTION
That the Amended motion be moved.Motion moved: Anthony Powell
Seconded: Grant Colquhoun
Carried.
Michael Flynn was appointed returning officer and assumed the Chair. He explained that in accordance with clause 6(b), there are 4 Executive members (including 2 convenors - 1 female and 1 male) and 11 other Committee members.
The full Committee is made up of 5 women to be elected by women, 5 men to be elected by men and five mixed positions to be elected by all. The mixed positions are to include the Secretary and Treasurer positions.
1.Nominations were called for the position of female co-convenor.
Alex Sosnov nominated Somali Ghosh
No further nominations.
SOMALI GHOSH ELECTED FEMALE CO-CONVENOR
2.Nominations were called for the position of male co-convenor.
Anthony Schembri nominated Andrew Pickles.
No further nominations.
ANDREW PICKLES ELECTED MALE CO-CONVENOR
3. Nominations were called for the position of Secretary.
Andrew Pickles nominated Suzy Tay.
No further nominations.
SUZY TAY ELECTED SECRETARY
4. Nominations were called for the position of Treasurer.
Jenny Mann nominated Luke Gahan.
No further nominations.
LUKE GAHAN ELECTED TREASURER
5. Nominations were called for the 3 remaining mixed Committee positions.
A vote was called for and voting slips distributed. Michael Flynn and Alex Sosnov counted the votes.
MATTHEW BAIRD, SHANE GARLAND AND ROBERT MCGRORY ELECTED
6. Nominations were called for four female Committee positions.
NIKKI MALONEY, JENNY MILLBANK, AMANDA MILLAR AND PAULA O'SULLIVAN ELECTED
7. Nominations were called for four male Committee positions.
ANTHONY POWELL, DAVID SCAMELL, GRANT COLQUHOUN AND LUCA BALBONI ELECTED
Alex Sosnov nominated Somali Ghosh
No further nominations.
SOMALI GHOSH ELECTED FEMALE CO-CONVENOR
2.Nominations were called for the position of male co-convenor.
Anthony Schembri nominated Andrew Pickles.
No further nominations.
ANDREW PICKLES ELECTED MALE CO-CONVENOR
3. Nominations were called for the position of Secretary.
Andrew Pickles nominated Suzy Tay.
No further nominations.
SUZY TAY ELECTED SECRETARY
4. Nominations were called for the position of Treasurer.
Jenny Mann nominated Luke Gahan.
No further nominations.
LUKE GAHAN ELECTED TREASURER
5. Nominations were called for the 3 remaining mixed Committee positions.
- Andrew Pickles nominated Matthew Baird
- Matthew Culleton nominated Scott Carn
- Anthony Powell nominated Shane Garland
- Anthony Schembri nominated Robert McGrory
A vote was called for and voting slips distributed. Michael Flynn and Alex Sosnov counted the votes.
MATTHEW BAIRD, SHANE GARLAND AND ROBERT MCGRORY ELECTED
6. Nominations were called for four female Committee positions.
- Kathy Sant nominated Jenni Millbank
- Jenni Millbank nominated Nikki Maloney
- Nikki Maloney nominated Amanda Millar
- Alex Sosnov nominated Paula O'Sullivan
NIKKI MALONEY, JENNY MILLBANK, AMANDA MILLAR AND PAULA O'SULLIVAN ELECTED
7. Nominations were called for four male Committee positions.
- Grant Colquhoun nominated Anthony Powell
- Scott Carn nominated David Scamell
- Luke Gahan nominated Grant Colquhoun
- Nikki Maloney nominated Luca Balboni
ANTHONY POWELL, DAVID SCAMELL, GRANT COLQUHOUN AND LUCA BALBONI ELECTED
10. Closing
Andrew Pickles farewelled leaving Committee and Executive members and passed on the GLRL thanks to all. Flowers handed out. Somali Ghosh spoke briefly of the year ahead in her new role.
Alex Sosnov closed the meeting.
END OF MEETING