BRUNSWICK VALLEY LANDCARE

Minutes of Annual General Meeting

Pioneer Hall, Mullumbimby

27^th September 2006

The meeting was declared open at 7:30pm

Present

Maura Dawes, Judy MacDonald, Rebecca Lines-Kelly, Rita de Heer, Annette Stanton, Georgia Beyer, Michael Maloney, Rhonda Wrigley, Keith Wrigley, Ian Parer, Kate Cameron Pat Skene, Michael Brown, Jo Green, , Mandy Lisson, Bela Allen, Stephen Thurston, Ken Ohlsson, Jan Olley, Graham Ashcroft, Debra Preston, Andrea Danvers, Gillian Secombe, Susan Skivington, Nina Bishop, Noel L’Orange, Anna Hill, Toni Spruce, David Kemp, Marie Adrian Begg

Apologies

Brad Green, Bryan Spruce, Kaye Groves, Rose Spong, Wendy Gibney, Peter Harriden,

Minutes of the last AGM (5th October 2005)

Moved by Andrea Danvers seconded Jo Green that the minutes be accepted. Minutes accepted as being an accurate record.

REPORTS

Annual report

Rebecca Lines Kelly read out the Annual Report for 2005/06. Annette moved that it be accepted, Rita seconded. Annual Report accepted.

Treasurer’s report

· Annette Stanton gave the treasurer’s report.

· Profit & Loss and Balance sheets for the financial year 2005/06 tabled.

· BVL is now registered for GST

· Annette suggested that a member be sought who will be responsible for the book sales..

· John Robinson has again audited the books

· Annette move that John Robinson continue as the Auditor for BVL. Seconded Michael Malone and carried.

Auditor’s report

· Auditor’s report on the financial statements 2005/06 tabled.

· Annette moved that the reports be accepted. Andrea Danvers seconded. Report accepted.

Election of office bearers

· Chair: Rebecca Lines-Kelly , nominated by ?. Accepted and carried.

· Treasurer: Annette Stanton, nominated by Rebecca? Accepted and carried.

· Secretary: Toni Spruce. Nominated by Maura. Accepted and carried.

· Membership Secretary: Maura Dawes. Nominated by Rebecca, Accepted and carried.

· Publicity Officer: Maura Dawes. Nominated by Judy. Accepted and carried.

· Committee Member: Rita De Heer Nominated by Jeanette Martin. Accepted and carried.

· Committee Member or Project Officer: Judy MacDonald. Nominated by ?. Accepted and carried.

· Committee Member: Horst Theile. Nominated by Rita. Accepted and carried.

· Committee Member: Adrien Begg. Nomintated by Rebecca. Accepted and carried.

· Committee Member: Jeanette Martin. Nominated by Judy. Accepted and carried

Locality group reports

Representatives from Locality Groups then addressed Meeting with Brief Outline of progress in their localities:

1. Michael Maloney – Brunswick Dune Care

Michael commented that the “website” was bringing in more volunteers. There has been up to eleven at their workdays. They have submitted for a “Small Equipments Grant” outcome still unknown. Michael has been involved in Community Education at local festivals and also at the Brunswick Public School with Gillian Secomb, working with teachers and students.

2. Jo Green – Lower Mullum Creek

Jo informed the group that this site has now been working for 10 years, and still meets monthly.

Working with Horst applications have been submitted for “Eco Schools Grants.” There have been 2 planting days at the High School working within Environmental Education with years 7 & 8. School land has now been regenerated up to the flood mark.

3. Ken Ohlsson – Shearwater School

Ken reported that Shearwater has now purchased an adjacent property which increases their river frontage. They have done a lot of weed clearing along the creek and cleared around significant old Coolamon and Fig trees. They have also submitted to the Catchment Management Authority for a fencing grant to keep stock out.

4. – Durrumbul Local Group

In Peter Harriden’s absence Rebecca informed the meeting that the group was working on individual sites within the MO.

5.Kate Cameron – Upper Mullum Creek

. Kate’s group continues it’s work clearing madeira vine and doing maintenance of their site. They have started clearing on a second creek front. and continue to work at educating adjacent landholders.

6. Peter Westhemer – Dingo Creek

No representative at the meeting

7. - Middle Mullum Creek

No representative at the meeting. Rebecca informed the meeting that the MO, Bindarri, was working with funds from an earlier successful “Envirofund” application.

8.- Nina Bishop – Brushbox Drive

This site has been quiet but they are looking to restart.

9. Bela Allen & Anna Hill – Tyagarah

Bela reported that the group had been working hard at maintaining the site. Wallabies are proving to be a problem and with the help of WOOFERS they were making areas wallaby proof..

9. Mary – South Golden Beach

Mary reported that then planting from 2005 were thriving. Council had delivered at least 3 loads of mulch which they were working at spreading..

10. Deb Preston – Yelgun

Deb informed the meeting that the new Landcare group was now effective. The Environmental Trust funding has been used in clearing and regenerating their site. With funding from a CMA grant they have also been able to help three neighbouring landholders. Lots of clearing of madiera vine.

11. Keith Wrigley – Upper Marshalls Creek

Keith and Rhonda There are now six property owners involved. Over the last 4 years there has been a transformation of three kilometers of river frontage. The creek has now been fenced off at Wrigley’s farm and they are now starting to move into farming areas. Bush regenerators do a monthly observation and maintenance day.

12.Judy MacDonald – Jingatee, Billinudgel

This site is the most pristine piece of Lowland sub tropical rainforest in the shire. Members meet for a working bee there every third Sunday, [four to six people]. Need more. The area is soon owned by the RTA and is soon to b declared a Nature Reserve..

13. Ian Parer – Dune Care, South Golden Beach

Ian reported that everything was looking good..

14, Pat Skene---Coral Ave

Pat reported that with funding and help from Council and Fisheries a new bridge had been constructed which is fish friendly. Council provided fencing and fisheries a sign. They have attempted to rejuvenate a site which was clear 4 years ago. They are also working with staff and students from TAFE to get rid of some Coral trees. Their area links into the SDA School.

15. Gillian Secombe – Brunswick Heads

They have received CMA funding for bush regenerators to work at the site.

16. David Kemp Yalla-Kool

This is an approx 10 acre reserve of Crown land. With funding from EnviroTrust bush regenerators have cleared a significant area of the selected site. Up to 6 volunteers meet monthly to do maintenance and planting. David Kemp was instrumental in organising a joint venture with Council and EnVite to build an access track/ramp off Warrembool Rd opposite the steps leading from Lions Lookout. About 100 trees have been planted and the area looks significantly changed.

16. Early Birds

Nina said that they were hoping to invigorate this group. They have planted approx 300 trees and keep clearing Madiera vine and lately emerging Cocos Palms. There is a plan to do a publicity drive and they will consider working at Heritage Park.

17. Wendy Gibney--- Myocum

Formally Pipeclay Creek. This is approx 5 hectares if council reserve and they are currently concentrating on planting koala feeding trees.

18.Jan Olley --- Bird Buddies.

Jan informed the meeting that this group monitors bird activity in the Belongil area. She said that over 100 species have been identified. Their work includes building protection from dogs (&people) of breeding habitats on the beach, and community education. National Parks have agreed to assist with fencing of the spit and the Marine Park Authority will assist them in developing a submission for a grant from CMA to produce brochures.

19. Marie --- Heritage Park

Marie had seen the notice of the meeting in the paper and came along to seek information and help for Heritage Park in Mullumbimby. Marie informed us that this park was established many years ago by the Byron Flora and Fauna Conservation Society. It was to be a botanical reserve and be planted with trees representive of those in the Big Scrub. The original carers are now moved on and the Park is in need of maintenance. Council can help with rubbish removal but there is a need for a volunteer group to take it on.

CSO Report – Dave Rawlins

Dave is currently on leave and left his report which was tabled. In his absence Georgia Bayer is the acting CSO. Georgia has only been in the position two weeks and reported that she is learning a lot fast! The Committee would like to thank Georgia who took on the position at very short notice.

There being no further business the meeting finished 8.55 pm.