Patron: Lt Col Maurie Pears M.C. (Retd)
for the PIB NGIB HQ PIR Association
held at Geebung-Zillmere RSL Club, Brisbane
President Major Don Graham welcomed all to the AGM and One Minute’s Silence was observed in honour of deceased Servicemen since 1940.
The AGM was opened by the President at 2.15pm after the informative talk by Guest Speaker, Dr. Darryl Dymock.
Present: D. Graham, K. Horton, I. Ogston, K. Smith, T. Edwinsmith, R. Lange, D. Dymock, K. Minns, I. Minns, I. Colwell, G. Ivey, G. Farr, P. Adam, L. Quinlivan
Apologies: P. Jesser, R. Wade, G. Carnes, J. Hooper, G. Johnson, J. McIntosh, J. Dark , F. Cordingley, M. Pears, H. Howard, G. Screen, R. Boddington, I. Warlters, S. Beveridge, N. Hunter, S. Hill, E. Diery
Minutes of 2015 AGM/GM
Moved: K Horton Seconded: T. Edwinsmith “that the Minutes of the 2015 AGM/GM as circulated be confirmed” CARRIED
The President read his 2015-16 Report. Highlights included:
-the appointment of a new Patron, Major General ‘Hori’ Howard and thanks were expressed to outgoing Patron Lt Col Maurie Pears
– thanks were given to Dr Darryl Dymock for his talk on the background of Nasho ‘Chalkies’.
– a very successful Kokoda Day ceremony on 08.08.15 at the Rotary Kokoda Memorial Wall in Broadbeach including the PIB/NGIB and PIR plaques and laying of pavers to recognize deceased individuals thanks to the teamwork of J Hooper and P Jesser
– RSL lunch 08.08.2015 with addresses by Major General Hon. Michael Jeffrey and Major L. Quinlivan
– the Association’s membership rising to approx. 100 members
– the development of the soldierspng.com website thanks to Kevin Smith, Fabian Mamare and Frank Cordingley
– development of the Interim Medal Policy
– thanks given to Sec/Treas Kev Horton and Vice President Greg Ivey for their continued support
– good march numbers at ANZAC Day Services in Brisbane and Sydney
– Newsletter production excellent thanks to R Boddington and I Ogston
Moved: D. Graham Seconded: I Ogston “That the President’s Report be received” CARRIED with acclamation.
Correspondence – carried over to the General Meeting.
Treasurer’s Report
Secretary/Treasurer Kev Horton tabled and circulated copies of his Report showing a Balance of $1339.09 with a PayPal credit of $10.89 and we have 54 car stickers remaining.
Moved: K. Horton Seconded: R. Lange “that the Treasurer’s Report be received” CARRIED
Election of Office Bearers
President Don vacated the Chair after thanking the outgoing committee and Assistant Sec. Ian Ogston conducted the elections.
Chairman Ian thanked the outgoing Committee and called for nominations for the following positions.
Patron: Motion – “that Major General Brian (Hori) Howard be ratified as Patron and appointed an Honorary Life Member of this Assn”. Moved I Ogston: Seconded R Lange CARRIED
President: Moved: K. Horton Seconded: T Edwinsmith “that Don Graham be elected as President” CARRIED
Vice President: Moved: R. Lange Seconded: K Smith “that G. Ivey be elected as Vice President” CARRIED
Secretary/Treasurer: Moved: G. Ivey Seconded: T Edwinsmith “that K. Horton be elected as Secretary/Treasurer” CARRIED
Assistant Secretary: Moved: I. Ogston Seconded: K. Horton “that G. Farr be elected as Assistant Secretary” CARRIED
Brisbane Representative: Moved: G. Ivey Seconded: I. Colwell “that P. Adam be elected as Brisbane Representative” CARRIED
Interstate Representatives: Moved: I. Ogston Seconded: T. Edwinsmith “that Russell Wade NSW, Frankie Maclean NT and Graham Johnson WA be elected as Interstate representatives” CARRIED
History Officer: Moved: K. Horton Seconded: G. Ivey “that P. Jesser be elected as History Officer” CARRIED
Newsletter Editor: Moved: G. Ivey Seconded: T. Edwinsmith “that Ian Ogston be elected as Newsletter Editor” CARRIED
Membership Co-ordinator: Moved: G. Ivey Seconded: P. Adam “that K. Smith be elected as Membership Co-ordinator” CARRIED
Website Managers: Moved L. Quinlivan Seconded: R. Lange “that K. Smith with assistance from F. Cordingley and F. Mamare be elected as website managers” CARRIED
The AGM was declared closed.
General Business
President Don resumed the Chair, thanked Ian Ogston for conducting the elections and opened the General Meeting.
Correspondence was tabled and discussed.
Business arising from Correspondence:
– Hon Life M/ship Jack McIntosh
– Acceptance re Patron position ‘Hori’ Howard
– Bill Scott 3NGIB welcomed
Moved: K. Horton Seconded: D. Graham – “that the inward correspondence be received and the outward endorsed” CARRIED
Items of General Business
- Interim medals policy – on behalf of the Medal Team, G Ivey tabled and explained the Interim Medal Policy and after discussion and minor amendments a motion was put – “That the Interim PNGDF Anniversary Medal Policy as amended be approved” Moved G. Ivey :Seconded T. Edwinsmith Carried.
- Report on PNGDF Anniversary Medals processed during 2015/16 – G. Ivey tabled a list of 8 applicants of whom 7 had successfully provided the necessary eligibility documentation with one pending.
Applicants had come from NSW, Qld, Vic, SA and WA. G. Ivey is to retain eligibility documentation on all applicants for the Association’s records. - After discussion on various methods of disseminating a Souvenir booklet/pamphlet – – USB – Website use etc for 75th Anniversary of Kokoda, a Motion was put “That $200 be initially set aside for the production of a small Souvenir Booklet/pamphlet to be handed out at the Kokoda Day Ceremony on 8 August 2017 at Cascade Gardens.” Moved I. Ogston Seconded L. Quinlivan Carried
- Report on membership : Kev Horton reported that we now have 1 member overseas and 97 on the books with a few memberships pending.
- ANZAC Day report – Brisbane/Sydney/Other: Brisbane: good rollup – Ian and Noel Wust will continue as flagbearers next year – lunch at Jo Jo’s very successful. Sydney: 12 marchers – 8 servicemen – 4 family members – WO Jock Wilkinson PIB led the group. Other – Kevin Smith requested photos/reports of other Anzac Day ceremonies for the website. Please send to Kevin Smith if you have any.
- Ron Lange’s research – Colonel Ron Lange reported on the warmth and enthusiasm of the welcome extended to him and other CO’s of PIR’s in 2015 as guests of the PNG Government and PNGDF. Ron is producing a USB of the history /photos/etc of Taurama Barracks – 1PIR – as much of the history collections were destroyed in fires which destroyed the HQ and Sergeants’ Mess. He hopes to incorporate, with Lt Col Maurie Pears permission, extracts from ‘To Find a Path’ and ‘Today and Tomorrow’ on the USB.
- A report on www.soldierspng.com explaining various aspects of the website – tabs/sub-tabs/updated information etc was given by Kevin Smith. Kevin invited Members to contribute photos or articles to the Website pages.
- After his visit to Sydney for ANZAC Day 2016, Greg Ivey moved – “That $35 be paid towards a Wreath for Battle for Australian Service in 2016 and that $65 be paid towards dry cleaning and repair of the NSW Banner.” Seconded P. Adam Carried
- All were reminded of the annual PNG Remembrance Day observances on 23 July and the AWM Last Post ceremony in Canberra at 5pm on 23 July. Members may wish to watch the 23 July ceremony live on the AWM website. PNGDF Officers on course in Canberra will lay a Wreath during the Service.
Lest We Forget
Sgt Yawiga (PIB/NGIB)
Colonel Peter Cole (1PIR and Area Commander, Lae)