FRIENDS OF THE BARWON HEADS BRIDGE INC.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Friends of the Barwon Heads Bridge is a non-profit group open to people of all ages, and has the following 3 aims.
To RETAIN the current historic wooden bridge that crosses the Barwon River, in Barwon Heads, in its present location
To RESTORE the bridge to as close to its original design and construction as possible and protect the surrounding area with its heritage listed structures
To RE-INVIGORATE the bridge and surrounding environment by facilitating new ways of using the area for passive recreational purposes
In attempting to achieve these aims the Friends of the Barwon Heads Bridge will –
Work with relevant stakeholders (like Barwon Coast, City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Otway Tourism) and other groups (like Friend’s of the Bluff).
Work with allied groups such as Heritage Victoria and National Trust, Victoria.
Raise money where needed for its operations and the long term future of the bridge, with excess funds (if/when the group is dissolved) being distributed to local community groups like the Barwon Heads Hall Committee and Friends of the Bluff - at the Executive’s discretion.
Notes of a Meeting Held on
Monday 19th June 2006
At Barwon Heads Community Hall
Present : Greg Carruthers, Paul Fox, Michael Harbour, Helen Lafranchi, Marg Isom, Martin Klabbers,Bryan & Emily King, Rob & Alex Kuebler,Anne Moody, Bernard Napthine, Sue Olliff, Ted O’Rourke, Justin Teague, John Turner, Graeme & Jenny Wallace Smith, Margaret Young.
Apologies: Mark Rodrigue, Anita Shelton, Peter McMullin, Marg Pocock, Sandra Gatehouse
Preamble
Bernard Napthine took the chair and explained where the process was at regarding the Advisory Panel and the public hearings.
Bernard also explained about the pros and cons of forming an incorporated Association, and what was required if this was the way the meeting decided to proceed.
After some discussion, it was decided by the group that we would proceed to form an incorporated Association
Agreement to form an Incorporated Association
The Group agreed to form the Friends of the Barwon Heads Bridge Incorporated
Acceptance of the Models Rules of Association
The group agreed to accept the Model rules of Association with some slight amendments as voted by the members (see attached list)
Acceptance of the Statement of Purpose
The group agreed to accept the following as the Statement of Purpose for the Friends of the Barwon Heads Bridge Incorporated
The Friends of the Barwon Heads Bridge is a non- profit group open to people of all ages and has the following three aims:
To retain the current historic wooden bridge that crosses the Barwon river in Barwon Heads, in its present location
To restore the bridge to as close as possible and protect the surrounding area plus its heritage listed structures
To reinvigorate the bridge and surrounding environment , by facilitating new ways of using the area for passive recreational purposes
Date for Meetings & Annual General Meeting
The group agreed that meetings should be held monthly and the AGM would be in July each year with a first General meeting at a time and date to be fixed.
Statutory Obligations
The group agreed that the Executive group would convene to clarify and follow up on all the statutory obligations to ensure they meet the legal requirements
Membership fees
The group discussed fees and proposed the following
Joining fee $3.00
Annual membership $2.00
Moved Greg Carruthers,
Seconded Martin Klabbers
Declaration of Committee members
The group nominated for the following positions for the Committee, plus 2 Executive members
President
Bernard Napthine Nominated By Michael Harbour
Seconded Greg Carruthers
Vice President
Martin Klabbers Nominated By Greg Carruthers
Seconded Ted O’Rourke
Treasurer
Peter MacMillan Nominated By Bernard Napthine
Seconded Marg Isom
Secretary
Graeme Wallace Smith Nominated By Marg Isom
Seconded Rob Kuebler
Minutes Secretary
Myra Green Nominated By Alex Kuebler
Seconded Bernard Napthine
Executive Member
Paul Fox Nominated By Marg Isom
Seconded Greg Carruthers
Executive Member
Rob Kuebler Nominated By Justin Teague
Seconded Helen Lafranchi
Sub Groups
The group then discussed the establishment of various committees
Funding /fund raising Group – Treasurer –Marg Isom, Emily King, Anne Moody
Media Group – Bernard Napthine, Michael Harbour, Justin Teague, Paul Fox
Letter writing – Rob Kuebler, Graeme Wallace Smith, Alex Kuebler
Finance
It was agreed by the group that the President would set up a bank account with the Bendigo Bank in Ocean Grove
Other Business
It was decided by the group that Sunday 23rd July* would be a day of Action – planning for this would begin immediately
*(changed at a later meeting to 30 July )
Next Meeting
Next General Meeting would be Monday July 10th at 7.00pm
BECOMING A MEMBER
The Friends of the Bridge Inc has an open membership policy – is it does not matter what your age is (although those under 18 years of age cannot vote at meetings) or where you live. In fact we warmly welcome new members and say the more the merrier!
For an organization such as this, particularly in this early phase where simply saving the bridge is our main concern, weight of numbers is very important. To stand up before Council or the Minister for Planning’s Advisory Committee and say we represent 20 to 30 members is one thing BUT to say we represent HUNDREDS from all over the State, is another thing.
We know from experience that not all members will be able to attend regular meetings – which is fine. We also know not everyone can lend a hand on our working groups – we all lead busy lives. Simply becoming a member is showing your support and helping the cause.
As you know action is required so it would be good if you could get involved as it both spreads the load and increases our influence. Perhaps you cannot get to a meeting but can still work within one of our Committees especially in getting our Protest by the Bridge day up and running.
To become a member is easy. Simply print out and complete the membership application form with your details etc and then post it off OR drop it in at any of the addresses below – with the appropriate fees.
Click here for form (when loaded in browser click on file and then print to print page ) Pdf version here
FEES
There is a once only joining fee of $3 and an annual membership fee of $2. So for all new members the total cost is $5.
NOMINATIONS
If you do not know 2 current members to nominate you for membership then leave this section blank and we will do this for you.
POST TO Friends of the Barwon Heads Bridge
P.O. Box 4
Barwon Heads, 3227
DROP INTO Paul at Starfish Bakery
Don at Beach Books
Bernard at Barwon Heads Pharmacy
Upon receipt of the above you will be issued a receipt and you name entered in the list of Members for the period up to end June 2007. With this come all the rights of a member as listed in the Constitution of the Organization including full voting rights for those over 18 years of age.