Here are the minutes of the meeting conducted to form an organization to co-ordinate a local response to the Mary River Dam proposal.
SAVE THE MARY RIVER COORDINATING GROUP
MINUTES of MEETING
Location: Inaugural meeting held at 1815 Mary Valley Road, Amamoor.
Date: 5 May 2006 Time: 7 am
Attendees: Alan Sheridan, Lyndall Ensbey, Lars Hedberg, Tony Hawkyard, Margaret Roberts, Belinda Roberts, Dr Barbara Foxwell, June Blyton, Steve Dennis, Tony Smith, Jim Scott, Di Shallis, Ian McKay, Carol Elliot, Rick Elliot. Apologies: Gary Blyton, Kaili Parker-Price, John Cochrane, Glenda Pickersgill
Welcome and Apologies
As interim Chair, Rick Elliot welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance. Apologies as recorded above were received and acknowledged.
Review of Campaign to date Members quickly discussed the effectiveness of the media campaign so far and acknowledged the strong support of so many people outside of the local area.
Election of the Committee Rick Elliot outlined the roles required to form a committee which could be incorporated. Attendees discussed the purpose, roles and responsibilities of such a committee. A motion was tabled to form the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group. (Moved by Lars Hedberg, Seconded by Margaret Roberts) These Minutes officially record that a motion was unanimously passed to incoporate the Association in accordance with the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 and to adopt the model rules for the association as provided for in the Act. A second motion was unanimously passed authorising the Secretary of the Save the Mary River Coordinating Group (Alan Sheridan) to make an application for Incorporation under the Act.
Elected Committee Members
Chair: Rick Elliot Secretary: Alan Sheridan Treasurer: Lyndall Ensbey Media contact: Kaili Parker-Price Campaign Communication: Steve Dennis Research: Glenda Pickersgill
All other attendees were declared to be committee members with responsibility for implementing decisions made by the office bearers.
Urgent Issues
The following urgent issues were discussed by the committee:
The need to establish a bank account. Action: Lyndall Roberts to pursue today and details emailed to committee once established. Insurance to be put in place to indemnify committee members.
Legal advice.
Fundraising The need to raise money for a fighting fund was discussed. A fundraising committee was formed consisting of Lyndall Ensbey, Margaret Roberts, Di Shallis, June Blyton. All committee members to gain commitments for donations. The website will have a fundraising segment on it.
Action Plan – future activities
Website: Steve Burgess will continue to manage the website but needs material from committee members.
Jamie Dunn has offered his support to anchor the next rally – Dambusters – which would preferably be held on Saturday 13 May from 7 – 8 pm. Action: Rick to firm availability of Jamie for this event and source a suitable venue.
Need to notify residents of other shires to support this rally. Influential speakers to be approached for short presentations. Action: Belinda to source contact details for all mayors in affected shires and Rick to contact personally to invite them to this rally.
Gympie Show Association has offered us space for a stand at the show. This stand must be apolitical and provide information only.
Legal Issues to be pursued as soon as fighting fund is established. Environmental groups are meeting at Glenda Pickersgill’s farm at 11am on Saturday 6 May to formulate actions.
Freedom of Information Applications have been posted. Details on how to submit applications were distributed to members. Coordinate other major industries eg dairy farmers, horticultural industries, timber, to work with us to stop the dam.
Email the ABC poll to object to the dam. Dot points for letters to be circulated. Action: Steve Dennis to provide.
Set up meetings with Australian government ministers. Campbell Newman to be approached. Action: Rick to investigate and contact Warren Truss’s advisor.
Mary Valley Residents’ Information Centre to be established at Kandanga. Action: Tony Hawkyard to coordinate.
Produce quality communication materials. Action: Steve Dennis. Steve Dennis to record his song. Musicians to be asked to set aside a date in one moth’s time for a rally.
Meeting closure Main actions of the meeting were summarized and meeting closed at 8.30am.
Next Meeting: Monday 8 May at Margaret Roberts’ home, 2740 Mary Valley Road at 7 pm Sighted and signed Rick Elliot, Chair 5/5/06
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