Page 1 of 11 Annual General Meeting 2017 The Irish Club Toowoomba Queensland 25th April 2017 POSITIONS: President Ray Thomas Temp Vice President Liz Knight Secretary FSGT Michelle Halliday Treasurer Kim Hodges Event Coordinators Terry McMullan Keith Pearce RAAF Represented SGT Ty Trost Meeting Opened by President at 1310 hrs President welcomes all attending. One minute silence observed in memory of the fallen and departed comrades. Chris Armanasco read out the names of the fallen during the one minute silence. Present: Ray Thomas, Liz Knight, Michelle Halliday, Kim Hodges, Keith Pearce, Steve Fleming, Arthur Schonrock, Rod Snow Standen, Chris Burgess, Steve Palmer, Charles Magarry, Colleen Jones, Rob Emes, Tony Preston, Dennis Lewis, Chris Armanasco, Jack Willmott, Pedro Routley, Ray Feldman, Stan Willoughby Apologies: Mark Donaldson VC, GPCPT Guy Burton, Alex Glover, Terry McMullan, Ian Wintle, Des Andrews, Michael Worth, Bob Warn, Rod Hardacre, Wayne Clayson, Caroline Clayson, Paul Gossner, Glen Andrews, Ted Tooth, Steve Ibbotson, Denis Burrell, Tom Dickson, Mark Schefe, Bill Whyte, Mal Maslen, John O Loughlin, Kev Couzner, Kol Kajanto, Ty Trost, Steve Bailey, Denzel Potter, Graham Wilson
Page 2 of 11 Motion that the apologies be accepted. Moved: Jack Willmott Seconded: Chris Armanasco Minutes Moved: Kim Hodges Seconded: Keith Pearce that the minutes from the previous AGM held on 25th April 2016 be tabled. Business arising from the previous AGM. NIL Correspondence In From Director Honours and Awards Admin Instructions from Toowoomba RSL for ANZAC Day March Numerous Emails In Correspondence Out To Director Honours and Awards Reply to Toowoomba RSL re: Admin Instructions from Toowoomba RSL for ANZAC Day March Numerous Emails Out Moved: Charlie Magarry Seconded: Steve Fleming that the correspondence In and Out be accepted. Presidents Report As of this date, we have 191 members in the RDHA. On the 21st July 2017 and in conjunction with AWAMO, the RDHA will be at the openings and unveiling of a War Animal Memorials in Pozieres, France. The RDHA representatives will be myself, my wife Trish, Keith Pearce and his partner, Heather. AWAMO with the support of the City of Vincent, Vietnam Veterans ASSN and the Friends of ANZAC Cottage will be unveiling our first memorial in WA honouring animals that have served, on Sunday 10th September, details to follow. Any RHDA members and there family that live in Perth or may be visiting Perth on 10th September are welcome to attend, details to follow. Linda Scott WA AWAMO Ambassador I would like to thank the efforts of Keith Pearce in the work he had put into the organisation of the venue for the AGM this year. Also, the previous Management Committee for their ongoing
Page 3 of 11 support and the help they have provided in the past year. I would also like to inform you all that we Trish and I have sold our Burleigh Waters home and have moved out on the 21st April 2017. We originally decided to move to Bali, Indonesia for a set period of time, however, circumstances changed. We found out that we could not take RaDHA with us plus Trish s mother s health was failing. A decision was then made that we would buy a home on the Gold Coast and also rent a villa in Bali, Indonesia. Our new home on the Gold Coast will be settled to move in on the 5th May 2017. Unfortunately, one of our plans has come adrift with the passing of Trish s mother, Marie Joan Judd (Ex Navy) on Saturday 4th March 2017, may she R.I.P. The contract on the villa in Bali is now completed and I will be heading off on the 15th May. I will be living in Bali and will be traveling back and forth to Australia from time to time as will Trish. Our new address on the Gold Coast is: 146 North Hill Drive, Robina, Gold Coast QLD 4226 In Bali my contact number is: WhatsApp +62 416 120 230 WhatsApp is a free app you can download and all your calls and text are free, as long as the other person has WhatsApp on their phone as well. If re-elected as President at the 2017 AGM, I will continue to fulfil the duties as directed and will share duties with the new Vice President. Thanks Ray Thomas President Moved Ray Thomas Seconded Keith Roe that the Presidents Report be accepted. Secretary s Report NIL Treasurer s Report RAAF DOG HANDLER'S ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL REPORT FROM APRIL 1216 TO APRIL 2017 We finished this financial year with $4,494.92 in RAAF DOG HANDLES ASSOCIATION (RDHA) this account is set so members can go to any Westpac bank and deposit their Subs straight into the RDHA account your deposit slip is your receipt this will show up on the RDHA
Page 4 of 11 statements as a record of being paid. We had a lot of movement into and out of the Bank Account over the last 12 months as we do every year. If you have any queries or wish to check to RDHA Accounts Book then please see me and your wish will be granted. It has been a pleasure to be part of this Committee over the last two years. Our President, Ray Thomas had an outstanding year going to meetings organizing Plagues and just putting the RDHA on the map also contacting Ex Doggies and new MWDS to encouraged them to join the RDHA this has made your Association known to more organizations than before, at this time I would like to thank Ray for a great job. Kim Hodges RDHA Treasurer Moved: Kim Hodges Seconded Liz Knight that the Treasurer s report be accepted. There being no more reports, the President declared all positions on the Management Committee vacated for new elections. Ray Thomas called upon Chris Armanasco to oversee the process. Nominations received for positions: Position Nomination Nominated By Seconded By Accepted/Declined President Ray Thomas Arthur Schonrock Ray Feldman Accepted Vice President Liz Knight Ray Thomas Keith Pearce Accepted Secretary Michelle Halliday Jack Willmott Jock Girvin Accepted Treasurer Kim Hodges Liz Knight Steve Fleming Accepted Event Coordinator 1 Terry McMullan Kim Hodges Keith Roe Accepted Event Coordinator 2 Keith Pearce C.Armanasco Jock Girvin Accepted RAAF Reprehensive Ty Trost Ray Thomas Michelle Halliday Accepted Web Administrator Ray Thomas C.Armanasco Arthur Schonrock Accepted Chris Armanasco called for any further nominations from the floor. There being no more nominations Chris Armanasco declared that the New Management Committee for the year 2017 to 2018 is as follows:
Page 5 of 11 President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Event Coord 1 Event Coord 2 RAAF Rep Ray Thomas Liz Knight Michelle Halliday Kim Hodges Terry McMullan Keith Pearce Ty Trost Area Representatives: Townsville Ted Tooth/Rod Hardacre Toowoomba Bruce Pobar/Jack Willmott RAAFSFS/Amberley John Baguley Sunshine Coast Chris Armanasco Gold Coast Ray Thomas Brisbane Ian Wintle NSW/Newcastle Bob McMaster Hunter Valley Keith Roe Canberra Phil Essam Victoria Tony Aldrich South Australia Kol Kajanto/Kev Couzner Western Australia Kim Lilly/Peter Scott Northern Territory Dave Young Tasmania Bob Warn. Moved: Michelle Halliday Seconded: Kim Hodges that the above-mentioned Area representatives be adopted. General Business: Item 1. New Members accepted into the RDHA. Alan Downes, Ex-RAAF Police Dog Handler now living in South Australia with his wife Denise Clair. Tony Preston, Ex RAAF Police Dog Handler We now have a total of 191 members. Moved: Michelle Halliday Seconded: Liz Knight that the above mentioned new member be accepted.
Page 6 of 11 Item 2. ANZAC Day March 2018 It was proposed at the AGM 2016, to ask one of the founders of the Pack Get Together (PGT), Peter Hutchinson, that the RAAF Dog Handlers Association and the Pack Get Together be on the same day as the ANZAC Day/Weekend in one years time in Townsville, Queensland. Peter Hutchinson accepted the proposal and will be jointly run by the two parties. Propose that the two RDHA Reps, Ted Tooth and Rod Hardacre to obtain information on the route of the ANZAC march and contacts, a list of accommodations and to secure a venue for the 2018 RDHA AGM. ANZAC Day 2020 is still open and will be voted on at an AGM in the future. Moved: Jack Willmott Seconded: Jock Girvin that the next two ANZAC Day Marches will be in Townsville in 2018 and Toowoomba in 2019 that the RDHA and PGT to be held in Townsville in 2018 be accepted. Item 3. ANZAC Day Raffle The ANZAC Day raffle of a poster of the RDHA Logo, Desk stand RDHA Logo and a book named Kampong Australia donated by Ray Thomas. The winner of the poster of the RDHA Poster is: Ticket No. 25, Heather Armanasco The winner of the Desk stand RDHA Logo is: Ticker No. 57, Chris Armanasco The winner of Kampong Australia is: Ticket No. 56, Sean Payne Moved: Bob Emes Seconded: Dennis Lewis that the winners of each prize be accepted. Item 4. Pozieres France 21 st July 2017. Pozieres is a small village in the Somme valley in France and was the scene of some of the most bitter and costly fighting for Australian troops in 1916. The battle was also the place of untold losses in animal life. Your support in buying a paver will enable the establishment of a permanent animal memorial on the grounds of the Australian memorial currently being erected in Pozieres, FRANCE. The animal memorial's purpose is to help educate future generations on the sacrifice animals made alongside our diggers. Moved: Keith Pearce Seconded: Kim Hodges that the RDHA will be represented by Ray Thomas, Keith Pearce and Peter Scott be accepted.
Page 7 of 11 Item 5. Basic Course Military Working Dog Graduations Asked by Des Andrews if we could find out if the members of the RDHA can go to the Basic MWD Graduation Days at RAAFSFS. After speaking to SQNLDR Tony Buffett at RAAFSFS, it was decided that the President would get the invitation and can being along two guest due to the fact that all Graduations are held in the Auditorium. Michelle Halliday and Liz Knight will be in attendance at the next Basic Course Graduation. Moved: Chris Armanasco Seconded Arthur Schonrock that the decision of the Training Officer SQNLDR Tony Buffett be accepted. Item 6. Merchandise for Pozieres, France Proposed that the RDHA purchaser 60 gold Kangaroo pins, 25 RAAF Flags pins and 50 RDHA wrist bands at a cost of approximately $140.00, to be handed out to other Military attendees at the unveiling of the new Australian War Animal Memorial at Pozieres, France on 21st July 2017. In attendance will be Ray Thomas, Keith Pearce and Peter Scott. An RDHA Plaque will be presented to the CO of the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, UK on the day. Moved: Keith Pearce Seconded Chris Armanasco that $140.00 be ratified for the expenditure of the above merchandise be accepted. Item 7. New RDHA Merchandise Jen Emes submitted a Vietnam Lanyard for the members to have a look at in the Vietnam ribbon colours. This was passed around the members. Proposed that the Management Committee look into the making and purchasing of Lanyards in the colours of all ex and serving members ribbons. Moved: Bob Emes Seconded: Sean Payne that the Committee look into the cost and purchase of Lanyards for the RDHA be accepted.
Page 8 of 11 Item 8. RDHA Dog Watch RDHA Hospital and Home Visit Service The idea of the concept of Hospital and Home Visit Service" was brought to the attention of Ray Thomas by an email from Ian Fletcher After a committee meeting on the 3 rd December, RDHA decided to set up a Facebook page called "Dog Watch RDHA". The service provides visits to people that are hospitalised or ill at home to lift their spirits and ensure that the welfare of the member is supported as required. If you know of any member that is in hospital or ill at home and in need please contact the RDHA Area Rep and Hospital/Home Visitation Officer in your area or any RDHA Member of the Management Committee. While this service provides support and fellowship to our members who are unwell or just 'doing it tough, it is of course subject to the members request and privacy requirements. We plan to make this service available to ex/ and serving dog handlers from any service Army, Navy and Air Force close family or members responsible as carer s for the member who is doing it tough. A list of local area representatives will be provided to the administrator who will forward the details to the responder who will arrange a visit etc. People contacting the page for support that don't fi t the criteria and are asking for support will be redirected to the appropriate page or support group. DCO, lifeli ne, beyond blue etc. Issues: Is the person an ex/dog handler or a dog lover looking for attention? How do we establish that the person is/was a dog handler? What are the rules of the page?? Need to research this on the over watch page and see what they have in place
Page 9 of 11 Aim The RAAF Dog Handlers Association, RDHA supports those who have served as ADF Dog Handlers by focusing on their physical and mental health, their community and their future. Our mates deserve support as they continue life's journey. Many have physical and psychological injuries as a result of their service within the ADF. Support It can be a stressful time and we would be only too proud to offer any assistance to ease the recovery of you and your loved ones. All of the initial outreach is through social connection, e.g. it is up to you to contact us. Coffee Catch Ups Hold regular Coffee Catch Ups across the country. These are a great way to meet your local RDHA team, find out about what's on offer and meet other ADF Dog Handler veterans living locally, Home or Hospital Visits If you would like a visit from a colleague at home or hospital just call drop us a line and we will be in touch. A visit can be just to lift your spirits with a bit of old fashioned camaraderie, or an old warrie or two. Announcements: AWAMO WON NATIONAL ANZAC AWARD From RSL Australia Dear Friends as the letter says keep this to yourselves till after ANZAC Day. I am pleased to announce AWAMOs efforts have been rewarded by us winning the ANZAC of the year award 2017. This should help our PR nicely. Again, it was given to me but I thank you all for this team effort I know AWAMO would not be where it is today without your efforts, support and love. Nigel Allsopp
Page 10 of 11 There being no further general business after asking each member present, the Annual General Meeting for 2017 was closed by the President Ray Thomas at 1420 hrs. Next Annual General meeting: Wednesday 25th April 2017 Time: TBA Venue: TBA Townsville, QLD All RDHA merchandise is orders now go through Kim Hodges via email rdhatreasurer@gmail.com or phone 0403 760 326 or 07 32882002. Some photos from ANZAC Day
Page 11 of 11 SEE YOU ALL IN TOWNSVILLE 2018