Minutes of AAT AGM 20th August 2023

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
10am Sunday 20 August 2023
Great Lake Community Centre, Miena

Present

Gary France Chair, Howard Jones Vice Chair, Terry Byard Exec Committee, Jonathan Wadwell Exec Committee, Phillip Charlesworth Ulverstone Anglers, Adrian Hope NW Fly Fishers Club of Tas, Keith Symons Independent South, Peter Coventry Devonport Anglers, Peter Wisniewski Ulverstone Anglers, Chris Hilton Tas Fly Tyers, John Butler Devonport Anglers, Tony Wright Exec Officer, Brett Mawbey IFS

Apologies

Mark Rockliff, Malcolm Crosse and Wayne Bellett

Welcome

Chairman, Gary France welcomed members and guests

Chairman’s Address 2023 

The way forward for Anglers Alliance (AAT) over the next few years will be based on a new financial support model. The executive has been made aware that our requests for grant funding have been denied along with many other community organisations as the state government has prioritised funds for other purposes.

AAT will still receive $24,000 per annum during the budget cycle through the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS), which we anticipate will cover our basic administration costs and the position of an Executive Officer moving forward.

Further operating resources are required in order to carry our current momentum into a new phase of efficiency, still with a strategic focus on the most valuable assets AAT provides to anglers and the freshwater fishery.

Maintaining and improving our web camera network, the AAT news reel and website upgrades, and social media posts are amongst the important AAT tasks that help to serve anglers around Tasmania. The advice and coordination of infrastructure projects given on behalf of anglers to MAST, IFS, NRE, and other agencies ensures maximum benefit to anglers and the broader public.

A key focus of AAT is the quality of freshwater from the mountain to the estuary. We continue to engage with stakeholders that value and use the water resource, with a view to promoting, preserving, and enhancing Tasmania’s waterways.

Through the shallow waters protection sub-committee and the scientific research conducted, a report around the findings, along with recommendations for protecting these waters is well under way, combined with a direct set of actions/recommendations to be endorsed by partnering stakeholders.

Recognition of those who over time have contributed significantly to the betterment of the Tasmanian fishery and its social values has continued in the bi annual ceremony held by AAT and the Tasmanian Angling Hall of Fame. This year we are proud to induct historically the first ever woman, Sheryl Thompson. Sheryl was presented with this honour by

Hon Jo Palmer, the minister for Women and Primary Industries and Water at the IFS public Trout Weekend at Liawenee in May 2023.

National Gone Fishing Day this year is set for the 8th of October at a number of venues around the state. This is an important part of our work to support families and our Junior Angler Program. Huon Aquaculture has kindly donated fish for these designated venues to support this valued program.

Our Executive Officer, Tony Wright, had advised he will be finishing his contract with AAT in September, and we will be seeking to fill this role. We thank Tony for his professional administration of AAT.

Our webcam technician, Jonathan Wadwell, has finished webcam duties. We will be seeking to fill this role. We thank Jonathan for his expertise and hands-on work.

Finally, I thank the AAT executive team. All contribute a huge amount of energy and time. They are a proactive and dedicated bunch working hard for our fishery.

Gary France

Chairman - Anglers Alliance Tasmania

A motion was moved by Peter Wisniewski to accept the Chairmans address and seconded by Phillip Charlesworth.

Confirmation of the minutes of the 2022 AGM

It was moved that the minutes of the 2022 AGM be accepted

The motion was moved by Terry Byard and seconded by Adrian Hope.

Financial Report

The 2022-23 Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet with comparable for prior years and previously been circulated. The reports were generated by AAT’s Financial recording system Zero. Tony Wright advised that he had not had the accounts audited due to the significant reduction in turnover, that no grants other than the IFS funding had been received and the cost of audit compared to AAT’s annual revenue.

Discussion was held on the requirement to audit and Terry Byard checked the constitution and it was determined that there was no requirement to submit to external audit. 

It was resolved that external audit would not be undertaken for 2022-23 moved by Phillip Charlesworth and seconded by Terry Byard.

Keith Symons moved that the Financial Report be accepted. Seconded by Terry Byard.

Business arising from the minutes

The financial position of AAT was discussed at length. It was considered that the IFS should be approached to consider an increase in its allocation to AAT in line with CPI movements. The view was taken that this was a reasonable request considering that the allocation was at the same level today from its inception.

Election of Office Bearers

Nominations were received from:

Gary France for Chair

Howard Jones for Vice Chair

Terry Byard for Executive Committee

Jonathan Wadwell for Executive Committee

Malcolm Crosse for Project Officer

No other nominations were received so that the Executive Committee for 2023-24 is as listed above.

Discussion was held regarding increasing participation, diversity and gender in the operations of AAT. Peter Wisniewski, Chris Hilton, Adrain Hope and Phillip Charlesworth nominated to become observers at the monthly Zoom meetings. It was agreed that they would be included in the list of attendees and receive notices regarding these meetings.