Displaying items by tag: AGM 2014
Sunday, 21 July 2019 22:35
DUNZ Annual Conference
To the uninitiated, the name Ducks Unlimited (DUNZ) conjures up images of guns, and birds falling from the sky. However, DUNZ is anything but one that focuses on duck shooting. It is, in fact, New Zealand’s leading wetlands and waterfowl conservation group. DU works to save our wetlands through protection, funding, technical aid and education so that the flora and fauna of our most endangered ecosystem are a legacy we can pass down to future generations.
Attendees from as far north as Auckland gathered at Brackenridge near Martinborough, Wairarapa, for DU’s annual conference and AGM. The conference included a trip to the Wairio Wetland on the eastern shores of Lake Wairarapa to catch-up on restoration progress. Delegates saw the results of recent earthworks to create a 1.2 kilometre bund wall
which has increased the open water area at the wetland providing ideal waterfowl habitat.
During our visit about 100 black swans lifted off, creating quite a spectacle. The results of the annual planting exercises which average 3000 odd sedges, flaxes and swamp trees were obvious. Steve Playle from the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC), also a DU member, provided details of the predator trapping programme he had in place at Wairio and adjoining wetlands of Matthews Lagoon and Boggy Pond. Since July 2013 Steve has caught 50 ferrets and a number of other undesirables! (Read details P10).
Local wetland environmentalist Jane Donald received the Bill Barrett Trophy for her contributions to wetland restoration, at a dinner superbly catered by Providore. During the evening a fun auction raised $6500 for wetland restoration work and bright balloons added a festive touch to the event.
Sunday morning Mike Camm from the Northland Pateke Recovery Group gave an up-beat talk on the progress of their group in trying to remove Pateke from the endangered species list. Peter Russell from DU Manawatu Chapter provided an update on the Whio (Blue Duck) recovery programme.
DU has been a member of both recovery groups since their inception.
Those interested can check out DU’s activities on www.ducks.org.nz or better still visit Wairio Wetland on Parera Road, just south of Kahutara southern Wairarapa.
Jim Law
Published in
Issue 161
Sunday, 21 July 2019 22:12
AGM August - at a great venue
Planning is well underway for our AGM/
Conference at Brackenridge Country Retreat & Spa, Martinborough, Wairarapa, Friday August 1 to Sunday August 3.
A three minute drive from the Martinborough Square, Brackenridge sits within view of
the iconic Haurangi ranges. Reminiscent of
early New Zealand station dwellings yet with welcoming stylish interiors, the cottages and
studios offer relaxing accommodation. The main reception venue with open fires and covered
verandas complete the picture.
Brackenridge can accommodate up to 64
guests in a mix of two (up to 4 guests) and four bedroom (up to 8 guests) cottages and studios. They have been very generous to DUNZ and
Conference at Brackenridge Country Retreat & Spa, Martinborough, Wairarapa, Friday August 1 to Sunday August 3.
A three minute drive from the Martinborough Square, Brackenridge sits within view of
the iconic Haurangi ranges. Reminiscent of
early New Zealand station dwellings yet with welcoming stylish interiors, the cottages and
studios offer relaxing accommodation. The main reception venue with open fires and covered
verandas complete the picture.
Brackenridge can accommodate up to 64
guests in a mix of two (up to 4 guests) and four bedroom (up to 8 guests) cottages and studios. They have been very generous to DUNZ and
discounted their usual accommodation rates substantially so if you can share you will be able to further reduce the rates. Rates include
continental breakfast provisions plus free range eggs, plus full use of the gym, spa pool and 20m indoor heated pool.
The Spa Brackenridge is open all weekend for appointments – bookings are essential.
At this stage we are planning to have a BBQ Dinner Friday evening for those who can get there.
On Saturday the actual AGM in the morning is followed by a bus trip to Wairio wetlands with lunch at Lake Ferry Hotel.
That evening is Buffet dinner at Brackenridge
continental breakfast provisions plus free range eggs, plus full use of the gym, spa pool and 20m indoor heated pool.
The Spa Brackenridge is open all weekend for appointments – bookings are essential.
At this stage we are planning to have a BBQ Dinner Friday evening for those who can get there.
On Saturday the actual AGM in the morning is followed by a bus trip to Wairio wetlands with lunch at Lake Ferry Hotel.
That evening is Buffet dinner at Brackenridge
with the DU fundraising auction.
On Sunday we have organised several speakers. I visited the facilities in January and they are wonderful.
Request:
If anyone has auction items they purchased at a previous DU dinner and no longer like or want, please feel free to recycle them back into the organisation.
Or if you have other items suitable for the
auction, just email me and I will organise
someone to pick them up – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Many thanks
Jan Abel, Administration
On Sunday we have organised several speakers. I visited the facilities in January and they are wonderful.
Request:
If anyone has auction items they purchased at a previous DU dinner and no longer like or want, please feel free to recycle them back into the organisation.
Or if you have other items suitable for the
auction, just email me and I will organise
someone to pick them up – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Many thanks
Jan Abel, Administration
Published in
Issue 159
Tuesday, 27 February 2018 06:54
AGM 2014 Minutes
Ducks Unlimited New Zealand
40th Annual General Meeting 2 August 2014
9am at Brackenbridge Conference Centre, Martinborough.
Welcome:
The President John Cheyne, welcomed members to the 40th Annual General Meeting.
Apologies:
Ian, Dawn and Paul Pirani, Nancy Payne, James and Di Martin, Dan Steele, Anne Russell, Chris Bindon, Clare Worth
Motion:
That the apologies tendered are accepted.
Moved: Di Pritt
Seconded: Ian Jensen
Carried
Minutes of the last AGM:
(Copies available at the AGM.)
Motion: That the minutes of the last AGM be accepted as a true and complete record.
Moved: John Bishop.
Seconded: Jim Campbell.
Carried.
Matters arising from the 2013 minutes:
No matters arising.
President’s Report:
John Cheyne (Circulated in Flight #164, copies available at the AGM.) -
John thanked the Board for their contribution.
- Talked about Bittern research which the Board is supporting to $2.5K
Motion: The President’s report is accepted.
Moved: John Bishop, Seconded: Jim Campbell.
Carried.
Matters arising from the President’s 2013 Report:
No matters arising.
Financial Report:
John Bishop
John presented the Financial Report which is subject to review Income $61K Expenses $68K - Our membership is waxing and waning. -
The President John Cheyne, welcomed members to the 40th Annual General Meeting.
Apologies:
Ian, Dawn and Paul Pirani, Nancy Payne, James and Di Martin, Dan Steele, Anne Russell, Chris Bindon, Clare Worth
Motion:
That the apologies tendered are accepted.
Moved: Di Pritt
Seconded: Ian Jensen
Carried
Minutes of the last AGM:
(Copies available at the AGM.)
Motion: That the minutes of the last AGM be accepted as a true and complete record.
Moved: John Bishop.
Seconded: Jim Campbell.
Carried.
Matters arising from the 2013 minutes:
No matters arising.
President’s Report:
John Cheyne (Circulated in Flight #164, copies available at the AGM.) -
John thanked the Board for their contribution.
- Talked about Bittern research which the Board is supporting to $2.5K
Motion: The President’s report is accepted.
Moved: John Bishop, Seconded: Jim Campbell.
Carried.
Matters arising from the President’s 2013 Report:
No matters arising.
Financial Report:
John Bishop
John presented the Financial Report which is subject to review Income $61K Expenses $68K - Our membership is waxing and waning. -
Change in AGM receipts due to way accommodation was charged.
- Chapter donations are half.
- Still a deficit of $7K.
Motion: That the 2014 financial report be accepted.
Moved: John Bishop, Seconded: Jim Campbell.
Carried.
Waterfowl and Wetlands Trust Report:
David Smith.
A/Cs completed and reviewed.
The Financial Year ends 31 December.
Funds were up from $415K to $437K, an improvement of our position by 8.4%.
As always subject to $$ fluctuations however fund is in good shape.
Moved: Di Pritt,
Seconded: K Barnes.
Carried.
Election of Officers:
Board Election: The President read out the following Statement:
The Constitution states that the Board should consist of not less than six, of which half, but not more than two thirds shall be permanently appointed Directors. As of right, the permanent appointments are the Chairman, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Other permanent appointments are Neil Candy and William Abel.
Nominations for the Board:
As there are no new nominations the existing board members, Jim Law and John Dermer, be re-elected.
Moved: David Smith,
Seconded: Glenys Hansen.
Carried.
Reports:
Wetland Care: William Abel (tabled).
Royal Swan Report: William Abel (tabled).
Website Report (tabled).
Michelle Cooper (webmaster) covered off her report.
- Chapter donations are half.
- Still a deficit of $7K.
Motion: That the 2014 financial report be accepted.
Moved: John Bishop, Seconded: Jim Campbell.
Carried.
Waterfowl and Wetlands Trust Report:
David Smith.
A/Cs completed and reviewed.
The Financial Year ends 31 December.
Funds were up from $415K to $437K, an improvement of our position by 8.4%.
As always subject to $$ fluctuations however fund is in good shape.
Moved: Di Pritt,
Seconded: K Barnes.
Carried.
Election of Officers:
Board Election: The President read out the following Statement:
The Constitution states that the Board should consist of not less than six, of which half, but not more than two thirds shall be permanently appointed Directors. As of right, the permanent appointments are the Chairman, President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Other permanent appointments are Neil Candy and William Abel.
Nominations for the Board:
As there are no new nominations the existing board members, Jim Law and John Dermer, be re-elected.
Moved: David Smith,
Seconded: Glenys Hansen.
Carried.
Reports:
Wetland Care: William Abel (tabled).
Royal Swan Report: William Abel (tabled).
Website Report (tabled).
Michelle Cooper (webmaster) covered off her report.
Have had good hits on the website. If anyone has anything for website please let us know
Wairio Wetland: Jim Law (Full report tabled).
Jim firstly recognised the involvement of Ross Cottle, Jim Campbell, Howard Egan and John Cheyne on the Wairio project. He showed some photos of the project.
Summary: This project lead by DU, is strongly supported and seen as a success. It is a forerunner for the collaborative process with DOC.
Pateke:
Mike Camm (Full report tabled).
Whio:
Peter Russell (Full report tabled).
Peter talked to his report. Young pairs going well, using wild birds and flock mating. Bringing in South Island eggs. Survival rates are pretty good. Releasing at Egmont, think the tides have turned.
Membership Report:
Jan Abel.
- 75% renewal rate for membership to date – about same as last year.
- How would people feel with emailing out membership renewals? With another increase coming up in postage would this be a good opportunity?
General Business:
Liz Brook Flight Editor spoke to the meeting – she would like more photos or material from members.
John Bishop talked to the AGM.
-looking for guidance from members as to where DUNZ goes in the future. Mentioned that DU Canada has their AGM every two years, also mentioned letter from Whangarei Forest & Bird. Maybe put money in a Trust?
Closure:
The meeting closed at 10.05am
John Bishop talked to the AGM.
-looking for guidance from members as to where DUNZ goes in the future. Mentioned that DU Canada has their AGM every two years, also mentioned letter from Whangarei Forest & Bird. Maybe put money in a Trust?
Closure:
The meeting closed at 10.05am
Published in
Issue 164