Minutes of Traprock Group AGM 2015
The AGM was held at the Warroo orchard shed on Friday 11th Sept 2015.
Andrew Clark- Dickson welcomed everyone to the Annual General Meeting and presented his President’s Report, which was followed by the Treasurer’s report presented by Jonathan Carson. The subcommittee reports were then presented, including the Members Services Report which noted that the Traprock Group currently had 71 memberships.
Duncan Ferrier presented a very succinct & useful summary of the progress to date, made by the group of members working on access to water entitlement in the Traprock area. It was decided after a motion was put to the meeting, “That a Natural Resources Sub Committee be formed as part of the Traprock Group Management Committee”.
The new Management Committee for the 2015/16 year, was voted in as follows:
President Andrew Clark-Dickson
Vice President Chris Tesch
Secretary Cathy Smith
Treasurer Jonathan Carson
Immediate Past President Bim Goodrich
Members Services Jane Carson
Web Administrator Sharon Elliot
Sub Committees
Beef Chair Graham Flood
Sheep & Wool Chair David Bartlett
Horticulture Chair Angus Ferrier
Natural Resources Chair Bim Goodrich
Bim Goodrich welcomed everyone present to the Warroo Orchard, & outlined the reasons for the development of the Good Rich Fruit Company producing the Queen Garnet plum, which has a high level of antioxidants & a good flavour. Rowan Berecry continued this outline focussing on the set up & management of the orchard. The aim is to produce healthy fruit by concentrating on biological pest management, minimal chemical usage & natural tree nutrition. There was much interest from the members in their aim to produce fruit as naturally as possible.
The Future Direction of the Traprock Group
A brain storming session followed with everyone asked to nominate the topics they would like the group to consider when planning Traprock workshops & events. This resulted in enthusiastic input of topics under the following headings:
* Wild Dog Control
* Telecommunications
* Health & Wellbeing
* Networking
* Financial information
Bec Morrisey (Waggamba Landcare)
Bec addressed the group giving a brief summary of the types and costs of exclusion fencing that has been used successfully in the Western Qld area. The Federal Government has announced funding rounds for exclusion fencing which is available in identified problem areas. Goondiwindi Regional Council district meets the specified criteria. Further information can be obtained from Inglewood and Texas Landcare Association Inc.
Afternoon Speakers
Lawrence Springborg spoke about his view of the reasons that the LNP government were voted out after 1 term. He answered questions on the following topics: mobile coverage, cost of data, NBN & the new satellite capacity aiming to meet regional obligations, WorkCover costs, multi-peril crop insurance & the possibility of commercial kangaroo harvests.
Brent Finlay spoke of the role of the NFF & of the plans they are working on to unify the ‘voice’ of agriculture in Australia.
The meeting closed at 3.30pm