The SRCWA Annual General Meeting was held on 27th September 2023 at the Vincent Community Centre. State President Phil Paddon welcomed everyone to the meeting, a minute silence was held in remembrance of those who passed during 2022/2023. Phil then spoke about the history of SRCWA and acknowledged the huge input by many volunteers who have contributed to the development of SRCWA and its profile over the past 31 years.. Phil also thanked and acknowledged SRCWA Executive Officer Dawn Yates for her support and work on behalf of SRCWA and along side her the office staff, Martin Yates, Danni McMahon and volunteers Michelle Boelens and Kay Klass. A big thank you to the office staff for administering the organisation, and to Colin Steer for his work as our treasurer. This team works hard to pull together the programs and events presented in the annual report.
This year has once again been challenged by COVID disrupting our programs and events but not as much as previous years.
The biggest challenge this year was the move of our office from Leederville to Belmont, this was achieved by the support from DLGSC and our very capable staff. We are especially grateful to Government of Western Australia for providing SRCWA our logistical funding.
Phil then handed over to SRCWA Executive Officer Dawn Yates to open the meeting and address those in attendance. Dawn thanked all the volunteers for their dedication to the organisation and for the hours of work they all do on behalf of SRCWA, she also thanked the Wooroloo Trustees who help out a numerous events, and welcomed representatives from the SRCWA Branches.
Graham Bennett was elected to the position of Vice President for a further two years, Colin Steer was elected to position of Treasurer for a further two years and Jan McGlinnOAM was elected to the position of Branch Presidents Representative for a further two years.
Congratulations to Graham Colin and Jan on your election to these positions.
The annual report was well received and congratulations were given to all those who worked so hard during the year.
Our guest speaker for the AGM Graham Bennet shared about his experience as a child where he was sent to Australia on his own from Scotland and grew up at Faibridge Boys Home. It was an emotional but uplifting tale Graham shared about his life and adventures including finding a long lost relative in recent years. Our second speaker was Richard Goodwin, a former daily newspaper editor and Walkley Award winning journalist. Richard shared about Perth’s best-kept architectural secret and his recent publication “Stone of Eternity,” it traces the life of Bonaventure Leahy, a gifted amateur architect, and highlights the stunning architecture and artwork he conceived and background stories from those who shared his vision and worked alongside him.
Thank you Graham and Richard for your entertaining informative stories which unexpectedly intertwined with each other.
The meeting was closed at 12.00 noon and was followed with a lovely healthy lunch.
