Minutes of the Inaugural General Meeting of the Bronte Beach Heritage Society
3.00pm – 4.30 pm, Sunday, 18 May, 2003
Bronte Public School, Hewlett St, Bronte
Attendance: as per attendance list
Apologies: Virginia Milson, Sally Kendall, Kate Marshall, Mary MacGibbon
Welcome and Introduction
The Bronte Beach Area has long been acknowledged as a place of significance in Sydney's history.
Over the last five years, Bronte’s popularity as a place to live and visit has significantly increased the amount of new development, daily challenging its heritage values. With local knowledge also being lost as people move out of the area or pass away, it has become desirable that this local knowledge be captured and conserved.
To this end, the Bronte Beach Heritage Society is established to ensure that Bronte’s historical significance and heritage values may be better appreciated, preserved and promoted for the future.
Paula Masselos welcomed members and guests to the first meeting of the Society.
Aims and Objectives
Aims and objectives (as set out in the BBHS draft Constitution) were outlined by Paula Masselos and general discussion ensued. There was consensus agreement by the meeting.
Constitution
Graeme Greenup spoke to the draft Constitution and variations to the model rules including the inclusion of the Objects of the organisation.
That the Society was constituted as a non-profit association under the model rules as offered by the Department of Fair Trading, with minimal alterations and additions mainly affecting Dispute Resolution (internal resolutions will be preferred), a quorum of three committee members required to transact business in a committee meeting, no proxies appointable, and the inclusion of the Society's specific aims and objectives.
Clause 41 pertaining to “inspection of books at a reasonable hour” was discussed. It was agreed that “reasonable hour” would be defined as a policy decision by the Committee rather than be specified in the Constitution.
Motion 1: The proposed Constitution as presented to the meeting be adopted as the constitution of the Bronte beach Heritage Society
Moved: Graeme Greenup
Seconded: Alma Jarvis
Accepted unanimously.
The meeting acknowledged the formal establishment of the Bronte Beach Heritage Society.
Membership
Membership forms were distributed and members encouraged to invite membership to the Society. The independent and community nature of the Society was emphasised. To ensure this independence, membership by politicians is to be precluded.
Motion 2: The membership fee be set at $10 per annum.
Moved: Alma Jarvis
Seconded: Graeme Greenup
Accepted unanimously.
Election of office bearers.
Nominations of the position of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Ordinary Members were called.
President Paula Masselos
Nominated: Alma Jarvis
Seconded: Andrew Viali
Vice President Graeme Greenup
Nominated: Alma Jarvis
Seconded: Andrew Viali
Secretary: Sue Lowe
Nominated: Sue Lowe
Seconded: Helen Wilson
Treasurer: Lucy Weir
Nominated: Lucy Weir
Seconded: Helen Wilson
Ordinary Member: Helen Wilson
Nominated: Helen Wilson
Seconded: Sue Lowe
Ordinary Member: Alma Jarvis
Nominated: Alma Jarvis
Seconded: Rick Idema
As there were no contested positions, all positions were declared filled as nominated.
The meeting congratulated the inaugural committee of the Bronte Beach Heritage Society.
BBHS Priority Areas
Governance:
Motion 3: The committee to meet three monthly. However, if necessary, the committee may meet more regularly in order to deal with business as it arises.
Moved: Helen Wilson
Seconded: Sue Lowe
Accepted unanimously.
Priority Areas
Helen Wilson proposed that the following areas be considered:
Sandstone walls
Landscape settings
Loss of gardens
A third working group on landscape heritage looking at education and policy development was proposed for consideration by the committee.
There was also consensus about The Bronte Beach Oral History Project and Sonoma as priorities for the Society.
Bronte Beach oral History Project.
Paula and Graeme spoke to this project and reported on activities to date. All members were encouraged to begin identifying possible oral history candidates and submit them to either Paula or Graeme. A librarian from the Mitchell Library will also be invited within the month to train volunteers in the taking of oral histories.
Sonoma
Graeme Greenup briefed the meeting about the proposed demolition of Waverley Council heritage listed Sonoma and the impending court action in June. The meeting agreed that Sonoma should be a key priority for the BBHS.
Motion 4: The Sonoma Working Group be established to assist in saving Sonoma from demolition.
Moved: Sue Lowe
Seconded: Alma Jarvis
The Working Group comprises:
Graeme Greenup
Helen Wilson
Sue Lowe
Andrew Viali.
The Working Group is to report back to the Committee with proposed strategies for ratification in a timely manner as possible.
Other Business
a) Alma Jarvis advised the group of the existence of the Jacques – Lamrock Residents Action Group and suggested the BBHS initiate contact. Mathew Pulford is the convenor ph: 0419 624 393, mppulford@yahoo.com
Paula Masselos informed the meeting of a community consultation about the Bronte Park Plan of Management. Waverley Council will be conducting the public meeting on Wednesday, 28 May, 7.30 – 9.00 pm at the Bronte RSL.
Date of next meeting.
The date of next meeting will be set after consultation with committee members as to the most convenient meeting time. A list of member contact details will also be circulated.
Meeting closed at 4.35pm.
INAUGURAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE
BRONTE BEACH HERITAGE SOCIETY
SUNDAY, 18 MAY, 3.00 – 4.30PM
ATTENDANCE LIST
Paula Masselos
Graeme Greenup
Alma Jarvis
Jean O’Regan
Helen Wilson
Sue Lowe
Andrew Viali
Rick Idema
Lucy Weir
Ingrid Strewe.