Report
The 2008 AGM was held at Sinclair Avenue on 16th April with 115 members attending. We were pleased to welcome John Mitchell, President of U3A Network – Victoria, to the meeting but had to accept apologies from local members Ted Baillieu and Bob Stensholt who were engaged in Spring Street. We thank both these gentlemen for their continuing interest in, and support of, U3A Hawthorn.
Liz Pittman spoke to her Annual Report which had been circulated at the meeting. She said it was significant that 213 new members had been enrolled, an increase of 26% over the previous year, but this did little more than hold total numbers steady. Bruce Lancashire has produced a short video publicizing the organization and articles have been published in Progress Leader to attract new members.
The curriculum committee received commendation for organizing 98 classes including several new courses and special thanks were extended to Elaine Cockburn and Paddy Wagstaff for arranging the highly successful Summer School. Thanks were also expressed to Swinburne University for providing the lecture room and, in addition, for making a classroom available to us throughout the year.
Liz referred to the improvements carried out by the City of Boroondara at Sinclair Avenue and to the opening of the refurbished premises by the Mayor, Cr. Coral Ross, and thanked all concerned – Council, its officers and contractors.
As the meeting moved to the Election of Office Bearers, Liz announced, with regret, that she was not re-nominating as President. Elected unopposed in her place was Dr. Rodney Benjamin OAM. Peter Anderson and Peter Merigan were re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer, respectively and were thanked for their work over the past year. All existing committee members were also elected unopposed and are to be joined by Bruce Lancashire.
Elizabeth expressed thanks to receptionists, tutors, the management committee and to everyone who had made her job a pleasure and worthwhile.
A TRIBUTE TO HANS
A highlight of the AGM was the conferring of U3A’s highest honor, Honorary Life Membership, on Hans van Dorssen. Peter Anderson spoke of the contribution made to U3A Hawthorn by Hans over 15 years, as a former member of the Committee of Management and as Database Administrator, his current position. President Rod presented Hans with a framed certificate.
At the conclusion of the formal part of the meeting, attendees were addressed by Dr Francis Macnab, Executive Director of The Cairnmillar Institute, Chairman and Director of The Australian Foundation for Aftermath Reactions and Minister at St Michael's Uniting Church in the City.
