ANN Steering Committee minutes 6 September 2021

Summary Notes for meeting of ANN Steering Committee held via Zoom on
Monday 6 th September 2021 commencing at 7:30 pm AEST

Membership: Geoff Lay (Chair; FNC Victoria), Phil Rayment (Secretary; Latrobe Valley FNC),
John Gregurke (Register Coordinator; FNC Ballarat), Robert Read (Web-master; Central Northern
Tasmania FNC), Eddie Dell (WA Naturalists Club), Pam Ghirardi (WA Naturalists Club), Jeff Campbell
(Stanthorpe FNC & Tasmania)

1. Opening and welcome
   Geoff Lay opened the meeting and welcomed those present.
2. Present: John Gregurke, Geoff Lay, Pam Ghirardi, Phil Rayment
   Apology: Eddie Dell
3. Reports

3.1 2018 Get-Together and cancellation of ANN2020 and ANN2022
It was noted that ANN2018 in Victoria had been very successful, with 74 participants
from 21 natural history groups meeting over a ten day period from 29 September to 8
October. The program commenced in the Grampians and then continued in the Surf
Coast region, having taken in the Western Volcanic Plains and the Great Ocean Road
during the intervening travels.
It was regretted that ANN2020, which was to be hosted by Stanthorpe FNC, had to be
cancelled due to COVID-19. For a variety of reasons, Stanthorpe FNC advised in August
this year that they would not proceed with their greatly appreciated offer to host ANN. The Steering Committee records its thanks to Stanthorpe FNC for their considerable planning efforts for the 2020 and 2022 Get-Togethers.
It was noted that it would be impractical to seek a new host for 2022.

3.2 ANN Register Coordinator
John Gregurke reported on the on-going maintenance of the on-line Register of Natural
History Groups, which currently includes 51 organisations. Phil Rayment reported the
formation in 2020 of the Macedon Ranges Field Naturalists, noting that he had advised
them of the existence of the SEANA and ANN ‘umbrella’ groups.

3.3 ANN Web-master
In Bob Read’s absence, John Gregurke noted that he had placed the minutes of the 2018
General Meeting held at Anglesea on the website. It needs to indicate cancellation of
ANN2022.

3.4 ANN Camp account and Term deposit
Geoff Lay (SEANA Treasurer as ANN accounts manager) reported balances of $10,807 in
the Term Deposit and $2,064 in the Cheque account. Stanthorpe FNC has advised that
they will refund the balance of the seeding funds provided to them.
The key purpose of the ANN accounts is to hold seeding funds for future Get-Togethers.

4. General business

4.1 Future options for ANN Get-togethers

ANN Get-Togethers have been held in every even year from 2000 through to 2018
inclusive. The choice of even years has reflected the fact that ANPSA biennial
conferences have in the past usually been held in odd years. However, following
postponement of their 2021 conference (in NSW) to 2022, this complicates planning for
future ANN Get-Togethers.
Actions: Geoff Lay to contact the ANPSA committee to clarify their planned scheduling of
conferences across coming years.
Phil Rayment to plan a further meeting of the ANN Steering Committee, preferably in
February 2022, to consider their response.

The committee discussed options for the format of future Get-Togethers, bearing in
mind the considerable organizational demands placed on host clubs and the challenges
of securing expert speakers, particularly in regions remote from the capital cities. It was
felt desirable to continue with a ‘weekend to weekend’ format (typically opening
Saturday evening and concluding some time during the Sunday eight days later).
However there is scope to considerably reduce the number of evening lectures, given
that field trips and associated travel typically cover a large part of the day. A rest day
(e.g. Wednesday) is desirable. There is scope to request participants to arrange their
own accommodation (from a suitable list of options) and some meals.

4.2 Recruitment of future host associations, clubs or groups of clubs
Suggestions of possible regions for future Get-Togethers include:
Kangaroo Island, Blue Mountains, SE corner of SA (Mount Gambier, Naracoorte),
Flinders Ranges, Murrumbidgee/Darling/Murray regions of NSW, Kimberley region, FNQ,
etc.

4.3 On-going membership of Steering Committee
For discussion at the next meeting.

Phil Rayment, Secretary

APPENDIX: Locations of past ANN Get-Togethers
2000 Alice Springs, organized by Dick Southcombe and SEANA
2002 Northern Tasmania, organized by Launceston FNC
2004 Perth, organized by Darling Range Branch of WANC
2006 High Country, organized by SEANA
2008 Mary River, organized by Northern Territory FNC
2010 Western Downs Queensland, organized by Chinchilla FNC
2012 Canberra, organized by FNA of Canberra
2014 Hobart, organized by Tasmanian FNC
2016 Perth, hosted by WANC
2018 Grampians and Surf Coast, hosted by SEANA

2018 General Meeting Minutes

Held at the YMCA Recreation Camp in Anglesea on Sunday, 7 October 2018, commencing at 7.30pm.

1. Opening and welcome

 ANN Steering Committee Chair Jeff Campbell opened the meeting and welcomed those present.

• Attendance and apologies

64 naturalists signed the attendance sheet, drawn from the following member clubs:

Bairnsdale FNC (1)	Dubbo FN&CS (2)	Stanthorpe FNC (2)
Ballarat FNC (5)	Hamilton FNC (2)	FNC Victoria (4)
Bendigo FNC (1)	Kentish/Central North FN (3)	WA Naturalists Club (16)
Burnie FNC (1)	Latrobe Valley FNC (2)	Warrnambool FNC (2)
FNA Canberra (4)	Launceston FNC (6)	Non-members (via SEANA) (2)
Castlemaine FNC (2)	Portland FNC (2)
Chinchilla FNC (4)	Queensland NC/ Fassifern (3)

Clubs represented at ANN2018 but not at this meeting: Sale & District FNC, Tasmanian FNC.

Apologies: Rosalie Breen, Edward & Hazel Brentnall, Ruby & Bill Johnson, Rosalind & John Steel, Denis & Elizabeth Thurgood.

• Minutes of the previous general meeting

The minutes of the general meeting held in Perth on 6 October, 2016 and previously circulated were confirmed. (Moved Eddie Dell, seconded Don Poynton)

• Business arising from the minutes

Item 5.4 from the 2016 meeting: There was identified a need to increase the availability of seeding funds to assist host clubs to cover advance payments such as venue deposits. The secretary reported that the WA Naturalists Club had generously donated $6,000 for this purpose, being part of the surplus realised from ANN2016.

       5.     Reports

                5.1          2016 Get-Together

The secretary Phil Rayment noted that the 2016 Get-Together, hosted by the Western Australian Naturalists Club in Perth, had been highly successful in terms of the quality and organisation of the main program and the pre- and post- tours. A formal motion of thanks had been passed at the Perth general meeting. A healthy surplus was realised – see Item 4 above.

                5.2          ANN Web-master

Robert Read commented that the site at www.australiannaturalistsnetwork.wordpress.com needs more material and invited contributions such as reports and photos from this and earlier get-togethers. These may be emailed to Robert at hydrogeologist@westnet.com.au . If needed for sending large files such as photo sets, it may be better to use Dropbox.

                5.3          ANN register Coordinator

John Gregurke requested member clubs to keep him informed of any updates to club details included in the register.

                5.4          ANN Camp account

Phil Rayment reminded those present that the current practice is that the SEANA Treasurer looks after the ANN Camp Account and Term Deposit. Geoff Lay has recently taken over from Denis Thurgood as SEANA Treasurer and has yet to gain access to the account transaction details.

Phil reported that the ANN Camp Account balance as at 13 January 2017 was $8,916.00, which included the refund of $2,000.00 seeding funds for ANN2016 and the donation of $6,000.00 from the surplus from that get-together. The current balance of the ANN share of the term deposit shared with SEANA is $4,385.12. (The ANN share of the term deposit which matures on 22/10/2018 is 80%.)

                5.5          Chairperson’s thanks

Jeff Campbell thanked the ANN Steering Committee members for 2016-2018 including secretary Phil Rayment for their contributions.

• Election of Steering Committee office bearers and ordinary members for 2018-2020

Peter Dalman (FNC Ballarat) took the chair for the election of members of the Steering Committee for 2018-2020. He declared all positions vacant and thanked Jeff Campbell and the other members of the 2016-2018 committee for their work.

Chairperson: Nominated: Geoff Lay (FNC Victoria), moved Jannie Lay, seconded Clare Dalman and declared elected.

Secretary: Nominated: Phil Rayment (Latrobe Valley FNC), moved Jeff Campbell, seconded Jannie Lay and declared elected.

Webmaster: Nominated: Robert Read (Kentish/Central North FN), moved Phil Rayment, seconded Eddie Dell and declared elected.

Register Coordinator: Nominated: John Gregurke (FNC Ballarat), moved Jeff Campbell, seconded Frank Truscott and declared elected.

Ordinary members:

Nominated: Eddie Dell (WA NC), moved John Gregurke, seconded Don Poynton and declared elected.

Nominated: Pam Ghirardi (WA NC), moved Phil Rayment, seconded Kath Truscott and declared elected.

Nominated: Jeff Campbell (Stanthorpe FNC), moved Kath Truscott, seconded Pam Ghirardi and declared elected.

         7.  General business

                7.1          Planning for 2020 ANN Get-Together

Offers to host the 2020 Get-Together had been sought from ANN member clubs or groups of clubs from an individual state/territory or region in the lead-up to ANN2018.

Jeff Campbell announced an offer by the Stanthorpe FNC to host ANN2020, which was accepted with acclamation. It is planned to hold the event in mid to late September, possibly based at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds with participants arranging their own accommodation. Jeff outlined some of the attractions of the region, including a number of National Parks and State Forests. He identified a new book, Flora of the Granite Belt, published by the Stanthorpe Rare Wildflower Consortium, as a useful reference.

                7.2          Motion of thanks to SEANA and its organising subcommittee for hosting ANN 2018

Pam Ghirardi moved a vote of thanks to SEANA and its organising subcommittee for hosting a highly successful ANN2018 with informative excursions and speakers and well organised accommodation, catering, transport and supplied information including the handbook. In doing so, Pam noted the great work of subcommittee members – convenor John Gregurke, treasurer Geoff Harris, Geraldine Harris and Joan Pitaro, who had the support of Elaine Gregurke, Nick Pitaro, Peter and Clare Dalman, Val Hocking and others. Thanks also to Geoff Lay for compiling the extensive collection of natural history photos screened across most evenings.

                7.3          Any other business

                7.3.1      Feedback re format for future get-togethers

                Points raised in discussion:

* Multiple locations are certainly acceptable where appropriate, but one-night stays should be minimised (sometimes unavoidable).

* There was general satisfaction with a 9-10 days duration across two weekends and the weekdays between.               

* John Gregurke suggested participants email any helpful comments to Stanthorpe to assist with planning for ANN2020.

* Pre- and post- tours are certainly not expected as part of Get-Togethers, but may be welcomed depending on location/region.

* Perhaps not have a guest expert speaker on the first and last nights, and use the last night (after dinner) informally for e.g. screening photos taken by participants during the current ANN. The general meeting could preferably be held on another evening towards the end of the program.

* A half-day break around the middle of the program is very welcome, preferably with some suggestions for walks near the accommodation.

* Suggested possible locations for Get-Togethers beyond 2020 include Kangaroo Island (SA), Alice Springs and a region in NSW.

7.3.2      Advocacy role for ANN

Margaret McDonald (Dubbo FN&CS) spoke in favour of ANN taking up an advocacy role when appropriate for environmental and conservation issues relating to the whole nation or broad regions of it. Phil Rayment noted that this is certainly within the remit of the statement of purposes of the ANN. Margaret then addressed the serious matter of the management of the Murray-Darling Basin, with problems exacerbated by the recent extended drought.

Following discussion, the following motions were put and carried:

Motion 1: That a letter be written to the Federal Environment Minister and Shadow Minister requesting details of their policies for the future of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and the desperately needed remediation of the Murray-Darling Basin river systems. (Moved Margaret McDonald, seconded Kath Truscott)

Motion 2: That the responses be emailed to all ANN member clubs with a request that their individual members receive a copy. (Moved Margaret McDonald, seconded Kath Truscott)

         8.  Next meeting   

The next general meeting will be held during the 2020 Get-Together (venue and date to be advised).

Phil Rayment, Secretary, ANN Steering Committee

e-mail: philrayment@dcsi.net.au , phone 03 5174 1730(H), 0499 028 477(M)

ANN 2018 Get-together Report

ANN 2018 Get-together, hosted by a sub-committee of South East Australian Naturalists Association, was held from 29 September to 8 October 2018. Seventy-four naturalists travelled from all Australian states and Australian Capital Territory. The naturalists represented 22 natural history clubs – Victoria: Bairnsdale FNC, Ballarat FNC, Bendigo FNC, Castlemaine FNC, Hamilton FNC, Latrobe Valley FNC, Portland FNC, Sale FNC, FNC of Victoria, Warrnambool FNC; NSW: Dubbo FNC; ACT: FN Assocn of Canberra; Queensland: Chinchilla FNC, Fassifern FNC, Queensland Naturalists Club, Stanthorpe FNC; WA: WA Naturalists Club; Tasmania: Burnie FNC, Central North FNC, Kentish FNC, Launceston FNC, Tasmania FNC.

Field naturalists from 22 clubs at ANN 2018

The Get-together began at Halls Gap. Excursions to Southern Grampians,Northern Grampians and Pomonal were led by naturalists with good local knowledge. Guest speakers shared their knowledge of fungi, Grampians flora and management of the Grampians National Park.

Two days were spent travelling to Anglesea. On the first day the group looked at volcanic features of the Victorian Volcanic Plains. After an overnight stay at Deakin University, Warrnambool campus everyone enjoyed the spectacular scenery along the Great Ocean Road and forests of the Otway Ranges.

At Serendip Sanctuary the group viewed a large variety of free-flying and captive birds. A night walk at Mt Rothwell Conservation and Research Centre allowed close views of nocturnal animals on grassy woodlands protected by 11km of predator proof fence. Animals seen included Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Red-bellied Pademelon, Long-nosed Potoroo and Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby.

Thefinal two days of the Get-together were organised by ANGAIR
(Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Society for the Protection of Native Flora and Fauna). Excursions to heathlands, forest and coastline were led by a ANGAIR members with a passion and extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna  of the district. In the evening we were entertained by speakers on urban kangaroo management, local plants, orchids and birds.

The biennial General Meeting of the Australian Naturalists Network was held. Members of the Steering Committee for 2018-2020 were elected. The meeting agreed to send letters to politicians about the serious matter of the management of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Next Get-together will be hosted by the Stanthorpe Field Naturalists Club during spring 2020.

Walking to Venus Baths, Grampians National Park

Convoy at Tumuli site, Harman Valley

Field naturalists, Anglesea Heathland

Field naturalists, Anglesea Heathland

Orchid photography, Anglesea Heathland

Heart-lip Spider-orchid Caladenia cardiochila, 
Anglesea Heathland

Abrolhos Trip

A group of ANN Field Naturalists 2016, visited “The Abrolhos”. The Abrolhos is sited in a sanctuary and the waters surrounding the islands are protected.  The trip included the history of the Abrolhos – the shipwreck Batavia and the mutineers.  Activities such as snorkelling, fishing, glass bottom boat viewing, visiting islands and rock pooling were included.

Some of the islands are breeding grounds for different bird species such as Lesser & Brown Noddys, Terns, Ospreys, Cormorants and Sea Eagles.  Many birds nest on beaches, be on the lookout for eggs as they are easily trodden on.  Sea Lions were spotted on the islands and close to shore.  Refrain from getting too close to all birds and animals and avoid being between parents and their babies.   Sit or kneel when taking photos so that you are not a threat and you will go home with some great memories.

I indicated that I would love to see a whale close up.  One day, whilst sailing between the islands we had a fantastic encounter with a whale – just beyond the bow that also came up to the side of the boat.  A WOW moment!  Not to be outdone, a pod of dolphins decided to put on a live show surfing, jumping and bumping each other just below the bow and to the stern of the ship.  Whales are rather slow in comparison to surfing dolphins.  Neither are easy to photograph as it is extremely difficult to judge where they will surface and on a boat that is rocking side to side/up and down.  For me, this was the highlight of the trip.

Marilyn

Southwest Australia’s Global Biodiversity Hotspot

 

2016

400^th anniversary of the first European Landing in Australia

The Western Australian Naturalists’ Club cordially invites naturalists over Australia to attend the eighth Australian Naturalists’ Network Get-Together to be held at Woodman Point, near Perth, in 2016.

This circular gives;

• an introduction to the Southwest, (botanical and historical),
• dates of the ANN2016 and associated tours,
• details of location, format, accommodation and catering,
• details of pre and post tours,
• cost of events and accommodation,
• enrolment form, and
• details of timing and payment options.

Introduction to the Southwest

The unique biogeographic region of Southwest Australia, stretching from Shark Bay in the north to Israelite Bay in the south, covers over 300 000 square kilometres and is recognised as an international biodiversity hotspot. https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/conservation/hotspots. Briefly a Global Biodiversity Hot Spot is one where there are over 1500 endemic plant species and where 70% of the land has been cleared.

The Southwest of Western Australia has over 5710 plant species and some 3000 (52.5%) are endemic. The uniqueness of our flora is the result of growing in an area which has been exposed and uninfluenced by glaciation or volcanism for at least 290 million years, which has been totally isolated by seas and deserts for 30 million years and which has had a drying summer climate for 10-15 million years. Professor Stephen Hopper (UWA and former Director of Kew Gardens, London and Kings Park, Perth) termed it OCBIL – old climate-buffered infertile landscape. This region also has 12 species of mammals, 13 species of bird, 27 reptile species and 28 species of frog that are endemic.

(http://awsassets.wwf.org.au/downloads/wa006_swer_jewel_of_the_australian_continent_1apr06.pdf)

Western Australia also has played a significant part in the European discovery of the Great South Land. http://museum.wa.gov.au/maritime–archaeology–db/maritime–reports/finding–ancient–land–illustratedresearch–essay.

On the 25^th of October 1616, Captain Dirk Hartog arrived on the Dutch East India Company vessel the

Eendracht at Shark Bay. By nailing an inscribed pewter plate to a wooden post at the site now known as Cape Inscription on Dirk Hartog Island, he and his crew made the first recorded European landing on Australian soil – 400 years ago this year. http://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/dirk–hartog.

In 1697, after exploring the Swan River and collecting some plants, William de Vlamingh landed at Cape Inscription and removed the original plate and replaced it with one of his own. Hartog’s plate is now housed at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Vlamingh’s plate is on display in the Shipwreck Gallery of the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle. ANN2016 participants will have an opportunity to see the plate during one of the scheduled tours.

Interestingly for botanists, Vlamingh’s collections would have been the earliest from Australia had they survived. Only two specimens were found in Batavia many years later, then incorrectly identified as ferns, and finally correctly named in the early 1800s by Robert Brown (naturalist aboard Mathew Flinders’ Investigator) as Acacia truncata and Synaphea spinulosa from the Swan River area. However in 1699, the British explorer William Dampier also landed at Shark Bay and explored the surrounding area and further north. Dampier was interested in the country and collected and documented many plant and other specimens; 24 plant specimens and documentation survived a ship wreck and now are in the FieldingDruce Herbarium in Oxford– the first scientific collection of plants and other specimens from Australia.

During the Get-Together and the associated tours you will have numerous opportunities to view many of the species that are unique to the Southwest and to visit exhibitions and displays relating to European discovery and exploration as well as learning about the Noongar people, the original inhabitants of the area, and their relationship to the land and sea.

 

 

Tasmanian Field Naturalist Club report

See http://tasfieldnats.weebly.com/uploads/1/7/5/7/17570703/ann_report-dtp.pdf

For photos see https://www.flickr.com/groups/tfnc/pool/tags/2014_Oct_ANN/

Hobart ANN report from Val Hocking

Sunday Mt Wellington visit. On our only cloudy damp day, we ascended Mt Wellington and my bus stopped at The Springs car park where we had a delightful walk to the Spinx Rocks passing bushes of red berries of the Pink Mountain Berry Leptecophyla juniparina and pink and purple berries of the spreading Cheeseberry Cyathodes straminea . There was also lots of white daisy bush and flowering cream Mountain Needlebushes Hakea lissosperma. Many rocks were covered in white and shades of green and grey lichens, adding more beauty in the misty day. Later we drove to the top of the mountain and had to be content to accept the lovely views of Hobart’s waterways from a picture.

Our final talk on Sun night was based around Jelly fish and how large numbers can be a sign of overfishing and other enviromental destruction.

Words of thanks from West Australia Field Nats summed up our great week together and invited us to Perth in Aug/Sept 2016

Orange myrtle (beech) fungi Cyttaria sp. seen at The Styzx State Park

Bartailed Godwits seen at Marion Bay. These birds migrated from above the Arctic Circle where they breed

Spreading Cheeseberry cyanthodes straminea.

Pink Mountain Berry Leptecophylla juniperina

 

Pineapple Candle Heath Richea drachophylla seen half way up Mt Wellington

ANN Get-Together 2014 Hobart, Tasmania, an orange theme

What was the highlight of the ANN Get-together in Hobart.  After much thought and going through my diary and photos I decided that the colour ORANGE presented some amazing results.

The Fairy Lanterns (Thismia rodwayi) which is a very small herb with bright orange flowers that are likened to tiny fairy lanterns on the forest floor. They are incapable of photosynthesis but take their energy from fungus and can be found covered in leaf litter in very isolated areas. The roots are wormlike. On our forest walks several people tried to find these elusive plants but failed. Just as well we had a sample in an ice cream container.

In the Styx Forest there were orange berry-like  fungi hanging from the trees, ground mushrooms and orange fungi attached too dead decaying tree branches on the forest floor.

Adventure Bay, Bruny Island on the rocks out near Penguin Island rock pools was a bright orange lichen on the rocks.

Even Barb’s Hermit crab was orange.

Lichen, AdventureBay near Penguin Island, Bruny Island

—

The live-bearing sea star at the Tessellated Pavement rock pools was described as apricot-orange. This is the first sea star known to brood its young within the body. The babies leave the mother through the dorsal plates and crawl away. Apparently the larger juveniles can cannibalise the younger ones before birth.

In the Hartz Mountains there was orange dotted all through the habitats from flowering forest trees to heath in the moor lands and the mosses and lichens in the wet alpine areas.

Even the Pineapple Candle Heath on Mt. Wellington had an orange presentation for us.

Now to look forward to Perth in 2016 for the next ANN Get-together.

Congratulations to all who made this amazing event possible.

By Rhondda Tomlinson

MINUTES OF THE 2014 GENERAL MEETING OF ANN

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALISTS NETWORK

Held at “The Lea”, Hobart, on Saturday 25 October 2014 commencing at 4.00 pm.

 

1. Opening and welcome

ANN Interim Steering Committee (ISC) member John Gregurke (FNC of Ballarat) opened the meeting and welcomed those present.

 

2. Attendance and apologies

Sixty-eight naturalists were present, drawn from the following network member groups:

Alice Springs FNC (3)	Dubbo FNC (2)	Qld NC & Fassifern FNC (1)
Ararat & District FNC (2)	FNC Victoria (2)	Sale & District FNC (8)
FNC Ballarat (8)	Geelong FNC (3)	Stanthorpe FNC (Qld) (5)
Bendigo FNC (2)	King Island FNC (2)	Tasmanian FNC (1+)
Castlemaine FNC (2)	Latrobe Valley FNC (3)	Toodyay NC (WA) (2)
Central North (Tas.) FNC (1)	Launceston FNC (3)	Western Aust. NATS (18)

Clubs represented at the 2014 Get-Together but not at this meeting: FNA of Canberra & ACT, Hamilton FNC (Vic.)

Apologies:

Bruce & Estelle Adams, Cary & Joan Breakey, Peter & Norma Garlick, Russell & Pat Green, Bob Read, Dick & Shirley Southcombe.

 

3. Appointment of chairperson and secretary for this meeting

John Gregurke (FNC of Ballarat) took the chair, explaining that ISC Chair Russell Green (FNC Victoria) had resigned from the committee in June 2014.

ISC Secretary Phil Rayment (Latrobe Valley FNC) recorded the minutes.

 

4. Reports

 

4.1     2012 Get-Together, held in Canberra, hosted by FNA of Canberra Inc.

Phil Rayment noted that the highly successful and rewarding 2012 Get-Together held in Canberra had drawn on its extensive range of natural history experts, institutions and field sites to provide an excellent program. The need for careful financial planning for Get-Togethers was highlighted by the fact that 61 out-of-ACT folk finally participated despite there having originally been 78 deposit-paid registrations.

 

4.2       ANN Web-master

John Gregurke reported that the ANN website incorporates the register, minutes of committee and general meetings and information about past and future Get-Togethers. He requested submissions of reports and photos from the 2014 Get-Together – photo files should be limited to approx. 200MB. Photographers would be acknowledged unless individuals expressly requested that their names not be shown.

Following discussion of the privacy issues involved, it was decided that a planned group photo of the 2014 participants to be placed on the website should be accompanied only by a list of represented clubs, and not names of the individuals.

 

4.3       ANN Register Coordinator

John Gregurke reported that the ANN Register has recently been updated and now includes information for around 56 natural history groups. Since 2012, some newly found clubs have been added and some have ceased operation. Network clubs have been provided with hard copies as an alternative to website access. John stressed the importance of regularly sending him updates to published information.

 

4.4       SEANA Treasurer re ANN Camp Account

Denis Thurgood (FNC Ballarat) explained that the ANN Camp Account currently holds approx. $4500 (mostly in a term deposit) being in the main the balance of funds from the Victorian High Country Get-Together organised by SEANA. The account was originally set up with small subscriptions when the register was first developed by Dick Southcombe. The account is being drawn on to cover steering committee expenses.

The practice has been for each Get-Together host club to forward seed funding (to cover venue deposits, etc.) to the next host, and the Tasmanian FNC is asked to forward the relevant funds via Denis Thurgood to the 2016 host club, the WA NATS.

 

Motion: That the four above reports be received.

Moved Peter Dalman, seconded Geoff Lay and carried.

 

5. General business

            5.1       Draft statement of purposes of ANN

 

The following draft Statement of Purposes for the ANN was approved by the ISC for consideration at this general meeting, and circulated to network member groups.

The purposes of the Australian Naturalists Network are:

i       To increase knowledge of, and encourage the preservation and protection of the natural environment.

ii      To foster and promote communication and cooperation between Field Naturalists Clubs and other natural history groups from all states and territories of Australia.

iii     To initiate and encourage member clubs to host biennial Get-togethers which further the appreciation and study of natural history.

iv     Maintain and publish a register of Field Naturalists Clubs and other natural history groups from all states and territories of Australia.

v      To support and promote conservation issues, advocating well-researched strategies.

vi     To be acknowledged as a responsible apolitical voice on environmental matters.

vii    To encourage the establishment of new natural history clubs.

viii   To provide and disseminate natural environment information, at whatever level required, in pursuit of the above items.

The draft was read out. In discussion, it was acknowledged that its scope is broad-ranging, and deliberately so.

Motion: That the draft statement of purposes as circulated and read be adopted by the ANN.

Moved Eddie Dell, seconded Geoff Campbell and carried unanimously.

 

5.2       Election of office-bearers for 2014-2016

Motion: That the management group for the ANN be henceforth named the ANN Steering Committee, to have the same responsibilities as earlier assigned to the ANN Interim Steering Committee.

Moved Claire Dalman, seconded Elva Letts and carried.

The meeting chair called for nominations to fill four executive positions for 2014-2016, namely Chairperson, Secretary, Web-master and Register Coordinator. (The SEANA Inc ANN Camp Account is managed at present by the SEANA Treasurer, currently Denis Thurgood (FNC Ballarat).)

Chairperson: Nominated – Pam Ghirardi, moved Eddie Dell, seconded Lucy Mandyczewsky and declared elected.

Secretary: Nominated – Phil Rayment, moved John Gregurke, seconded Jannie Lay and declared elected.

Web-master: No nominations were received from the floor.

(Note added later: Subsequent to the meeting, Robert Read volunteered to take on this role, and the executive accepted his offer.)

Register Coordinator: Nominated – John Gregurke, moved Phil Rayment, seconded Wayne Clarke and declared elected.

 

5.3       Nominations for ordinary membership of Steering Committee for 2014-2016

Steering Committee ordinary membership is at present deliberately flexible. At ANN 2012, it was agreed that the committee should preferably include at least one member from each state/ territory having clubs that have participated in ANN Get-Togethers, supplemented by past and present SEANA Committee members who have attended at least one Get-Together. It was agreed that this process should continue for the time being.

 

5.4       Arrangements for the 2016 ANN Get-Together

Roz Hart (WA NATS) confirmed an offer from the Western Australian Naturalists Club to host the 2016 Get-Together in the Perth region, to be held during the last week of August and the first week of September. The WA NATS would welcome any suggestions for the event, with contact details to be available on their website. The Tasmanian FNC will provide some feedback on what/ what not to do based on their experience.

In discussion, it emerged that participants would welcome some spare time during Get-Togethers, such as an evening off, or preferably a half-day free near the middle of the program.

 

5.5       Host Club for 2018 ANN Get-Together

Those present were asked to nominate regions suited to a future Get-Together, with suggestions including the Flinders Ranges, the Eyre Peninsula, the Grampians and Otways, the Kimberley and some NSW options.

John Gregurke indicated that the clubs based in Ballarat, Geelong, Ararat and Hamilton would in the lead-up to the 2016 Get-Together investigate the possibility of running an event in 2018 focussing on the Grampians, the Otways and the Surf Coast.

In discussion, it was agreed that there is a need to provide a range of accommodation options/levels. Also there was strong agreement that all excursion participants should travel by coach, without trailing private vehicles.

 

5.6       Natural environment issues of concern at a national level

Two issues of concern raised in discussion:

*          The absence of a Minister for Science in the current federal government, which potentially limits input on natural environment issues and implies a devaluation of issues which require a scientific perspective;

*          The possibility that the current federal government will move to hand back powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to the states, thereby limiting the possibility of taking a national perspective on conservation matters.

The secretary to write to the Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment to highlight these concerns.

 

5.7 Motion of thanks to the Tasmanian FNC

Motion: That the Tasmanian FNC be thanked for hosting an extremely well organised, rewarding and enjoyable 2014 Get-Together, with an excellent program of speakers and field trips.

Moved Phil Rayment, seconded John Gregurke and carried with acclamation.

 

6. Next meeting

The next general meeting will be held during the 2016 Get-Together in Perth, hosted by the WA NATS.

 

 

Phil Rayment, Secretary, ANN Steering Committee

e-mail: philrayment@dcsi.net.au

phone: 03 5174 1730

 

Tasman Peninsula

Searchers on the tesselated pavement (photo Rosalie Breen)