Minutes - 25th March 2007 PDF Print
25 MARCH 2007


1.         Heather opened the meeting welcoming all.   A special welcome was given to Ted Warren our local member of Parliament, Graham Kenyon, traditional owner of Fogg Dam, Monica Osterkamp-Madsen, new member and Mark White, ranger, who opened the facility for us.


Present:   Jenny & Colin Rivers; Monica Osterkamp-Madsen; Ted Warren, MP; Graham Kenyon (traditional owner); Mark White (P&W); Heather Boulden; Jeremy Hemphill.  


Apologies: Leisa Baldwin; Linda Rennie; Michael Stott; Denise Goodfellow;

Jack Hopkinson; Sally Forsstrom; Niven McCrie; Jan Tucker, Michael Coulthard, Lyn & Brian Reid.


2.             Minutes of the meeting on 25 February 2007, previously distributed to members, were left to be considered at the next meeting due to insufficient people present who were at the previous meeting.   


3.             Business arising from minutes.
(a)            Bank A/c
Our account with Bendigo Bank at Coolalinga has been opened.  A security token can be purchased for $16.50 (5 years) to enhance security of e-banking.   This can be a consideration when we have significant funding.

(b)     Logo
All members were delighted with the logo.  It is striking and quite original.  There were two suggestions for minor amendments:   (1)   to make the water lily leaves stand out more and also emphasise that the bird is in water - only have grass behind the lily leaves, ie removing the reeds in front of and between the lily leaves.  (2)  To make the heron a little more abstract.  For such a change there will need to be more member feedback.   The latest version of the logo will be sent out with the minutes and you are asked to email back your views on this.  


(c)     Constitution, tax exemption and becoming a tax deductible recipient.
·                     The draft constitution has had the necessary clause inserted for “non profit making” organisations.  

·                     Our attempt at having a quorum of 10 members for a general meeting was not accepted by the Office of Business Affairs.   We need to make a decision on this – perhaps 1/3 of members?  

·                     For tax exemption we need to find out more information.

·                     To gain Deductible Gift Recipient Endorsement we need to have (1) an ABN  (2) a public fund registered with the Department of Environment & Water Resources’ Register of Environmental Organisations  (3) a Body Corporate OR 50 individual members who are financial and entitled to vote.  Specific clauses need to be included in the constitution about the public fund.  Detailed information about this and how to apply for the Register is available on the web.   It was agreed to make the relevant additions to the draft constitution and to work to obtain 50 financial members.

Thanks to Leisa who ferreted out all the details on the above.   


d)           Photos for Fogg Dam promotion calendar
Please copy photos onto a CD and include the photographers’ names and titles for the photos.  Photographers will be acknowledged.

Three photos have been sent so far.  Graham Kenyon, traditional land owner, says Fogg Dam has 4 seasons.

e)                 Water to toilet block
A tank stand has been built and tank ordered. The site needs to dry out before installation. Thanks to Parks & Wildlife.

f)         NT Field Naturalists and Top End Native Plant Society
Both groups are to join with us at Fogg Dam on Sunday 22 April.  See Item 7: Next Meeting.


g)     Correspondence
In:        2 Mar  From Bendigo Bank.  Letter of welcome and cheque book.

14 Mar Email from Niven McCrie with Pied Heron sketch.

15 Mar Emails from Peter Foster, Landcare re Envirofund grants & NT Environment fund Grants.

19 Mar Email from Barry Scott seeking letter to Tourism NT to support funding submission from Dept. of Parks & Wildlife to rebuild the monsoon forest boardwalk.

23 Mar Email from Don Franklin, NT Field Nats re arrangements for 22 April.

March edition Landcare magazine.

Out:     nil


h)      Business arising from correspondence
 A draft letter of support for Parks & Wildlife submission for funding replacement of the boardwalk was provided and feedback for completion obtained.

i)        Traditional owner request
Graham Kenyon spoke to the group and requested a letter of what we’re about for him to take to a meeting on Monday 26 March re joint management of parks by traditional owners and Parks & Wildlife.   Letter to be provided.

4.        Financial Report  

Bank A/c $215.00 with 11 financial members.   Memberships are due, ie March 07 to February 2008.  $30 family; $25.00 single; $15.00 concession. 

For direct bank payment:  Account name:  Friends of Fogg Dam 

BSB 633 000    A/c number 13013 7946.


5.        General business – development of FOFD business plan
There was much discussion on this which was due to us having developed our objectives before the vision and aim.    It was decided that the mission/vision statement agreed upon last meeting was in fact, our aim and that a broader vision is needed.  Monica provided a statement that was accepted.


Vision:
“To not only put Fogg Dam on the map but in the hearts and minds of people.”


Aim:
To promote, protect and enhance the ecological, cultural and aesthetic values of Fogg Dam Conservation reserve and assist visitors to enjoy, understand and appreciate (the reserve) this unique place.   Last words are modified – original words in brackets.


Original Major Objectives:
        I.  To aid conservation of biodiversity in the reserve.
      II.  To raise awareness of the reserve’s uniqueness and the benefits of protecting habitats from environmental threats
    III.  Visitor management
   IV.  To support the protection of historic and cultural information of the Humpty Doo Rice Project
     V.  To encourage and recognise community engagement.

Suggested modification of Major Objectives:
        I.  To protect, and enhance conservation of, the biodiversity of the reserve.
      II.  remains unchanged.
    III.  To assist visitors to enjoy, understand and appreciate Fogg Dam
   IV.  To support the protection of history of the area, both Indigenous and the Humpty Doo Rice Project.
     V.  To be an active community group, collaborating with Traditional Owners and the Department of Parks & Wildlife Services .

To become a registered Tax Deductible Environment organisation we are required to add specific objectives relating to this.

To help move this along, please email further modifications, suggestions.

6.          Other business

Ted Warren:

(1)               advised he is developing a website and proposes a linkage to the FOFD website – this was agreed to.

(2)               Informed us that Berry Springs School has adopted the Territory Wildlife Park and Taminmin High has an association with the Tropical Savannas CRC which has developed an environmental education website:  www.environorth.org.au

It would be useful for FOFD to link with Middle Point, Humpty Doo Primary and Taminmin Schools.


Monica advised that former Coastal Plains Manager Ken (responsible for getting Anzac Parade named correctly) also has once gained approval for gathering and mounting old rice project equipment at Middle Point village. While that did not happen, it is worth pursuing.


Heather tabled newspaper cuttings about the Devil’s Claw Festival at Gregory National Park – a process which has been successful in almost eliminating the Devil’s Claw weed from the park.


World Environment Day   Jeremy advised that the 2nd World Environment Expo is to be held at the NT Museum and Art Gallery grounds on Sunday 3rd June 2007, 11.00am to 5.00pm.  Participants are invited and there is no charge.  Powered stalls are available.  The theme this year is:  Sustainable communities – sustainable planet: water, energy, waste, weeds.  It would be an opportunity to promote Friends of Fogg Dam, show what’s happening there, seek input to the proposed Plan of Management and increase membership.  Jeremy will attend a planning meeting at the Environment Centre on Tuesday 17th April.




7.                              Next meeting:   9am Sunday 22 April at Fogg Dam rotunda
NT Field Naturalists and Top End Native Plant Society have organised their field days to meet up with us.   

8.30am     NT Field Naturalist birders meet at Fogg Dam

9.00am     Friends of Fogg Dam meeting at rotunda   
10.00am  Top End Native Plant Society with any others interested have field excursion at Fogg Dam – meeting at rotunda

11.00am  After field excursion, Friends of Fogg Dam presentation on who we are, purpose and objectives, etc.

11.30am  BBQ – byo food and drinks.   A gas BBQ will be provided.


Want to camp overnight at Eden before the next meeting?



ISSUES TO BE FOLLOWED UP
Photos on CD for promotion calendar
Feedback on logo to finalise
Tax exemption information
Continue to work on constitution
Letter of support for P&W submission for funding of Monsoon Forest boardwalk
Letter for traditional owners giving information about FOFD
Feedback on Business Plan objectives.  
List of members/interested persons to be circulated with emails
World Environment Day
Input to Plan of Management
Put photos onto a calendar software package.
Please check if you’ve paid
        I.  To aid conservation of biodiversity in the reserve.      II.  To raise awareness of the reserve’s uniqueness and the benefits of protecting habitats from environmental threats    III.  Visitor management   IV.  To support the protection of historic and cultural information of the Humpty Doo Rice Project     V.  To encourage and recognise community engagement.
 
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