7 minute read
President’s Message
“It is hard to believe that we are already in December. It has been a bit of a strange year in many ways, but true to form it has gone quickly. I hope the Christmas and holiday period brings all our members some special times.
The start of 2021 brought a degree of uncertainty for Dogs Queensland about how we would travel financially and with events. It has been great to see a more normal line up of shows and events in contrast to the southern States. We have been very fortunate in that regard.
On the financial front this year we did not have the 2020 benefit of Jobkeeper, but the office and the Board have run a tight ship and the results have been pleasing. A virtual bouquet to Rob and his team for this good work.
I like to keep members up to date with our financial position and our end of October financial position was presented to the Board at their meeting last week and Finance Committee meeting this week together with the proposed budget for 2022 that will be presented to the Board at our January 10 meeting.
At this stage we are tracking on to show a net profit for 2021 slightly over $500k. This is subject to certification by our auditors who commenced this audit process this last week. The financial statements for 2021 certified by the auditors and the Board will be formally presented at our Annual General Meeting next year.
Resignation of Mrs Sharron Taylor as a Director
Mrs Sharron Taylor resigned with immediate effect after our Board meeting on 24 November 2021. Sharron has made a significant contribution to the Board of Dogs Queensland for nearly 3 years and has been the director sourced from Zone 3. On behalf of all members and the other directors I thank her for the time and effort that she has dedicated to this voluntary role. Sharron has a wealth of knowledge about our dog world and this with her practical and common-sense approach has been of great benefit in these Covid times. We hope to see her continue to make a special contribution to our dog world in other ways.
I expect that the Board will look to fill this around 15-month casual vacancy and will undertake an Expressions of Interest process. Members with 5-year membership standing, living in Zone 3 will qualify for consideration. If you qualify do consider lodging an expression of interest in due course. It is an opportunity to give something back to the dog world.
In less than a year the nomination process for 6 director positions will happen so let’s encourage members with good skills to consider nominating for the Board.
Three Zones or Just One Zone?
For many decades our organisation has divided the State into 3 Zones. The former council routinely made annual trips to Central (Zone 2) and Northern (Zone 3) to meet with members and discuss their particular needs. I don’t think there was a history of having councillors from these two zones before the final Council in 2012 predating incorporation.
When I drafted the constitution, it was a given that the 3 Zone approach would be maintained. And in fact, we embedded a right for there to be at least one director from each of the three zones. Where we differ from Dogs NSW is that the wider membership votes in relation to all director nominations and not just for those directors in your zone. There can be more than one director from each of Zones 2 and 3 but at least one from each zone is guaranteed.
The argument has been put forward at Board level that we should be “One State, One Entity” with just one zone. Arguments in favour of this approach have included improved technology e.g., more instant communications and zoom meetings. It has been suggested that Northern tours have been of limited value and that having just the one zone would mean Dogs Queensland could speak more with one voice.
We have about 75% of our membership in Zone 1,
The Board is keen to gauge the view of members about any such change. This was an agenda item at recent Zoom meetings with club representatives firstly in Zone 2 and the following night in Zone 3. Interestingly, the Zone 2 participants were in favour of collapsing the Zones into just one for the State whereas the Zone 3 representatives were keen to maintain the status quo and have the 3 zones.
We are interested in hearing your views so look out for a survey that will be in Paw Prints shortly. The Board will consider member feedback in due course and will decide whether this matter should be progressed further. Any change to the zone system would require constitutional amendments with a 2-stage process with the first stage being a vote at the Annual General Meeting.
Breeder Terms Contracts
Thanks to those who participated in this survey that closed just recently. These contracts will be discussed further at our next Board meeting, suitably informed by survey feedback. If you missed giving input have a look at the earlier President’s Message and email your thoughts to rob@dogsqueensland.org.au
As I stated in my message to members on 2 November 2021, the Supreme Court judge reserved his judgement after the hearing on 28 October. This means that he heard the legal argument from our Queen’s Counsel and Junior Counsel that the 4-year suspension of Mr Woodrow under an independent breaches process, caused a cessation of his role as a director of the Canine Control Council (Queensland) Ltd and the argument from Mr Woodrow’s barrister that there would need to be a vote of members at a Special General Meeting to remove him as a director.
The judge is considering these arguments and will be delivering his judgement in due course.
As stated on 2 November 2021, as soon as anything further is known I will let members know.
Change of dates for shows and events
We are already well into our storm season with floods happening in many areas of South East Queensland as I write. The question of refunds of entry fees are a matter for affiliated clubs but where an event or show is postponed, I encourage clubs to consider refunding the entry fees on request. The change of date is a substantial variation to the transaction or contract and in some instances will mean the member cannot compete on the new date or dates.
Christmas Barbeque
It has been another challenging year and the directors thought that it would be nice to have a function for members at Durack. So, it will be a barbeque from 5pm on Saturday 18 December at the ADSS Show. Even if you have not entered the show, you can register and come along for the Christmas barbeque with a complimentary burger or sausage on bread and soft drink. Even if you are entered into the Show you must register with ‘Show Manager’ so we can make sure we have enough food for everyone.
Rohan Ally
Members would be aware of the recent tragic passing of Rohan Ally at the Redlands Agility Trial in early November 2021. Rohan was a friend to many and a greatly loved agility competitor.
Rohan leaves a young family and wife Meegan. Meegan has Ushers Syndrome and is unable to work, Rohan was her sole carer. The Board has agreed that the ADSS Show on Sunday 19th December 2021 will be a Memorial Show for Rohan and the proceeds of the Show will be given to Meegan and her family.
Vaccinations
All Members are asked to note that in line with Queensland’s Public Health and Social Measures, from 17th December 2021 only fully COVID-19 vaccinated staff and patrons will be permitted to enter or attend any Dogs Queensland event. For the purposes of Queensland’s Public Health Measures linked to vaccination status – a plan for 80% and beyond, a person is considered fully vaccinated when they have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine recognised by the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA). Any Members who have an exemption from vaccination on genuine medical grounds should contact the Dogs Queensland Office directly.
Seasonal regards to you and your family and hounds and dogs.
”
Ulla Greenwood, President Dogs Queensland
