General Meeting 2005

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING
Held at Stamford Plaza Hotel, Glenelg
Thursday, 3rd February 2005, commencing at 4.40pm

1. Present
   
   K. Downard, M. Sheil, J. Traeger, M. Guilhaus, S. Blanksby, R. O'Hair, S. Maleknia, S. Walker, M. Thompson, M. McEwan, S. Poulson, J. Beck, M. Buntine, A. Pollintz, C. Trenerry, C. McKinlay, J. Allen, J. Mitchell, T. Mitchell, G. Macfarlane, F. Antolasic, K. Fisher, N. Sims, K. Mason, H. Lioe, G. Khairallah, P. Marriott, N. Davies, A. McAnoy, B. Tattam, S. Wilson, D. Jardine, I. Milne
   
   
2. Apologies
   
   Nil
   
   
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting (2004 AGM)
   
   The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 25th August, 2004 at the University of Wollongong had previously been circulated on the ANZSMS web site.
   
   Approved.
   
   
4. Business Arising from the Minutes
   
   See Item 13.
   
   
5. President's Report - John Traeger
   
   John thanked Stewart Walker and the entire ANZSMS20 organising committee for organising a very successful conference. He also noted he had recently taken over the role of President from Margaret Sheil and thanked Margaret for her service as President.
   
   
6. Treasurer's Report - Stephen Blanksby
   
   Recent financial activity included providing seed funding for ANZSMS20. The term deposit account recently matured and has a balance of $52K. After the conference, another term deposit of $30-40K will be made.
   
   
7. Conference Convenor's Report - Stewart Walker
   
   Stewart reported there were 146 delegates including 38 student delegates of ANZSMS20. Income from the trade show was $31,800, registration $47K for a total income of $78,800. Expenditure to-date is $78,459-81 leaving a surplus of $340. This does not include in-kind contributions. Stewart spoke of some difficulties experienced with organising ANZSMS20 including issues with the PCO.
   
   
8. Venues for ANZSMS21 and ANZSMS22
   
   AGM attendees again endorsed the decision of the AGM held at ANZSMS19 in Lorne to hold the next conference - ANZSMS21 - in New Zealand. Murray McEwan agreed to investigate holding the conference in Christchurch and will report back to the Executive shortly. Delegates endorsed a “back-up” plan of holding the meeting in the Sydney-area. ANZSMS22 would otherwise subsequently be held at this location. The Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains were both suggested as possible locations.
   
   Malcolm Thompson suggested the NZ meeting could pair with a NZ Chemical Society meeting as was the case in Dunedin, but Murray McEwan stated this meeting would not run in 2007. Margaret Sheil spoke to the idea of arranging for a regular PCO to assist with the conference and membership. Richard O'Hair spoke of the need to maintain contact with the membership and organise events / visiting speakers mid-conference.
   
   
9. Constitutional Change
   
   John Traeger spoke of the constitutional changes necessary to implement the separate annual membership fee from the conference. This change had been advised to the membership and posted on the web site for at least three months. The changes were approved by the majority of delegates.
   
   
10. Executive Vacancy
    
    Margaret Sheil nominated Stewart Walker (Convener ANZSMS20) for a vacancy on the Executive Committee. This was seconded by Stephen Blanksby and endorsed by the majority of attendees.
    
    
11. Local Correspondents
    
    The importance of maintaining contact with and seeking the participation of the regional correspondents was noted. They were recalled by name: Peter Greenwood (WA), Noel Davies (TAS), John Traeger (VIC), Graham Macfarlane (QLD), Carolyn McKinley (ACT), Michael Guilhaus (NSW). Murray McEwan and Stewart Walker were endorsed as the new correspondents for NZ and SA respectively.
    
    
12. IMSC19 Bid
    
    Margaret Sheil and Stephen Blanksby spoke of the unsuccessful bid for IMSC19. It was recognised a serious problem was the cost to potential delegates to travel to Australia and the need for state government and corporate support was raised. The support of member countries outside of Europe was considered essential to the success of a future IMSC meeting in Australia. The possibility of student subsidies and cheap travel packages were discussed. It was noted that the successful bid put forward by Bremen had been underwritten by the city. The attendees endorsed efforts to plan a second stronger bid for the IMSC meeting to be held in eastern Australia in 2011 or 2012.
    
    
13. Any Other Business
    
    
    1. Halpern Conference
       
       Steve Blanksby requested support from ANZSMS to underwrite/back an upcoming conference in honour of Berthold Halpern to be held at the University of Woolongong November 28-30, 2005. Steve asked for financial support from ANZSMS for two high profile visitors in MS to attend the conference and perhaps undertake a lecture circuit. Mike Bowers, Carol Robinson, Graham Cooks, Joe Schwartz were put forward as potential speakers. It was agreed Steve would put forward a budget and further details for discussion among the Executive.
       
       
    2. ANZSMS Medal
       
       Richard O'Hair spoke of discussions among the Executive to award an ANZSMS medal at future ANZSMS conferences. Steve Blanksby prepared a report of other society medals and possible criteria of the award.
       
       Margaret Sheil spoke of other society awards and expressed a belief that the ANZSMS under-awarded its community of scientists. The possibility of an early career award as well as a distinguished late career award was discussed; the former supported by industry. Kevin Downard suggested Morrison lecturers receive a framed-certificate or plaque to recognise this special plenary lecture in Jim Morrison's honour.
    
    
    The meeting closed at 6.00 pm
    
    Kevin Downard
    Secretary