Committee
Ten members, elected at our Annual General Meeting in August 2021, form the Committee of Management of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens:
Committee Office-bearers:
President: Denise Feldman
Vice President: Jan Cheyne
Vice-President: Allison Martland
Secretary: Kate Kirkhope
Treasurer: Barrie Satchell
Committee Members:
Tilly Brunton
Peggy Muntz
Rosslyn Jablonski
Allan Brown
Charles Pond
The Committee of Management works for the good governance of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens, in administering the Purposes and Rules and the business of our association. It supports members to carry out the Friends’ activities and to benefit Geelong Botanic Gardens.
The Committee offers activities and events including: the Geelong School of Botanical Art classes, Through the Garden Gates tour, an evening Talks Program, Tours and Winter Luncheon. It also manages Friends’ staffing and administration and works in partnership with the City and the Gardens. The Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens Incorporated is the Trustee for the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens Gift Fund.
The Committee appoints subcommittees to carry out Friends activities, events and some administrative functions. Each group annually appoints a Coordinator, who coordinates volunteer activities and regularly reports to Committee. Subcommittees include the Guides; Friends’ Plant Nursery, Perennial Border and Heritage Rose Growers; Friends’ Library; Marketing and Publications; Friends’ Website; Events; Finance and the Geelong School of Botanical Art.
Annual General Meeting, 30 August 2021 Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the Friends’ Annual General Meeting for 2021 was held on-line via Zoom. Nearly forty members attended, to receive the Annual Report, Financial Reports and to vote on a Special Resolution. The resolution, which was accepted unanimously, was to amend the Friends’ Rules and Purposes, to allow new memberships to be made online as an alternative to hard copy. Thanks were given to out-going Committee member Libby Hogg for so generously contributing to the management of Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens. A presentation of flowers was made after the AGM, acknowledging their years on Committee.
The election of the new Committee was chaired by Ashley Filipovski, Co-ordinator of Geelong Botanic Gardens. Denise Feldman was elected President, Kate Kirkhope was returned as Secretary, Barrie Satchell was elected Treasurer, Jan Cheyne and Allison Martland were elected Vice Presidents. Three new members were nominated and elected: Rosslyn Jablonsky, Allan Brown and Charles Pond. They join Peggy Muntz and Tilly Brunton, who were returned as general members.
Friends’ patron, Dr Philip Moors, thanked outgoing members and President Allison Martland, welcoming incoming President Denise Feldman and new members. Philip warmly congratulated the Friends on another very productive year.
Sincere thanks to all members who attended this very unusual Annual General Meeting, allowing a quorum to be reached to enable the passing of the Special resolution.
President's Annual Report 2021
Treasurer's Financial Report 2021