PRESIDENT’S REPORT – U3A Bright District Inc. AGM 7TH February 2025

Welcome everyone to the U3A Bright District Inc. Annual General Meeting for 2025, where we review the year just passed. But before we begin, are there any more nominations for either Officer or general member positions on our Committee of Management??

I have apologies from Sue and Arno van Winden. Are there any more apologies to be noted?
A big thank you to the Scrabble, Mahjong and Bridge group members for their preparation and clean up and our delicious morning tea today.

To begin, will someone who was at last year’s AGM and has read the minutes from that meeting, please move that the minutes be accepted? A seconder, please?
It is once again my opportunity to celebrate with you, all that we have achieved together throughout the year and remember with respect and affection, Irene Lukey and any other members who passed away last year.

Our membership numbers and courses on offer have grown enormously thanks to the dedication, generosity and hard work of all the volunteers in our social learning community. If there are any new members here this morning, we extend a warm welcome to you and say THAT YOU HAVE JUST MADE A VERY GOOD DECISION!

We continue to be extremely well supported by various organisations and we are so grateful for their association with us.
The Victorian State Government with the $50,000 Tiny Towns Grant,
The Alpine Shire Council with quarterly financial maintenance and repair funding through CAC
the installation of our fabulous new oven and a new air conditioner in room 1
clearing out our gutters
the designation of 2 Disabled Parking spaces in the car park
the maintenance and cleaning of our grounds and keeping our pathways clear and safe
and the $5000 Grant for the purchase of a sophisticated card shuffling machine for Bridge.
The Bendigo Bank is an amazing community supporter and is also our bank of choice. The bank and its staff are committed to the supply and ongoing maintenance of our defibrillator here at HQ.

The renaming of our Centre is underway with Shire Officers and the Tiny Towns project has received the Alpine Shire’s complete approval, with the Builder & contractor, KD Homes and Construction expected to commence work early April and be finished in approximately 3 weeks, which will add so many opportunities for us here.

We are incredibly fortunate at Bright U3A to have a community of volunteers who continue to expand and enrich the lives of our members over the past year.
The dedicated Committee of Management volunteers who work tirelessly in the background, making strong financial and management decisions in the best interests of the whole organisation, certainly deserve our deep gratitude. The decision to increase our membership and associate membership fees was one such decision made in 2024, that will secure the health of our U3A now and into the future.
Our legion of talented, skillful and generous Convenor volunteers are the life blood of our organisation and we cannot thank you enough for the way you have and continue to enhance our intellectual, physical and social well-being.
And to all you members, a huge thank you for getting on board with us; supporting the wonderful range of activities on offer and with your enthusiasm and support, encouraging even more volunteers to step forward and add to our diverse, challenging and interesting programme.

Robyn Cirulis will now present the TREASURER’S & MEMBERSHIP REPORTS.
Linda Hayes will present the COURSES AND CONVENORS’ REPORT.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Annie Reardon has spent the last 12 months on the Committee of Management, coordinating and organising the End of term Coffee Mornings and Guest speakers. Now Annie has taken up the role as one of our Casual Cycling coordinators. We thank her for her service on the committee and wish her well.
Mike Roberts is standing down as Vice President to take up the mantle of Convenor of the Woodwork group. He was going to stand down from the committee as well but we are all delighted that he has reconsidered and will remain as a committee member. Sally’s loss is definitely our gain!
Rosemary Withers has purchased consumables for the kitchen over a number of years and we thank her for her contribution.
BRYAN AND JUDY PIRIE
GLENN O’CONNELL
CATHY ELDRED