MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SUNDAY 10TH JUNE 2001
TRACY VILLAGE SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB DARWIN

PRESENT:

APOLOGIES

Finney – Groote Eylandt Delegate

Don Anderson  

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Moved Duncan Seconded Mario

Passed as read

BUSINESS ARISING

Chrissie Irving          Re Pool tables for Darwin should have been listed in        second last item of general business

Jim McGinnis                Managers job – Why first week only.  Ken suggested move to General business.

Peter Graham                  Arafura Games – was it applied for-Ken   NO

PRESIDENTS REPORT

Read by Ken Kernich

The year 2001 has certainly been a hectic and fulfilling year as predicted in my year 2000 report.

There have been many activities over this past year that have kept us “ on the run”.

To start, our TV series coverage was from all reports a huge success.  Many days of hard work went into this coverage, not just by the NT executive but by eightball administrators around the territory.  I congratulate them all for a job well done, not forgetting ABC TV who made it all possible.  Unfortunately due to ABC funding cuts a planned coverage of the national titles was denied and a proposed further TV series is in doubt.  Discussion will be had to perhaps make this coverage again possible.

Northern Territory 8 Ball administration received a great blow when our administration officer, John Binnekamp was unfortunately incapacitated.  This in effect created a much greater workload for our executive leading up to the Australian Titles.  A lot of work done by John for those titles was lost and needed to be re-done.  Accolades must go to our secretary Debbie for the reorganising of Johns computer system to allow us to continue operating and the great amount of support to the Binnekamp family in reorganising Johns life.

Along with this our year has not been totally enjoyable in administration of our sport.  A further incursion on our stability was the ongoing attempt to undermine NT Eightball through Anti Discrimination.  The matter was finally dismissed.  However, this has not stopped further public damnation of NT Eightball over the past 12 months and again a document circulated at our delegates meeting, a very insidious and paranoiac document full of lies and unsubstantiated comments.  This is not what our sport is all about and is only detrimental to the wellbeing of our sport.

The Australian Titles held in Darwin in November proved to be a great success.  The short time frame in organizing this due to the aforementioned problems showed the effective organization within this short time frame.  Full credit to Debbie, Nick, Kathy, Dennis, Max and Sharon Innes and a bit of a pat on the back for myself, we received great comments on our professionalism.  Another success and accolades for the Northern Territory.  Our teams improved on their previous years performance to improve their rankings.  Particular accolades should go to Damien Ha who came runner up to the Australian Singles Titles.

Accolades again to Ben Crawley, who won his way through to the final of the Champion of the Century and made runner-up, an achievement that will never again be made in our lifetimes.

Sue Kendle and Chrissie McGinnis also are to be congratulated in achieving runner up status in the Australian Womens Doubles, as well as Jim McGinnis as Australian masters team Captain winning the three way masters team competition with other territory players Kel Oliver, Peter Graham and Alan Kane.

The Timor Cup unfortunately has been a non-event this year with the Australian Government cancelling flights into Kupang.  We have been getting information that there are minimal problems in the area now and are attempting to arrange travel to Kupang to play the Cup.  More news in the near future as a tentative date of the long weekend in August has been set.

I was honoured in 2000 to be named by AEBF as the very first A Grade umpire in Australia.     Along with this Dennis has his B Grade and several NT umpires have now gained additional accreditation to their Australian Umpires Certificates.

Level 1 Coaching accreditation was carried out in Y2000 and we now have accredited coaches in most centres.  Coaching manuals will be forwarded as soon as available from the AEBF.

Furthering our involvement with aboriginal communities we have funded 50% for a pool table at Snake Bay on Melville Island.  Discussions by the Delegates have indicated an agreement to invite juniors from this area to visit the NT Junior Titles in December with a view to them running a junior competition in their area. 

Our delegates meeting has ratified the NT Confederation of cue sports and agreed that the NT Eightball executive committee will be the executive committee of the Confederation.  The delegates have also decided that in future the AGM will be run in conjunction with the AGM of this Association.

Our juniors are doing extremely well.  The NT titles in Katherine this year were again a great success.  Seven juniors represented the Northern Territory this year in Hobart.  2 x U12, 2 x U15, 2 x U18 and for the very first time 1 x U21.  The U/21 is a new initiative by the AEBF junior committee to encourage another age group into competition in the same environment as the other juniors. 

This year we have had a trial run with a delegates meeting being a day before start of NT Titles.  This appears to have worked well and may be a good idea for out future delegates meeting.

It is very important for everyone to understand sport profile, better defined as public image.  We are working in the area of sport profile but need the support of every eightball player in the Northern Territory if we are to progress in this area.

I thank all associations for their appearance at these the 2001 titles in Darwin and for their input into NT Eightball. A very special thanks to our Executive Committee, Dennis, Nick, Kathy, Debbie (the most efficient and reliable Secretary anyone could hope for) and to John Binnekamp for all the groundwork that will assist this Association for many years to come.

Tui and John moved to accept

TREASURERS REPORT

Moved Peter Graham            Seconded John vanDijk

Carried

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR

Recommendation of Ernst & Young

Moved Mario  Seconded  Tui

CARRIED

NOTICES OF MOTION

NIL

ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS

President                                   Ken Kernich

Junior Vice-President                Nick Kyranis

Junior Development           Kathy Marino

GENERAL BUSINESS

Arafura Games          Discussion on why NT has not applied for admission into Arafura Games.

National Titles 2001          Looks like they will be in Cairns.  From beginning of December through to 15^th.   Still awaiting confirmation by Queensland Association. 

School Pool             Discussed by delegates.  SA still to finalise how this will be run in each state.   A decision is apparently to be made within a month.  If they do not come through with this we have to prepare a program ourselves.

Jim McGinnis          Re preparation for National titles.  Jim asked to travel to centres prior to National titles to chase up players etc.  Also mentioned that Debbie had not notified him when players withdrew from the team and no consultation with putting other players in.  Deb said to Jim that the committee had given approval last year for Jim to do this but he had not done so.  Jim said that it was supposed to have been organised.  Deb mentioned that Jim was to arrange himself and NT would fund.

Peter suggested that the team gets together for a longer period prior to National Titles.  Jim wants job to start now so that when team is selected.  General discussion John Kendle players in SA only practice for 8 weeks prior to nationals or they are brain dead.  John – six to eight weeks is enough.  Need decent tables to practice on.  Jim Motion that Managers job starts now.

Seconded:  Chrissie Hassett.  Ken said that Managers job starts when he is selected.  It is merely a matter of how to run this.  Peter Graham – If you don’t want the job at the moment then re-define the job description.   Managers to meet with Executive committee and define job.

Chris – Katherine asked for notification prior to 6 weeks of AGMs to remind them.

Meeting Closed 11.30am

MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SUNDAY 11TH JUNE 2000
MEMORIAL CLUB ALICE SPRINGS

OPENED       9.00AM

PRESENT

APOLOGIES

Kathy Marino (Junior Development)
Rob Ash (Alice Springs President)

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

All minutes had been provided to member centres previously.
Moved:          Duncan Galbraith
          The minutes be accepted as read
Seconded:          Al Hoeksema                                                     CARRIED

BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES  
Nil

PRESIDENTS REPORT
Read by President Ken Kernich 
The past year has been a year that should have been a pleasant and exciting build up to the Year 2000 Championships.  Albeit we have had a hectic and fulfilling year, as can be shown by the following.

It had long been discussed that we do something different with our NT teams leading up to Australian Titles.  The decision was made to have our teams travel to NZ to have match practice before playing at the titles.  A lot of time and effort was put into organizing this trip but unfortunately, although enjoyable for all this initiative did not have the desired effect.  Our NT teams did not perform very well at the Australian Titles although individual efforts are to be applauded.  Alan Kane and Jim McGinnis performed exceptionally well in the Australian Masters team that defeated South Africa.  Jim McGinnis was also Masters Player of the Tournament.  John Spink deserves a mention as the best performance player with an average of 63%, which is good for any player at Australian Championships.  Travis Crawley did exceptionally well coming runner up in the Australian Singles Championship to Shaun Budd.

The NT Juniors this year in Alice Springs in January was another successful junior championship.  Held in the Alice Plaza it gave our sport a lot of good exposure.  Six juniors, the best players in U/12, U/15 and U/18 represented the NT in Adelaide at the Australian Junior Championships and although there were no outstanding performances all were again a credit to the Northern Territory.

Our ½ yearly meeting held in Katherine was again a success, and I recommend that we continue to run these as we get a lot of work done that we would not normally achieve at titles time.  Delegates also enjoyed the cameraderie of the Arnhem Triangle whilst in Katherine and also spent some valued time with our dearly loved and recently deceased Sandy Vick.

The Timor Cup again was a great success with our NT reserve team winning a very closely fought three-match competition by one frame.  Although the area had just been through the East Timor crisis, liaison with officials in Kupang and our NT Department of Asian Relations ensured a safe trip.  Tentative arrangements have been made to have a team from Kupang travel to the NT in August.

  The trip by Jack Halligan in January around the NT to carry out some much needed coaching was also a success, with approximately ten people due to be accredited.  Unfortunately we are still waiting for the accreditation certificates from the A.E.B.F.

Our website is finally up and going thanks to John and Debbie.  Address is www.eightballNT.asn.au

We are also pushing ahead in the area of community development.  At this stage we are assisting with the setting up of competitions on Elcho Island with a team of juniors preparing to travel from Gove to Elcho Island.  Snake Bay on Melville Island is also setting up junior eightball.  They already have rulebooks and we have offered other assistance.  Bathurst Island is being used as a National Test Case for indigenous communities and Eightball is one sport to be included in a campaign to promote sport in communities in a non-alcoholic environment.  NT Eightball is supplying a table to Nguiu Township through the Tiwi Health Board Youth Services.

Our work with the YMCA has gained us a lot of recognition as a sport prepared to assist with juniors and community development as can be seen from a letter received from the YMCA.  Several schools have also shown interest in installing Eightball tables and a table will be delivered to St Johns College in the next 2-3 weeks.  Tennant Creek High School is also looking to install the two tables that have been allocated to Tennant.

The big news is ABC TV coverage.  I consider this the most exciting initiative in NT Eightball's history.  Gaining TV coverage for our sport across the Northern Territory is something that all sports would like but few achieve.  I would like everyone to support this initiative to make it work.  Success will ensure further coverage on an annual basis.

Our year has not all been enjoyable in administration of our sport.  One individual amongst us has for more than the past 12 months been clandestinely and surreptitiously working to undermine NT Eightball.  He has worked at removing NT Eightball from the Casuarina Club, our source of funding.  He has attempted a motion of no confidence against the NT Executive Committee, something that backfired with himself being removed on a motion of no confidence.  He has used the NT Anti-Discrimination Commission to again attempt to undermine NT Eightball and myself and the Secretary personally.  Thankfully the commission saw fit to dismiss the complaints, but not before considerable expense, time and anxiety had been expended over the whole affair.  His actions have been and continue to be detrimental to our sport.  I can say that this sport is bigger than an individual who wishes to control for the sake of personal agenda.  I can add that this past year has made our executive stronger for it all and more determined to ensure proper administration of our sport.

Northern Territory Eightball, although a smaller association than other States is recognized Australia wide as a leader in our sport.  With the initiatives announced we will continue to grow and become stronger.

  I thank the Associations and individuals around the Northern Territory for their loyalty.  I thank our administration officer John Binnekamp and my Executive Dennis Baker, Nick Kyranis, Al Hoeksema and Kathy Marino for their support and especially our Secretary and my wife Debbie for a job well done under at times considerable stress.
Moved:          Al Hoeksema
The Presidents report be accepted
Seconded:          Cheryl Knopfler                                                        CARRIED

Peter Graham suggested the report could go onto the net. 

TREASURERS REPORT

Treasurer Debbie Kernich presented the audited report to the meeting. 
Questions
What were the Legal fees for – Anti-Discrimination case
Umpiring – query on total amounts paid for umpiring.

Moved:          Al Hoeksema
Treasurers report be accepted
Seconded          Cheryl Knopfler                                                      CARRIED

Debbie asked all centres to provide receipts for travel to enable travel grants to be paid out during todays events.

NOTICES OF MOTION

1.                   Moved Don Anderson:          
This meeting adopts in full the draft constitution submitted by Darwin and Districts Eightball to replace the constitution of the Northern Territory Eight Ball Association.  
Seconded     Chrissie Hassett
Speakers against.     Ken Kernich, Dennis Baker     
Speakers for     Don Anderson
VOTE:     For     2     Against   10                         
DEFEATED

2.                 Moved Debbie Kernich:          Constitution:                   
Change Section 9.4 Income and Property of the Association to read:
Payment of fees.  All affiliation fees as decided by the Annual General Meeting are payable to the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association by the 12^th June annually.
Seconded              Peter Graham                  CARRIED

3.                 Moved Debbie Kernich:          Add new clause     18     Disciplinary Action Individual members of an affiliate admitted under section 15 are subject to the rules and by-laws of this Association whilst competing at any event conducted by or on behalf of this Association, or whilst representing this Association at any event or where that individual holds a position on the committee of this Association.
18.1          The Executive committee may take disciplinary action as it deems fit if an individual referred to in 18 above, willfully commits a breach of any rules or by-laws of the Association or if in the opinion of the committee the individual has been guilty of conduct detrimental to the interests of the Association.
Seconded     Al Hoeksema

Discussion.  Suggestion by Peter Graeme that the wording needs working on.   Suggest Move to mid-year meeting and submit re-worded clause.  Agreed.

 4.        Moved Debbie Kernich:        Change section 21.1 (22.1) Life Membership to:                      21          LIFE MEMBERSHIP
        21.1      The Committee may consider the recommendations of any person to be elected a life member in recognition of outstanding service rendered to the Association over a period of not less than ten years.  Such recommendation shall be submitted to the committee in writing not less than one month before the Annual General Meeting.
Seconded    Jimmy McGinnis
Against:       Don          Questioned why ten years?
Discussion for and against                                                                  DEFEATED

5.    Moved Debbie Kernich:        Add new clause
        28        Disclosure of Interest in Contracts etc.
        28.1          A member of the committee who is interested in any contract or arrangement made or proposed to be made with the Association shall disclose his interest at the first meeting of the committee at which the contract or arrangement is first taken into consideration, if his interest then exists, or, in any other case, at the first meeting of the committee after the acquisition of his interest.
        28.2          If a member of the committee becomes interested in a contract or arrangement after it is made or entered into he shall disclose his interest at the first meeting of the committee after he becomes so interested.
        28.3          No member of the committee shall vote as a member of the committee in respect of any contract or arrangement in which he is interested and if he does so vote his vote shall not be counted.  
Seconded          Peter Graeme                                                          CARRIED

6.      Moved Debbie Kernich          Re-number clauses
If new clauses are agreed to re-number clauses in Constitution as required.
Seconded    Peter Graham                                                        CARRIED

7.       Moved Don Anderson:          This AGM endorses withdrawal on a needs basis (approved by the Executive Committee) of up to $100,000 in 2000/01 from the NT,s Casuarina Club investment account to support establishment of a headquarters for Darwin & Districts Eightball Association.
Seconded Chrissie Hassett
Discussion:          Against          Dennis, Debbie, Ken
For          Don                                                                      DEFEATED 

8.       Moved Don Anderson:          This AGM directs the Executive Committee to implement a ‘School Pool’ program by the next AGM.  The program and its achievement to be the same as the program implemented in South Australia by Digitise Pty Ltd.  This involves the NT obtaining Territory wide support from the Education Department and providing training courses for accrediting coaches and other personnel involved in the program, on a central basis rather than relying on the individual centres
Seconded          Chrissie Hassett
Against        Ken          For          Don                               DEFEATED

9.       Moved Don Anderson:          NT to fund all travel and 50% of accommodation costs for players, team managers and delegates attending senior and junior NT Championships.
Amendment:  Delete reference to accommodation
Seconder     Peter Graeme       
For:          Peter Graeme, Don           Against Cheryl, Al Hoeksema, Debbie, Dennis.

                                                                                                         DEFEATED

 ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS 

Senior Vice-President:               Dennis Baker

Secretary/Treasurer:                Debbie Kernich

 As these were the only nominations the President declared them elected.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Nick Kyranis:          Asked for contributions and volunteers at shop at Nationals.

Jim McGinnis:          Why does managers job not start until teams get together week prior                                     to  Nationals? Discussion

Ken Vick:               Spoke regarding participation of Palmerston juniors in the Top of the                                 Track event.   

Don Anderson:          - Where is Development Plan?  
        Ken – Plan still has until 2001 but has been updated and now only requires the addition of figures from the previous years for comparisons.

- Have not seen summaries of meetings.  Debbie said they had been sent out with the exception of the last meeting.  Other centres agreed they had received summaries.

- Has not seen copy of Constitution for NTCCS.  Debbie pointed out that this had been given out prior to half yearly meeting.  There had been discussion at that meeting on NTCCS.  A copy will be made available on the website.

- Asked what is happening with Arafura Games?  Debbie explained that this had been gone over at the half yearly meeting at which Don was present.  Basically can apply next year for 2003.

Dennis:                   Asked for support for Nationals this year.

Discussion of scheduling of games for a different time to allow more time for AGM.

Ken thanked all who had attended and wished all players the best of luck in the finals.

  Meeting closed 11am