The 102nd Angus Australia Annual General Meeting (AGM) was conducted on Thursday 28th May 2021 with 25 members present either in person, via videoconference, or by proxy.
At the AGM, President Sam White tabled the Financial Report for the Angus Society of Australia and Controlled Entities, the Director’s Declaration, and the Independent Auditors Report for the financial year ended 31 December 2020.
The President noted that 2020 had been another successful year for the Angus breed and Angus Australia. He stated that while it had been extraordinary times in many respects, despite the various challenges of 2020, Angus Australia came through the year strongly and even better prepared for any future circumstances. He noted that apart from the obvious constraints on face-to-face engagement with members due to the COVID-19 response, the Angus Australia staff were able to maintain services to members during the year with minimal interruption.
The President recognised that 2020 still had its environmental challenges for some members with continued drought for some, and the impact of floods, fires and plagues on others. Nevertheless, it was generally a much better year for most compared to the preceding years of prolonged drought faced by many members. This, coupled with extremely strong market conditions for Angus cattle resulted in a much more favorable year for most members.
The President acknowledged that in 2020 there were 39 members recognized with 25 years of membership; and, 4 members recognised with 50 years continuous membership including Gralunga (SA), Chale (Tas), Tibooburra Angus (Vic) and Mundoo (NSW). Barwidgee Pastoral Company attained 75 years of membership.
The President advised that in early 2021, Honorary Life Membership was awarded to Mr Ron Cowley from Pinnaroo, South Australia.
The President noted that sadly, 2020 saw the passing of Honorary Life Members Mr Andrew Gubbins from Victoria, Mr James Litchfield from NSW and Mr Colin Lyons from South Australia, and in recent weeks Mr Lew Smit from Western Australia.
The President extended his sincere condolences to the families of these Honorary Life Members who, all in their unique ways, made enormous contributions to Angus Australia and to the success of the Angus breed over many years.
The President advised that the following Directors would form the 2021 Angus Australia Board: from NSW – Mrs Erica Halliday, Mr Sam White and Mr James Laurie; from Victoria – Mr Brad Gilmour and Mr Hamish McFarlane; from Western Australia – Mr Andrew Kuss; from Tasmania – Mr Jock Hughes; and, from South Australia – Mr Perry Gunner.
At the subsequent Board meeting conducted following the AGM, Mr Sam White was re-elected as President, and Mrs Erica Halliday re-elected as Vice-President, for the term up to and including the 2022 AGM. The Board also appointed Mr Ben Hill to the vacant position of State-elected Director for Queensland.
Full minutes of the 2020 AGM will be made available to members via the Members Area of the Angus Australia website.
At the Board meeting Directors considered numerous items, including:
- Composition of Board Committees
- Composition of the Angus Sire Reference Program Consultative Committee, the Genetic Evaluation Consultative Committee, and the Angus Youth National Roundup Committee
- Report on progress against Budget and Operational Plan KPIs
- Amendments to Regulation 6.25 (Registration of embryo transfer calves) and Regulation 6.44 (Registration of animals recorded with other breed associations).
- Continuation of the Australian Angus Reference Population program for an additional five cohorts (Cohorts 12 -16)
- Strategy for further development of BreedObject V6 selection indexes
- Decision to further postpone hosting of the World Angus Forum
Where relevant, further information will be provided to the membership over coming weeks on specific items resolved by the Board, including the details of any resulting Regulation changes.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for the 12-13th August 2021.
Peter Parnell
Chief Executive Officer
2nd June 2021
