The meeting was again held at the ABC Building in East Perth, in the Seminar Room on the second floor. The President had compiled a list of the organisation’s activities since the 2024 AGM, which was available as a handout. She mentioned the ABC Friends 50th birthday celebrations next year, and asked for suggestions locally.
Photo: Richard Tarala.
Bobbie Mackley acting as Returning Officer
The President went through the membership-related decisions made at the in-person meeting in Sydney, including the proposed fee increases next year. There were no comments or questions.
Two Special Resolutions were passed at the meeting. The first made changes or additions to nine Rules of the Association, including to the first part of Rule 3, Objects of the Association, replacing our old part 1 with a copy of the Principal object of the national body ABC Friends Ltd.
Other changes covered in the first Special Resolution were the name of the national body, some updates on processes, and tightening of confidentiality and conflict of interest rules.
The second Special Resolution made changes to rules 4 and 6, concerning membership. They were to update processes to what we actually do, and to emphasise the confidentiality of our records. After some discussion an amendment was agreed to ensure that, in the case where a request for permission to contact other members in a particular location was approved by the Committee, it would be up to the affected members on whether to respond to the requestor. The Resolution passed with this amendment.
Bobbie Mackley acted as Returning Officer. The 24-25 Committee was re-elected unopposed, with Richard Tarala becoming Vice President as Jenny Meyrick reduced her load. Richard was then appointed as the second director to the Board of ABC Friends Ltd.
Our speaker was Danielle Benda, Manager of ABC Radio Perth since 2023. She has worked as a journalist and broadcaster since starting her career at The West Australian newspaper in 1989. She talked about the placement of presenters in the various time slots of the radio day in Perth. The timeline for the change to FM in the Perth metro area was discussed, noting that this planned switch has not yet been announced publicly and the date has not been confirmed. Radio reception in Perth will be much improved; currently the interference from the train line in the centre of the Kwinana Freeway is quite severe, and there is increased interference from the growing number of electric cars. The change may mean some people who listen to Perth radio from country areas will no longer be able to tune in, but the power of the AM transmitters in Bunbury/Busselton, Dalwallinu, Northam and Wagin will be as strong as ever and continue to provide access to local ABC radio services.
Cathy Bardon
WA President
ABC Friends