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AUCKLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE
known as
AUCKLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE POLICE
75th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
and
RULES of ASSOCIATION CONFIRMATION
15 SEPTEMBER 2008 at 1930 hrs.
NOTES OF MEETING
Welcome
Chief Fire Officer Jim Smith, presiding, welcomed everyone to the special, landmark occasion for the Unit. He singled out for a warm welcome those who gave a very real connection with the Unit's history, helping celebrate its 75 years of service to the community.
Mrs Kay Solly, nee Wilson, who's grand-father Superintendent Bill Wilson had the foresight to establish Fire Police in Auckland in 1933. Mr Smith pointed out that Members owe the Unit's existence to Bill Wilson. His son, and Kay's father, Lloyd Wilson, later became Chief Fire Officer in Auckland and he continued to promote and foster the Unit.
Mrs Gail Abel, nee Reid, who's father, Captain Dick Reid served in the Unit for 42 years, 20 of them as OIC, was, CFO Smith explained, very much a stalwart in the Unit over those many years and who took it through thick and thin, but leaving a thriving Unit when he retired. Mr Smith recalled that Gail's mother, Mrs Pat Reid, had been honoured by the Unit, when, after Dick's death, she was made Life Honorary Member, recognition seldom bestowed on someone who was not a member of the Unit.
Mrs Marcia Baildon, now of Hamilton, who's late husband, Keith, was a member of the Unit for many years.
Mr Tom Cotter, Secretary of the Ex Fire Fighters Association, which was formerly the Old Boys' Association and, Mr Smith pointed out was that group from which was recruited the first Fire Police in Auckland and who met for the first time 75 years ago to volunteer their services for the benefit of the Fire Brigade and the community. So in Tom's attendance, Mr Smith said, through his association with the Old Boys' Association we have that link with the inaugural meeting.
CFO Smith then formally welcomed Honorary Life Members of the Unit, Past Members of the Unit, Regional Executive Officers of the New Zealand Fire Service, other guests and Members.
Roll Call
The roll call was taken of members present.
Apologies:
Regional Commander Brian Butt
Alan Bruce, long-time executive officer in Auckland and former Regional Commander, who now lives in Queensland and sent a message which was read out by CFO Smith. You can read the message here
Clinton Wakefield, Fire Police Commissioner, Montgomery County Fire Police Association, Pennsylvania, USA.
Don Coombs, President of the NZ Ex Fire-Fighters' Association
Chief Executive, West Auckland Trust
Chief Executive, ASB Community Trust
Life Honorary Member, John Pendleton
Minutes of the 74th AGM and Rules of Association Confirmation held 17 September 2007:.
The Minutes of the 74th Annual General Meeting, having been circulated, were taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record
Chief Fire Officer's Report, July 2007 - June 2008
The CFO read his report and it was adopted
Reports
The Secretary, Training Officer and Treasurer's Reports were read and the meeting resolved to receive them
Election of Officers for the ensuing year
Secretary: SO Alan Baldick was re-elected
Treasurer: So Allan Officer was re-elected
Auditor: Current Auditor was re-elected
Minutes Secretary: FPC Brian Molloy was re-elected
3 Constables' Representatives on the Management Committee in terms of the Rules of Association: FPCs Brian Molloy, Tim Cooke and Nick Clifford were elected.
Patron: CFO Smith introduced the subject saying that the members' decision to incorporate the office of Patron in our Unit was a special 75th year initiative: Auckland Fire Police had never had a Patron before and it was thought it was time to have one. Particularly when a very suitable nominee had been found who knows our Unit and its members very well, who has been a firm supporter of the Unit over many years and has mana both within and outside the New Zealand Fire Service. Mr Smith explained that at the Unit's most recent meeting the idea of a Patron was put to the membership and, unanimously, Mr David Neil was voted to the position. In addition it was agreed, again unanimously, that David should be made an Honorary Member of the Brigade. CFO Smith then asked David to accept the office of Patron. Mr Neil said it would be both a pleasure and an honour to accept. CFO Smith presented him with a certificate followed by an Honorary Member's badge which, he said, was a token of the esteem the Unit holds in Mr Neil, and was evidence of the Unit's grateful thanks for David's support over many years
Setting Reimbursement of Expenses.
These were set for the Secretary, Minutes Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor and agreed by the meeting.
Confirmation of Rules of Association
The Unit resolved to adopt the Rules of Association for the ensuing year, noting there had been amendment during the year agreed at a Special General Meeting of the Unit.
Fire Service Executive Officers
Assistant Commanders Larry Cocker and Murray Binning addressed the meeting, acknowledging the special milestone this Annual General Meeting represented, thanked the Unit for its support in assisting the Brigade, recalled some of the incidents in recent years and wished the Unit well in its march to its 100th year.
First Minutes
CFO Smith said that as this is the Unit's 75th Annual General Meeting, it was appropriate to reflect for a moment on the very first meeting of the Unit, known as a Corps, in 1933. He asked Ric Carlyon to read the minutes of that founding meeting, held in rooms just across the yard from where the 75th AGM was being held, in City Station which in 1933 was headquarters for the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board. SO Carlyon read the original minutes of the Unit's first meeting.
(These are reproduced in text form here or can be read from a scan of the original hand-written form here)
Swearing an Oath:
CFO Smith said that one of the most important aspects on entering the Fire Police is the oath of office which, under Section 33 of the Fire Service Act, gives the members their special powers. On this 75th anniversary he wanted everyone in the Unit to take an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities that go with that authority. To do this he asked one of the Unit's newest members, Karl Berghan, who had joined the Fire Police during the 75th year, to take the Oath of Office. All members stood as Karl read out the Oath and CFO Smith asked all members to remember their pledge.
75th Anniversary Gift:
CFO Smith, recalling the apologies, said there was one from Fire Police Commissioner Clinton Wakefield of the Montgomery County Fire Police Association, Pennsylvania. To follow up that apology he called on FPC Mark Potter who had recently visited Montgomery. For them, too, 2008 is a special year.
FPC Mark Potter explained that he been invited to Montgomery County earlier in the year to coincide with Fire Police there who are also celebrating their 75th anniversary and he was made very welcome as he joined in activities to mark the occasion. He had returned with a gift for Auckland Fire Police and proceeded to present a handsome engraved plaque to CFO Smith on behalf of Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Police.
Closing:
CFO Smith closed the meeting with an invitation for everyone to adjourn to the adjoining room for supper during which members paused for the cutting of the Unit's 75th birthday cake by Mesdames Kay Solly, Gail Abel and Marcia Baildon.
(NB: These are notes of the 75th Annual General Meeting - Minutes prepared by the Minute Secretary must be read as the only official record of proceedings).
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