MORE FROMPROVINCIAL COUNCIL CONT.Agreed:That the following matter in Agenda Item % be items <strong>of</strong> Business for meeting92 <strong>of</strong> <strong>Province</strong> 21 Council:• Definition <strong>of</strong> practicing Catholic adopted by Grand Council• Australian foundation 40th Anniversary, <strong>20</strong>12 – possiblecommemorative activities[Action: <strong>Province</strong> Secretary]Agreed:That Brother Publicity Officer liaise with the Editor <strong>of</strong> Catena with a view to theOctober Edition having a suitable article and cover marking the canonisation <strong>of</strong>the Association’s patron for Australia, Blessed Mother Mary MacKillop.[Action: Brother Publicity Officer]Ian McMasters Retires as Provincial TreasurerAfter eight years as Provincial Treasurer, Ian McMasters has decided to step downProvincial President Br. Paul Despoges hands Ian a bottle <strong>of</strong> wine to show the <strong>Province</strong>’s appreciation<strong>of</strong> Ian’s hard work watched by Provincial Secretary Peter Tilbrook8EASTERN LINK NEWSLETTER 8 JUNE <strong><strong>20</strong>10</strong>
<strong>20</strong>09-<strong><strong>20</strong>10</strong> President’sAnnual Report toProvincial CouncilWe have witnessed a year <strong>of</strong> change and challenge at all levels <strong>of</strong> the Association, some planned and othersunexpected. It is pleasing to report irrespective <strong>of</strong> the level <strong>of</strong> challenge; it has been met with the trueCatenian spirit.The change started with our acceptance to move into the electronic era, with the use <strong>of</strong> generic emailaddresses for each Circle within the <strong>Province</strong>, thanks to the good work <strong>of</strong> Br Mike McEvoy (Mosman). Alongwith the upgrading <strong>of</strong> our website through the efforts <strong>of</strong> Brs Peter Moriarty (Parramatta) and Chris Pitts (Ku-Ring-Gai). Now with the use <strong>of</strong> teleconferencing for our quarterly Provincial Council meetings, we are able toensure all Councillors are party to the meetings and hence delivering to their respective Circles the relevantnews, strategy and matters <strong>of</strong> concern to the membership. Hopefully with this use, <strong>of</strong> modern day technology,we are now communicating with greater effect.The challenge, confronted with the start <strong>of</strong> the Catenian year, was to address the <strong>of</strong>fer from Grand Council, toreview and recommend effective structure and procedures to suit our environment, whilst ever mindful we areaffiliated with an International Association .This I am pleased to report was approached from two fronts,through <strong>Province</strong> 21’s workshop for Presidents and Membership Officers and through the newly establishedAustralian Committee.Our workshop had 26 Brothers in attendance and every brother present expressed valuable comment overthe 4 hours <strong>of</strong> debate and discussion, on the subject matter – Improvements to Rules & Regulations. Mythanks go to Br Pat Moran (Hornsby) for his coordination <strong>of</strong> the workshop. The conclusions from theworkshop were passed onto the Australian Committee for their first national hook up on Skype ,representedfrom Presidents and Directors <strong>of</strong> <strong>Province</strong>s <strong>20</strong> & 21 and President <strong>of</strong> Area Victoria. The conclusions reachedfrom both forums were summarised and forwarded onto the Review Commission, set up independent <strong>of</strong>Grand Council. Results from this, we have already witnessed with Grand Council acceptance <strong>of</strong> theCommission first submission in May.Another challenge accepted this year was directed at the Membership Committee, to expand our presence onthe east coast <strong>of</strong> Australia. It is fair to state under Pat Moran’s leadership this has been exceeded. Alreadymeetings have been held with Bishop Michael Malone (Newcastle- Maitland), seeking his blessings toestablish a Circle in Newcastle, under the leadership <strong>of</strong> Guy Cassar (City <strong>of</strong> Sydney) with expectations <strong>of</strong> agroup being formed this year.A meeting was also convened with Bishop Jarrett (Lismore) for his blessings to form a Circle on the GoldCoast/Tweed Heads area. Under the leadership <strong>of</strong> Paul Bellhouse (C <strong>of</strong> S) and his team, we will see a groupinaugurated by August this year.Our ongoing challenge to strengthen our Association, again through the diligence <strong>of</strong> so many throughout our<strong>Province</strong> has seen a growth <strong>of</strong> 8%. This coupled with the contribution to the Zimbabwe “Give Water Life &Hope “Appeal, has been a year <strong>of</strong> true Brotherhood.My thanks are extended to all who have contributed to ensure our ongoing purpose.Special thanks are extended to John Secker for his untiring time and leadership, over many years within theAssociation, to Br Peter Cash for his excellent ability to lift our pr<strong>of</strong>ile with the <strong>Eastern</strong><strong>Link</strong>, Br Evan Godfreyfor his endless work as Chamberlain and to Br Peter Tilbrook for his guidance and endless hours <strong>of</strong> work tomanage the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> Secretary, without his dedication my task would have been impossible.To our outgoing Treasurer, Br. Ian McMaster, well where does one commence to say thank you, his wit,decisive comment, analytic approach to all our financial matters, will be a tremendous loss to all ,especiallywithin Provincial Council. To you Ian thanks and Helen for allowing Provincial Council, to share his timeduring your own time <strong>of</strong> challenge.Thank you for allowing me to be your President throughout this Catenian Year.PaulPaul DespogesPresident <strong>20</strong>09-10 <strong>Province</strong> 219EASTERN LINK NEWSLETTER 9 JUNE <strong><strong>20</strong>10</strong>
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