BIAV ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (2021)
BIAV AGM
BOARD RETURNED / 24 YORK ST ADVANCED
The BIAV AGM for 2021 was well attended in person at the BIAV office in South Melbourne and by Zoom, on Tuesday 27 April.
Members were in good spirits as the various reports were presented and the 2020 Covid impacted year was reviewed.
In his report, President David Meehan outlined some of the Covid challenges of the year, and how the members and BIAV had shown resilience and determination so as to survive, and where possible thrive. David went through some of the very good progress that BIAV influence was having with regard to the government’s Better Boating Fund, and future boating strategy. David expressed his thanks to his fellow Board members, as well as to the CEO Steve Walker and the team in the BIAV office.
In terms of the Board, the five current elected Board members were re-elected unopposed. These elected members are David Meehan, Rohan Veal, Scott O’Hare, John Temple and Franz Grasser. CEO Steve Walker congratulated the five, who continue in their roles along with the two Appointed Board members, Neil James and Daved Lambert. In his report, the CEO highlighted the Board’s additional expectations during the tough Covid year, attention to the challenges of the period, and excessively high meeting attendance rates.
Steve Walker also thanked and praised the membership for their efforts in 2020, thanked and recognised the BIAV staff, and recognised the input of the various committees. Steve listed a couple of the highlights as being the overall financial management and result for the year, the first ever Virtual Boat Show event, and the strong levels of member satisfaction and feedback.
John Temple presented the 2020 financial report, and despite the -$140k deficit, it was well-received. John added that at one stage early in the year, a possible -$1.2m result was feared, and thanks to salary and other cost reductions, government support, and good negotiations, the palatable result was achieved. John outlined BIAV’s overall solid financial position and equity scenario.
A major item for the meeting was in relation to 24 York St and after a detailed and robust discussion, it was agreed to progress with the aspirational plan for BIAV to redevelop the site. It was agreed that the Plan A option would be for BIAV to do so in their own right, subject to finance and risk mitigation, however with a Plan B fallback of doing it via a joint venture or sale process.
The meeting concluded with a presentation with regard to the Discover Boating Showcase event, which is planned for October 7-12 at the National Water Sports Centre at Carrum. A great deal of enthusiasm was displayed for the event itself and the Showcase model, with more information to be shared with members in the near future.
See the below photos from the 2021 AGM —
