On Wednesday 14^th September, ARRCC held its Annual General Meeting, at Pitt St Uniting Church.

The evening started off with a communal vegetarian meal, followed by guest speakers Jill Finnane and Kateia Kaikai. The AGM proper then began with the Report of the Management Committee, given by ARRCC’s President, Thea Omerod. This was followed by the Annual Financial Statement from ARRCC’s treasurer Vijai Singhal, and then Management Committee Elections. Following an accepted amendment to ARRCC’s constitution, each of ARRCC’s working groups gave a report on their activities for the year, followed by a general discussion of ARRCC’s achievements.

Guest speakers

Jill Finnane, Coordinator of Pacific Calling Partnership     Kateia Kaikai, title?

Jill Finnane

Jill spoke about the Pacific Calling Partnership, a group of individuals, school and community groups and organisations, who recognise Australia’s ecological debt to Kiribati, Tuvalu, parts of the Torres Strait and other low-lying Pacific Island neighbours, and strive to listen to and be accountable to voices from the Pacific and Torres Strait and to raise awareness about the impacts on them of high greenhouse gas emissions from industrialised countries.

She also spoke about some of the work PCP had done in Kiribati and other Pacific Islands, and showed photos from some of their activities.

>> Read more about Jill.
>> Read more about the Pacific Calling Partnerhsip. 

Kateia Kaikai

Sr Kateia Kaikai (a Missionary Sister of the Society of Mary) also spoke at the AGM. As part of her speech, Kateia quoted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who said:

“For those who believe climate change is about some distant future, I invite them to visit Kiribati. Climate change is not about tomorrow. It is lapping at our feet – quite literally in Kiribati and elsewhere.”

She also challenged ARRCC members by asking:

“What will happen to my families, the people of Kiribati, as climate chance literally removes their homeland from the surface of the earth?”

She finished with these words:

"Let me finish by quoting Ban Ki-Moon’s words: 'The high tide shows that it is high time to act'. Let us stand in solidarity to the most affect victims of climate change today."

>> Read Kateia’s full speech.

Presidents Report

Thea Ormerod, President of ARRCC

ARRCC's President, Thea Omerod, began her report with the following words:

“I’m pleased to report that ARRCC has achieved some amazing things in the last year, and this is mostly thanks to the inspiration and skilled contributions of its members. As I speak it will become evident that ARRCC’s work is made possible by a large team of people, so I’d encourage anyone here tonight who wants to add their own ideas and energy, there is plenty of room for it in this grass-roots organisation.”

>> Read the full President’s Report.

Management Committee Elections

During the Management Committee nominations, Adrian Salter announced his intention not restand for election, due to moving in the recent future. All other Management Committee members were renominated, along with ARRCC member Rod Bensen, who was also elected to the Committee.

>> Read a short bio of Rod and the other Management Committee members on the Who We Are page.