Annual General Meeting

Forest and Bird, Volume 21, Issue 3, 1 August 1990, Page 43

Annual General Meeting

The Society's 67th Annual General Meeting and Council Meeting were held in Wellington on June 23. Four new executive members were appointed: Keith Chapple from the King Country, Peter Gardner from South Otago, Gordon Stephenson from South Waikato and Judy van Rossem from Waikato. Old Blue Awards were presented to: Josie Driessen (South Auckland branch) for her tireless work in looking after the branch's reserves. John Findlay (Southern Hawke's Bay), a member for 60 years, former chairman, councillor, executive member and on the local Park Board for 18 years. Ron Freeston (Lower Hutt) who has been in charge of the Pauatahanui Reserve development since the early 1980s. Nancy Payne (Central Auckland), long standing secretary of the branch. Fergus Sutherland (Southland, now Otago), retiring member of the executive, former Southland chairman. Cath Wallace, chairperson of ASOC, for her unwavering commitment to the cause of Antarctic conservation. Retiring national secretary Joan Leckie was farewelled by retiring president Alan Mark who spoke of Joan's nine year’s loyal work for the

Society as national secretary, as well as her contribution as a former chairperson of the Upper Hutt branch. In a moving speech Joan spoke of the changes to the Society and the achievements of the conservation movement during her time as secretary. She told councillors that branch members were the heart and soul of the Society. She said the next decade would be a tremendously challenging one for conservationists and called on councillors to continue with their efforts to safeguard the environment. In recognition of the valuable work she has performed for Forest and Bird, Joan was created a Distinguished Life Member. The Deputy Prime Minister, Helen Clark, delivered the Sanderson Me-

morial Address. In it she announced the Government's indigenous forest policy, including an interim ban on the export of native woodchips, and plans for sustained yield forestry. New Society President Mr Gordon Ell was appointed president of the Society at the June Council meeting. He replaces Dr Alan Mark who has been president of the Society for the last four years. Gordon Ell has been vice-presi-dent of the Society since 1984 and a member of the executive since 1982. A resident of the North Shore in Auckland, he is a book consultant, TV producer and a publisher with his own publishing company Bush Press. He is Forest and Bird's representative on the new New Zealand Conservation Authority.