December
2005
Following the earlier formation of the 1st Commando Regiment, with its HQ based in Sydney, a meeting of 2 Commando Association in December 2005 voted that it become the 1st Commando Regiment Association – Victoria Incorporated. This special general meeting was held at the Naval and Military Club on Saturday 10 December 2005.
President Bruce O’Connor welcomed all those in attendance and gave a brief outline of the circumstances that led to the meeting being called.
Bruce reiterated the key future drivers for the Association: the stated position of 1st Commando Regiment, the accelerated decline of the WWII Commando Associations, and the need to cement welfare support and funding for all members of the “Commando” family.
This included the proposed amalgamation of the existing Victorian based 1st Commando Regiment sub-unit Associations (2 Commando Association Inc, and 126 Signal Squadron Association Inc) to become either the 1st Commando Regiment Association – Victoria Inc or the Australian Commando and Special Forces Association – Victoria Inc, as notified in the special motions.
Major Steve Pilmore advised of the current action with respect to 1st Commando Regiment Headquarters forming a national 1st Commando Regiment Association as the umbrella for the state-based unit associations.
Bruce O’Connor also explained that the adoption of the special motion renaming the Association “Australian Commando and Special Forces Association – Vic Inc” was not yet viable, as it would be in conflict with the current registered World War II Australian Commando Association that represents our WWII Commando veterans. This conflict is to be resolved in a future time when all of the Commando Units family agree to a way ahead.
Robert McDowell moved and Steve Pilmore seconded that all members consider and adopt a special resolution to change the name of the Association to “1st Commando Regiment Association – Victoria Inc”, or “Australian Commando and Special Forces Association - Victoria Inc,” and that if the special resolution is adopted, the relevant changes to the Association’s constitution be made.”
Following questions, discussion and debate, the above motion was voted on. A 75% majority is required to carry a special resolution.
The resolution to change the name of the Association was carried (94.3%).
Special resolution 1a, to change the name of the Association to “1st Commando Regiment Association - Victoria Inc” was carried (85.7%)
Special resolution 1b, to change the name of the Association to “Australian Commando and Special Forces Association - Victoria Inc” was lost (only 66.04% in favour).
The meeting resolved by special resolution that the name of the Association be changed to “1st Commando Regiment Association – Victoria Incorporated.”
The consequent resolution, to change the Association’s constitution to effect the change of name, and to review all relevant sections, was then carried (94.3%)
The President thanked those in attendance and acknowledged the members who made the effort to send their proxy votes.
Members who attended were Glenn MacDonald, Douglas Allen, Peter Beasley, David Rice, Bruce O’Connor, Andrew Gordon, Ray Sanders, Barry Higgins, Norm Ferguson, Don Bergman, Maurie Priestley, Steve Healy, John Haywood, Keith Smith, Roman Stuczynski, Peter Tierney, Liz Maclaine, David Sheppard, Noel Mavric, Trever Bailey, Major Steve Pilmore, Barry Creighton, Peter Lynch, Glen Doyle, Richard Godden, Chris James, Tony Jones, Bruce Parker, Reg Cooke, David Waterston, Barbara Palmer, Ian Storey, Harry Carlin-Smith, Bob McDowell, Tony Mills, Keith Hughes, Peter Richards and John Woodruff.
Apologies were received from General Sir Phillip Bennett, Frank Wheatland, Major Chris Wallis, Robert Osborne, Barry Hughes, Ed Nicholas and David Gilder.
