Although the Goulburn Friendship Club had held an informal meeting a month earlier, this was the first official meeting on March 17 since COVID-19 restrictions had come into force.
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The meeting combined the club's annual general meeting with the celebration of St Patrick's Day, and members were asked to "wear something green if they wanted to be seen."
As usual the meeting was held at the Goulburn Workers Club; and it was well attended with 57 members present following COVID-19 safety procedures.
The formal proceedings involved the election of the club's officers with the positions being filled as follows:
- President: Barbara Taylor
- Vice President: Roger Grice
- Secretary: Margaret Murdock
- Assistant Secretary: Del Dove
- Treasurer: Elizabeth Grice
- Assistant Treasurer: Adriana Lamarra
- Committee Members: Darcy Kennedy, Sue Zurek, Pam McMahon
Tony Lamarra OAM, former Mayor of Goulburn, officiated at the proceedings thanking the outgoing committee members for their valuable work during the previous year; and congratulated, and welcomed the new committee members.
President Barbara Taylor commented on how they had all been adversely affected by COVID-19 restrictions, and this had meant the club had been forced to curtail much of its planned activities during the year.
However, the two events they had managed to organise (local BBQ and the Christmas Picnic in the park) had been well received by members.
Barbara then said that "we are of course grateful that Goulburn had remained a safe place, and hopefully the coming year would show a transition to more normal times and activities."
Barbara reminded the members that the next meeting on April 21, 2021 would have an Easter theme; but would also recognise the sacrifice made by Australians during Anzac Day commemorations.
It was suggested that members adopt an "Easter" theme.
The VP Roger Grice announced that after further discussion the club mission statement would now read: To work in harmony with our friends for the benefit of the Goulburn Mulwaree community and provide assistance to local not for profit organisations and individual(s).
This will appear on publicity flyers in the future to help inform prospective members about the aims of the club. Roger added that he hoped and planned to encourage more fund raising within the club and community so that it could be more active in assisting others in these difficult times.
Once the AGM was officially over all the members could relax and enjoy their St Patrick's Day lunch and light hearted activities and raffles.
Winners of the 'wearing of the green' were Sue Zurek and Barrie Williams, their prizes being a shower scrub and backscratcher.
There was also a raffle for a framed photograph, kindly donated by Darcy Kennedy which was won by Daphne Watterson.
They said their goodbyes to two long-standing members of the Club, Val Croker and Bill Feast who are moving to different parts of Australia.
They would like to thank Val for all her hard work knitting and sewing pouches for rescue wildlife during the 'lockdown'.
The meeting formally closed with members commenting that they had enjoyed themselves, and that they were looking forward to the next meeting in April.
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