MINUTES OF THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF 7 WNHB REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION HELD IN THE GARRISON CLUB, 7WNHB HQ, NAPIER        AT 1100 HOURS ON SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER 2012

Present:

G Newcomb, P Shepherd, J Roil, L Hawthorne, J Sturgess, L Watson, K Berkahn, M Rigby, M Duncan, D Hillyard, L Harwood, M Porata, J Jones, M Taylor, A Tristram, A Tristram, K Foote

Apologies:                   

R Clouston, P Grant, D Hurley, S Robertson, D Lyver, A Kells, N Lucas, R Pledger, E Gartrell, P Povey, M Short, J Harker, R Crail, D Murray, L White, B Emerson, C Thomson, G Thomson, R Brooker

 1.        Chair

 As spokesperson to date for the Establishment Group, K Foote was appointed Chair for the meeting.

 2.        Background

K Foote provided some background to the meeting and the desire of a small Establishment Group to see a 7WNHB Regimental Association formed.  The principal reasons for doing so now included:

• The pending restructuring of the current TF Battalions (potentially diluting their links to the past) therefore creating a need for a body to maintain the history and traditions of the unit, including potentially taking “custody” of the history room and memorabilia.
• The pending (now confirmed) winding up of the Hawke’s Bay Regiment Association and its desire for its brief to be expanded and carried on (along with its historical records and memorabilia) as an Association for 7WnHB.
• The 150^th anniversary of the founding of the Napier Rifle Volunteers coming up in 2013.
• The 50^th anniversary of the amalgamation of the Wellington and Hawke’s Bay Regiments coming up in 2014.

From a meeting of the Establishment Group on 22 May 2013, subsequent activity has included:

• The establishment of a 7WnHB Regimental Association website.
• The final meeting and winding up of the Hawke’s Bay Regiment Association.
• Active promotion of registrations of potential members
• The drafting of a Trust Deed for potential adoption by this meeting
• Setting up this inaugural meeting.

 3.        Update on Unit Amalgamations

Capt Matt Taylor (Adjt 7WnHB) provided a brief update on the pending amalgamation of 7WnHB and 5WWCT.  Key issues of note in the update included.

• The formal amalgamation will take place later this year / early next year, with a new 5/7 Bn HQ being established in Trentham.
• The current 7WnHB HQ in Napier would be retained as a Coy HB as will some essential vehicles and equipment for CD support purposes.
• Existing Unit identities (colours, dress distinctions etc) would be retained.
• Hon Cols for both 7WnHB and 5WWCT would be retained.

Exact timings and details of the amalgamation have yet to be confirmed.  There would need to be further discussions over what ‘historical’ items will go in the new HQ in Trentham and how/where the remainder will be retained/maintained.

 4.        Review of Draft Trust Deed

Preliminary discussions had identified significant potential benefits in setting up the Association as a Charitable Trust.  This therefore necessitated the development of a more detailed Trust Deed rather than a more simple Constitution required for an Incorporated Society.

A draft Trust Deed was tabled, discussed and amended as appropriate by the meeting.  The more relevant and significant clauses agreed were:

1.      The name of the Trust shall be the 7WnHB Regimental Association Charitable Trust

2.      Purposes:

• The collation of historic materials inclusing written and archives for 7WnHB and all predecessor units to 7WnHB, and without limiting such term, including the 65th of Foot (Royal Tigers / Regt).
• To act as custodian of historic materials of significance to 7WnHB.
• To promote and encourage an understanding of the role of the Territorial Force.
• To provide for regular social exchanges to foster the above objects and assist in the education and retention of knowledge.

3.         Structure of the Trust:

• The Trust shall be administered by a Board of Trustees (the Board) who shall be elected annually.

4.        Members of the Board:

4.1      The Board shall consist of not less than two nor more than nine members.

4.2      The Honorary Colonel of 7WnHB shall hold the role of Patron and shall be an ex-officio member of the Board.

5.       Membership of the Trust:

• Any person who has served in 7WnHB or its predecessor units, or any person, group of organisation, including any family group, which agrees with the purposes of the Trust may, subject to the Board’s approval, become a member of the Trust by application in writing and upon payment of a subscription (if any),  provided that if any Service Members date back 40 years, they shall be deemed life members and exempt from any subscription levied.  Other members may also be deemed life members, at the discretion of the Board.

6.      Subscription:

• The Board may require members of the Trust to pay a subscription of such amount or amounts as may from time to time be fixed by resolution in general meeting.

Following discussion, it was moved by Ken Foote and seconded by Arthur Tristram that the Trust Deed as tabled and amended, be adopted. Carried unanimously.

5.        Election of Trustees

Nominations received for the positions of Trustees on the Board included:

Don Hurley

Arthur Tristram

Ernie Gartrell

John Roil

John Sturgess

Ken Foote

As the number of nominations was less than the maximum number permitted, all six of the nominations were deemed elected to constitute the first Board.

Carried unanimously.

The meeting then authorised the Board to co-opt additional members as necessary, up to the maximum set out in clause 4.1 of the Trust Deed.

6.        Future Intentions / Activities

Attendees were advised of future activities to be conducted by both the Unit and the new Association:

• Art Deco Weekend, Napier – Parade and Function – 16/17 February 2013 (Unit)
• First Annual General Meeting, Napier – 16/17 February 2013 (Assn)
• 150^th Anniversary Napier Rifle Volunteers / Chanuk Bair – Parade and Function, Wellington – 9/10 August 2013 (Unit)
• 50^th Anniversary 7WnHB – Reunion Weekend, Napier – Feb/Mar 2014 (Assn).

Once the Association was functioning, there will be a request put out for volunteers to assist with the initial collation and planning for all historical items and memorabilia, with spreading the word to grow membership, and for assistance with planning future events.

 7.        Website

Attendees were requested to regularly review the website: www.7wnhbregtassn.co.nz for updates and notices.

Arthur Tristram undertook to maintain contact with those members without access to the internet.

 8.        General Business

With no general business, on behalf of the Establishment Group, Ken Foote thanked everyone for attending, and invited everyone to stay for lunch.

The meeting closed at 1245 hours.