AGM MEETING
QT HOTEL
7 STAGHORN AV
SURFERS PARADISE QLD
4 August 2017
Meeting started at 8 am
Apologies George Christianos,Wayne Christianos,Ross Sedawie,Yanni Athanasiads.
Attendance Paul Sedawie ,Andrew Kemeny, Chris Gawthorpe, John Mc Donald, Stephen Ellerman ,Ken Wills, Andrew Cody ,Damien Cody, Max LAne, Edmond Lahoud, Milo Bjilivuk.
Treasurer’s report.
The finances were presented by Paul Sedawie
The bank balance was $15923.24
This included the amount of $$1600 that was frozen in pay pal but has since been released.
Accepted by Andrew Kemeny Seconded by John Mc Donald
OFFICE BEARERS
All the previous committee members re – stood for election
President Paul Sedawie.
Vice president Yanni Athanasiads.
Sectary George Christianos.
Treasurer Sally Patel.
Publicity officer Edmond Lahoud.
Nominated Andrew Kemeny seconded John Mc Donald
Sub committee
Stephen Ellerman is to be in charge of membership recruitment and marketing strategies .
Nominated by Paul Sedawie seconded Chris Gawthorpe
PRESIDENTS REPORT
In the last 12 months we opened a new web site and have a face book site as well.There has been two major projects with a large amount of work being done. The first was to update the Opal nomenclature and make it more accurate . We have also tried to inform government agencies with the problems we are having with inbound Chinese tourists buying opals. We have written to the ACCC and Austrade[ADS scheme] We have also written and had several appointments with the Qld fair trading and the minister for trade Steven Ciobo. This did result in one company being fined but the practice of deceit still continues. My impression is that these agencies think there are enough rules to govern un fair trading in opal selling, but its obvious they have no experience to know whats natural or not. The second problem is the customer leaves for over seas and only finds out when they go to get the stone re set .
We also promoted the Australian opal trail through a press release to hundreds of magazines and media and it appeared in a few magazines. There were many requests to have a small paid add with a guarantees of a large article. I think we may have to consider this for next year.
OPEN BUSINESS
Andrew Cody talked about the progress of the opal nomenclature. There is still 6 months of discussion to be held with the final paper being presented in Tucson 2018.
Ken Wills made us aware of the native title issues effecting Qld and the high fees that the solicitors charge to handle such cases. Some fees being app $ 47,000 per claim.
Milo also mentioned the problems in the Winton area and the costs to solve the problem. Milo also felt we should encourage the South Australian members to join our Opal association.
Paul Sedawie also mentioned about Aust track who regulated cash transactions and money laundering. Our industry does not need to comply as yet but we should be prepared for it eventually happening.
The meeting closed at 8.40 am
Kind Regards
Paul Sedawie
President of the Opal Association
http://www.opal.asn.au/opal/