CEO Position Sporting Shooting Association (Victoria) Limited

The Board of SSAA (Vic) is undertaking a process of appointing a CEO following the resignation of its CEO at the end of last year.

As an interim Jack Wegman was appointed as acting CEO for a period of six months. The SSAA Vic Board  resolved to go to market to find the most suitable applicant for the role.

The acting CEO has not been excluded and has been asked to apply, but we are asking for applications from suitably qualified members, or suitable candidates that members know of.

For further information on the role please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with " Further information required" in the subject field.  Include your contact details in the body of the email, and someone will contact you as soon as possible to discuss.  Alternatively, this role is also being advertised at www.seek.com.au.

The position description can be found at this link.

Proposed Modernised Constitution

MODERNISING THE CONSTITUTION

Over the past eighteen months, the Board and the Company lawyer have been reviewing the Constitution and rectifying major problems. If it is to really serve the best interests of the members, you will need to vote to adopt the recommended, modernised Constitution in the future.

However, you might hear some people say,

“It’s served us well for forty years”

“There’s no need to change it”

“The Board just wants more power”

Really? Well, no, no and no. But don’t take my word for it.

This is what the company lawyer has to say about it ”… it would be a worthwhile exercise for the SSAA (Vic) Constitution to be updated and modernized … (and so) … it is timely and useful for members to consider a replacement document.”

His advice also says that “The Memorandum and Articles of Association in their present form - abolished since about 1998 - contain outdated, outmoded and anomalous references to both the Companies Act and Corporations Law. Producing a modern document which more closely follows and adopts the current provisions of the Act is likely to be more useful to the Board and to the members in understanding their rights under the Act, than the current document which certainly contains some provisions that are no longer legally effective.

It has not been an easy exercise to bring the existing document into a modern format which perhaps explains why it has not been attempted before. However, in circumstances where the current document has been the subject of a significant number of amendments since 1973, the time is right for renewal.”

Also, for many years, the Constitution made no provision for proxy voting. Well, the Corporations Act says you must make provision for proxy voting. No choice. So we must change the Constitution in order to comply with the law. But what we can do to stop unfair manipulation is to limit the number of proxies any one individual can have. And that’s what the Board is recommending.

Even allowing for the legal jargon, it’s not hard to see the challenge staring us in the face. It really is time to modernize our Constitution.

But how can you really be sure that this isn’t just about the Board trying to get more control? Well, the objective of the SSAA (Vic) Constitution always has and will continue to be about protecting the interests of members. Board members come and go. The Constitution stays. So it is vital we get it right. Looking at what the company lawyer has drafted, we believe we have done that.

Many of you will remember the attempts at modernising made in years gone by, but nothing ever seemed to eventuate. It’s now time to actually move forward. We urge you to vote in favour of modernizing the Constitution when the time comes.

The Proposed Modernised Constitution may be found here.

News & Articles

Draft Management Plan for the Greater Alpine National Park

Parks Victoria has issued the Draft Management Plan for the Greater Alpine National Parks, for public comment.

The area covered within the plan is vast  (some 900,000 hectares) and includes Victoria’s Deer hunting areas.

We invite all Branches and Sub Clubs to respond to the plan with comments, through your committees only, which will enable us to represent the membership and make a submission on your behalf.

Please forward your comments to Mike Spray (mike.spray @ssaavic.com.au) at the State Office no later than COB on 25^th July 2014.

 You can access the plan by opening this link http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/alpsplan

Aerial Baiting

Reopening of Wetlands

New Game Management Authority from July 1st

The Victorian Coalition Government’s promised Game Management Authority will start work on 1 July after the passage of legislation in the Victorian Parliament this week.

Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh said the new Game Management Authority (GMA) will provide better service for Victoria’s 46,000 licensed game hunters.

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/9545-new-game-management-authority-from-july-1.html

Freckled Duck

The Freckled Duck is protected in all states and territories and must not be shot

Several reports of Freckled Duck being shot have been reported to us.  Please take a moment to follow this link to the DEPI to familiarise yourself with the Freckled Duck.

If in doubt - DO NOT SHOOT!

http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/fishing-and-hunting/game-hunting/australian-waterfowl/other-waterfowl-found-in-victoria/freckled-duck