2004-2006

Our History - (2004-2006)

16 APR 2004 - National Board Meeting

Election of Officers. Commodore Gillett was elected NACO. Commodore Holmes was elected DNACO. M. McCombie was appointed NADCO. The first female National Training Commodore was appointed - NATCO Patricia Gillett.
The Administration and Accounting Handbook is now in two manuals. The Administration is covered by National Administration Orders and Finance is covered by the National Accounting Guide. Both manuals are By-Laws.
The Discipline Protocols document was accepted as a By-Law.
A salaried position for Alan Hopkins, Victorian Squadron, for a period of six months, fully funded by the Victorian State and Federal Governments involving the movement of Victorian Squadron into the Department of Emergency Services was ratified.
A constitutional review committee was formed with SCO's Vosti, Ryan and NADCO McCombie to review the constitution and report to the National Board.
QF26, Lake Tinaroo Flotilla was granted its Charter.
NATCO Patricia Gillett distributed copies of the NATRAC Report and an AEMVF National Employer Recognition Certificate to Board members
Commander Gus Kreffer, NF17 Iluka/Yamba was granted Life Membership of the Association.

17 APR 2004 - National Board Meeting Continued

Three Workshops were held - Recruitment, Retention and Recognition of members chaired by DNACO Holmes.
Future Directions chaired by NACO Gillett.
Leadership chaired by NADCO McCombie.
Details of results will be advised at the next National Board meeting.
Freer Parker, Adelaide was appointed Auditors of National Board Accounts. KPMG were appointed; Auditors to consolidate the Associations audits to an Association Consolidated Audit.
DSC Dalling, South Australia, was the first female Deputy Squadron Commodore to sit at the Board table.
Substantive Rank of Commander was awarded to Neil Jones QF19 Rockhampton, Len Franz QF17 Tin Can Bay and to Peter McNally, VF02 St. Kilda. Distinguished Award for Training was awarded to Neil Jones, QF19 and to Robin Hood QF5 Noosa. Alan J. Robb, VF9 Queensland was awarded Patrol Officer.
A milestone has been achieved with two ladies, (viz. NATCO Patricia Gillett and DSCO Cheryl Dalling ) sitting as voting members of the National Board for the first time in the Association's History.

18 APR 2004 - New Vessel for Kingscliff
Commissioning of vessel at Kingscliff by NACO Gillett

30 APR 2004 - 40 year member
Tim Pascoe became South Australia's first forty (40) year member. Tim did his PIC course on 30th April 1964 which was conducted by Bill Henry.

1 MAY 2004 - Mooloolaba's new vessel
Commissioning of vessel at Mooloolaba by NACO Gillett

29 JUN 2004 - New Vessel for St. Kilda
Commissioning of vessel at St. Kilda by NACO Gillett

2 JUL 2004 - Tinaroo chartered
Presentation of Charter to QF26 Tinaroo by NACO Gillett

3 JUL 2004 - Innisfail's New Vessel
Commissioning of vessel at QF15 Innisfail by NACO Gillett

13 AUG 2004 - Coast Guard the preferred unit.
RVCP ceasing operations in Tasmania and closing its bases. The State Government would prefer to deal with one VMR unit and Coast Guard is the preferred unit.

21 AUG 2004 - Cooktown Vessel
Commissioning of vessel at QF16 Cooktown by NACO Gillett

19 SEP 2004 - Southport receives vessel
Commissioning of vessel at QF1 Southport by NACO Gillett

31 OCT 2004 - New Vessel for Swansea
Commissioning of vessel at TF2 Swansea by NACO Gillett

5 NOV 2004 - New Radio Base
New Radio Base opened at Dunalley (Lower East Coast) Tasmania

5 NOV 2004 - Kangaroo Island Chartered
Charter was granted to SAF 11 Kangaroo Island

5 NOV 2004 - National Board Meeting

Charter was granted to TF2 Swansea
Tasmania became a fully chartered Squadron. Commodore Peter Monty became the first Tasmania Squadron Commodore to have full voting rights on National Board
A draft of the updated Accounting Guide was presented by NADCO McCombie
The National Board adopted the proposal that a common auditor be appointed to satisfy the requirements of providing a consolidated audit of the association's affairs
Seven new Flotillas were formed in Victoria - VF16 Warrnambool, VF17 Portland, VF18 Lakes Entrance, VF19 Port Albert, VF20 Port Welshpool, VF21 Marlo, VF22 Paynesville
VRA Affiliation. The Volunteer Rescue Association in N.S.W. was admitted as an Affiliated Organisation under Clause 74 of the AVCGA constitution. (To be approved by National Board at the next regular meeting)
Squadrons and Flotillas were asked to appoint an Historian to compile information for their respective units.
Two workshops were held - Protocol for a Paid Position for Coast Guard Members and a Policy on Associate Members.

6 NOV 2004 - Fee increase
The proposal to increase Capitation fees to $33.00

7 NOV 2004 - Change in leadership
Life Membership was awarded to Percy John Lloyd QF14 and Bob Domotor QF11. Distinguished Service Awards to Ian Baker NF4 and Steve Stranks NF4; Meritorious Service Award to Jim Wickerson QF12

Commodore Ryan advised that he is standing down as Commodore of Sunshine Coast Squadron

Commodore Cowie resigned from the Association

Commander Parsons NF 1 and Commander (Sub) Foster NF1 were disenrolled for deliberate breach of By Law 6.06

Commissioning of rescue vessel at NF4 Port Hacking by NACO Gillett

2005 - Flotilla intergration
Integration of new Flotillas Portland and Warrnambool into Victorian Squadron and the joining of bases from Marlo, Lakes Entrance, Paynesville and Port Albert

26 FEB 2005 - 130th meeting
North Queensland Squadron held its 130th meeting at QF14 Ingham

26 FEB 2005 - Life Membership
Commander (S) Percy Lloyd NM, DSA received Life Membership, the Associations highest national honour by Deputy National Commodore Tony Holmes

5 APR 2005 - EMA meeting
EMA meeting held in Canberra with 25 Coast Guard delegates present

8 APR 2005 - National Board held in Canberra
The first time a meeting of National Board was held in Canberra at the Crown Plaza Hotel and hosted by the National Board

8 APR 2005 - National Board Meeting

A momentous occasion when Commodore Ron Isaacs, VRA Chairman, New South Wales, was welcomed to the Board and asked to take his place at the Board table. The VRA affiliated with Coast Guard on 6th November 2004 and was accepted at this meeting
The AVCGA Web site is to be further developed and upgraded
The first Consolidated Audit report was presented. By NADCO McCombie
CAPITATION FEES RAISED FROM $20 TO $30. A new By Law has been written
Commodore Wilson, New South Wales State Council, was awarded Life Membership. Distinguished Award, Administration to former SCO Terry Ryan. Distinguished Award Operations to Marcus Grimblat, Andrew Robb, Darrin Pearce, Frank Egan, and Gary Tomlins of the Victorian Squadron for the development of their vessel tracking system
Three presentations were given. MOB I-lert by Mr. John Smith, Sea Safe personal Location & Search , Receiver by SCO Vosti and Vessel Tracking System by Commander (Sub) Grumblat and Commander Robb, Victorian Squadron

18 JUN 2005 - Two New Vessels
NF1 Port Jackson Flotilla had both rescue vessels commissioned and named at their Birkenhead Point Marina. National Commodore Chris Gillett commissioned the vessels and the State Member for Drummoyne, Angela D'Amore, named the vessels. The vessels are 8m Marlin Broadbill catamarans - CG 011 "Garry Kiely" powered by two 120 hp Mercruiser diesels was named after a retired member who was responsible for raising many thousands of dollars for the Flotilla. CG 012 "Drummer" has two 150hp Honda outboards and carries the name which has been handed from boat to boat after the Flotilla's first owned vessel. Both vessels are in NSW Maritime 2C survey.

1 AUG 2005 - Port Vincent Most Efficient Flotilla
Members from Port Vincent Coast Guard together with Squadron Commodore Dalling and Training Commodore Keith Dalling were privileged to be shown over HMAS Canberra and taken for a trip out of the Harbour. The trip came about when the Navy PR Officer saw an article in the press on SAF10 winning the Canberra Shield for the third consecutive year as the "Most Efficient Flotilla" in South Australia.

SEP 2005 - 2005 "Coastguard" magazine released
Deputy National Commodore Tony Holmes produced the September 2005 "Coastguard" magazine

13 NOV 2005 - National Board Meeting

Commodores Yorston, Crighton and President Bill Carter VRA attended their first National Board meeting as voting members
Work uniforms for vessel crews were adopted. Shirts in light blue or navy blue worn with navy blue shorts or trousers or skirts. A new ladies shirt has been approved. A navy blue jacket has been added to the basic blue/white uniform for special/formal uniform occasions
Additional internal honours and their associated ribbons were introduced to recognize operational hours of both on water and radio base service
Substantive Rank is to be identified by wearing a different coloured name badge
The SAROPS qualification is to be recognised by wearing the appropriate red circlet on hardboards and by wearing a new SAROPS patch
Consideration is being given to re-introducing the Vessel Examination programme
Honda Marine has been selected as the AVCGA sponsors in place of Yamaha
A proposal from Telstra for a consolidated accounts system was accepted in principle
The first Association Consolidated Audited Accounts will be submitted to the ACT Registrar General before 31st December 2005
KPMG has been engaged as the Auditors for Association accounts for the year 2006
NACO Gillett and NATCO Gillett attended the ILF conference in Pool, UK; the USC Aux and a National Conference in Orlando, Florida
Malcolm Wilson ESM was appointed National Captain for special projects and research
Brian Hale from the Sunshine Coast was appointed National Captain as National Magazine Editor
Substantive Rank of Flotilla Commander was granted to Lawrence Baker NF9, Mark Galloway NF3, Ray Kelly SAF1, Ted McCarter QF11 and Harry Stibbard NF19 (posthumous)
Substantive Rank of Deputy Squadron Commodore granted to John Griffiths NF14
Substantive Rank of National Captain granted to Albert Henwood SAF1
Gold Award granted to Steve Fleming QF2
Life Membership was awarded to Keith Brooks, VF6
Patrol Officer granted to David Dodds NF3, Peter Barrow VF8 and Tracy Atkinson VF8
Distinguished Award granted to John Aldridge, Sth. New South Wales
Distinguished Association Award granted to Robert James, NSW and Bill Weatherhog, QF1

7 FEB 2006 - Passing of Captain Brenda Smith
Vale Captain Brenda Smith, National Stores Officer passed away

9 FEB 2006 - Memorandum of Understanding
A Memorandum of Understanding was entered into between the Tasmania Police (TASPOL) and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, Tasmanian Squadron

The eight Flotillas in Tasmania are Kettering, Swansea, Devonport/Port Sorell, Hobart, Tamar, St. Helens, Ulverstone, Dodges Ferry

21 APR 2006 - National Board Meeting

National Board meeting held in Adelaide at the Majestic Hotel
DNACO Holmes presented his last report as deputy National Commodore to National Board
The New South Wales Squadron, the founding Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Squadron in New South Wales was issued with an amended Charter on 21st April 2006 and is now known as the Sydney Squadron. The NSW Squadron name was rendered inaccurate and inappropriate for the state once a second Squadron was formed in Southern NSW and a third Squadron was formed in Northern NSW. Commodore Robards is privileged to have the unique experience of being Commodore to both the historic NSW Squadron and the Sydney Squadron
The International Life Boat Federation name has change to International Maritime Rescue Federation
AVCGA Environmental Statement produced by NACO Gillett and DNACO Homes was adopted

22 APR 2006 - National Board Meeting Continued

The Memorandum of Understanding agreement with Honda Australia and the AVCGA was signed
Captain Peter Matthews was appointed National Stores Officer following the passing of Brenda Smith
Chris Gillett was re-elected as National Commodore
Tony Holmes was appointed to the position of National Board Adviser
Captain Alan Morton (South Queensland Squadron) was appointed National Administration Commodore
Trish Gillett was re-appointed National Training Commodore
NADCO Mark McCombie stood down from his position as Administration Commodore
SCO’s David Morgan and Frank Millican are not standing for re-election as Commodores
Substantive Rank of Commander was awarded to Brad Duck (QF9 Cairns) Robyn Bryant (QF15 Innisfail)
Substantive Rank of Commodore awarded to Ken Bromback (QF6 Mooloolaba)
Distinguished Awards were presented to SCO Morgan (NF17 Iluka) and FC. Brad Duck (QF9 Cairns)
Patrol Officer rating was granted to STC K. Dalling (SAF1) and DSC Bret Wellington (SAF1)
A copy of a proposed Offshore Tracking Sheet which is being used by the Northern New South Wales Squadron was distributed to the Board members for comment
Flotillas which form the Victorian Squadron
VF1 Frankston, VF2 St Kilda, VF4 Hastings, VF5 Lake Eppalock, VF6 Safety Beach, VF7 Currum, VF8 Geelong, VF9 Queenscliff, VF10 Werribee, VF11 Lake Hume, VF12 Sandringham, VF15 Mallacoota, VF16 Warrnambool, VF17 Portland, VF18 Lakes Entrance, VF19 Port Albert, VF20 Port Welshpool, VF21 Marlo, VF22 Paynesville.
Richard Burgess was appointed Co-0rdinator for the Gippsland area. VF18,19,20,21,22
History of the National Training Orders and new NTO’s were introduced

7 JUN 2006 - Honda Marine & AVCGA
Commodore Holmes distributed the Honda Marine – AVCGA National Policy and SOP’s. (Copy appears in the attachments to history file)

5 SEP 2006 - Passing of a life Member
Vale: Commodore Malcolm Wilson ESM JP, Life Member, passed away.

Ministerial Statements from the Legislative Council are held in the Archive files

SEP 2006 - Future of Marine Radio
NACO Gillett and NBA Tony Holmes presented a paper on the “Future of Marine Radio” at the National Marine Safety Committee Conference

6 NOV 2006 - major change
A major change took place in the Southern New South Wales Squadron. NF16 Bermagui became a RVCP unit and Wollongong RVCP unit became an AVCGA Flotilla. The vessel belonging to NF16 Bermagui was relocated to Wollongong Harbour for use by AVCGA Wollongong Flotilla

17-19 NOV 2006 - National Board Meeting

National Board meeting was held in Hobart, Tasmania for the second time, the last meeting being in 1994
Mark McCombie, former NADCO was appointed Deputy National Commodore until the next elections
Two new Squadron Commodores who were elected since the last National Board meeting were welcomed. Commodore Peter Campton, Northern New South Wales and Commodore Alan Seib, North Queensland
This was the first meeting when all the National Attached Officers were in attendance –
Captain Laurie, Archivist; Captain Eriksen, National IT; Captain Nikolich, Marketing/PR; Captain Fraser, National Insurance; Captain Hale, National Magazine; Vice Captain Moya, National Webmaster; A new National Stores Officer Don Young, from QF2 Brisbane was appointed, because of the resignation of P. Matthews.
KPMG, Honda, ACN Telco, presentations were given
Charters were granted to TF4 Hobart, TF5 Tamar, TF6 ST. Helens, TF7 Ulverstone
Charters were granted to VF15 Malacoota, (Specialist Radio Flotilla), VF19 Lakes Entrance, VF21 Port Arthur, VF22 Paynesville
An agreement has been signed with Noorah Head Search and Rescue Boat Club and Terrigal Sea Rescue Service and the Sydney Squadron to commence the establishment of AVCGA Flotillas
AWARDS
Life membership was awarded to Ron Tyler, QF17 Tin Can Bay
Life membership was awarded to Bruce Bell, NF2 Botany Bay
Life membership was awarded to Jon Colless, QF8, Townsville
Substantive Rank of Squadron Commodore was granted to Frank Millican, QF8 Townsville
Substantive Rank of Flotilla Commander was granted to Reg. Felhlaber, QF24 Thirsty Sound
Substantive Rank of Squadron Commodore granted to David Morgan, NF17 Iluka/Yamba
Substantive Rank of Squadron Training Commodore granted to Kevin Thompson, NF10 Ballina
Distinguished Association Awards granted to Alf Nord, QF24; Thirsty Sound Commodore Don Lay QF6; Mooloolaba; Kingsley Fraser QF3.Redcliffe
Distinguished Service Training Award granted to Glen McMahon NF2 Botany Bay
Distinguished Service Operations Award granted to Keith Martin QF 21Sandy Straits
Patrol Officer Ratings awarded to Bruce Corkhill SAF1, Ray Kelly SAF1 and Steve Stranks NF4
New work uniform as displayed in the Corporate Marketing package produced by Capt. Nikolich was accepted
SuperCharge Batteries Pty Ltd have agreed to sponsor AVCGA to the tune of $20,000 per year for the supply of batteries to all Flotillas for the next two years
All Coast Guard Officers are to use the Coast Guard email address
The National Archives material is now available on the Coast Guard Website. A Photograph Gallery has also been included which will allow Flotillas to maintain their own photo album

19 NOV 2006 - Kettering receives vessel
Commissioning of TF1 vessel “Bendigo 1”by NACO Gillett at Kettering

3 DEC 2006 - Rockhampton launches new vessel
QF19 Rockhampton launching of their new vessel and will be commissioned by NACO Gillett

RETURN TO TOP

< PREVIOUS / NEXT >