spits summer - the Hawkesbury Blue Mountains Alpaca Region

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(Continued from page 27) 28 Spits & Pieces Kerry Dwyer and Bob Richardson (also Directors of AAFL) both abstained from voting and there was one vote against the motion. [Comment: There is a view that AAA has invested so much into AAFL and its predecessor that to cease to do so now would not only send a negative message but might (although not necessarily) reduce AAFL’s capacity to operate into the future. An alternative view is that AAA has “squandered” money by supporting a business that is failing. Again, there is no simple answer. It is critical to the alpaca industry that the fleece end of the business be successful. AAFL has some committed private shareholders who are not known for their willingness to throw away money. The case put to NatCom to invest $31,000 was sufficient to convince those present – with one vote against.] There is still no firm plan regarding the conversion of shares in the former Co-Op to equity in AAFL, although it is still “on the radar”. I understand that it is, and always has been, the intention of the Co-op Board of Directors to convert members shares to equity in AAFL, however in order to do this it (the Co-op) must first apply to the Registrar of Cooperatives. This has been done and the Co-op is still waiting on written advice. When approved, the costs involved in doing this will be relatively high in the context of AAFL’s overall position (e.g. managing 900 extra shareholders), but as mentioned above, there is a genuine effort being made to finalise this. Stay tuned and go direct to AAFL if you have concerns. The value of AAA’s investment in AAFL has been written down by $128,660 (as part of the AAA Treasurer’s Report). The full impact will appear in the AAA’s financial statements for November (see AAA web site). Note that the AAA’s investment in AAFL is shown in the financial statements under the balance sheet item “Investment in Uniquely Alpaca Pty Ltd”. [Comment: There is some confusion about AAA’s representation on the Board of AAFL, so it is worthwhile for members to note the following. When AALF was formed, and in conjunction with the agreement regarding the sale of the Co-op’s assets to AAFL there was a shareholders’ agreement also executed that set out the make-up of the AAFL Board and stipulated two representatives of AAA (via its subsidiary Uniquely Alpaca Pty Limited (UAPL)). Not long afterwards, this agreement was scrapped in favour of the appointment of as balanced a Board as could be found. At the time, there had been a suggestion that AAA might not be able to provide three Directors. AAA and AAFL agreed that it was a better approach to simply seek the best Board members available. The first AAFL Board included two UAPL-appointed representatives - Bob Richardson and Kerry Dwyer - as well as Paul Haslin representing the Co-op. At the AAFL AGM of 2004, Kerry Dwyer stepped down and was replaced by John Fisher, a NSW alpaca breeder. At this meeting, Ian Winlaw was appointed Chair and Mike Talbot Managing Director. So, while there is no “direct appointment” of UAPL nominees to the AAFL Board, the AAA retains 42% ownership and, directly or indirectly, still exerts a major influence. If AAA ever felt its interests were not being adequately represented, it would have the capacity to change its representatives. There is currently a vacancy on the AAFL Board, and anyone interested in being appointed, might indicate that interest to Ian Winlaw. One AAFL Director has commented to me: “While there is no necessity to hold AAFL shares, most Board (Continued on page 29)
(Continued from page 28) Spits & Pieces members do, as a demonstration of their faith and hope for this industry. However, an unfortunate concomitant of such a shareholding - always an immaterial one - is apparently that this will inevitably lead to accusations of selfinterest ….”] 2.5 Fleece “The State of the Fleece Industry” Vice-President Raymond Haynes presented this detailed paper and sought the establishment of a Fleece Fibre Development Initiative. The paper was well-received and proposed, amongst other things, the establishment of a fleece “think tank” as well as a workshop “..to address the fleece industry looking to find a way forward and open to all members of the industry”. I invite all H-BM members who have constructive views on the fleece industry to get involved. Raymond can be contacted on (03) 6225 5306 or rhayes@inet.net.au. He can also provide you with a copy of his paper. Fleece Collections We’re trying to arrange a fleece collection day for H-BM in the New Year, and everything points to AAFL (as usual) being desperate for fleece. Many AAA members have decided to donate their fleeces to AAFL, with the net proceeds being sent by AAFL back to the region involved. Let us know if you’re interested in doing this. 2.6 Financial Report Treasurer Josephine Christmas presented a report to the end of October showing income $37,480 ahead of budget and expenses $16,229 less than budget to provide an overall position of $53,709 better than budgeted for at that point in time. It is expected that the position will be further improved once the financial results of the National Show and Auction are included. Decisions over the weekend included approving previously unbudgeted operating expenditures (not including the AAFL share acquisition) of at least $12,000 for: IGTF – engagement of Dougal McDonald ($4,000) and Fleece Fibre Development Initiative (about $6,000) Administration of Q-Alpaca (about $2,000) 2.7 New Zealand NZ President Russell Nelson reported on events across the Tasman, including a 32% increase in membership (admittedly from a smallish base) over the past 12 months. The NZ Association is setting up an office and has assisted in the establishment of an NZ Camelid Veterinary group. 2.8 Reports 2.8.1 Administration (David Rouse) Registration and membership numbers were noted. We currently have 65,373 registered alpacas and 2,494 members. It is estimated that total alpaca numbers are around 85,000 are that annual fleece production is about 153 tonnes. The 2005-06 AAA Business Plan was presented. 2.8.2 Databases/Website (Bob Richardson and Greg Ruckert) IAR issues with NZ are being addressed. The National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) may soon embrace alpacas. (Continued on page 33) 29
Page 1 and 2: NEWSLETTER of the HAWKESBURY - BLUE
Page 3 and 4: Spits & Pieces Contents Committee -
Page 5 and 6: Perhaps the only “downsides” of
Page 7 and 8: (Continued from page 6) Susan and I
Page 9 and 10: Spits & Pieces Alpaca Sires Austral
Page 11 and 12: Spits & Pieces Breaking News! by Wa
Page 13 and 14: Spits & Pieces Calendar January 200
Page 15 and 16: Spits & Pieces 15
Page 17 and 18: Austin Park Eileen Clough Austin Pa
Page 19 and 20: Ngullaminya Tom & Joan Kent Ngullam
Page 21 and 22: Spits & Pieces Crafty Work Whilst m
Page 23 and 24: Spits & Pieces Proposal For Worksho
Page 25 and 26: After 12 months of experimentation
Page 27: (Continued from page 26) Spits & Pi
Page 31 and 32: Spits & Pieces Lettuce Many people
Page 33 and 34: (Continued from page 29) Spits & Pi
Page 35 and 36: Service Spits & Directory Pieces Ll

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