BSFG has continued a wide range of activities in the past year aimed at supporting sustainability in our locality, region and beyond (the mantra think global, act local is trite but relevant to our purpose). Brief details of our various involvements are covered by the action group reports from members and convenors in a few minutes, but I would like to highlight a few special moments of the past year.
Firstly, I need to thank the Committee and members for their support of me and of our activities since our AGM last year. We have maintained a steady base of memberships and with a significant number of supporters we do have a voice which is used for the benefit of our community.
In making ourselves heard, we have: -
A big task for the Committee over the past twelve months has been coming to grips with new reporting requirements for not-for-profits such as ourselves, landcare and other environmental organisations with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC).
For a Not for Profit with an ABN, only undertaking charitable purposes and self-reported as tax exempt (which describes BSFG), advice from the DEECA Volunteering webinar with representatives from the ACNC in June 2024 on “Understanding Income Tax Reporting changes affecting Landcare and Environmental NFP organisations” was that BSFG must undergo such a process.
The good news is that we no longer have to prepare an annual report to Consumer Affairs Victoria!
This task took considerable effort from the Secretary and Treasurer and other Committee members, but we were finally successful in obtaining registration late last year. A consequence of this registration however is the need to develop and formalise a number of guiding documents.
The first step is ratifying tonight a Policy and Action Plan, and on Implementation Plan on Safeguarding vulnerable people; this will be put to the meeting shortly. The other documents to be developed in the future include: -
A further step for the new Committee will be the appointment of a Safeguarding Officer, to meet the policy requirements.
Looking to the future more broadly, the need for ramping up the energy transition to renewables is self-evident. The current rate of global temperature increase from climate change suggests that the target 1.5 deg maximum increase may well be exceeded already.
However, despondency will get us nowhere; proactive action at all levels is critical.
I’m pleased to announce tonight that REB has a new solar panels project in Benalla in sight: details will be forthcoming in the very near future.
In our other areas of action, work continues to improve sustainability in Benalla, and I wish the new President (to be elected) and Committee all the best in working together towards this objective.
David Blore
26 June 2025
Firstly, I need to thank the Committee and members for their support of me and of our activities since our AGM last year. We have maintained a steady base of memberships and with a significant number of supporters we do have a voice which is used for the benefit of our community.
In making ourselves heard, we have: -
- Submitted to Benalla Rural City Council on the draft Climate and Environment Policy.
- Made representations to Parliamentary Committees of Inquiry on several occasions.
- Run public meetings with guest speakers – for example Dr Lynette Bettio (a former Benalla student, now working for the BOM) was our Guest Speaker at the last AGM.
- Conducted workshops on a variety of matters (as you will hear later). Together with the Food Cooperative, manned a stall at the Creating Community Connections Expo of BRCC at the Lakeside centre and showgrounds in February.
- Maintained a watching brief on renewable power developments in our municipality.
- Contributed to forums such as NERSA, NEWA and CEN (more on these in a moment).
- Together with Swanpool Landcare put on the iconic annual Swanpool Environmental Film Festival.
- And more.
A big task for the Committee over the past twelve months has been coming to grips with new reporting requirements for not-for-profits such as ourselves, landcare and other environmental organisations with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC).
For a Not for Profit with an ABN, only undertaking charitable purposes and self-reported as tax exempt (which describes BSFG), advice from the DEECA Volunteering webinar with representatives from the ACNC in June 2024 on “Understanding Income Tax Reporting changes affecting Landcare and Environmental NFP organisations” was that BSFG must undergo such a process.
The good news is that we no longer have to prepare an annual report to Consumer Affairs Victoria!
This task took considerable effort from the Secretary and Treasurer and other Committee members, but we were finally successful in obtaining registration late last year. A consequence of this registration however is the need to develop and formalise a number of guiding documents.
The first step is ratifying tonight a Policy and Action Plan, and on Implementation Plan on Safeguarding vulnerable people; this will be put to the meeting shortly. The other documents to be developed in the future include: -
- Privacy Policy
- Risk Management Plan
- Code of Conduct
A further step for the new Committee will be the appointment of a Safeguarding Officer, to meet the policy requirements.
Looking to the future more broadly, the need for ramping up the energy transition to renewables is self-evident. The current rate of global temperature increase from climate change suggests that the target 1.5 deg maximum increase may well be exceeded already.
However, despondency will get us nowhere; proactive action at all levels is critical.
I’m pleased to announce tonight that REB has a new solar panels project in Benalla in sight: details will be forthcoming in the very near future.
In our other areas of action, work continues to improve sustainability in Benalla, and I wish the new President (to be elected) and Committee all the best in working together towards this objective.
David Blore
26 June 2025
