Melbourne Bird Sale 2012

[Craig52]

I don't know what numbers attended years ago all I know is that you couldn't move in most of the venues.
Lets hope someone from their committee reads the posts and decides to talk with the people wanting to assist.

G'day David,back in the days when you and i were there,i can vaguely remember a figure of 300+ attending meetings at VR hall in Flinders St
Craig

[MadOzzie]

G'day

I wonder if attending meetings was to the main way to gain information from guest speakers and by asking questions of other members.

To day this information is available much more freely including from forums just like this.

If I go to a meeting I hear a guest speaker who may give me useful information to help me with my particular choice of birds or on another level entertain me whilst providing to me useless information. If I want to meet members and ask them questions there is only limited time to speak to a few and I may leave with as many questions as I came with.

In forums and by using my research assistant Mr Google I can probably get the answers I need from a range of experts.

And I don't have to pay for petrol or go out on a cold night.

MadOzzie

[E Orix]

Can't agree,going to the meetings was far more informative than floating around the webb.
Contacts are made,friendships are created and one on one discussions and debate does create knowledge.
I have friends still incontact with me from 40 plus years ago.We keep in contact using the computer but its far more enjoyable when we are face to face.
I will concede that the active clubs are far more productive than the little get togethers but its what the members want to create.
Also I was fortunate to experience the big clubs in their greatest periods.

[gouldianpaul]

Hi E Orix,

The Committee will most likely read the posts on this forum...our letter highlights a link to this post....so far a positive response from the Secretary (Graeme Hocking) in that he has agreed to table our letter at the next Committee meeting.

Will keep you posted.

Cheers
Paul

[MadOzzie]

So the Secretary has a choice as to what he tables at committeee meetings?

MadOzzie

[finchbreeder]

Only if they are not an Incorporated body, or the rules are different in Victoria to what they are in WA And if they are not an Incorporated body the individuals who form the committee can be individually sued if anything goes wrong.
LML

[E Orix]

They are incorporated but that aside.
It is not true that just because you are incorporated that it protects you from being sued.
Board Members/Directors can still be sued.
But it is good that your request will be tabled.
If it was an open request it does not need to be tabled,"IF" it was a letter directed to the club the Secretary is
obligated to table it.

[gouldianpaul]

Hi All,

Mr Tino and I went to the Aviculture meeting last night. The issue of moving the Melbourne Sale was discussed by the Committee and they will now investigate the prospect of moving it to the Show Grounds.

The feedback from Committee members was as follows (these are quotes from Committee members)
- We need to investigate this option to see if we are entitled to get it for free and see if it is available at a time that suite us
- The La Trobe Uni site is easy for us as the Committee does not need to worry about any setup arrangements
- It is not the Committee's fault that numbers are declining....if people don't want to come to our sale what can we do
- When we advertise for help with our Sale we don't get anyone offering to help

I left that meeting with the clear impression that nothing will eventuate from this issue being raised with the Committee. The La Trobe site is an easy facility for the Committee to hold the sale with limited effort required on their behalf. They do not believe that members are willing to assist with set up arrangements if the sale was relocated to the show grounds even if we got the facility for $0

So unless members write to the committee (as Mr Tino and I have done) expressing their disappointment with the 2012 sale and/or offering to assist with the setup if the sale was relocated to the show grounds then nothing is going to change.

If anyone is interested in sending correspondence to the Committee I am happy to email you the letter Mr Tino and I sent...just PM me your email address and I will email it across to you.

Cheers,
Paul

PS: FYI, The Society pays $1800 to hire the hall @ La Trobe and claims to have taken $2600 on the day...$800 profit. The Committee seemed satisfied with this result. To me it's not about the profit, it's about providing an event for the benefit of members (so long as a loss is not incurred).

Mr Tino and I have tried, but as I said in my earlier posts if people aren't prepared to listen (In this case because it might mean the Committee might have to do some work) then the Melbourne Sale is doomed

[gomer]

Good on you two for trying to help.Maybe these guys are under maned, dont have the resourses ? and cant set up trestles etc at another location even if it is free.Sounds like they need some younger enthusiastic new blood to help.The problem sound like a catch 22.They are worried about the possible extra work at a new venue when they are possibly stretched to the limit now ? With the help of yourself and Tino and the Melbourne crew this could be much less work for them then at a new venue.But they don't relise how passionate you guys are and would help try to revive this dying beast.I myself have never been to the Melbourne sale so cant comment on what its like only from what I have heard.I go to every year or have been to all the sales this side of Victoria.Why have I not been to Melbourne sale ? Because I always go to the "Big" 4 first then what ever else I can if not at work.I hope they give it a good look into and I would look forward going to the show grounds next year in support of them.If you have a partition or something I would be happy to sign it.Or perhaps they are watching the comments here.

[jnorriss]

Having got involved in my local GC club over last 2 years I have been interested in the thread. Our club is also dependent on volunteers and I have to say has been lucky. Whilst being on the committee usually falls to a few members generally because they have time....like me retired....on bird sale days various club members turn out to help set up the tables, sales table and sausage sizzle. I think this is because the sales day is always successful and there are no issues with regards to early access and parking. It seems to me that if the Melbourne show moved to the showground these types of issues would be removed and the show may be more successful and so energize the club thereby encouraging more members to volunteer and get involved.....just a thought....