The 2006 Annual General Meeting of the Celtic Club Incorporated.

The Annual General Meeting was held at 8pm on Thursday 26th October on the 1st Floor of the Celtic Club, Queen Street, Melbourne.

Numbers were down on last year with just 49 members attending, over 20 apologies and 57 proxy votes were received.

The meeting was chaired by Club President, Seamus Moloughney, with Secretary Peter Gavin

Treasurer Cushla McNamara, and Bernard Brophy the chair of Legal and Constitutional Committee at the top table.

At the request of the Committee, Peter Vasta of Cummings Flavel McCormack, the Club’s accountants, was present.

The Returning Officer, Bernie Feely reported that as 11 nominations had been received for the 9 positions on the Committee, an election would be held on November 17th between the hours of noon and 8pm. Bernie Feely then left the meeting.

After some discussion the minutes of the 2005 Annual General Meeting were passed.

Once again it was the tabling of the financial report that created the most interest.

There were many heated questions as to the ‘write down’ of the $29,673. These questions were answered by Peter Vasta – Accountant and Cushla McNamara – Treasurer. The ‘write down’ was due to a data entry errors made over several years. These errors were discovered by the Celtic Clubs Auditor, Owens & Co, during their audit. Neither the Accountant nor the Auditor can say for certain which period the entry errors refer to; both however, assured the Committee and the membership that there was no cash involved. The errors only related to data recorded on the computer.

It was explained by the Treasurer that had we not had to account for errors in this years report our profit would have been $39,712. 00

In speaking to her written report the Treasure referred the members to page 5 of the Annual Report where comparisons of several years trading figures could be seen. “It is indeed a fact”, the Treasure said, “that the decline in gaming revenue over the last 6 years has had a huge impact on the finances of the Club. In the 12 month period of 2001/02 when our gaming revenue peaked at $935,177 it represented 53% of total revenue. This financial year our gaming income was $604,139 which is only 29.95% of total income. We are now in the position where our income from the delivery of hospitality to our members and the public accounts for the bulk of our income. It is essential that we make every effort to continue to improve the income derived from this source”.

Marion O’Hagan was elected as a Life Member by an overwhelming majority.

The increase in membership fees caused very lively discussion. The motion to rescind the

committee decision to raise the fees was lost by a majority of those present.

In General Business Phillip Moore thanked the Cultural Heritage Committee members for their work during the past year.

A vote of thanks to Brian Shanahan for his role as President for the past 6 years was proposed by Val Noone.

The Secretary, Peter Gavin, moved a vote of thanks to the Committee who were retiring, Brian Shanahan, Val Noone, Phillip Moore, Maurice Hanrahan, Jim Cusack, Paul Moynes and Mark O’Boyle

Several other issues were raised including the need for disabled parking around the Club and the incomplete list of Life Members. All matters raised were duly noted in the minutes.

The President closed the meeting at 9.50pm and invited members to a drink in the bar downstairs.