The AAUS Annual General Meeting was held yesterday in Melbourne. Results of the meeting are summarised here.
Highlights:
President's Welcome
Dr Reece Clothier, longstanding President of AAUS, has announced he will be stepping down as President of the Association before the end of the year. After almost a decade in the role, Dr Clothier said now was the right time for new leadership to take the Association forward.
“I am immensely proud of what the Association has achieved, and it has been an honour and privilege to have been part of that journey,” he said to attendees at the AAUS 2024 Annual General Meeting.
Dr Clothier has been part of the Association since its founding in 2009, taking on the voluntary role of President in 2015. Since then, AAUS has matured into the peak national representative body for the commercial RPAS and AAM sector, with more than 4,000 members.
“In our first year we would’ve been lucky to have 30 financial members; while I am so proud to see how far we’ve come, I’m even more excited to see where the Association can go from here,” Reece said.
Over the years Reece has represented the Association in countless policy and regulatory forums, the most recent being co-chairing of the RPAS and AAM Strategic Regulatory Roadmap and Australian Advanced Air Mobility Vision and Roadmap. In addition to advocacy and engagement, Reece has played a key role in maturing the governance and strategy of the Association.
As to the future, Dr Clothier said “... that while I may be stepping back, I won’t be stepping out. I intend to continue in my support for the Association and the emerging aviation industry,” with Reece continuing as an advisor to the AAUS Board. He will also continue as a member of the CASA Aviation Safety Advisory Panel and an independent non-executive Director of the Flight Safety Foundation Australia – roles he holds independently of AAUS.
On behalf of the membership, the AAUS Board offers its profound thanks to Reece for his leadership and immeasurable contributions as President and AAUS Board Member over the last 15 years.
Acceptance of 2023 AGM Minutes
The minutes of the 2023 AAUS AGM were ratified as a true account of that meeting.
Annual Report
Greg Tyrrell delivered highlights of the annual report including discussion of AAUS' advocacy, membership and event activity during 2024.
Read full Annual Report here:
Financial Report
Leigh Simpson delivered the audited Financial Report for FY24.
Key points:
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An independent audit of the financial statements was completed by Colquhouns Qld
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A net deficit of $61,371 in 2023-24 compared to a profit of $29,023 in 2022-23 .
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Revenue of $628,746 was 13% lower than in 2022-23. Our event schedule and performance is a significant factor in our yearly revenue and expenditure outcomes.
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Cash at Bank $209,530
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Looking forward we are expecting a surplus in FY25 associated with a more favourable event schedule and pulling back of some staffing costs.
The financial report for FY24 was accepted.
Election of Directors
In accordance with AAUS Rules, the following people have been appointed to the Board for a 3 year term:
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Renee Bartolo (re-appointment)
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Paul Hardy (re-appointment)
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Jonathan King (re-appointment)
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Anthony Patterson (re-appointment)
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William Waters (new appointment from Leidos Australia)
In accordance with the AAUS Rules, Warren Ludwig has been re-appointed to the Board for a 1 year term (filling the vacated Seat arising from Reece Clothier's retirment).
Election of AAUS Board Executive Positions
In accordance with AAUS Rules, AAUS ran a process to seek nomitations for the Executive Positions of President and Vice President.
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The position of President has been accepted by Andrew Crowe.
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The position of Vice President has been accepted by Anthony Patterson.
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Due to Andrew Crowe vacating the role of Secretary, AAUS will fill that role in coming weeks.
The results of the election of the AAUS Board for 2024 was ratified.
