The recent NRMA Board election, in which 340,000 Members took part, should close the book on the divisions that have dogged NRMA Motoring & Services since demutualisation five years ago.
I am confident that the new Board will work hard as a team to provide world-class road service and other services that you want us to deliver. We will build on the hard work of the last 12 months and continue our fight for a fairer deal for motorists. The previous Board earned a reputation for unity and hard work and I for one will not let this reputation slip.
There is much for the new Board to do. We must, as a primary task, maintain focus on financial viability and not on wasting Members’ money because someone may think an idea sounds good, or it suits some non-representative ideology.
There is also much to do in providing a wide range of new services that you believe we should provide, such as service centres, car brokerage and motoring products. We must become an even stronger voice for our Members, whether they live in Sydney or the bush.
We will continue the fight to get more than the $2 billion a year the Federal Government gives back to motorists from the $14 billion it collects in fuel excise. With additional funding, we can bring our highways up to an acceptable standard.
Our fight for more funding for our roads is more crucial than ever. Our community campaigns such as fixourbloodyroads.com will continue until governments inject the necessary funds so that Australians get better, safer roads.
We will continue our vigorous campaign to get a fairer deal out of the Cross City Tunnel operators and get back the Sydney streets that the Government has given away to the toll road operators. The $3.56 toll is still way too high. If the tunnel operators think that our commitment to getting a fairer deal will wear off with time they are wrong. We are also putting the operators of the Lane Cove Tunnel on notice – if they attempt to rip off motorists, we will not be silent.
This year will also see NRMA continue its fight against petrol price gouging by oil companies. After sustained pressure last year, they reduced their outrageous profit margins, providing families with some relief at the bowser.
This relief has yet to reach our Members in the bush who are paying more than $1.30 per litre for no justifiable reason, so we will take the fight to country and regional areas.
In 2005, NRMA reclaimed its position as the voice for motorists. In 2006, my commitment to you is that we will continue to fight on your behalf.
NRMA Members voted in record numbers in the recent Board elections, held for the first time on a region-based voting system.
Announcing the election results for the nine-member Board, NRMA General Counsel and Group Secretary, Helen Burgess, said a record 327,574 NRMA Members had voted in our full Board election – more than double the number of people who voted in previous Board elections.
Helen said the record vote was an important indicator of Member engagement.
“We knew from focus group research conducted before the election that NRMA Members take their voting responsibilities seriously,” says Helen.
“However, there has previously been some resistance to voting generally, with Members turned off by tablecloth-sized ballot papers and bulky voter packs.
“So we simplified the process and we developed some incentives as our way of saying ‘thank you’ to those Members who traditionally take an interest in governance issues at election time, and to encourage other Members to do likewise.”
The following candidates have been elected by NRMA Members in the respective regions:
“While appointed by a region, each Board director will work for the benefit of NRMA as a whole,” says Helen.
NRMA President Alan Evans thanked the outgoing directors for their contribution and welcomed the three new directors joining the Board. Alan says Laurie Maher, Jan McClelland and Rob Hugh are to be congratulated for the fine contribution they had made to the NRMA Board.
“The Board would like to recognise the outstanding contribution Laurie, Jan and Rob have made to the strength and stability of NRMA Motoring & Services,” says Alan.
Alan also welcomed the addition of Dawn Fraser, Kyle Loades and Richard Talbot to the Board for three years, which became effective from Saturday December 3, 2005. “Dawn Fraser, Kyle Loades and Richard Talbot have all demonstrated a strong interest in NRMA during the election campaign,” says Alan.
“The Board welcomes their contribution and hopes that the good work that the current Board has undertaken to improve the company’s finances and Member benefits will continue to grow.”
NRMA Members responded positively to the voting incentive.
The main prize winner was Ian Lindeman from Tuncurry on the NSW mid-north coast. Ian had experienced some bad luck recently when his car was stolen, so imagine his surprise when he won a brand new Subaru Liberty 2.5i with safety pack.
“I just couldn’t believe the news that I had won a new Subaru Liberty in the NRMA draw. I had lost my car under most unhappy circumstances, and to now find that I suddenly have a new one is unbelievable,” says Ian.
“It will make a big difference to my life. Thank you NRMA.”
In addition to the main prize, voters went into the draw for a seven-night Travelodge gift pack per region. The winners of the gift pack were: Anne Maynes of Eungella (Coghlan); Robert McNeill of Narellan Vale (Cox); James Forbes of Oatley (Hoddle); Thomas Deevy of Baulkham Hills (Howe); Helen Campbell of New Lambton (Keele); Sutharshani Chandramohan of O’Malley (Mann); Peter Reeve of Hornsby Heights (Perry); Maria Kos of Auburn (Simms); and Ronald McKenzie of Forest Reef (Townsend).
NRMA congratulates all winners – we hope you enjoy your prizes. We also thank you for your participation.
NRMA’s 2005 Annual General Meeting was held on November 16 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. After years of AGMs marred by shouting and controversy, the meeting was an orderly, constructive and enjoyable affair for the 340 Members who attended. NRMA President Alan Evans chaired the meeting and reported on our achievements in advocacy during the year.
“A range of Member information booths were very well received by people attending the meeting, including feature stands on travel, NRMA’s safer driving program, batteries and other Member benefits,” says Alan.
Long-time Member and outspoken NRMA activist Jack Tilburn addressed the meeting during the question and answer session. “After studying and researching the annual report, I wish to give it a good pass mark of about 7.5 marks out of a possible 10,” said Jack. “There were some very good achievements within the pages of the concise report.
“Mr Evans, I congratulate you and the Board on your joint venture with the Travelodge Hotel company; NRMA’s online travel planner; the $1 million fighting fund to help NSW and ACT motorists get the roads they deserve; directors undertaking a course on being better informed of their duties; and a 40% reduction in the expenses of the Board.”
NRMA Member John Breslin made reference to the layout of the AGM during the same session.
“I’d also congratulate those responsible for the layout of this meeting and the doing away with the 300 foot exclusion zone which we’ve had to suffer under previous people,” said John.
Longstanding activist Joe Nagy congratulated the Board and management for restoring NRMA Motoring & Services.
“Mr Chairman, I would like to congratulate you, the Board and management. This is the first time that I can remember, in over 15 years, where things seem to have settled down and NRMA is beginning to live up to its reputation,” said Joe.
After the meeting, Board members, management and staff chatted with Members over sandwiches.
