SUT Australasia Branch
Annual General Meeting

 

17 November 2005

 

Report The Second Annual General Meeting of the Society for Underwater Technology, Australasian Branch, was again held at the delightful venue of the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle. The clear evening and extensive facilities allowed the 52 members and guests to experience the museum exhibits and the waterfront activities from the balcony overlooking the port. The formal agenda started with the chairman’s report by Martyn Witton, the treasurer’s report by Duncan Cameron and the secretary’s report by Geoff Cole. All the reports reflected the success of the first full year of operation, citing the enthusiasm of the membership and the committee in developing recognition for society with the industry and wider community. The events held during the year have all been successful and well attended; this together with individual and corporate membership, and support from the WA Department of Industry and Resources, meant the accounts reflected a healthy turnover and good retained earnings. This places the branch in a strong financial position to undertake a more extensive and expansionist programme in the 2006. The procedure for electing the Committee for 2006 was described in accordance with the SUT Australasian Branch Rules of Association. The 16 nominations to serve on the committee were received from financial members of the Australasian Branch and proposed and seconded by other financial members. These were:

• Keith Bentley              Treasurer
• Graham Bonner
• Adam Brumley
• Duncan Cameron
• Mark Cassidy
• Scott Elson                 Website & IT
• Ian Hobbs
• Geoff Hogg                 Events Coordinator
• Steve Jackson            Publications
• Andy Lane                   Membership
• Chris Lawlor               Vice Chairman
• Jim Leven                   Secretary
• Norm Mackay
• Andrew Millar              Technical/Academic Course Coordinator
• Martyn Witton              Chairman
• Brian Woodman          Promotions

The office bearers (as noted above) were elected by the committee in a further meeting on 23 November 2005.

Two Regional Liaison Officers, Terry Griffiths, Jakarta, and Simon Allen, Hobart, were also appointed. Both will work closely with the committee to further the aims of the Society. Joyce Bremner and Wendy Buchanan were recognised for their sterling work during the year in lifting the society into a professional status and providing events and courses clearly meeting a strong demand and level of interest.

Dr Jim Leven of the Department of Industry and Resources gave a presentation on ‘Subsea Oil and Gas Industry in Australia – Industry Development for the Future’. Jim outlined the vision of DoIR in supporting subsea technology development in Western Australia (WA). To meet the growth in subsea technology for regional projects, Jim presented the plans for expanding the WA Marine Complex at Henderson into a subsea equipment building and test facility. With major projects in progress and the imminent announcement of several projects relying on subsea wells for production in remote areas and deepwater, DoIR initiatives are well targeted.

Commodore Mike Deeks (Retired RAN Commander of Submarines Australia) presented a short history of the Australian Submarine AE2. The AE2 played a significant role in the Dardanelles submarine campaign that supported the Gallipoli hostilities. The AE2 was the first allied submarine to penetrate the heavily mined straits and multilayered surface defences to reach the Sea of Marmara. The subsequent disruption to Turkish shipping and supply lines denied the Turks the use of the sea and forced reliance on limited overland supply. The AE2 was eventually lost by scuttling and her crew remained prisoners for the duration of the war. The AE2 location, in 70 metres of water, is known and has been surveyed. She remains largely intact if showing signs of gentle degradation.

After the presentation a motion from the floor that the Australasian branch of the SUT should support the preservation of the AE2 was proposed and carried.

Our special guest for the evening, Gordon Senior, President of the SUT, recognised the danger signs of being the last speaker before ‘beer’o’clock’. Having made a long journey from the UK, Gordon’s speech was suitably succinct and encouraging. Citing the growth in underwater technology and the enormous potential for future, and recognising the enthusiasm demonstrated by the membership in Perth, Gordon’s message was for us to get after those opportunities.

Gordon formally announced the appointment of three long-term SUT members to Fellows of the Society for their efforts in establishing the Australasian branch: Terry Griffiths, Duncan Cameron and Martyn Witton.

The formal part of the evening concluded on time and with special expression of gratitude by the chairman to:

• Geoff Cole our retiring Secretary and most organised committee member,

• Wendy Buchanan for her ongoing administration and membership services, and

• Joyce Bremner for her development of training and evening events.

The evening sunset on the ocean and a rising Venus set a quixotic backdrop for the illuminated architecture of the museum, as the gathering enjoyed the continued social discourse, canapés and refreshments.