Chairman's Report - Year Ended 30 June 2007
The Council of the Society is pleased to provide the following
Annual Report.
PATRON
The Society is most grateful for the Vice-Regal patronage it
is accorded by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO
Governor of New South Wales. Her continuing interest and support
are greatly appreciated.
PRESIDENT
The Society is most grateful for the continuing interest and
involvement of its President, The Honourable Sir Laurence Street
AC KCMG QC
THE 2006 PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
The Society was honoured to have the awards presented by Her
Excellency The Governor at Government House on Friday 27th October
2006. The warm hospitality extended by Her Excellency and Sir
Nicholas Shehadie following the ceremony was greatly appreciated
by the recipients and guests present.
The awards comprised 1 Silver Medal, 9 Bronze Medals, 7 Certificates
of Merit, and 3 Letters of Commendation.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Society’s 129th Annual General Meeting was conducted on
Monday 11th December 2006, when Councillors and Office Bearers
were elected for the ensuing twelve months.
FINANCE
The Society’s Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2007 and its Income
and Expenditure Account for the year then ended have been audited
and appear at the back of this publication.
DONORS
The financial position was only achieved through the generosity
of those donors who are listed later herein. The New South Wales
Government is a long time annual helper, whilst the NRMA and
P & O Australia Limited provide significant support.
2006 – 2007 AWARDS
The awards described in this booklet comprise 4 Silver Medals,
39 Bronze Medals and 20Certificates of Merit. In addition, the
Society issued 5 Letters of Commendation. To all recipients,
the Society conveys the thanks, admiration and congratulations
of the people of New South Wales.
KINDRED SOCIETIES
A happy working relationship exists with the Royal Humane Society
in London and Royal Humane Society of Australasia in Melbourne,
to which bodies, together with other kindred organisations,
the Society offers warm greetings.
APPRECIATION
The Society depends on the goodwill of many supporters. The
New South Wales Fire Brigades provides the Society with an office
and meeting room. The NSW Police, NSW Fire Brigades and Ambulance
Service of NSW remain major contributors to investigating and
reporting upon cases presented for consideration by the Council.
The quality of the Society’s Bravery Certificates is the work
of the NSW Maritime Authority, which has generously prepared
them for many years. In addition we have a number of generous
donors, mentioned in this report, and are most grateful for
their financial assistance.
The ongoing business is in the hands of the Honorary Secretary
Roland Millbank who is very ably supported by Assistant Secretary
Nina Smith. I acknowledge the professional contributions provided
by the Honorary Treasurer, the Honorary Solicitor and the Honorary
Publicity Officer and our new Honorary Auditor Mr David McGrane.
Heroism is, for most of us, a difficult concept. We are dealing
with ordinary persons who, with some disregard for their own
life, come to the aid of others. They have not taken these steps
for recognition or reward, but out of their concern for fellow
human beings. It is a humbling experience for those of us contemplating
these acts. During the past year the Council, in its deliberations
has considered two dangerous situation cases. One extraordinary
case has now been adopted by the Emergency Services as a realistic
scenario for training their personnel, the second resulted in
the rescuer being awarded the Stanhope Gold Medal, the highest
British Commonwealth award for civilian bravery. While it is
true that not all acts of heroism come to the attention of the
Royal Humane Society, we do attempt to seek out as many brave
acts as possible.
I wish to thank our Patron, the President, my fellow Councillors
and those who assist in supporting roles for the dedication
they bring to fulfilling the Society’s objectives.
Major General the Hon Justice
C.R. HOEBEN, AM RFD
Chairman
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