Georges Riverkeeper Annual General Meeting and General Meeting – November 2023
Georges Riverkeeper held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 16, 2023, hosted by Georges River Council. Mayor Sam Elmir expressed support for the organisation's work, applauding the award-winning Zero Litter in Georges River project.
During the AGM, the Committee endorsed the Georges Riverkeeper Annual Report for 2022/23 and the election of the new Executive Group, including Chairperson Cr. Stephen Nikolovski, Vice-Chairperson Cr. Paul Sedrak, Second Vice-Chairperson Cr. David Walsh, and Treasurer Cr. Peter Mahoney.
The subsequent General Committee Meeting featured updates on programs and a presentation by Xuela Sledge, Greater Sydney Landcare Coordinator and Project Officer working on the Southwest Sydney Koala Project.
The Southwest Sydney Koala Project is a partnership between Greater Sydney Landcare and the NSW Koala Strategy. Southwest Sydney is home to between 250 and 500 koalas. The population is healthy and chlamydia-free. The aim is to stabilise and increase koala numbers in the Campbelltown and Appin/Wilton areas. The Georges Riverkeeper General Committee was interested to hear that there are many opportunities for people to manage their land to encourage koala habitat and financial support available for them.
Sean Simpson, Senior Environmental Officer at Georges River Council gave an update on Georges River Councils’ Bushcare program and activities.
These two presentations rounded out what was a very informative evening for Members.
In attendance were the Georges Riverkeeper team and the Executive Group representatives as well as Cr. Carmen Lazar OAM (Fairfield City Council), Cr. Fiona MacNaught (Liverpool City Deputy Mayor), Cr. Masud Khalil and Cr. Rey Manoto (Campbelltown City Council), and Cr. Michael Banasik (Wollondilly Shire Council), as well as numerous council officers, stakeholders and community members.
The next General Committee Meeting will be held on 18 April 2024 at City of Canterbury Bankstown.