Minutes of the Annual General Meeting for CMSA(Inc) 1998

Held at the 23ACCMCC in the Frank White Building at the University of Queensland.
Date: Thursday 9 July at 4.30 p.m.

Number present: 45

1. Apologies P. Bonnington, L. Caccetta, P. Gibbons, K. McAvaney, B. Neumann.
2. Confirmation of Minutes of 1997 AGM
   Motion: The minutes of the 1997 AGM to be taken as read.

   (J.Seberry/E.Billington) - motion carried. There were no question arising from the minutes.

3. Reports
   
   • Council report from President Anne Street:
     In summary, A. Street reported that the Council had held bi-monthly meetings by telnet via an ANU server set up by B. McKay. A number of life members had been accepted. Initial planning for the 23ACCMCC in Brisbane, and the Wet and Dry Conference in Darwin had been discussed, and update reports had been maintained by the organisers.
   • Financial Report from Treasurer Ed Dawson:
     E. Dawson presented a three-page financial report, which has been audited by Sheppard and Associates, Certified Practising Accountants. He also gave a summary of the report:

     The surplus is a lot less than in 1997; The Society has stabilised in lifetime members; There are two Credit Union accounts and in 1997 it was decided at the AGM to transfer about $2,000 from the first account to the second; The money from life membership is put into the second account.

   • Financial Report from the 3ICCMCC in Melbourne, July1997:
     N. Wormald presented a financial report on the Conference.

   Motion: That the Treasurer's report, and the Financial report from the 1997 Conference be accepted. (J.Seberry/J.MacDougall) - motion carried.

4. Election of Members for Council 1998/9
   Motion: J. Seberry be elected Returning Officer. (A.Street/D.Holton) - motion carried.

   Nominations:

   President	Derek Holton	(A.Street/B.McKay)
   Vice President	Debbie Street	(H.Gustafson/C.Praeger)
   Secretary	Helen Gustafson	(A.Street/L.Batten)
   Treasurer	Ed Dawson	(E.Billington/I.Roberts)

   Council members:

   	Elizabeth Billington	(B.McKay/L.Batten)
   	Paul Bonnington	(D.Holton/C.Little)
   	Lou Caccetta	(H.Gustafson/C.Praeger)
   	Peter Gibbons	(H.Gustafson/A.Street)
   	Kevin McAvaney	(B.McKay/D.Holton)
   	Brendan McKay	(I.Roberts/L.Batten)
   	Ian Roberts	(C.Praeger/D.Street)
   	Nick Wormald	(I.Roberts/H.Gustafson)

   All members were elected unopposed to Council.
   J.Seberry declared all elected as members of Council.

   A.Street becomes a member of Council, as the Past President.

5. Appointment of Auditor
   Motion: Keep Peter Jorgensen as auditor (E.Dawson/I.Roberts) - motion carried.
   Motion: Thanks to the Treasurer and Auditor for their work. (J.Seberry/E.Billington) - motion carried.
   Motion: Thanks to H.Gustafson as Secretary (J.Seberry/A.Street) - motion carried.

6. Anne Street's Stepping down as Inaugural President
   Motion: We formally moved a vote of thanks to Anne Street. (J.Seberry/C.Rodger)

   In speaking for the motion, J. Seberry informed members that the first conference on Combinatorics was held in 1972. The Combinatorics Society arose from this with all years ending in a '7' becoming International Conferences (giving 23 + 3 = 26 conferences).
   Anne started Combinatorics at the University of Queensland, and has been an inspiration to us all, especially people coming to Queensland. Combinatorics was regarded as a dirty word in many places in Australia, yet is now a growing area. It has been applied to many other areas - the latest being Cryptography. Anne has nurtured many people and has been a general strength and help to all of us.

   In speaking for the motion D. Holton thanked Anne and hoped she would be around for a long time.

   The motion was carried with acclamation.

7. Web Page
   The Secretary, H. Gustafson, is maintaining a web page for the Society. The address is:
   http://www.math.fsc.qut.edu.au/cmsa, and members are asked to send any input to the Secretary or members of the Council, for approval.

8. Certificate of Life Membership
   The secretary presented a copy of the proposed certificate.
   The meeting recommended that the Secretary approach a 'design' person at QUT, as the certificate should look professional. Discussion on improving the font for the name of the Society.

9. Further Business
   

   • Suggestions for Speakers:
     A.Street said that the Australian Mathematics Society (AMS) 1999 Conference is being held in Melbourne from 12 - 16 July. Derek Robinson is chairman and we have been asked to email Klaus Ecker with suggestions for speakers for a special session on Combinatorics.

   • 24ACCMCC:
     I. Roberts will change the date for the 1999 Conference in Darwin to start on 5 July (preceding week to the AMS Conference). Ian asked for suggestions for invited speakers to be sent to him, or to other members of the Council. Invited speakers could probably be asked to attend both the AMS Conference and the 24ACCMCC in Darwin. Ian warned members that July is in the peak tourist season, and to book ahead.

   • 2000 Conference in New Zealand: D.Holton will investigate the possibility of holding the 25ACCMCC in Dunedin in late November or early December.

   • Request for Resources:
     I.Roberts reported that at the Wet and Discrete Conference, held in Darwin in January 1998, there was a special session on Education. One student from Laos, highlighted the lack of resources in this country. Ian requested that members bundle together resources (books, monographs, journals etc.) and send to him in Darwin. He will send them to the University in Laos from CMSA(Inc).
     C.Rodger recommended members check out any returned books at the Bookstores.

   • Vote of Thanks:
     Motion: J.Seberry moved a vote of thanks to the conference organisers for the excellent talks and superb food. Motion carried with acclamation.

10. Close of Meeting
    D.Holton closed the meeting at 5.15 p.m.

    Helen Gustafson
    Secretary CMSA(Inc).