On Monday 27th May 2024 the Australian Distillers Association AGM was held. Prior to the meeting the new Australian Distillers Association Constitution had been widely canvassed with Members with recommendations.

The Board of the Australian Distillers Association recommends to Members to vote in Favour to the following resolutions that give the new Company effect.

Special Resolution 1 

“This duly constituted General meeting of the Australian Distillers’ Association Inc:

Further, we give notice of the following transitional arrangements.

The Board of the Australian Distillers Association recommends to Members that from today’s date, the following provisions come into effect.

Special Resolution 2

“In accordance with clause 22 of the Constitution:

1. There will be the following classes of Voting Members of the Company:

a. Small producer: any producer who is an existing voting member of the Association or is in production and the production that enters the home market is below the Alcohol Manufacturers Remission, which is $350,000 at time of establishment.

b. Medium Producer: any producer who produces volume to exceed the automatic remission at any time in the current financial year or is projected to exceed the automatic remission at any time in the year.

c. Large producer: any commercial producer that exceeds 50,000 LALs of production in any 12-month period

NB Once your sales result in you moving up to a higher membership class, you maintain that level of membership unless the Board approves otherwise.

2. There will be the following classes of Non Voting members

a. Establishing: this is for members who have begun the distilling journey, are in the process of establishing their business and have sold less than 1,000 bottles. You are required to advise the Company once more than 1,000 bottles have entered the home market. There is a maximum of two years you can be in this category of membership, at that time, you automatically become a small producer, subject to meeting eligibility requirements, even if you have not sold any product, or your membership lapses. You can reapply for membership.

b. Industry and Trade: this category of membership is for related supply chain who are in an aligned industry and share our philosophies and values.

c. Commercial Partners: Industry partners that have demonstrated a commitment to the industry that is recognised as a strategic relationship.

3. If you are eligible to be a Voting member, you are not entitled to be a Non voting Member.

In accordance with clause 16 of the Constitution:

4. At time of establishment the following fees are set as follows (plus GST)

a. Small Producer: $750

b. Medium Producer: $1,000

c. Large Producer: $2,000

d. Establishing: $250

e. Industry and Trade: $750

f. Commercial Partners: by negotiation

5. Transition arrangements allow for existing members to have the new rates at the time their membership renewal falls due. For new and lapsed Members, the new fee structure takes immediate effect.

6. In accordance with clause 82, the following people will be the first Directors and will hold office until the end of the next Annual General Meeting at the expiration of their term. These people are:

a. David Ridden, QLD, 2 year term

b. Eddie Brooks, NSW, 2 year term

c. George Georgiadis, SA, 2 year term

d. Holly Klintworth, VIC, 1 year term

e. Ian Schmidt, SA, 1 year term

f. James Young, WA, 1 year term

g. Kate Sinfield, WA, 2 year term

h. Kristy Lark, TAS, 1 year term

i. Matt Hobson, QLD, 1 year term

j. Sebastian Reaburn, VIC, 2 year term

k. Stephen Parry, TAS, 2 year term

l. Vanessa Wilton, NSW, 1 year term”

Voting resulted in a unanimous acceptance of all recommendations.

At the subsequent Board meeting it was agreed that ASIC will be duly informed and there will be a ballot for the vacancy for the Division of Tasmania.

In accordance with 77.4, the board elects the following Directors for a 2-year term:

David Vitale, Starward, VIC

David Withers, Archie Rose, NSW.

In accordance with clause 79, the Directors elected from among their number a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Each of them will hold office until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

The Chief Executive conducted the process of filling the Officers of the board.

The role of Secretary and treasurer was combined.

The following positions were declared elected:

President: Holly Klintworth

Vice President: David Vitale

Secretary/Treasurer: Matt Hobson