On the 11th November 2024 the Hunter Restorative Community Inc held its AGM. HRC acknowledges the commitment of the following board members who did not recontest, Kerrie Thompson, one of the founding members and Shirley Schulz-Robinson. Ewa Korczynski, former board treasurer, stood down during the year for family reasons.
Richard De Martin was re-elected as Vice President, Biarta Rhys-Jones accepted the position of Treasurer, Paul Nield was re-elected to the board, and I was nominated as President for another term, and accepted the nomination. I am pleased to be able to welcome two new board members, Karen Lizasoain and Dr Ray Nickson.
I look forward to working with the board, and the HRC Network in 2025. Please find my President's report below.
Mary
Hunter Restorative Community inc. President Report AGM 2024
In writing this report and reflecting on my report of 2023, I note that similar issues still prevail in our society post the COVID pandemic, and 12 months out from negative result of the referendum, held to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Voice to Parliament in our constitution. The tendency to individualism and transactional relationships still continue to dominate.
Wars and famine are ravaging nations across the globe, and human-made climate change, financial instability, and crippling poverty challenge society.
Nurturing and sustaining restorative relationship and communities is critically important now. The Hunter Restorative Community seeks to foster and support these relationships within its sphere of influence, and to collaborate with other restorative communities in Canberra, Deniliquin, Alice Springs and elsewhere.
I acknowledge each of the hard working and committed members of the HRC board, still more reduced in number post the 2023 AGM.
The Board has met bi-monthly during 2023, holding board circles in the alternate months. Being unable to fill an important vacancy, that of Secretary and Treasurer, the board decided to contract an administrative officer for a period of 3 months, with a view to extending the contract. The contract was not extended, and the board has been reflecting on the lessons learnt over that period before attempting to contract the position again.
HRC continues to host network meetings, when a suitable presenter is available, to highlight examples of restorative practice in action.
It was pleasing to be able to continue its work with John Saward, NED webmaster, in relation to development of this website. HRC continues to work with the NED webmaster to further develop features of the site, with the support of the NED Foundation.
The board continues to focus on its strategic intentions resolving to make building a community of practice of school catchments a priority for 2025, and ways in which its network can be increased and supported.
Pleasingly two high school principals have expressed interest in working with HRC to strengthen and grow restorative practice in their catchments. Additionally, the principal of Swansea Primary School remains keen to work with HRC to produce a promotional video, highlighting the school’s restorative culture. This has been on hold during 2024 while the principal is acting principal at Belmont High School.
An international Restorative Justice conference is being held in the ACT, this November. This will be an opportunity to gain experience from colleagues across the world. The NED Foundation is supporting Richard De Marin and I to attend.
The Advisory Panel, under the leadership Dr Nicola Ross, inaugural HRC President, has not met in 2024. The Board is still keen to work with such an advisory group and hopes that the newly elected Board will meet with members of its network in 2025 to explore ways to proceed.
HRC has reconnected with Professor Tania Sourdin at UoN. Through Tania HRC has been also to connect with other members of the academic staff of the faculty of law who have expressed interest in hosting networking circles at the UoN and actively supporting HRC.
The board acknowledges the ongoing support of the NED Foundation and looks forward to continuing working together with NED, as well as restorative communities across Australia.
My thanks to each member of the outgoing board, for their support and commitment during 2024. I am happy to serve HRC in whatever capacity it chooses on the new board in 2025.
Mary Porter AM, President,
20/10/24