AAA Member update | June 2020

AAA Member Update June 2020

The AAA monthly update is our way of communicating with our members.

From the President

It is has certainly been a difficult start to the year for many of us. I sincerely hope that you are all coping as best as you can. Don’t forget that our alpaca family is large and it is worthwhile taking the time to reach out to each other and catch up.

I would firstly like to take the opportunity to welcome Cathi, Brett and Mick to their new positions on the Board. Each has hit the ground running and has provided the current Board members with much needed assistance in progressing many of our projects.

By now each Regional Committee would have been contacted by their new Board Rep and we are keen to hear from regions with their thoughts and ideas.

AAA President Andrew Munn

The Board has been very active with the establishment of new Codes of Conduct, review of the strategic direction and development of the Annual Operating Plan for FY20/21 amongst other activities. Treasurer Carolyn has put in a mountain of work under difficult financial circumstances to establish the budget for FY 20/21.

Our team have been very busy preparing for the annual audit, along with membership renewals and planning for the AGM which will soon be upon us at the end of September. We are currently looking at innovative ways to hold our AGM this year under what will no doubt be continuing COVID restrictions. We are investigating options for video conferencing so that we have the opportunity for maximum attendance no matter where you are in Australia or the world.

I truly hope you all remain safe and that we see a return to some form of what we previously understood to be ‘normal’ soon.

Changes to AAA Regional accounting

In line with advice from our Auditors over a number of years, the Association and its regions with be moving to a system of fully centralised accounting as of July 1 2020. NSW, QLD, Tasmania and South Australia have been successfully operating under this model for some time. It is hoped that this approach will eliminate our qualified Audit Reports and reduce costs to our regions in a minor way.

Regional Treasurers and Presidents have been mentored through this system and will soon be receiving Help Sheets on how to access regional accounts held on the central system in addition to monthly reports. Further information - Carolyn Austin

Membership Services

It is now time to renew your AAA membership for the 20-21 financial year. You can renew through logging into your account on eAlpaca.

AAA continues to look for ways to improve services and benefits to members. The current focus for Membership Services is based on the results of the recent membership survey - we received a record 448 responses! Thank you to all members who took part in this important consultation exercise and provided meaningful input. All member feedback is welcome, please contact brett@alpaca.asn.au or ceo@alpaca.asn.au if you have suggestions of specific concepts that would increase the value of your AAA Ltd membership.

Education and Training Update

I have recently come onto the AAA board and taken on the Education Portfolio. Education is an area that I’m passionate about, and I’m looking forward to exploring the opportunities for this portfolio and build on the work Sarah has already undertaken in this area. I’d also like to advise that Annemarie Ashton-Wyatt and Steve Glenday will be working with me on the Education and Training Committee, and I welcome their interest and commitment. Cathi McMullen Read More

AWEX Update

Revision of the Alpaca Fleece Classing Code of Practice is underway and will be ready for the AWEX Board to review and ratify for the 2021 Edition of our Alpaca Fleece Classing Code of Practice (COP). With these revisions, the AAA will be in line with AWEX Sheep Code of Practice, a big step in the right direction! Fleece grower/breeder feedback is critical for AWEX, therefore we would welcome growers who would like to participate in this revision process. Feedback will be open from 1 July 2020 to 31 July 2020. All interested parties should register your interest via email to: mick @alpaca.asn.au Read more

Showing Rules Review

A regular function of the Showing and Judging Committee (SJC) is to undertake a review of the Showing Rules. Any changes are usually endorsed to take effect from the start of a new Showing / Calendar year, however to enable members to plan and prepare accordingly, any changes need to be finalised and communicated prior to the start of shearing season. The SJC have commenced this process and would like to invite members to submit items for consideration by Monday 6 July 2020. Please forward your submission in writing to the Chair of Showing and Judging at SJCChairAAA@gmail.com The draft amendments will be submitted to the AAA Board for consideration, to take effect from 1 January 2021.

MATC Update

"Why is so much importance placed on opening up export opportunities when such a small percentage of AAA members actually export alpacas”. I have been asked this, or a very similar question, a number of times. It is a fair question and I understand the inference behind it ie “you are just supporting the big breeders”. The reference to “big breeders” being the only ones to export may have been a fair comment a number of years ago, however not so prior to the closure of the export pathway into New Zealand in 2018. Prue Walduck Read More

Build the national alpaca herd!

Did you know that there are progressive discounts for registrations of females under 24 months and active males - the more you register in a financial year, the cheaper it gets! We are coming up to the end of the financial year, so you have A VERY SHORT WINDOW OF TIME to take advantage.🦙🦙

In the AAA Shop - Alpaca Fleece Classing – Code of Practice 2016-2021

The industry standard for the preparation of Australian alpaca fleece. The 2016-2018 Code of Practice has been extended out under agreement with AWEX to cover until 2021!

The Code of Practice has been produced to enable a standardised and quality assured product to be offered for sale to both domestic and international buyers. Available now in the AAA shop

Advertise with us!

Would you like to advertise in this newsletter to get an audience of over 1200 AAA members? Contact communications@alpaca.asn.au. Did you know that you can also advertise on the AAA website - more info

Contact the AAA Board

Andrew Munn
E: president@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0408 410 281
Prue Walduck
E: prue@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0429 437 781
Trevor Parry
E: trevor@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0428 196 946
Carolyn Austin
E: treasurer@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0410 693 802

Sarah Wheeler
E: sarah@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0434 982 760
Cathi McMullen
E: cathi @alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0407 338 823
Brett Fallon
E: brett @alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0408 403 910
Mick Williams
E: mick @alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0407 407 618
CEO - Amanda Olthof
E: ceo@alpaca.asn.au
Ph: 0421 649 843