Conflict between children on walks and the constitution

From: Brett Davis To: info@shoalhavenbushwalkers.com Subject: Conflict between children on walks and the constitution Date sent: April 9, 2025

Hi SBW committee, I have a dispute with the club about allowing children on walks. I would like to remind the committee of the objectives of the club as shown in our constitution which states in Rule 2 – "2. Objectives The objectives of the Club shall be: a. To provide recreational opportunities for members interested in bushwalking and other related activities. b. To promote the conservation of the natural environment. Rule 2a above references members and so does not allow children on our walks as children under 18 years of age cannot be members. The second objective of the club as shown in Rule 2b might apply If the committee believes that allowing children on our walks promotes the conservation of the natural environment. However, if this is so, why would this promotion be limited to children only? If we allow children on our walks to promote the conservation of the natural environment then we should also allow adults on our walks as well. In fact, promoting the conservation of the natural environment to adults is more likely to result in conservation outcomes than promoting the conservation of the natural environment to children. I do not believe that the intent of Rule 2b is to allow the relatives of members, the neighbours of members, the friends of members or any other kind of non-members - including children - to attend club walks unless they are adults hoping to join the club. Standing Resolution #9 states that “Children may be permitted to participate in Club activities, subject to the SBW Child Safety Policy and to review after 12 months. Passed 27.4.2024”. The review of this resolution is due to occur in less than three weeks. I suggest that the committee violated the constitution in passing Standing Resolution #9, and I further suggest that Standing Resolution #9 be repealed immediately, or at the very least at the next committee meeting on April 15th without waiting for the obligatory review after April 27th. If Standing Resolution #9 is not repealed by the end of the next committee meeting on April 15th, the club will have to go through the dispute process as described in our constitution which involves mediation initially and if unresolved eventually leads to arbitration. If Standing Resolution #9 goes away, the dispute goes away. Regards, Brett TOP

This page shows one of the 35 suggestions to improve the club and its procedures sent by the Shoalhaven Bushwalkers webmaster to the SBW committee in 2025. The Shoalhaven Bushwalkers webmaster would have his membership cancelled for sending in these suggestions, although the real reason was probably because of two disputes he raised with the Shoalhaven Bushwalkers committee which they seemingly did not want to deal with. The cancellation of the webmaster's membership was arguably illegal under NSW law and could lead to the club being taken to court.