Minutes From the Inaugural Meeting
Northern Rivers Hemp Inc
(Inaugural Meeting)
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Held: Saturday 25 October 2008 – 2.30pm (Ecotechnology Australia, Ewing St, Lismore)
Present: Dr Keith Bolton, Klara Marosszeky, Guy Stewart, Kenrick Riley (minutes), Andrew Kavasilas, Frank Boyle, Deb Felton, Dan Wort, Stewart Sholten, Kerrie O’Neill, Richard Billson, Peter Mouatt, Lise Jensen, Daniel Schreiber, Dean Murphy
Chairs: Keith Bolton
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PREAMBLE
Dr Bolton told those present that a steering committee had been meeting since June 2008 to develop a local hemp organisation.
He said the aim of this inaugural meeting was to formalise an organisation, receive memberships and elect an executive committee. Northern Rivers Hemp Inc (NRH) would disseminate information to members, lobby government for support, and establish a network of local growers.
NRH would also foster the development of unencumbered hemp seed varieties for sale to growers at a fair price. These varieties would be bred to suit the Northern Rivers environment and soil types.
SECRETARIAL
The meeting acknowledged that Klara Marosszeky and Guy Stewart had paid fees for incorporation of NRH and website establishment that would be reimbursed by NRH.
The meeting resolved to set memberships at $20 ($30 for people wishing to receive information by surface mail instead of email).
Moved Frank Boyle, seconded Kenrick Riley: “That NRH establish a bank account with Summerland Credit Union with signatories to be Keith Bolton, Andrew Kavasilas and Kenrick Riley (two to sign).” CARRIED
The meeting also resolved to establish an executive committee of six members.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Dr Bolton called for nominations for the committee:
POSITION NOMINEE MOVED SECONDED
President Keith Bolton Kenrick Riley Andrew Kavasilas
V President Kenrick Riley Frank Boyle Keith Bolton
Secretary Deb Felton Guy Stewart Dan Wort
Treasurer Andrew Kavasilas Klara Marosszeky Deb Felton
Committee Frank Boyle Kenrick Riley Richard Billson
Committee Guy Stewart Keith Bolton Kenrick Riley
There being no further nominations, Dr Bolton asked the meeting to confirm the nominees to their positions. The resolution was carried unanimously. The meeting also resolved to adopt the model rules for incorporated bodies.
GENERAL BUSINESS
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Ms Marosszeky advised the NSW Government would issue only 50 licences to grow hemp this year. These would last for five years and would cost $525 each. NSW Department of Primary Industries had posted its proposed regulatory framework on its website and members were encouraged to read it.
RESEARCH
Dr Bolton advised he was investigating funding from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) for an agronomic trial. Southern Cross University was keen to be involved as well.
NETWORKING
Dr Bolton hoped to produce a local newsletter with current information about growing hemp in NSW. Ms Marosszeky said there was plenty of information available to be distributed about hemp production.
Guy Stewart has created a website for NRH information. Members can access it at: www.northernrivershemp.org
CULTIVATION
Ms Marosszeky envisaged local growers would initially cultivate hemp for seed production – due to the shortage of unencumbered seed. She envisaged some form of cooperative body that could buy seed for on-sale to others. There was also a limited market for fibre to be used in the masonry industry. There was some seed available for fibre production but it was encumbered seed requiring the grower to sign a non-propagation agreement.
Seed planting rates for fibre crops was approx 45 kg/ha.
Mr Kavasilas said NRH had access to 3 kg of local, unencumbered seed to be used by local growers for breeding purposes. He said imported seed would require a number of generations of breeding to adapt to the local environment. During that time, it was important to monitor THC levels to ensure they don’t increase over time.
Mr Kavasilas is developing a map of all farms interested in growing hemp. Members added their sites to his map.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Executive Committee would be held at Ewing St, Lismore on Saturday 15 November at 2pm.
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MEETING CLOSED 3.45pm
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