72nd AGM Saturday 5 October 2013, Holiday Inn, Glasgow
Present: George Campbell, Brian Caulfield, Mike Cipolato, Andrew Basigara, Colin Bryce, Gerard Devine,Tony Duncan, Fr. Stephen Dunn, Mark Dunn, Ian Dunn, Joe Dunn, Chris Dunn, Ralph Giulianotti, Neil Godfrey, Nigel Guthrie, Owen Halloran, Eric Harrison, Martin Harrison, Lawrence Hogarth, Roddy Igoe, Vinnie Igoe, Ali Knox, Andy Lovat, Paul Lombardi, Vic Macari, Alasdair Macdonald, Angus Mackinnon, Shane Mackenzie, Michael Mone, Ian McLaughlin, Ben Murray, Paddy Mulligan, Henry Murphy, Tom Murphy, Tom O’Hey, James O’Hey, Colin Peteranna, Richard Ryan, David Seed, Maurice Taylor, Alan Totti, Mike Turnbull, Ian Traquair.
Apologies: Colin MacAllister, Kevin Deady, Billy Sinclair, Chris Stephenson, Ralph & Mark Giulianotti, Pat Barron and our President Fr. Benedict, who sends his warm regards and good wishes to all.
Opening Prayer: Fr Stephen Dunn.
Minutes of 2012 AGM: Having been circulated were passed as an accurate record – proposed for adoption by Chris Dunn, seconded by Vic Macari.
Matters Arising: None.
Website: Webmaster Colin Bryce reported on the current situation since the website was founded by Mike Drummond. It contained memorabilia, photos, up to date news and a Forum. In March 2013 newcomers appeared on the Forum, posting a thread in which Benedictine monks were said to be ‘not fit for purpose.’ Activity rose steeply. It became vitriolic and some OBs were targeted. The website was taken down and then brought back without the Forum. Colin emailed 92 Forum members and received countless replies supporting the closure of the Forum.
Wonderful anecdotes and support came from Calum Bartlett (1937-42) a retired GP, James Smith, Cyril Hall and Peter Barry particularly of an epic 1938 cricket match, to name a few. Today the website is funded and hosted by Chris Stephenson and kept running and up to date by Colin.
The Chairman gave a big vote of thanks to them both on behalf of all present.
Committee Report: Last year’s dinner was well attended and a great success. The meal as usual was first class and thanks go out to Maurice and Ralph for the wine and Bennies. Our guest speaker Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow gave us a talk on his charity Mary’s Meals, which started in his fathers shed at Dalmally and now provides a daily school meal for 650,000 children in 16 different countries. He told us how that one meal, provided for as little as £8.50 a year is a passport to education and a way out of poverty. A letter has been received from Magnus, thanking the members for the gift of £670. Although the Golf Match was not organised in 2013 it was hoped to run it the following year, perhaps at Blairgowrie.
Treasurer’s Report: Mark Dunn CA presented the accounts and stated we had £5,400 in the bank. He was warmly thanked by all. His Dad Joe would have been proud of Mark keeping up the good work. The Chairman pointed out our finances had been greatly helped over the years by Mike Turnbull’s book ‘Abbey Boys’, which had shown a profit of £3,229. Unfortunately there were only 17 copies left. Many thanks, Mike.
Elections: The current officials were all re-elected en bloc, proposed by George Campbell, seconded by Ben Murray.
AOB: Discussion on recent Media publicity. A lively discussion on the recent allegations of abuse, physical and sexual took place. The general opinion was an affirmation of the good things which the members experienced at Fort Augustus, but also an abhorrence of the abusive behaviour which has been alleged.
Date of Next Meeting followed by Dinner: Saturday 18th October 2014