by Shane Sody

Our new leader, Sarah Russo, is committed to “strengthen advocacy, boost community involvement, and support initiatives that keep your Park Lands both protected and active for everyone to enjoy.”

Our Annual General Meeting at the Unley Town Hall on Sunday 27 April ushered in a new leadership team; with five new faces joining the 11-member Committee (i.e. our Board).

*Senate candidate Rex Patrick addressing the APA AGM as guest speaker. Pic: Keiran Snape*

After receiving reports from:

outgoing President Shane Sody;
outgoing Chair of the Art Prize sub-committee Rosemary Warmington; and
Treasurer Bruno Zeni;

…the meeting then elected a new Committee to lead the Adelaide Park Lands Association for the coming 12 months. City Councillor Keiran Snape chaired the election process, with Executive Officer David Winderlich acting as Returning Officer to tally the votes for the contested positions.

Sarah Russo (President); Walter Bulyga (Secretary) and Bruno Zeni (Treasurer) were uncontested in each of their respective roles, but there was a ballot to choose eight Ordinary Committee Members.

Meet the new leadership team

*The newly-elected APA leadership team at the Unley Town Hall on Sunday 27 April. Pic: Keiran Snape*

Front row, from left:

Ben Ayris - (Deputy President over the past two years; financial planner)
Sarah Russo (incoming President, Executive Manager at NBN Australia);
Bruno Zeni (Treasurer, Chartered Accountant);
Loine Sweeney (Park Guardian and Tour Guide leader; former ABC journalist, Media Adviser and public servant);
Liz Tidemann (Park Guardian, and Tour Guide leader, long time environmental supporter);
Christel Mex (Councillor with the City of Norwood, Payneham & St Peters, active community advocate);
Christina Tilston (background in Business administration, Event Management & Interpersonal Skills; co-Chair of our fundraising subcommittee).

Back row, from left:

Walter Bulyga (incoming Secretary, professional photographer; also a member of the Committee of The South Australian Harness Racing Club;)
Shane Sody (outgoing President, Chair of our ‘communications’ subcommittee, former lawyer, journalist)
Mat Monti (Parliamentary adviser, current Greens candidate for electorate of Adelaide)
Dr Orso Osti (orthopaedic surgeon, co-Chair of our fundraising subcommittee)

*Outgoing President, Shane Sody delivering his final ‘President’s report to the AGM. Pic: Christina Tilston*

*Guest speaker Rex Patrick (left) and APA Treasurer Bruno Zeni (right) at the AGM. Pics: Keiran Snape & Christina Tilston*

The Annual General Meeting resolved to leave unchanged, for another year, our membership fees. Joining APA as a member starts from as little as $20 for single concession, and gets you free tickets for all our Guided Walks, and 15% discount on Park Lands merchandise from the APA Shop.

More importantly, when you choose to become an APA member, you are signalling your support for our Objectives (summarised as “Open, Green, Public”) and our work to Explore, Inspire, Protect and Restore.