Results Of The SGM Vote

In May we sought the support of 5% of WIRES membership to requisition a Special General Meeting to allow members to vote on resolutions to remove four directors: Chair - Lyn Fowler, Vice Chair - Vickii Lett, Secretary - Evelyn Anderson-Ho and Director - Wayne Lavers.

The 5% threshold was exceeded requiring the WIRES Board under clause 11.2 (b) of the 2007 Constitution to convene that SGM by the 13th June 2025. They failed to do so.

Separately on the 17th of April 2025 under clause 11.3(d) of the 2007 Constitution, the WIRES Board was served notice to include the same resolutions at the next general meeting, announced as being on the 21st of July 2025. The Board again failed to meet its obligations, thereby denying members the right to vote on these resolutions within the required timeframe.

In response to the Board’s continued disregard for members rights, and their continued recalcitrance in dealing with the current Supreme Court proceedings and membership issues, members have exercised their right under clause 11.2 (d) of the WIRES 2007 Constitution, and section 203D of the Corporations Act, to convene a members Special General Meeting (SGM.)

The SGM will be held on Saturday the 26th of July 2025 – Details are set out below in the Notice of members Special Meeting.

The SGM will be held at a physical venue with the option for members to also join the meeting via Zoom Webinar (AVL) and vote on the resolutions online.

In the coming days we will provide members with information on interim replacement directors should the resolutions all be passed, proxy voting and attending by AVL.

A quorum for the meeting will be 10 voting members present. Proxy votes and attorneys do not count towards quorum (clause 12.1 of the 2007 Constitution). Each member present and entitled to vote has one vote as does each proxy (clause 14.1 of the 2007 Constitution).

Members can vote with confidence knowing there will be an independent returns officer and individual votes will not be provided to WIRES Head Office or the current Board.

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to providing you with the necessary links to attend and vote, along with further relevant information on the current Board’s performance, and our vision for a more transparent and inclusive WIRES at www.reclaimwires.com

Laura Turner
Reclaim WIRES Team
C/- Post Office
Cobargo NSW 2550
reclaimwires@gmail.com

Notice of Members Special General Meeting

NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service Ltd

ACN 679 740 142

Held under the provisions of WIRES 2007 Constitution sections 11.2 (d) & (e)

Place: Pennant Hills Learning and Community Centre 8 Warne Street, Pennant Hills (Hall 2)
+ Attendance by AVL

Date: Saturday 26th July 2025
Time: 2.00 p.m. - 4.00 pm.

Nature of Business –
Members to vote on the following Ordinary Resolutions:

  1. “That, pursuant to section 203D(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Wayne Lavers be removed as a director of the Company effective from the end of the meeting.”

  2. “That, pursuant to section 203D(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Evelyn Anderson-Ho be removed as a director of the Company effective from the end of the meeting.”

  3. “That, pursuant to section 203D(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Vickii Lett be removed as a director of the Company effective from the end of the meeting.”

  4. “That, pursuant to section 203D(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Lynnette Fowler be removed as a director of the Company effective from the end of the meeting.”

  5. “That, pursuant to section 203D(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), any person appointed as a director of the Company between the date of this notice, and the commencement of this Meeting, be removed as a director of the Company with effect from the end of this meeting.”

* The date of the notice for resolution (e) is 13 May 2025

Reclaim WIRES
C/-Cobargo Post Office,
Cobargo, NSW, 2550
Australia

SGM – 26th July 2025, 2-4pm At the Venue

We ask you to consider voting FOR the resolutions to remove four Board Members at the Members Special General Meeting on Saturday the 26th of July 2025 starting at 2pm.

The current Chair and nominated Board members are responsible for the last two years of governance and membership issues, and after five failed attempts at a new constitution we believe it is now time for a change of leadership.

The meeting has a physical venue being:-

Pennant Hills Learning and Community Centre , 8 Warne Street, Pennant Hills (below the Library). Zoom links to attend by AVL will be emailed out Friday the 25th of July 2025.

If you wish to speak in person, you should attend the physical venue. Written questions will be accepted through the Zoom virtual meeting technology. You can send in questions in advance to reclaimwires@gmail.com and we will do our best to ensure they are addressed on the website prior to the meeting, or in discussion at the meeting.

Voting forms will be emailed to members on Saturday the 26th of July 2025 before the meeting commences.

Voting will be open between 2pm and 5pm

If the resolutions are passed, what happens next?

The following members have consented to be appointed as an interim director. One or all may be appointed by the remaining directors under s201H of the Corporations Act 2001 if the resolutions for the removal of four directors are passed at this meeting.

Wayne Ericksen, South Branch (Bio Below)

Anne Newman, Central Coast (Bio Below)

Sue Garling, North Shore (Bio Below)

It is hoped these directors, if appointed will then move promptly to arrange a vote on changes to the 2007 Constitution, which would allow all members to vote on the appointment of a new Board of Directors, including possible external candidates at the next WIRES AGM to be held before 31 October 2025.

RESULTS ANNOUNCED ONCE COUNTING COMPLETED

Wayne Ericksen - WIRES plays an essential and transformative role in Australia’s wildlife sector, and I welcome the opportunity to express my interest in serving as an interim Board member.

I bring over two decades of executive leadership and governance experience, including roles as Company Secretary and Director where I led constitutional reform and served as National Spokesperson for an industry Peak Body. I was also the National Representative to the Federal Standing Committee for Environment, Recreation & Arts, and contributed to NSW Tourism Council’s benchmarking standards project—experience aligned with the necessary  task of finalising the 2007 Constitution to meet ASIC requirements.

Senior appointments across university, zoological, housing and construction sectors have focused on leadership, financial accountability, change management and stakeholder engagement. I hold a Master of Education - Strategic Planning and Policy Development, supported by qualifications in HR and Workplace Training.

Joining WIRES in 2017, I have served as Chairperson (South Branch) and State Council Representative, with hands on volunteer experience and a sound understanding of member priorities. I hold licensing across multiple species and actively support interagency cooperation.

If appointed, I would be privileged to offer dependable leadership, foster trust through transparent engagement, and actively contribute to the Board in the role of Interim Director.

Anne Newman is standing to support WIRES through a critical transition—restoring integrity to its governance by reverting to the WIRES 2007 Constitution and reversing any actions that have strayed from its intent. 

Anne’s professional career started in IT, then extended to managing and rescuing multimillion dollar organisations, both internationally and in Australia. Anne went on to specialise in organisational change management and the management of critical situations. Critical thinking is a crucial skill for navigating the complexities of both change management and corporate emergencies. It empowers individuals and organizations to analyze situations objectively, make informed decisions, and develop effective solutions in the face of uncertainty and pressure.

 This experience and Anne’s deep understanding of the WIRES’ culture, and with years of hands-on volunteer work—including as Chairperson, Macropod Coordinator, WIRES State Council Representative etc — Anne knows what matters to WIRES members.

 WIRES is at a crossroads. Anne’s mix of professional and volunteer experience equips her to help the organisation:

• Return to the WIRES 2007 Constitution with integrity and precision.

• Reverse decisions that don’t comply with the WIRES 2007 Constitution. 

• Lay strong foundations for the incoming Board and a more unified, transparent, and respectful future.

 Anne is seeking to stabilise, support, and ensure that WIRES’ next chapter is built on trust, respect, and the rule of its rightful constitution.

Sue Garling would support WIRES as an interim member of the Board with the key focus being to finalise the registration with ASIC and improve governance, transparency & overall accountability across the organisation. The key obstacle in progressing with the 2007 Constitution has been greater transparency of the Gift Fund which should be addressed as a priority. 

Sue has over 40 years management experience with orgnisations including BP, Commonwealth Bank, Westfield, Lend Lease, Optus, and BSkyB. Roles have included change management, operations, finance, marketing and compliance supported by qualifications gained while studying part-time including:  B.Fin.Admin; M.Comm(Mktg), EMBA(AGSM), MRICS. 

Sue joined WIRES in 2018 and has been Chair of the North Shore Branch for the past year. Her passion is kookaburras for which she has been co-ordinator for several years. 

In 2024, Sue became an associate of the Governance Institution of Australia. In 2025 Sue completed the GIA Certificate in Company Secretary Essentials and has now been awarded a scholarship towards the Diploma of Governance with the Institute of Community Directors. 

The interim directors would be appointed by the remaining directors 

Until such time as the vote is finalised and any replacement Board members appointed then no changes to formal policy can be determined. For any Board to be effectivve it is of the utmost importance that the board comprises skilled and experienced individuals. Bios have been provided on the three potential board members in response to another question. 

This Board will be an interim Board only. The focus will be to bring a fresh approach with greater transparency and accountability to move the organisation forward. 

The 2007 Constitution could have been passed at the recent SGM if the Board had met with members and discussed the one clause in dispute. Members are seeking greater transparency and accountability in respect to the Gift Fund. Reaching an agreed way forward towards registration with ASIC will be a priority.