Special General Meeting – 21 March 2025
The Grower Group Alliance (GGA) will be holding a Special General Meeting (SGM) on 21 March 2025 in person at the Aloft Hotel, Rivervale and available to join online, broadcast via Vero Voting platform. All members are welcome to attend.
An SGM is a meeting called outside of regular, scheduled meetings (such as an Annual General Meeting) to discuss and make decisions on specific matters that require attention. These meetings can be called by the GGA Board of Directors, when there are urgent issues, such as changes to company policies, or any other important matters that need approval of its voting members.
Voting Members, we need your support to vote on the Motion – Special Resolution to Amend the Rules to enable charity registration.
The proposal will not change our purpose or mission, but aims to ensure good housekeeping and provide stronger alignment between GGA’s purpose, objects, and long-term direction.
While attendance is open to all members of the GGA Network, voting is restricted to the 49 voting Grower Group Members of the GGA.
Vero Voting, an independent voting and meeting service provider will manage and host online streaming of the SGM via the Vero Meeting Portal.
Voting Member Groups, please refer to an email sent from Vero Voting to login, stream view and vote online.
Special General Meeting
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
Key Documents
Key Documents & Links
- Notice of SGM
- GGA Rules (current)
- GGA Rules clean (PDF)
- GGA Rules tracked changes (PDF)
- Letter from GGA Chair Erin Gorter regarding Special General Meeting Notice
- Proxy Form – is available online via the Vero Voting Platform (refer to Vero Voting email 27 Feb)
- Register to attend and Vote at the SGM in person (login details sent to Voting Members by Vero Voting 27 Feb)
- Watching remotely? Register as an observer/guest here: https://gga.verovoting.com.au/guest/sgm-gga
- Voting members – you have been emailed your voting link directly via Vero Voting to either lodge a proxy (if not able to attend in person) or use the link to vote ONLY in attendance at the meeting. If you don’t have this link, on arrival we will ensure you have it ready to vote during the meeting (at the venue only).
- For any technical support related to Vero Voting, please contact their dedicated support team at support@verovoting.com.au
A message from the Chair
“Since 2023 GGA has sought to review and up-lift its current Rules to ensure good housekeeping and provide stronger alignment between GGA’s purpose, objects, and long-term direction of GGA.
As many of you may already be aware, the ATO has recently introduced new self-assessment obligations for non-charitable NFP organisations with active Australian Business Numbers (ABNs).
After four months of careful consultation with legal and financial experts, the GGA Board has been working to a firm deadline, set by the ATO, to critically review our Rules.
It has also become clear that there is a risk that GGA may lose its Income Tax Exempt (ITE) status, and it is recommended that we amend our out-dated Rules and register with the Australian Charities and NFP Commission (ACNC) under the subtype of ‘Advancing the natural environment’, to ensure we align with the ATO’s new requirements and ensure GGA continues to operate as we have, benefiting the grower group community and broader community.
The transition from a Not-For-Profit (NFP) under the Resource Development Organisation category to a NFP with Charitable Purposes would require amending GGA’s Rules.”
See the full letter from GGA Chair Erin Gorter regarding Special General Meeting Notice (sent to all GGA member groups on 27 February 2025).
The GGA journey
Proposed Special Resolution for the SGM
GGA proposes to make the following five amendments to the GGA Rules:
1. Rule 1 (1) – Definitions
2. Rule 4 – Objects
3. Rule 32 – Director Eligibility
4. Rule 46 – When Directorship Ceases
5. Rule 81 – Distribution of surplus property on cancellation of incorporation or winding up
A key part of the proposed amendments is to update Rule 4 – GGA’s Objects, which will better reflect our purpose. The proposed revised wording for our Objects is as follows:
“The objects of the Alliance are to promote the development and improvement of agriculture for growers, the grower group community and broader community in Australia”.
Currently, our GGA Objects are as follows:
“The objects of the Alliance are to promote the development of Agriculture in Australia and more particularly through inter alia, activities that assist Grower Group Alliance members, and members of members, through liaison coordination and direct action with regard to fostering and bringing about increased production and profitability of commercial farm businesses through the adaption and adoption of new value chain technologies; the delivery of local relevant research, development and extension, and the provision of support networks for participatory applied research and farmer-to-farmer technology and education exchange.”
Note: It is important to note that the objects of an organisation are separate to the activities which it will undertake. The objects are the broad overall purpose of an organisation and the activities are the specific things the organisation will do to achieve its objects. There is no need to prescribe an organisation’s activities in its constitution as these activities can change over time.
Changing Rule 4 – Objects is one of five amendments within the proposed Rules; please refer to the SGM Notice (see Key Documents and Links above) to review the other items that have been drafted by legal experts to enhance our governance framework, improve operational efficiency, and align our Rules with the best practices.
These amendments are not about changing GGA’s core mission – but is about strengthening and clarifying our role in the agricultural industry.
We believe these proposed amendments will ensure GGA continues to grow and succeed in alignment with our values, while maximising the impact of every dollar we raise.
Your Vote matters
We need member support for this proposal. This transition will not change our purpose or mission, but is about strengthening our governance and providing clarity over our role in the agricultural industry.
GGA aims to remain transparent and effective – your interests remain our priority.
A “No” Vote means GGA would have out-dated Rules and could be at risk of losing its tax exemption status and therefore a portion of any surplus will go to government revenue, instead of benefitting our network and industry. Every cent paid in income tax is taken from programs that drive real change – we can’t afford to lose that impact.
A “Yes” Vote means GGA will have updated Rules, greater clarity over its Objects and they align with GGA’s Purpose. It would also mean GGA will continue to support the R,D,E and A’ for the grower group community, growers and broader communities.
If members approve the amendments to the Rules, GGA would then need to take steps to apply for registration as a charity the Australian Charities and NFP Commission (ACNC). Upon receiving charity registration, GGA would have certainty that it would be entitled to the valuable tax concessions and endorsements.
Over the next few weeks, the GGA Board will continue to reach out to our members to ensure you have all the information about these proposed amendments to make an informed decision at the Special General Meeting on 21 March 2025.
Voting Information
The power to vote is exclusive to Grower Group Members approved at the last GGA Board meeting, for those attending in the SGM in person.
Voting will be managed by Vero Voting, an independent voting and meeting service provider, appointed by Grower Group Alliance.
An email was sent to the below Grower Group Members on 27 February 2025, with instructions on how to submit a proxy for those who are unable to attend in person and attendance registration.
The 49 Voting Grower Group Members of the GGA include:
Agricultural Women Wheatbelt East (AWWE)
ASHEEP & BEEF
Certified Organic Biodynamic Western Australia Inc (COBWA)
Compass Agricultural Alliance
Corrigin Farm Improvement Group
Esperance Zone Innovation Group (EZI)
Facey Group
Far Eastern Agricultural Research Group (FEAR)
Fitzgerald Biosphere Group
Future Food Producers Group
Gascoyne Catchments Group
Gillamii Centre
Great Southern Wine Producers Association
Hills Orchard Improvement Group
Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association
Liebe Group
Lower South West Grower Group
Merredin and Districts Farm Improvement Group (MADFIG)
Mingenew Irwin Group
Moora Miling Pasture Improvement Group
Morawa Farm Improvement Group
Mortlock Ag Focus Group
Mullewa Dryland Farmers Initiative
Noongar Land Enterprise Group
North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources
Northern Agri Group
Nyabing Farm Improvement Group
O’Connor Research Group
Oil Mallee Association of Australia
Ravensthorpe Agricultural Initiative Network (RAIN)
Regen WA
Society of Precision Agriculture Australia (SPAA)
South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA)
Southern Dirt Incorporated
Southern Rangelands Pastoral Alliance
Stirlings to Coast Farmers
Sweeter Banana Co-operative
Three Springs Farm Innovation Network (3FIN)
Toodyay Agricultural Alliance
Turf Growers Association of Western Australia
WA Hemp Growers’ Co-op Ltd
WA No-Tillage Farmers Assoc (WANTFA)
WA Regenerative Livestock Producers
West Midlands Group
Western Australian Lot Feeders Association
Western Beef Assoc Inc
Wheatbelt Integrity Group (WIG)
Women in Farming Inc
Yuna Farm Improvement Group
Proxies
If you are unable to attend in person to Vote, a voting member can lodge a proxy submission.
A voting member requires a proxy to speak and vote on their behalf at the Special General Meeting, there are two options to appoint a proxy:
1. Voting members may appoint another person entitled to vote at the Special General Meeting (from the 49 voting Grower Group Members listed above)
2. The Chairperson of the Special General meeting, the GGA Chair Erin Gorter or one of the GGA Directors.
A voting Grower Group Member must not be appointed as a proxy for more than two other voting members.
Proxies must be received 24 hours prior to the Special General Meeting. Proxies can be made via the Vero Platform. Proxies will only be accepted online.
Vero Voting is an independent voting and meeting service provider, appointed by Grower Group Alliance to manage the proxy management and attendance registrations via the Vero Meeting Portal.
An email has been sent to each Voting member group on 27 February, directly from Vero. (Ensure you check your spam/ junk mail). This email will provide you with the information on how to lodge a Proxy or register your attendance.
For any technical support related to Vero Voting, please contact their dedicated support team at support@verovoting.com.au
Guests
All members are welcome to attend, but voting is limited to the 49 voting members.
🔹 Watching remotely? Register as an observer/guest here:
https://gga.verovoting.com.au/guest/sgm-gga
Information Sessions: Constitutional Governance – A legal perspective
Over the past few weeks GGA has been providing sessions on “Constitutional Governance: A legal perspective”.
GGA is hosting these sessions to share this important information, as there could be potential impacts on other NFPs. While we cannot provide individual legal or finance advice, GGA encourages all member groups to review and consider the ATO’s new requirements before 30 June this year.
The first session was held at GGA’s annual Lift Off ’25: EO’s Networking Breakfast event, with guest lawyer, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Tylich from Jackson McDonald.
The second session was held online on 21 February 2025, with host GGA Chief Executive Officer Rikki Foss and guest lawyer, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Tylich from Jackson McDonald who provided valuable insights into the recent changes to the ATO requirements, and potential impact on not-for-profits.
This session was recorded and is available to watch below.
The third session was held on March 6, a copy of the slides from Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Tylich, Jackson McDonald Legal are available here.
Feedback & Questions
Do you have feedback or a question about the SGM or Motion? Lodge the form below:
Enquiries
Any enquiries related to the Special General Meeting, please email admin@gga.org.au and we will direct your enquiry to the appropriate person.