The 39^th Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Heysen Trail and Other Walking Trails Inc will be held at 6.30pm Wednesday 22 April 2026  at the offices of BDO Australia, Level 19, 30 Pirie Street, Adelaide.

Call For Council Nominations

Seeking nominations from our members, for election to the following Council positions:

• Secretary
• Ordinary Council Members

To nominate, please complete the nomination form (page 2 of the AGM notice) and provide to The Secretary by 8 April 2026.
Forms may be submitted via email: heysentrail@heysentrail.asn.au; or deliver/post to Friends of the Heysen Trail, Suite 203, Epworth House, 33 Pirie Street Adelaide, 5000.

AGM Agenda

1. Apologies
2. Acceptance of Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 16 April 2025
3. President’s Report
4. Treasurer’s Report
5. Motion to Amend Wording of Constitution
   Motion to delete Clause 9 (3) – “Subscriptions at the current rate may be paid up to three (3) years in advance.”
6. Election of Returning Officer
7. Election of Councillors:

• • Secretary
  • Council Members

8. Appointment of Auditor
9. Report from Honorary Members Committee
10. Other Business

Refreshments Break

11. Celebrating 40 Years of Friends of the Heysen Trail

Members must register to attend the AGM via our website walk/events program.

David Rattray being presented with Honourary Membership by Friends of the Heysen Trail President, Robert Alcock

We were saddened to hear that David Rattray, one of our treasured volunteers died on July 16th 2025, at the age of 77 years.

David was a lover of the outdoors and as well as his service to the Heysen Trail, he had extended involvement with service and community groups including the Naval Reserve and Scouts Australia.

David was awarded the Order of the Australia Medal in 2007 for his service to youth through the Scouting movement.

As far as his association with the Friends is concerned, David became a member in the early 1990s and received his End-to-End certificate (no 104) in the winter of 2003.

In 2005 David commenced service as a volunteer in the Office, soon after retiring and joined Council in 2008. Within a year he added the role of Membership Secretary to his list of responsibilities.

Around the end of 2010 David also took on the position of Chair of the Office Committee. He continued to carry on all of these responsibilities. It is a credit to David that he steered the Office Committee and volunteers through several years of substantial change while ensuring that we provided advice and service to members and walkers.

In recognition of his service, he was awarded Honorary membership of the Friends in 2016. His nomination was accompanied by the following  recommendation:

Those who have worked with David in the Office over many years can attest to his amazing dedication.

Always at work well before anyone else, he has everything organised for the rest of the team when they arrive. No problem is too difficult and David’s knowledge of every aspect of how the organisation and the office systems work is second to none.

At times when the pressure is on, David’s calm professional approach prevails.

He always had the interest of volunteers, walkers and members in mind in the many roles that he held with the Friends.

Sadly, David relinquished his position as Chair of the Office Committee in 2020 due to increasing impact of Parkinson’s disease. It is to his credit that he kept up his attendance at the Office every Tuesday until illness forced his resignation only a few months ago.

David may have left us, but he won’t be forgotten.

We extend our condolences to Dianne and family.

Member News: FOHT new Council & Annual Report 2022

The Friends AGM on 5 April 2023 at Torrens Rowing Club was well attended with an upbeat vibe and lots of chatting among members.  Thank you all for your membership, engagement and volunteering to keep the Friends and Heysen Trail alive.

Please welcome the incoming Council Members listed below who will continue that commitment.

2023 FOHT Office Bearers & Council Positions

Reminder that the revised FOHT Constitution adopted in 2022 included provision to assist renewal that all member are elected for 2 year terms, a limit of 3 x 2 years continuous in an Office Bearer position and maximum 12 years continuous for any Council member.

• President – Neil Hendry
• Vice President – Melanie Sjoberg
• Secretary – Vicki Stewart continuing in current 2 year term
• Treasurer – Basia Samcewicz continuing in current 2 year term

Council Members

• Continuing in current 2 year term – Barbara Deed; John Babister; Margaret Fletcher.
• Newly elected: Paul Bond; Judy McAdam; Ross McDougall; Kathy Wright; Mark Fletcher.

FOHT achievements and financial statements were presented and approved at the AGM.  The FOHT Annual Report for 2022 outlining those presentations is attached for your information.

David joined the Friends in 1996 about the time he retired from teaching. Within two years he had become entrenched in the office and become co-Membership Secretary in 1998, a post he held until 2009. At the same time, he joined the Walk Committee and started leading walks for the Friends.

The genesis of the End to End walk program

In 1999, at Walk Committee meeting, David suggested that, as we maintained the Trail, maybe we should also be facilitating our walking members to undertake the Trail, End to End.

As the first walk started in 2000, it was known as the Millenium Walk, however over time this has morphed into End-to-End One and then the End-to-End programme.

Consequently, he co-lead the first End to End, starting in 2000 and finishing in 2006 and then 2002, not happy with heading north, he started a southern trek from Parachilna south which he completed the next year.

The End to End walks have become extraordinarily popular as a result consequence of a simple suggestion, he made in 1999. The result so far is 15 groups and over 1,100 people introduced to hiking and the Heysen Trail.

David, the Administrator

Trail Maintenance at Bridle Gap

David joined the Friend’s Council in 2003 and became Secretary in 2006, a position he held until 2008.

He was also a keen participant in maintenance, as Section Leader, strong, resilient, and resourceful and like many big men, quiet and thoughtful. His counsel was always considerate and considered.

In 2007, David was elected as an Honorary Member for his considerable contribution to the Friends.
In 2017, Walking SA bestowed on David a Special Recognition Award for his contribution to walking and the Friends.