(ASSOCIATIONS INCORPORATION ACT. 1981 – SCHEDULE 3, REGISTRATION NUMBER – A14719D)
1. INTERPRETATION
1.1 In these rules, unless the contrary intention appears:
“Executive Committee” means the Committee of Management of the Association.
“Board of Executives” means the office bearers of the Executive Committee.
1.2 “Association” means the Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies Incorporated.
“Financial Year” means the year ending on 30th June.
“General Meeting” or “Special General Meeting” means a general meeting of members
convened in accordance with Rule 1.1.
“The Act” means the Association Incorporation Act 1981.
“The Regulations” means regulations under the Act.
1.3 In these Rules, a reference to the Secretary of an Association is a reference:
(a) where a person holds office under these Rules as Secretary of the Associations
– to that person, and
(b) in any other case, to the Public Officer of the Association.
1.4 Words or expressions contained in these rules shall be interpreted in accordance with
the provisions of the Acts interpretation Act 1958 and the Act as in force from time
to time.
2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE – AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATION
2.1 To maintain cultural integrity of all Greeks and Australian Macedonians of Hellenic
Origin residing in Australian Territories.
2.2 To promote and advance the educational philanthropic, social and moral interests
of all members.
2.3 To preserve and maintain the unique cultural identity of all Australian Macedonians of
Hellenic Origin and help them to integrate into the Australian multicultural society.
2.4 To retain close relations with relevant authorities in order to achieve the aims of the
Australian Institute of Macedonian Studies.
2.5 To improve the understanding among cultural groups on the basis of respect,
recognition of identity and mutual coexistence.
2.6 To maintain a non political commitment which can bring cohesion, understanding,
cooperation and participation of all members regardless of their political beliefs.
2.7 To maintain and promote the folkloric tradition of the Macedonian region.
2.8 To organise foster and promote any activities as they may deem necessary to achieve
the above mentioned aims or as follows:
(a) To organise, supervise and direct such sub – committees as may be necessary in order to achieve the aims
2.9 (a) To liaise with International Institutes and to exchange ideas, views, organise and
/ or participate in conferences.
(b) To liaise and cooperate with other Ethnic groups.
(c) To inform the general public and the Association members as deemed necessary
by means of publications, seminars, lectures, exhibitions, resource centres and materials.
(d) To organise concerts and folkloric festivals, art exhibitions or any other festivities which are relevant to the above-mentioned aims.
(e) The Association may build, construct, maintain, alter, enlarge, pull
down and remove or replace any building or buildings, property of the Association.
2.10 To organise, encourage and promote historical, cultural and linguistic research
activities having Greek Macedonia as their subject matter.
2.11 To organise scholarships for scholarly research and studies for Macedonian Greeks
or other Greeks or Australians who are loyal to the aims of the Australian Institute
of Macedonian Studies.
2.12 To provide a building or room in any building and to furnish and maintain the same
and to permit the same to be used for lectures, meetings, dances and social purposes
by the members of the Association and their friends either gratuitously or upon such
terms as shall be agreed upon.
2.13 To provide reading and writing rooms and reference library and to furnish the same
respectively with books, reviews, magazines and newspapers and other publications
including instruments and vocal music stationary and all other items that may be
convenient or necessary.
2.14 To provide all conditions necessary for billiards and other games for musical dramatic
and other social entertainments and all other items necessary for the recreation of
members or their friends.
2.15 To buy, provide, make and sell meals, food, drinks, and all items necessary in
connection therewith.
2.16 To apply for and obtain registration of the Association under the Liquor Control Act or
any statutory amendment or modification thereof.
2.17 To receive, take over, expend and generally administer funds already collected or which
may at any time hereafter be collected from persons or organisations in Australia or
Abroad for any of the Executive Committee’s objects.
2.18 To hire and employ Secretaries, Managers, Clerks, servants and workmen and (subject
to Clause 2 hereof) pay them and other persons in return for their services rendered to
the Association salaries, wages, gratuities.
2.19 To invest moneys of the Association not immediately required in such manner as may
from time to time be determined by resolution of the General Meeting or to invest in
Government Guaranteed Securities without reference to a General Meeting and to
vary, sell or dispose of all or any of such investments.
2.20 To take any gift of property, whether subject to any special trust or not, for any one or
more of the objects of the Association.
2.21 To take such steps by personal or written appeals, public meetings, advertisements or
otherwise as may from time to time be deemed expedient for the purposes of procuring
contributions to the fund of the Association in the shape of donations annul or other
subscriptions or otherwise.
2.22 To work in close co-operation and/or amalgamate with any other Society, Community
or Association having objects similar to those of the Association and whose
Memorandum of Association or other constitution prohibits the division of its income
and property amongst its members at least to the same extent as is done by Clause 3
of this Statement of Purpose.
2.23 To obtain any provisional order or the official or Government power consent or authority
of Act of Parliament for enabling the Association to carry any of its objects into effect or
for effecting any modification of the rules for an Incorporated Association or for any
other purpose which may seem expedient and to oppose any proceedings or
applications which may seem calculated directly or indirectly or prejudiced the
interest of the Association.
2.24 To make, draw, accept, endorse, discount, execute, and issue promissory notes, bills or
exchange debentures and other negotiable instruments and all deeds, instruments or
documents necessary for carrying out all or any of the objects of the Association, and
to borrow or raise or secure the payment of money in such manner as the Association
shall think fit within accordance with the model rules for an incorporated Association.
2.25 To accept or take any security for any debt or liability to this Association or any
property real or personal in or towards payment or satisfaction of any such debt or
liability.
2.26 In furtherance of the objects of the Association, to enter into any arrangements with
any Government municipalities or other corporations or public bodies and to obtain
any rights, privileges and concessions which the Association may think desirable and to
carry out, exercise and comply with any such arrangements, rights, privileges and
concessions.
2.27 To operate and maintain afternoon and/or evening schools, to promote the teaching
of history and culture of both Greece and Australia.
2.28 To make ancillary rules and do all such things as may be incidental or conductive to the
attainment of the above mentioned objects or any of them by special resolution under
Section 22 of the Act.
2.29 Provided that the Association shall not support with its funds or endeavour to impose
on or procure to be observed by its members or others, any regulation or restriction of
the Association’s objects, would make it a trade union within the meaning of the Trade
Unions Act, 1958.