Echuca Moama and District Tourism Association has officially closed, with a final members’ meeting on Tuesday, September 3, voting almost unanimously.
Following the announcement of its closure in May, and the official ceasing of operations on June 30, the board was in discussions about the organisation’s next steps.
“It was not a meeting that was open for discussion or debate,” former EMT chair George Santos said.
“It was one that was going to propose to the members two motions.”
At Tuesday’s special general meeting, two resolutions were presented to members, being the distribution of existing assets and cancellation of EMT’s incorporation and ABN.
Remaining assets were proposed to be distributed to the Committee for Echuca Moama, following pitches from various groups after EMT’s closure was announced.
“Our goal is to conclude this meeting with the assurance that EMT’s assets will be responsibly transferred to another community organisation that has demonstrated the ability to manage and enhance these resources,” Mr Santos said at the meeting.
Both resolutions were considered and voted in favour by 25 out of 26 members in attendance.
By approving these motions, the organisation can officially cease to exist and C4EM will take on the digital assets and a small amount of cash.
If the resolutions did not pass, EMT’s board members would still step down, as the organisation would begin to trade insolvent.
“We had to certainly make a very clear decision and that was explained that either way the board would step down,” Mr Santos said.
“The understanding was reached through the meeting.
“We achieved what we hoped to, and I think the community is all the better for it.”
While the outcome of the meeting was a success for the board, allowing for a smooth transition, Mr Santos drew on the disappointment of being in this position.
“It brings to an end 40 years of what was once a vibrant community association,” he said.
“Everyone on our board is extremely sad that that happened, and I guess that’s the overwhelming feeling right through.
“We wish we could have resolved it in a different way ... there was no hope left for us to continue.”
The two organisations are currently facilitating the transfer of assets from one to another.
Mr Santos is looking forward to seeing how C4EM will support destination marketing and tourism for the region.
“It’s the turning of a page in the tourism book,” he said.
“It will be interesting to see how it all develops.
C4EM will host a meeting next week to discuss its next steps.