Any person who is a veteran or current member of the Australian Defence Force or its allies, or a family member of a veteran or current member is eligible to apply for membership. The benefits of membership include:
The Goorambat Veterans’ Retreat Inc has two classes of membership: voting and non-voting.
Membership Categories
There are two categories of membership for Goorambat Veterans' Retreat Inc
Membership Eligibility
Member
Any person who is a veteran or current member of the Australian Defence Force or its allies, or a family member of a veteran or current member, is eligible to apply for membership of Goorambat Veterans’ Retreat.
A veteran is defined as anyone who has served in the Australian Defence Force for at least one day, whether in war or peace time, and who has been discharged honourably.
A family member of a veteran is defined as a spouse, partner, child of a veteran by blood, marriage or adoption.
Associate Member
Any person (non-veteran) or organization who support the objectives and mission of the Retreat.
Classes of membership
The Goorambat Veterans’ Retreat Inc has two classes of membership: voting and non-voting.
Application
To apply for membership, a person must complete and submit the membership application form, along with any relevant supporting documents and the annual membership fee. The application form may be an e-form.
The application form should include relevant personal information, contact details, and a declaration of agreement to agree and abide by GVR (Goorambat Veterans’ Retreat Inc) rules of association, GVR policies and GVR procedures.
The supporting documents may include proof of identity, proof of service, proof of relationship to a veteran, or any other documents that the GVR may require.
Approval
The Management Committee has the sole discretion to approve or reject any application for membership, without giving any reason.
The Management Committee must notify the applicant of its decision in writing within 28 days of receiving the application.
If the application is approved, the applicant becomes a member of the association from the date of approval and their name and details are entered in the register of members. The register may be in the form of electronic records.
If the application is rejected, the applicant may appeal to the Management Committee in writing within 14 days of receiving the notice of rejection, stating the grounds for their appeal. The Management Committee must consider the appeal at its next meeting and notify the applicant of its decision in writing within 14 days of the meeting. The decision of the Management Committee is final and binding.
Renewal
Membership is valid for one year and must be renewed annually on the annual membership date of 1 January by paying the membership fee and submitting any updated information or documents that the association may require.
The Management Committee may send a reminder notice to members before their membership expires, but it is the responsibility of each member to renew their membership on time.
If a member fails to renew their membership within two months of its expiry date, their membership will lapse, and their name and details will be removed from the register of members. They will need to reapply for membership if they wish to rejoin the GVR.
Membership Fees
Membership fees shall be determined by the Management Committee and reviewed annually. The membership year shall be Calendar Year.
The annual membership fee may vary depending on the class of membership.
As of 1st January 2024, the annual fee structure is set as follows:
Annual Fee
Category of Membership
Member $ 20
Associate member $ 20
as at January 2024. Subject to change without notice.
Annual membership fee structure
A discounted membership fee of $50 for three years membership is available if paid in advance and in full.
Membership fees are due upon approval of the membership application and annually thereafter on 1 January. There is no discount for part year.
Resignation
A member may resign from the GVR at any time by giving written notice to the secretary. The resignation takes effect from the date that the notice is received by the secretary, or a later date specified in the notice.
A member who resigns from the GVR is not entitled to a refund of any part of their membership fee or any other fees or charges that they have paid to the GVR.
A member is taken to have resigned if the member's annual subscription is more than 12 months in arrears.
Termination
The Management Committee may terminate a member’s membership if they:
breach any rule or policy of the association act in a way that is detrimental to the interests or reputation of the association or its members fail to pay any fees or charges that are due to the association cease to be eligible for membership under this policy
The Management Committee must give written notice to the member of its intention to terminate their membership, stating the reasons for doing so and giving them an opportunity to respond in writing or in person at a Management Committee meeting within 14 days of receiving the notice.
The Management Committee must consider any response from the member before making its final decision and notify them of its decision in writing within 14 days of receiving their response or holding the meeting.
A member whose membership is terminated by the Management Committee may appeal to a general meeting of members by giving written notice to the secretary within 14 days of receiving the notice of termination. The appeal will be heard at the next general meeting and decided by a majority vote of members present and voting. The decision of the general meeting is final and binding.
Members Privacy and Data Protection
Goorambat Veterans' Retreat is committed to protecting the privacy of its members and will handle personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
