The affairs of the AZG are managed by the AZG Committee consisting of between five and eight elected members and non-office bearing positions. The AZG members appoint Committee Members, for a one year term, at the Annual General Meeting usually held in August. The Committee meets on the fourth Sunday of every month.
Committee members for the 2025-26 year are:
David Edwards - Chairperson (President)
Julian Di Bez - Treasurer
Tom Brooker - Secretary
Ian Messenger - General committee member
David Miller - General committee member
Committee members welcome comments, feedback, suggestions from anyone attending AZG offerings. The Committee is there in to act on behalf of the AZG sangha to ensure we are legally compliant, financially sound, safe for participants and true to our stated purpose: "To promote the practice of Zen meditation by: providing opportunities for members to come together to practice, providing facilities and teaching which recognise the origins of Zen meditation in the teachings of the historical Buddha, and following the form of practice as used in the Diamond Sangha, but not excluding other forms as determined by the Committee from time to time. AND To provide a community of support for individuals engaged in Zen meditation irrespective of religious or non-religious orientation."
A big thank-you to 2024-25 Committee members...
We are very grateful to those members who held committee positions last year including Sam Tudman, Drasko Mitrikeski, Brendan Robinson and Craig Behenna for all their good works over the past 12 months.
...our new Committee members
We are also very grateful to our new Committee members who have generously offered their time and effort to support the group over the next 12 months.
Julian Di Bez has been a regular Committee member over many years including Membership Secretary and retreat coordinator in 2024-25. Julian is also a very active leader and supporter of our group.
Ian Messenger and David Miller are both long standing members of the AZG with Ian holding committee positions over the years including President.
Tom Brooker is a relatively new member of AZG and brings many years of experience working in the not-for-profit sector. He is also an active leader (mostly Thursday evenings).
We are looking forward to the new committee meeting for the first time on Sunday September 28th to continue the good works of previous committees.
...others who generously gave their time
In addition, there are a number of sangha members (not Committee members) who generously offered their time and effort over the past 12 months to support AZG across a range of areas including leadership roles (Ino, Jiki, Jisha) and assisting Committee members on specific tasks. Special mention to Jak Baddams, Reece Trevenen, Rogier Voorhoeve, Dave Farran, Ismail Hamoutahra and Annie Cousins.
If you are interested in becoming a Committee member let the Secretary know by sending an email to: azg@azg.org.au