Albury Wodonga Health (AWH) has defended its decision to conduct its annual general meeting (AGM) online without allowing questions, citing concerns over potential “harassment” and “bullying.” The meeting took place on November 27, 2023, and was livestreamed, marking a shift from previous in-person gatherings held at the Cube Wodonga and the Albury Entertainment Centre.
Jonathan Green, AWH board chair, articulated the reasoning behind the electronic format, emphasizing the need for a safe environment for discussions. “In the missed opportunity to personally meet community members, the responsible choice was to hold this year’s AGM in the manner which has been presented today,” Green stated. He expressed a desire to return to in-person meetings in the future but firmly maintained that the meeting’s format was necessary for civility and respect in dialogue.
Green’s remarks included a challenge to health advocates to rethink their strategies. “For those unaccepting of this rationale, I put the positive challenge to you to carefully consider your approach to advocacy,” he said. This statement came after concerns regarding the atmosphere at previous AGMs, which were open to questions from attendees.
In his address, Green acknowledged that the decision to host the AGM online for the first time since the onset of COVID-19 was ultimately his responsibility. “Harassment and bullying and intimidation is not advocacy,” he remarked, underlining the importance of maintaining a professional climate within the organization. He stated boldly, “It is a decision that I firmly stand by and offer no apology for.”
The meeting also addressed a recent independent review from Safer Care Victoria that examined the emergency and surgical services departments within AWH. This review arose from serious concerns expressed by surgical trainees and clinical staff about workplace culture and behavior. Green emphasized the shared responsibility for creating a safe and respectful workplace, stating, “Creating a safe, respectful and professional workplace is a responsibility that is a shared one.”
While Green did not elaborate on why attendees were unable to submit questions during the AGM, he directed viewers to a barcode on the screen for providing feedback. “We will not be taking questions on those of today’s proceedings and we encourage people to continue to utilize our existing framework feedback processes,” he noted. He also referenced the new online platform called “Your Say,” designed to facilitate community engagement.
During the meeting, AWH’s chief executive, Bill Appleby, presented a joint message from the board included in the organization’s recently released annual report. The report highlights AWH’s commitment to transparency and accountability, despite the challenges faced during the transition to an online format.
As AWH navigates the implications of its decision to hold an online AGM, the organization aims to balance community engagement with the need for a respectful dialogue, reflecting on both its past practices and future aspirations.
