140 times booked flights to attend AGMs

2026: 3 trips to Sydney

Aristocrat Leisure (ALL): flew to Sydney on February 19 and attended 2 hour meeting in person, covering 9 different topics from the floor.

GPT (GPT): 9.30am physical AGM in Sydney at The Mint on April 10 with a one way webcast. See notice of meeting. Attended 90 minute meeting in person. See transcript and these extracts of the 9 questions asked. No protest votes. See wrap of 2025 meeting where proxy Andy Darroch asked 6 questions from the floor. No protest votes last year either.
Magellan Financial Group (MFG): 11am hybrid EGM in Sydney on April 10 at MFG HQ which is L36 of 25 Martin Place to approve Barrenjoey takeover. Placement was approved by 92.7% of voted stock and they added the headcount data showing strong support. See notice of meeting. Attended 50 minute meeting in person. See this summary of issues raised.

Macquarie Group (MQG): 10.30am hybrid AGM in Sydney on July 23 2026 (my 57th birthday) at its new global headquarters and via the Lumi platform. See notice of meeting detailing 6 voting items. Attended in person. See wrap of all the action.

——————————————-

2025: 2 trips to Sydney

NoviQtech (NVQ): 10am physical EGM in Sydney on January 21 2025 to approve share issuance. See notice of meeting. Market cap $28m. Was only shareholder attending in person and no protest votes. Was discussed on January 29 Money Cafe podcast.

Myer (MYR): 9am hybrid meeting in Sydney on December 11 at the Sheraton on the Park. See notice of meeting. Very different from last year which was 2pm at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Noms originally closed at 5pm on September 25, as per this ASX announcement on September 19, but then on October 2 they announced a delay in the meeting from November 28 until December 11 meaning the new nomination deadline was October 9. The constitution requires at least 2 directors submit for election at each AGM. Terry McCartney and Rob Perry were re-elected at the 2024 AGM and Olivia Wirth and Gary Weiss were both re-elected in 2023. They went with Perry and Weiss in 2025. Nominated for the board and requested this platform be published in the notice of meeting. See November 3 Crikey story wrapping up the various issues. See wrap of the 2025 debate and the voting results which included headcount data. See 8 questions lodged at 2024 AGM and 3 questions lodged at 2023 AGM.
Westpac (WBC): 10am hybrid at Wesley Centre on December 11 in Sydney but only for questions via Link/MUFG not voting. See notice of meeting and summary of debate from the floor.

——————————

2024: 0

travelled to Sydney to meet with AUB chair David Clarke re board tilt and JP but didn't attend an AGM

——————————

2023: 2 trips to Sydney

Aristocrat Leisure (ALL): ran for the board at physical AGM in Sydney on February 24 at the company offices. See wrap of all the action.

MA Financial (MAF): physical only meeting at 11.30am on May 11 in Sydney on level 27 of Brookfield Tower at 10 Carrington St which attended in person, asking the maximum 10 questions allowed. Chair Jeffrey Browne refuses to publish an archive of the webcast. Last year was a fully online AGM. See transcript of that Q&A. Unlike the 22.7% protest vote against the rem report last year, all resolutions were well supported in 2023.
QBE Insurance (QBE): hybrid starting at 10am on May 12 with physical component at Sydney's Wesley Centre. Attended in person, raising AGM procedure, chair succession, capital raising, climate and the 5% drop in the share price that day. See notice of meeting. Biggest protest vote was 6% against chairman Mike Wilkins but he refused to explain what this was about. See 10 video packages of key action via Twitter and watch 75 minute AGM webcast archive. Transcript request declined again.

——————————–

2022: 1

Vita Life Sciences (VLS): noon, May 11, 2022: Hybrid meeting with physical component at Automic Office in Sydney on level 5 of Deutsche Bank House at 126 Phillip St. See notice of meeting. Was only shareholder who attended in Sydney with main issue being asking about assault conviction of director Shane Teoh.
GPT (GPT): May 11, 10am. Hybrid with the physical meeting at Swissotel in Sydney which attended in person. See notice of meeting. Pre-AGM email sent on April 15. Asked about 10 questions. Watch webcast of 97 minute meeting and see results with only minor protest being 3.34% against director Michelle Somerville. No early disclosure of proxies or transcript provided.

—————————–

2020: none during COVID

——————————-

2019: 5 trips to Sydney

Aristocrat Leisure: February 21, 2019 (Sydney)

Macquarie Group: July 25, 2019 (Sydney)

Woolworths: November 12, 2019. Sydney. See transcript and watch video of almost 4 hour AGM and EGM for Endeavour Group demerger.

Harvey Norman: November 26, 2019 (Sydney). Lots of coverage after ran for the board.
Altium: November 26, 2019 (Sydney)

Soul Pattinson: December 2, 2019 (Sydney). Questions were prematurely shut down after a few climate questions.

———————————

2018: 2 trips to Sydney and 1 to Perth for 3 in total

Moelis Australia: May 28, 2018 (Sydney)

Crown Resorts: November 1, 2018 (Perth) - first ever webcast. Audio file of 95 minute meeting available here.

Seven West Media: November 14, 2018
Nine Entertainment: November 14, 2018

—————–

2017: none

——————

2016: 1 flight to LA, 1 to Sydney and 1 to Perth for 3 in total

Woodside Petroleum: April 21, 2016 - flew to Perth

Westfield: May 12, 2016 - contributed to Four Corners coverage on political donations

21st Century Fox AGM: November 10, 2016, Los Angeles. See Mayne Report write-up.
News Corp AGM: November 10, 2016, Los Angeles. See Mayne Report write-up. See Crikey piece on free speech suppression.

———————-

2015: 4 trips to Sydney

Aristocrat Leisure: February 27, 2015

Invocare: May 22, 2015

Macquarie Group: July 23, 2015
Ran for the board at Sydney AGM. Watch 144 minute webcast. See notice of meeting and Mayne Report preview piece. Here are the results detailing just 1.55% support and see this Crikey piece after the AGM slamming all their ridiculous "fit and proper" processes.

Ten Network Holdings: December 8, 2015 - see Crikey story.

—————————

2014: 7 trips to Sydney and 1 trip to LA for 8 in total

Leighton Holdings: May 19, 2014

Westfield Group: May 29, 2014
Westfield Retail: May 29, 2014 - see Crikey story.

Westfield Retail resumed meeting: June 20, 2014

Macquarie Group (MQG): July 24, 2014
Was running the ASA's monitoring operations. See notice of meeting for gathering at Sydney's Sheraton on the Park. Was getting ready to finish up at ASA and took the new head of research Anna Lau along for the action. Watch 2 hour and 40 minute webcast. There were no material protest votes.

21st Century Fox: November 12, 2014 - see Crikey piece.
News Corp: November 13, 2014 - see Crikey piece.

Nine Entertainment Company: November 19, 2014 - see Crikey piece.

Cabcharge: November 26, 2014: ran for board. See Crikey write-up.

Network Ten Holdings: December 17, 2014 - ran for board. See Crikey story.

————————

2013: 2 to Sydney and 1 to Brisbane for 3 in total

Prime Agricultural Group (EGM) April 15, 2013

Virgin Australia: November 20, 2013 in Brisbane

Ten Network Holdings: December 18, 2013

——————————

2012: 2 trips to Queensland and 1 trip to Sydney for 3 in total

Cochlear October 16 2012 in Sydney

Echo Entertainment October 25, 2012 on the Gold Coast
Suncorp October 25, 2012 in Brisbane

QR National: November 21, 2012 in Brisbane

——————————-

2011: 2 trips to Adelaide, 1 trip to LA, 1 trip to Launceston and 1 trip to Sydney for 5 in total

David Jones AGM December 2, 2011
Soul Patts AGM: December 2, 2011

Gunns AGM: November 24, 2011 in Launceston

News Corp AGM: October 21, 2011 in LA - see Mayne Report. See New York Times live blog.

Australian Shareholders' Association AGM: May 18, 2011 in Adelaide - was elected to the board so this slowed down the AGM count

Santos AGM: May 5, 2011 in Adelaide - see Mayne Report.

——————————-

2010: 7 trips to Sydney, 1 to New York, 1 to Brisbane and 1 to Adelaide for 10 in total

James Hardie EGM May 28, 2010 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report
Macquarie Airports AGM May 27, 2010 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report
Westfield AGM May 27, 2010 - listen to audio, watch video, see businessday.com.au, see Mayne Report

Adelaide Brighton AGM May 19, 2010 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report
OZ Minerals AGM May 19, 2010 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report

Wallace Absolute Return AGM May 17, 2010 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report

GPT Group AGM May 10, 2010 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report

Seven Network EGM April 20, 2010 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report. Also, see this affidavit which I lodged with the Federal Court objecting to the scheme.

Alinta Energy/Babcock & Brown Power EGM February 23, 2010 - listen to audio.
ING Real Estate Entertainment Fund February 23, 2010 - listen to audio

———————-

2009: 13 trips to Sydney, 1 to Brisbane for NAB tilt and 1 trip to Perth for 4 meetings so 15 in total

National Australia Bank December 17 2009 in Brisbane - watch video, see Mayne Report

Ten Network December 10 2009 in Sydney - listen to audio, see Mayne Report

David Jones November 30 2009 in Sydney - listen to audio, see Mayne Report

Woolworths November 26 2009 in Sydney - listen to audio, watch video, see Mayne Report

Rams Group November 12 2009 in Sydney - listen to audio, see Mayne Report

Seven Network November 9 2009 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report

Trip to Perth for 4 AGMs on one day

Atlas Iron November 6 2009 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report
IMF November 6 2009 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report
Cazaly Resources November 6 2009 - listen to audio, see Mayne Report
Western Areas November 6 2009 in Perth - listen to audio, see Mayne Report

Transfield Services November 4 2009 in Sydney - listen to audio, see Mayne Report
Telstra November 4 2009 in Sydney - listen to audio, watch video, see Mayne Report

Macquarie Group AGM July 29, 2009 in Sydney
This audio history is broken but you can see the topics. This Mayne Report email edition is better.

GPT AGM May 25, 2009 in Sydney
- listen to audio, see Mayne Report

AMP AGM May 14, 2009 in Sydney
- listen to audio, watch video, see Mayne Report, read transcript

Spark Infrastructure AGM April 27, 2009 in Sydney
- listen to audio

Caltex AGM April 23, 2009 in Sydney
- listen to audio, see Mayne Report

Rio Tinto AGM April 20, 2009 in Sydney
- listen to audio, see Mayne Report, see Business Day article

QBE AGM April 8, 2009 in Sydney
- listen to audio, see Mayne Report
CFS Retail EGM April 7, 2009 in Sydney, coinciding with appearing on SBS Insight panel
-listen to audio, see Mayne Report

——————–

2008: 8 trips to Sydney, 1 to Perth and then flew overnight to Brisbane for Rio meeting so 10 in total

Babcock & Brown Power November 7, 2008 in Sydney
- see Mayne report, listen to audio
Allco November 6, 2008 in Sydney
- see Mayne report
Babcock & Brown Infrastructure November 5, 2008 in Sydney
- listen to audio, see Mayne report

Macquarie Media (MMG) AGM October 29, 2008
Was held at Sydney's Sheraton on the Park. See notice of meeting, listen to audio, see Mayne report

Amalgamated Holdings October 24, 2008 in Sydney
- listen to audio, see Mayne report

Boral October 22, 2008 in Sydney tied in with Carl Icahn session
- listen to audio, see Mayne report

ASX September 24, 2008 in Sydney.
- check out the package of highlights

James Hardie August 20, 2008
-check out the package of highlights
Macquarie Capital Alliance Group (MCQ) scheme meeting August 20, 2008
See scheme book for take private proposal at $3.40 per share at Sydney's Sheraton on the Park. Managed to keep the debate going for about 20 minutes - see Mayne Report email edition at the time. It was comfortably approved.

- check out the package of highlights.
Everest Babcock and Brown May 29, 2008 in Sydney
- check out the package of highlights.
Austar May 29, 2008 in Sydney
- check out the package of highlights.

Westfield May 23, 2008 in Sydney
- listen to audio, see Mayne report.
Macquarie Airports May 22, 2008 in Sydney
See package of highlights. Listen to question about their performance fee and why hide in dodgy Bermuda? Also, see Crikey story.

Rio Tinto April 24, 2008 in Brisbane
- see Mayne report 1, Mayne report 2 and listen to the our exchanges at the AGM and 2 shareholders feedback to our exchanges at the AGM.

WA News April 23, 2008 in Perth
- See Mayne report on Kerry Stokes getting vanquished in WA News showdown. Listen to Kerry Stokes WA News campaign speech - full audio. And listen to this bunfight with Kerry Stokes over editorial independence. Also, see two Crikey stories - 1, 2.

————————

2007: 12 trips to Sydney, 1 to Perth, 1 to Launceston and 1 to New York for 15 in total

NAB (Adelaide) Jan 31, 2007
Big turn up in the city of churches and chairman Michael Chaney handled it well

James Hardie (EGM) Feb 7, 2007 in Sydney
The day the asbestos deal was finally approved - see Crikey report

Promina (EGM) March 5, 2007 in Sydney
Takeover by Promina achieved, but chairman Leo Tutt very unimpressive - see Crikey report

Magellan Financial Group (EGM) March 22, 2007 in Sydney
Family ended up making $25,000 from information gathered attending this one - see Crikey report
Everest Babcock & Brown (EGM) Mar 23, 2007
Approval of capital raising and a chance to quiz CEO and young Rich Lister Jeremy Reid

Hutchison May 4, 2007 in Sydney
Billions of losses and sagging shares - see Crikey report

APN News & Media (EGM) May 25, 2007 in Sydney
The day private equity failed again - see Crikey report
Clashed with APN private equity vote so had to dash after a couple of questions

Austar May 31, 2007 in Sydney
Stretched the AGM out beyond an hour - see Crikey report
Fortescue Metals Nov 8, 2007 in Perth
Some fascinating exchanges with Andrew Forrest and his board - see Mayne Report
West Australian Newspapers Nov 9, 2007 in Perth
Really stuck it to the board but lost election - see Mayne report , see Crikey report

Macquarie Radio Nov 16, 2007 in Sydney
Great fun spraying Alan Jones - see Crikey report

Gunns 22 Nov 2007 in Launceston
AGM aborted prematurely, extraordinary stuff - see Mayne report, Crikey report

Managing to really annoy James Packer with eulogy to media and sledge of casinos - see Crikey report

Allco Finance Group EGM Dec 12, 2007 in Sydney
Controversial $328m Rubicon related party deal approved but still plenty of good debate - see Mayne Report subscriber edition. Missed the Ten AGM at Star Sydney on the same day as it wrapped up too quickly.

HFA Holdings Dec 14, 2007 in Sydney
Spencer Young was quite impressive - see Mayne Report

——————-

2006: 7 trips to Sydney and 1 to Brisbane

GPT April 18, 2006 in Sydney
Did they go weak at the knees dealing with billionaires - see Crikey report

Aristocrat Leisure May 2, 2006 in Sydney
Held at Star City and some lively debate over accounts and problem gambling - see Crikey report
SFE Corp AGM May 2, 2006 in Sydney
Low key affair ahead of the ASX merger EGM

AMP May 19, 2006 in Sydney
A solid exchange as AMP recovered from near bankruptcy - see Crikey report

STW Holdings May 24, 2006 in Sydney
The usual knockabout debate in Singo's bar
Babcock & Brown May 26, 2006 in Sydney
Chairman James Babcock left it all to his deputy Elisabeth Nosworthy - see Crikey report.

ABC Learning (EGM) June 7, 2006 in Brisbane
CEO Eddie Groves was particularly unhelpful - see Crikey report

Macquarie Bank AGM July 20, 2006 in Sydney
Failed in board tilt but polled quite well with support from 15.53% of voted stock - see package of highlights. They even put out a correction to the ASX after at first saying all 8 resolutions had been passed.

PBL Oct 26, 2006 in Sydney
Generated more news stories than any other AGM - see Crikey report.

——————————-

2005: first trip to New York for News Corp, 1 trip to Tassie, trip to Adelaide and 5 trips to Sydney for 8 in total

Handed over management control of Crikey on March 9, freeing up time for more AGMs

Babcock & Brown May 26, 2005
First AGM for the Macquarie Mini Me and we gave them a solid work out - see Crikey report

STW Holdings May 30, 2005
The last encounter with John Singleton in the bar - see Crikey report

Macquarie Bank July 28, 2005
Raised a range of issues but didn't land a major blow - see Crikey reports

News Corp, New York, Oct 21, 2005
First trip to New York to take on Rupert - see Crikey special edition

Gunns (candidate) Oct 27, 2005
Disappointing vote but had a victory when John Gay submitted himself for election in 2006 - see Crikey report.

John Fairfax Nov 18, 2005
Ran for the board and the lights went out - see Crikey report

News Corp November 20, 2005
Was Rupert's first Adelaide information meeting - see Crikey report

Macquarie Leisure Nov 28, 2005 in Sydney
Fairly uneventful, although raised some issues for Anne Keating

———————————–

2004: just 1 AGM attended and that involved a flight to Adelaide

News Corp Oct 26, 2004
The day Rupert quit Australia - see Crikey report

—————————————–

2003: 4 flights including two to Adelaide, 1 to Launceston and 1 to Sydney

AMP (candidate) May 15, 2003
Disappointing result after $10bn was lost in UK - see Crikey reports and results

Gunns (EGM) Aug 26, 2003
Greenies gunned down - see Crikey report

News Corporation Oct 15, 2003
The day Rupert was rolled and decided to leave Australia - see Crikey report

Adelaide Bank Oct 24, 2003
Flown over by Nick Xenophon who generated plenty of press - see Crikey report

————————————-

2002: 1 trip to Sydney and 1 trip to Adelaide for News Corp

Australian Shareholders' Association Sydney, April 19, 2002
Encouraged them to get more aggressive - see Crikey report

News Corp (candidate) Adelaide, Oct 9, 2002
Round four with Rupert and almost elected from floor - see Crikey report, Lateline interview

————————————


BATA Apr 30, 2001
The last tobacco share holder meeting in Australia- see hilarious Crikey report as battled hard to gain entrance in Sydney after only buying in a week before the meeting.

STW Holdings May 4, 2001
Sticking it to John "Singo" Singleton - see Crikey report

AMP Sydney Convention Centre, May 17, 2001
Chairman Stan Wallis was very defensive

Austar May 21, 2001

Don Argus donnybrook at Brambles - see Crikey report

News Corp Adelaide, Oct 10, 2001
Round three with Rupert - see Crikey report and special Falun Gong piece

ANZ Sydney, Dec 14, 2001
Big attack on director John Dahlsen given ongoing defamation battles with Steve Price

—————————————

2000: 14 trips to Sydney and 1 to Adelaide for News Corp with quite a few overnights in Sydney

Westfield Holdings (candidate) Sydney, May 4, 2000
Very hostile reception from Frank Lowy

Cable & Wireless Optus August 17, 2000
UK parent meant board tilt failed miserably
Lend Lease EGM Sydney Aug 18, 2000
Approval of buy-back after sale of MLC to NAB - Robert Gottliebsen addressed shareholders

News Corp Adelaide, Oct 18, 2000
Round two with Rupert - see Crikey report

ASX (candidate) Sydney, Oct 23, 2000
Invited to speak at the lecturn when running as a candidate.

PBL Oct 27, 2000 in Sydney
The day in 2000 when Kerry Packer took offence - see Crikey report
Fairfax Oct 27, 2000
Pointing out the Fairfax mogul stooges - see Crikey report

Lend Lease AGM Sydney, Nov 2, 2000
The Fox Studios gala farewell for Stuart Hornery which was well attended but over the top top. Lend Lease subsequently went into decline.
Ecorp Nov 3, 2000
Kerry Packer's dotcom boom play

OneTel Nov 13, 2000
The last chance to grill the boys before it collapsed. Jodee Rich gloated about quality of reception in Double Bay and shareholders were taken on a tour of the call centre.
Boral Nov 13, 2000
Timed well with One-tel meeting.

Qantas Sydney, Nov 16, 2000
Margaret Jackson said she was a better chairman for past failures as audit committee chair at BHP and Pacific Dunlop when big losses were posted.
Seven Network Nov 17, 2000
Kerry Stokes claimed to like questions - The OZ wrote a piece about this meeting.

Woolworths (candidate) Sydney Town Hall, Nov 20, 2000
Almost elected - see Crikey report
Tempo Services Nov 21, 2000
Harvey Norman Nov 21, 2000
Interrupting Gerry Harvey for the first time - see Crikey report

Delta Gold Nov 23, 2000
The debate is usually better when things go bad and this was a classic in Sydney with great debate.
Challenger Financial Services Nov 23, 2000, Sydney
James Packer didn't show and Bill Ireland performed okay

NRMA Insurance (candidate) Sydney, Nov 28, 2000
Shafted with the proxies by Whitlam (see Crikey report) and How we saved IAG $300 million - see Crikey report
Yates Nov 29, 2000
Gave it to bumbling chairman Stan Howard, John's brother
Solution 6 Nov 29, 2000

David Jones (candidate) Sydney, Dec 11 2000
Held at the Wesley Centre and Alan Kohler used this to produce piece for The 7.30 Report - see Crikey report

Keycorp Dec 12, 2000

Westpac Dec 15, 2000
The same day as the last HIH AGM
HIH Insurance Sydney (Redfern), Dec 15, 2000
The famous Friday Redfern effort from a failing insurer which subsequently collapsed. The 4pm start time was provocative and Geoffrey Cohen was the chair. No Ray Williams but Rodney Adler was combative.

Lion Nathan Dec 19, 2000
Sparring with Douglas Myers - see Crikey report

Orica Dec 21, 2000
Right at the depths of despair for chemicals giant - see Crikey report
Australand Dec 22, 2000
Lively debate about political donations.

———————————————-

1999: 4 trips to Sydney and 1 to Adelaide

OneTel Sydney, Oct 22, 1999 in Sydney
James Packer said questions on share sales fair enough

PBL Sydney, Oct 26, 1999 in Sydney
Straight after the Packer wedding - see Jeffed.com report
Commonwealth Bank Sydney, Oct 28, 1999
Chairman Tim Besley accused of defamation for raising piggery questions - see jeffed.com report

News Corp Adelaide, Nov 3, 1999
14 questions over 40 minutes with Rupert - see jeffed.com report, listen to story on PM

Westfield Holdings Sydney, Nov 11 1999
Dramatic round two with Frank Lowy - see cracking Jeffed.com report

HIH Insurance Sydney, Nov 19, 1999
Second last HIH AGM

——————————————

1998: was living in Sydney but flew to Melbourne twice for these AGMs

Commonwealth Bank Melbourne, Oct 29, 1998
Questions on infrastructure losses made front page of The AFR - see two stories in The Daily Telegraph
Australian Hospital Care Melbourne, Oct 29, 1998
Chairman Laurie Willett struggles, met Allan Myers QC
Pasminco Melbourne, Oct 28, 1998
Chairman Mark Rayner droned on - see Daily Telegraph report
Tabcorp Melbourne, Oct 27, 1998
Was berated by an old digger for asking too many questions - see Daily Telegraph reports
Foster's Brewing, Melbourne, Oct 26, 1998
Raised questions about pokies - see two Daily Telegraph reports

Seven Network Melbourne, Oct 23, 1998
Julian Mounter fell off the stage - see Daily Telegraph reports
Centaur Mining Melbourne, Oct 21, 1998
Twenty questions for Joe Gutnick - see Daily Telegraph report
Austrim Melbourne, Oct 21, 1999
Alan Jackson lost his cool when asked about selling shares - see Daily Telegraph report
Australian Infrastructure Fund Melbourne, Oct 21, 1998
Mike Fitzpatrick defended big management fees - see Daily Telegraph report

Copyright © 2026 The Mayne Report. All rights reserved

• share
  Share
  • 
    Facebook
  • 
    Twitter
  • email
    Email
  • print
    Print
  • link
    Copy Link
  • cancel
    Cancel