ZL9HR aftermath..

[IK0ZCW]

The following info is distributed by Jacky ZL3CW and John 9M6XRO

The eight international (non-HARAOA) members of the recent ZL9HR DXpedition have been attempting to achieve Financial Reconciliation with the HARAOA Team Leader and Co-Leader (VK2IR and VK3YP) in respect of the sponsorship funding received from DX Foundations, DX Clubs and individual amateurs to support the ZL9HR DXpedition operators who incurred heavy expenses for this trip. Naturally, the hire of the ketch “Evohe” for the duration of the DXpedition featured high on the list of expenditure. This and all other costs were met in full upfront by the participants.

The subject of sponsorship distribution was raised with the leaders before we departed from Campbell Island but it got a muted response. A ‘celebration dinner’ had been arranged for the whole group on our return to Invercargill when we were hoping for some clarification on the matter. Neither VK2IR or VK3YP turned up or even responded to our calls or texting. For me, personally, alarm bells began to sound!

With most of us back home, through our spokesman we again raised the matter of Financial Reconciliation with the Leaders, VK2IR and VK3YP. Only VK3YP has responded thus far and his replies have been dismissive, evasive and at times bordering on abusive. VK2IR’s complete silence in the background is quite untypical. I quote from the latest email sent by VK3YP to the group:


"There will be NO donations paid to team members as this was never agreed prior to dxpedition. If there is any surplus and currently there is no surplus – funds will stay with HARAOA as a non profit organization to fund future events and sponsor dxpeditions. All donations were made directly to HARAOA (legally incorporated as a non profit organisation in Australia) and not to individuals. I will not reply to any further emails."


To suggest that donations must be made to ‘individuals’ to offset our costs is totally unheard of. It soon became obvious to me from the tone of VK3YP’s emails that we will never receive an honest statement or financial reconciliation.

Prior to our departure for Campbell Island, sponsorship had reached 17,000 Australian Dollars (over US$17,800) and it is not unreasonable to assume it is closer to US$25,000 now. HARAOA is still appealing for donations and I want everyone to be fully aware of just where their donations are going – into the HARAOA coffers. Furthermore, these amounts mentioned take no account of additional revenue which will derive from QSL cards.

I know that DX Foundations and DX Groups are presently scrutinising their expenditure in support of DXpeditions and I feel they should be made aware of this appalling abuse taking place. I also urge individual amateurs not to give further support and, along with some others in the group who have expressed similar sentiments, I totally wish to disassociate myself entirely from HARAOA and its ongoing deceitful fundraising endeavors.

[IK0ZCW]

UPDATE – ZL9HR non-HARAOA Team Members send letter to sponsors.

“”As you know, the ZL9HR DX-pedition to Campbell Island was successfully completed on Dec. 9, 2012. In the aftermath of the DX-pedition, a dispute occurred over the disposition of the funds that were donated by the DX community. The team leaders who are the President and Treasurer of the “Hellenic Amateur Radio Association of Australia” (HARAOA), misled the rest of the team, who are not members of HARAOA, as to how those funds would be used. This controversy spilled onto the Internet, as you have no doubt seen.

The attached explains the issues from the perspective of the eight ZL9HR team members who are not members of HARAOA. We are requesting your direct assistance in pressuring HARAOA and its officers to act in a responsible manner. We believe these events have cast a dark shadow upon what was a successful DX-pedition and wish to ensure this does not happen again.

Since we have not heard from HARAOA’s President, Mr. Tommy Horozakis, VK2IR, at any time since returning to New Zealand on December 11, 2012 we decided to go directly to the major Club and Foundation donors to seek your input and assistance….”"