President's Report (May 2006)

My apologies for missing the Editor's deadline last magazine. Easter and the Sydney Convention were all on at the same time and hence last month's edition was 'slim'. The calendar was certainly full, as it has also been for May. The first event involving our charity, Camp Quality, was the Chandon Supper on May 11th and I would like to really thank all the Club members who were able to help out so late at night and during the working week. I'm sure the money raised during the evening will be used in a very worthwhile manner.

The Committee and I would like our Club to be more actively involved with Camp Quality during the year and so we are asking any Corvette drivers that like to attend the Wintersun street parade (Queen's Birthday Weekend), to please dress themselves and their cars in keeping with Camp Quality's logo, "Laughter is the best medicine". Any leftover red noses from Sids day, or flags for your car, would be greatly appreciated!

The Hot Rod Show was also successful, with all the willing hands that showed up for Set-up and Pull-down making it so much easier for the commi t t e e . T h a n k s e v e r y o n e ! Sal and I are also looking forward to an action-packed week-end on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of May with the Friday night dinner at Donini's, Saturday's "King and Queen Show" at Ferny Hills and Sunday's Bayside breakfast. I'd venture to say that we'll be so exhausted that we'll have to have a month off!

Actually, Sally and I will both be away for 5 weeks from the 30th May, so Bob Mihill has kindly agreed to chair the June and July meetings and stand in for me in my absence. We're making sure we are back for Christmas in July, on the 23rd, as this is one of the member's favourite events of the year and always a heap of fun. If you'd like to join us, please let Barb Kelly know A.S.A.P.

You may notice a couple of other changes at Committee level. Our Secretary, Rob Warner, has had to resign the position, due to an increased workload. Barb Kelly has kindly offered to transfer her energies to this role for the remainder of the year. Carolee and Sally are sharing the Event's Coordinator's role. Of course all positions are vacant come the A.G.M. in September.

Another issue that was raised at Committee level was the fee structures for both Magazine advertising and Annual Membership fees. Figures compiled by the Secretary showed us that our membership fees will no longer even cover our basic running costs! It costs your Club $ 48/head per year, just to print the Magazine.

Even though we do have money in the bank at the present moment, this will largely be gone by the end of the year. We are now holding the Concourse on August 20th and we have decided this year to not seek any sponsorship for this event, preferring to ask for a commitment to our Convention in 2007.

Thus various expenses, including trophies, will have to come partially from Club Coffers

The Committee is recommending the Club wholly fund the Christmas breakup, as this seems to be what most members would like.

The Convention Committee also will have additional costs that must be covered until the Convention participant's money starts to trickle in. So you can see we are not really on Easy Street.

We must also be G.S.T. compliant next financial year, so this is another added expense, along with our extra Insurance costs.

Membership renewal forms will be included in July's mail-out and we are recommending a modest price increase. We have not had even a C.P.I. increase for two years now, so hope the Members will understand our reasoning. Recommendation is that Fees will increase to $65 (2 years x $5) plus G.S.T. =$71.50 This will be rounded down to $70 for e a s e o f h a n d l i n g .
Please also support the Membership Raffle, as this is the only fund raising event that all Members may participate in. The Prize is always a good one!
That’s about it for now, don’t forget to support our concourse on the 20th of August.

Cheers all, be safe, have fun and drive your vette.

Ernie Whittle.