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Welcome to the second newsletter for 2003. The year
has started well with a good turn-out for this years Metrogaine
despite the intermittent heavy rain. I certainly enjoyed the chance to
sample various Turkish, Lebanese, and Greek bakeries as my wife and I
navigated our way around the southern suburbs of Sydney. I can’t
recall a past event where aircraft literally shook the ground as they
roared a mere 10 metres over my head, or where my wife teased me about
turning the "street directory" upside-down as I orientated
the map ( "... so it’s OK in the bush is it!"). Many
thanks go to Richard Sage and Nihal Danis, and their team, for
organising the event.
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Richard retired from his role as President of the
Association, as of the Annual General Meeting held at the conclusion
of the Metrogaine. Our thanks once again go to Richard for his efforts
over the last two years keeping our sport alive and growing in New
South Wales.
While the AGM is a necessary formality of our
Association, it is the formation of the new committee at the beginning
of each year that is the greatest significance to the sport. Many of
the same faces have remained to continue their good work. Julian
Ledger, continues his long time involvement as the Public Officer, and
has handed his dual role as Publicity Coordinator to the combined team
of Nihal Danis and Bronwyn Batten. Mike Hotchkis continues his all
important role as the Event Manager, and as the NSW representative to
the Australian Rogaining Association. Tony Maloney continues his grasp
on the Association’s cheque book as the Treasurer. Alan Mansfield
has moved to the role of Secretary, with Andrew Pope taking on Alan’s
previous role as Vice-President. The Membership Secretary role of
which Andrew job shared with wife Belinda, has been taken on by one of
our new faces, Ian Almond. The Newsletter Editorship I have handed to
the other welcomed new face to the committee, Julie Bacon. Welcome to
you both. The important role of Webmaster has been taken on by Graeme
Cooper. We all thank the past webmasters, Stephen and Rhonda Castle
for their many years in the role. Sue Clarke has relieved herself of a
specific role on the committee and remains as a general committee
member. The role of President has been handed from Richard Sage, who
remains in the role of Safety Officer, to myself. And from this new
and reformed team the work will continue as we build upon the past
years of continued growth of the sport of Rogaining in New South
Wales.
My first rogaine was the
Fortress Ridge Paddy Pallin event in 1998, and I have not missed many
events since. The sport appealed to the little boy within. Growing up
surrounded by urban bushland had provided me with many opportunities
for adventuring around the "wildernesses" of suburbia as a
child, and rogaining continued that adventuring. I also sensed an air
of community and a common sense of enjoyment amongst the participants,
which also appealed. While I have enjoyed many rogaines in my short
involvement in the sport, the most rewarding aspect has been in the
organisational side of the sport and events. In 1999 I gathered
together a crew of friends and organised my first event – the 2000
New South Wales Champs. From there I was coerced onto the Association’s
committee. Two years as newsletter editor and organising last years
Paddy Pallin event have kept me busy and involved. While it was and is
at times, work, it continues to be very rewarding. The Paddy Pallin
event is coming together once again for June this year under my care,
and the role of President will no doubt challenge me.
To my mind the most important challenge of the
President and the committee is ensuring that the events continue to be
the focus of all discussions and decisions made by the committee. Our
primary role should be to ensure that each of the organisers of the
six events each year are well supported in all the aspects that make a
successful event, and that all the supporting functions of the
Association such as the website, the newsletter, and the continued
promotion of the sport are effective.
I look forward to seeing you all at the next event.
Andy Mein
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