Board Proceeding

We have reached that time of the year when Santa peeps his head around the corner to remind us what the spirit of Christmas is all about. We celebrate the birth of Christ and put all our worries to the side to enjoy our family and friends and extend goodwill to all.

Merry Christmas

On behalf of my fellow Directors, Secretary Manager, Mary and all our staff, I wish you all a very holy and happy Christmas with your loved one’s and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

It has been a year we would prefer to forget in many respects, however we are approaching the close of 2008 with a deep sense of unity and optimism. A pessimist says “The glass is half empty” but an optimist says “The glass is half full”.

That is how we will approach 2009, with optimism and vigour. We have had major successes with the talents of our bowlers and we can expect greater things to happen in 2009.

Visualise the dream and work on results. It will all come together.

The way to build any successful business is to surround yourself with good people. We have achieved that. It takes a lot to make an organization function properly and it is necessary to start with good staff and build on the rock for a solid future. We are the innovators, not the imitators and that sets us apart from other clubs.

On Monday 1st December, I delivered the nominations for the 2009 ClubsNSW Awards for Excellence for submission to ClubsNSW in the city. We can never predict the outcome, however, Mary has done an admirable job in compiling the nominations.

In 2009, we have nominated for:-

• Community Service Award

• Encouragement of Amateur Sport

• Outstanding Financial Management Award

• Outstanding Human Resource Management.

• Small Club of the Year Award

I could not be more impressed by the submission Mary made on Outstanding Human Resource management. She completed the task with compassion and her approach to me seemed to stand out dramatically. Only time will tell if I am correct.

It may sound like a cracked record, however, I get severely disgruntled by welfare groups who continually blame poker machines for all the woes in society. The Daily Telegraph Tuesday 9th December, reported that the credit card debt to society is $44.6 billion dollars, of which a staggering $32.3 billion is accruing interest.

Surely the greed of the banks to issue credit cards to persons who have no credit rating, no fulltime employment and no chance of paying the accumulated debt is costing the community more heartbreaks than the minority who play the poker machines.

The club industry has checks and balances in place to protect those who seek protection. The government has no such legislation to protect the population from unscrupulous issue and updating to more credit by the banks. Just satisfy the shareholders!

Quotations are being assessed to install Sun shades between “B” and “A” greens and the water harvesting tanks. These will be double sided similar to those currently installed. Single sided shades with protection at the rear, will be installed on the western side of “C” green.

We have applied for a grant from the Government Sports grants and expect to hear from them in the near future.

Approximately seven years after submitting an application for a pedestrian refuge accross the Pacific Highway the Hornsby Council has advised that a pedestrian refuge will be constructed from the bus shelter across to near Citrus Avenue.

It was pointed out to Council that “Aged persons crossings” signs were erected approximately 30 years ago. It takes time to get things done.

Several members report injuries which they state happened a few weeks back. Whilst not doubting their intentions, there is a Notice of Injury book located with the bar staff, and it is imperative that any injury is notified immediately to comply with our insurance requirements. We have to abide by requirements, so we ask you to assist us by submitting details immediately any injury takes place.

Forty two new members were introduced to the club for November, this included four new bowlers.

This brings our total membership to 3195. We welcome you all to Asquith, and may you enjoy the friendship and all the facilities of the club.

Fact! To avoid burning your hands with hot water, feel the water first before putting your hands in!

Have a nice Christmas,

Warwick Rogers – Chairman