President's Report Autumn 2018

So - my first newsletter report as (a reluctant) President. 


For those who didn’t manage to attend the recent AGM, I had put myself forward as a candidate for election as a general committee member. After 12 years of membership, and four years of active membership I wanted the opportunity to learn more about the operation of the club and to provide a way for me to give back to something which as a family we get so much enjoyment out of. Despite having ambition only of joining the committee, 20 minutes into the meeting I had been elected president. A huge thank you to the immediate past president Noel for not enforcing tradition and making me take control of the meeting.

Thanks to the previous committee

Now after two months in the seat, I would like to formally recognise the work done by the previous committee(s). We as members of RASCAL are lucky to have such a mature organisation which has been so carefully set up and now runs itself. So a sincere thank you to all of the previous committees, but in particular the immediate past committee for ensuring they were able to hand over a financially viable and well managed organisation to the new committee.

Now - to introduce the new committee. 

Just before I do this - I encourage everyone to remember that the committee is made up of members who are engaged in, and care about RASCAL and it’s future. As with many volunteer driven organisations, the committee members invest their own personal time to realise the vision and strategy of the club and I thank the new committee for being prepared to invest in RASCAL and it’s future. So - with respect to the new committee. Some of us are brand new faces to the committee, while others have retained a role from the previous committee and I confirm that the current committee is as follows:

• Colin McLean - President
• Rob Rice - Treasurer
• Jacqui Styles - Secretary
• Bronwyn Ferrier - Public Officer
• Sharen Mack - Lodge Manager
• Tony Galvin - Lodge Manager
• Peter Dunnet - Committee Member
• Cathie Stoffell - Committee Member
• Mike Law-Smith - Committee Member
• Gale Funston - Committee Member
• Marg Sharp - Purchasing Officer (not a committee position)

Getting the Lodge ship shape for winter

• Pre winter working bee - thanks to those who participated
• Kitchen cupboard doors repainted - thanks Peter Dunnet
• Car park concreting - thanks again Peter Dunnet

While we didn’t need to turn the heaters on in Canberra on Anzac Day this year, winter has very quickly descended on us. While driving to Jindabyne for the recent working bee at the lodge, I was
treated to the fantastic view of a snow capped Snowy Mountain range - encouraging me to start the preparation of the legs for the ski season.

Thank you to Mike Law-Smith, Bronwyn Ferrier, Anne Robinson, Judith Webb, Peter Dunnet and Louise, Nicole and Hamish McLean for the work completed at the working bee, we now have a winter ready lodge, and (courtesy of further work by Peter D) have all of the kitchen cupboard doors repainted and replaced ready for a busy winter season.

I should also mention the work done by Peter Dunnet who has driven the extension and concreting of the carpark. With line marking completed at the working bee, we now have a winter ready parking area which will assist us to keep the foyer a little cleaner.

New canvas image in Lounge Room - thanks Bill Crawshaw

While at the lodge for the working bee, I admired Bill Crawshaw’s stunning photo which has been carefully installed on the wall in the living room. Thank you to Bill for the donation of the photo, and thank you to Rod Roberts and Alan Laird for your work in getting the photo up on to the wall for us all to enjoy.

Hear about Mike Law-Smith 's exciting forays on the Western Slopes

We are running our normal pre-season event on the 27th of June at the Croatian Football Club in Deakin, where our guest speaker and committee member Mike Law-Smith will talk to us about back country skiing on the Main Range in the Kosciusko National Park. Prior to Mike’s presentation we have an opportunity to enjoy dinner and a drink together. These events are a great opportunity to meet other members in a relaxed environment, if you are in town and can make it I would love to have the opportunity to meet some more mebers.

I encourage every member to think about RASCAL as a community, not a building. While it is easy to get very focused on the lodge, the real heart of RASCAL is the members and the community spirit that we have. Events like the pre-season event are a great opportunity to meet new people and nurture and grow this community spirit.

My plan

I have set myself the challenge of attempting to create a 1, 3 & 5 year plan for RASCAL, and I want it to cover the club community, the lodge in Jindabyne, and our overall financial position. If you tie the three together - I want to make sure that what we are doing today is consistent with where we want to be in 5 years, and will support us continuing to develop the RASCAL community, and that it all makes financial sense. I have no idea how to do this, but expect some more communications about this over the next couple of months.

A personal thank you to the greater RASCAL community to be prepared to take me on as the reluctant president. I hope to be able continue the work that has been done by previous presidents, and also ensure that there will be an opportunity for my grandchildren (the grandchildren that my now 9 year old daughter, and 8 year old son will produce) to enjoy RASCAL the same way that we have.

Welcome to new members

Last but not least Rascal would also like to welcome our new members:
Geoffrey & Kerrie Perrem and Daniel Perrem / Andrew, Deanna, Jessica and Timothy Henderson / Scott Ellis / Emma Dunbar / Michael Clark / Lea Collins / Carol Taylor / Alastair Evans and Gabriel Veertamp-Evans / Alister and Brigette Nairn / Michael and Alison Ireland / Maximillian, Gabrielle and Enzo Underwood and Rachel, Sylvie, Clare and Eve Appleby.

Colin McLean - President