President’s Message – May 2019
If I say so myself, I think the Maffra Kennedy Memorial Rally was enjoyed by all in attendance. Although the intent of the Rally was to commemorate Ian & Jan Kennedy’s remarkable 10 Gippsland Classic Rallies which obviously brought a sombre mood to the weekend at times, I believe Ian & Jan would have expected us to enjoy ourselves which I believe we achieved both socially and on our rides.
Thank you to Graham for his superb Rally organisational skills (again). Also, a big thank you to Val Smith for creating a poignant and beautiful trip down memory lane by way of a half hour DVD compilation of the 10 Classic Gippsland rallies, which we all watched on the Saturday night.
Val’s DVD is available for members from the Club library, titled “10 years of the Gippsland Classic Rallies.”
Thank you to all Rally participants for personally reaching deep on Saturday night and raising $500 for BlazeAid and thank you Jenny Langridge for the idea.
Ed Sleightholme has decided to retire from his Southern Mid-week ride (SMR) coordinator position after a remarkable 19 and a half years. What an incredible effort. Ed has led us on many roads that it seemed only Ed was aware of. Ed’s mid-week rides were always well planned and led. We will miss Ed’s mid-week ride leadership, but I know Ed will continue to attend these rides for many years to come as I know he wants to enjoy the rides from the back of the group just like his old mate Billy Weedon used to.
Ed’s retirement from his position has obviously created a vacancy for someone to come forward and take over.
Club Captain Sam is also stepping down at the end of this Club year. Sam has also done a sterling job during his time as Captain and again a replacement will need to found.
The Club Captain and SMR coordinator positions don’t need to lead every ride but need to ensure that there is someone to plan and lead a ride for each month.
So, members over to you, two positions need to be filled, give it some thought and contact either myself or a Committee Member if you wish to find out more details. The SMR coordinator position is a non-committee appointment, the Club Captain position is a committee position. Both positions come with bucket loads of rewards for the incumbent, but sadly no remuneration. So put your hand up and have a go, you will get all the help you need from the committee – unfilled positions, means no rides!
Thanks Graham, for standing in for me during mid-April, including chairing the April General Meeting.
The countdown has begun, less than two years until the Club’s milestone 50th Anniversary Rally, now that’s something to look forward to! A sub-committee has been appointed and the early stages of planning have begun.
Some great high-profile Guest Speakers coming up at General Meetings. David Parkin and Mark Harris from The Male Bag Foundation in May and David Catchpole from Mid Life Cycles – Royal Enfield in June, see details in this Sprocket.
Enjoy your riding and stay safe.
Ian Snadden
President CMCCV