Vale Ian “Robbo” Robertson – we lost a great mate to many at the Club this week.  Smart yet humble, a wry sense of humour, a devout fan of rugby union (Wallaby #580) and a strong family man.  He was valiant to the end.  Our thoughts are with Jan and their two sons, Stuart and Matthew, and the extended family.
Office relocation – during this past week our office team have moved into the Pellos meeting room which we will be leasing from the hotel.  Paul, Renay, Hannah and Alicia will all be housed there and the clutter in the Member Lounge will be removed.  Note the Club’s telephone number was changed a short while ago – please update your contact list to the new number 02 4316 5600.  Earlier issues with connectivity of the new system have been resolved.
The Board is very grateful to the team for their patience and hard work in making Pellos their new home, freshly painted and carpeted.  Members are always welcome to drop by and say hello, the room is located behind the tennis court adjacent to the eastern carpark.
Annual General Meeting – will be held on Halloween, 31 October, at 5pm in the Member Lounge with an open bar and canapes at conclusion of the meeting.  This year there is one position open for director election.  The retiring director, Peter Gaydon, will offer himself for re-election.  In addition, as is usual each year, elections will be held for Men’s and Women’s Captains.  The current Captains, John Wylie and Kerri Cook, have both indicated their intention to stand for office again.
Course and Equipment – the Board approved the financed purchase of a new tractor, spreader and rake for use on the course.  We also discussed the current impact of the high water levels following a very wet August in which we received well over 400mm of rain.  The water table is believed to now be some 4 metres above the long term average and so we must wait for nature to take her course.  The Board appreciates Members’ patience with the temporary changes to the course while the water subsides.
Membership – the Board approved the admission of new Members this month.  Individual: Michael Bull, Paul Turner, Max Herford and Anne-Maree Herford; Intermediates: Desiree Herden, Marc Sheather and Jono Bish; Lifestyle: Patrick Batchelor, Dylan Davis, Andrew Stahl, Darren Bennett, Glen Sutherland, Terry Mulcahy, Jason Menzies, Alexander Patterson, Ben Cheverall; Midweek – Adam Zacka.  We welcome all new Members.
Members who have achieved the age of 72 and 5 years’ membership will have been approached by the Magenta Foundation to join in a fun day on 25 September, an event known at the Greenkeeper’s Revenge, designed to increase awareness of the work of the Foundation.  Those Members will be offered “Emeritus Membership” of the Foundation.  This is a Foundation initiative, not a new membership category of the Club.  The Board endorses this proposal of the Magenta Foundation.
Ambassador Molly Picklum – we don’t often see Molly at the Club as her world surfing obligations take her away from the central coast for long periods.  However all Members will have been delighted to see this week that Molly has won her first World Surf League championship at Cloudbreak in Fiji.  An outstanding achievement, congratulations Molly!
 
On behalf of the Board, 
Peter Gaydon
Chairman