2011 AGM Report
Well, the most dreaded event of the year, the Annual General Meeting, is behind us for 2011, and a splendid evening it was.
As President, I am required to give a “report” on the previous year, from August 2010 to the present, and I am happy to do that but more interested in looking forward to the coming year.
Anyone who has stayed on at the end of a film and sat through the credits knows that it takes an army of people to create a movie. A camera club is no different – without the active contribution of many members your club could simply not function. Some of those who have given time and effort in the last year, and thoroughly deserve our thanks, are:
| Bernard Milford – secretary |
| Marianne Purdie – treasurer |
|
Murray Wayper – webmaster and publicity, and PSQ rep |
| Augustine Mathews – print and slide director, and keeper of the hall keys |
| Dave Edney – DPI director and assembler of the DPI shows for digital nights |
| Andrew Carpenter – digital programme coordinator (and suppers) |
| John Joliffe – welcoming at the door |
| John Lomas – new members |
| Helen Underwood, David and Loraine Sedgman – suppers |
| Ray Lockett – Audio Visuals |
| Des Pane – scorer and handbook |
| Tony Stay – vice-president |
| Peter O’Brien – slide projectionist |
Plus of course all our speakers, our judges and our patron Bill Smit.
If I have left anyone out I do apologise. You’ll take the point that making all the events happen in an active club is not trivial, and we need to work on the principle that many hands make light work.
During the year we have had our regular three meetings a month, with the usual nine competitions. I am happy to say that our judges have consistently remarked on the high standard of images from this club, and our results in inter-club competitions usually bear this out. We only fall down the list when it hasn’t been possible to organise our best submissions in time. What does this show? That talent is here in plenty, but we need engagement of all members to achieve all that we can achieve.
Outings have been rare this year: there was a casual photoshoot at Kangaroo Point, and some members went to PSQ2011 in Goondiwindi, and the successful day at Ipswich Animal Park
Workshops have been more successful, with Andy Cross delivering wisdom on Photoshop (of course) and lighting. Dragon Image put on a great portrait lighting show. We continue to benefit from our “trade” partners, notably Les Harden and the Highcove team, who turn up faithfully on digital nights to offer discounted books, software and other goodies.
I must comment on the turnover of members in the last few years. In any skill-based club there will always be turnover, as there will always be those who want to try something such as photography and having tried it decide not to persevere, but I feel and your committee feels that we should be doing more to retain the interest of those who visit and join us. That’s why we asked John Lomas specifically to look after new members, why we have started the “focal point” consultation sessions and why we have started the mentoring experiment. Nothing is more important for the future of your club.
It only remains to thank everyone who has helped in the last year, and all those members and visitors who give meaning to the whole project. Thank you all.