Presidential File

April/May 2023

Hello Members,

Although the Monaro Nationals were concluded 6 months ago, the Club still has a small number of “items” to complete.

We were able to finish one of these on Saturday, April 1st. The Nationals committee and several members travelled to Ortem Café in Toowoomba to meet with representatives from three local charity organizations, Hope Horizons Cancer Welfare Centre, Breakaway Toowoomba and Protea Place, these organizations along with the donation amount were chosen, as per our discussions at the December General Meeting.

It was with much pride and pleasure that at the morning tea function, sponsored by us, Craig presented the three organisations with their cheques, and to see their reaction and the appreciation that they displayed was truly gratifying. They could not thank us enough.

Amanda from Protea Place told us that our donation would enable her to purchase food for 12 months, for the meals that she supplies.

It certainly was pleasing to be able to make these donations and every member who assisted in any capacity should feel proud of their effort, and the committee, thank you all for your input.

Another “item” to complete is our “Legacy” that we are leaving in Toowoomba.

As discussed at the December Meeting we were to donate a bench and carry out some landscaping at the Toowoomba Showgrounds. Following discussions with the C.E.O. of the Showgrounds, it was agreed that they had enough benches and they had always wanted to illuminate the tree in the centre of the roadway outside their building, (where we hosted the Meet and Greet), the committee has approved this work to be carried out by the Electrical Contractor working for the Showgrounds. We have also arranged for a plaque commemorating the 2022 Nationals to be produced, in Toowoomba, and fitted to a piece of sandstone which we have chosen. The light should be completed by now and we expect the plaque and sandstone in a couple of months.

We have also signed a sponsorship arrangement with the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League for their Under 13/14 Development Cup, which sees our name on the jerseys of their Under 13/14 team, and on the training shirts for all the Club teams. As a thank you to them for their assistance in hosting our Show & Shine on their grounds.

Following our successful “Saturday” run to Toowoomba, the Committee would like to know your thoughts on holding more Saturday runs, possibly in addition to, or instead of our traditional Sunday runs. If you have any thoughts, please talk to one of the Committee members.

So once we have put the plaque in place at the Showgrounds, the only “item” to complete will be our Club taxation return, which Leanne has in hand. We can then turn our thoughts to travelling to the 2024 Nationals in Victoria, and enjoy that event as entrants.

Regards,

Darryl Lonergan
Vice President