ANNUAL REPORT 2010 sub-Branch - Blacktown RSL

ANNUAL REPORT 2010sub-Branch Reportssub-BranchPresident’s ReportAnother year has passed and I wish to thank themembers for the opportunity of being your Presidentand being in the position to make this report. Thesub-Branch has had another very good year withour finances and celebrations. Many thanks to ourSecretary Kevin Johnston and Treasurer JimBostock, as they both have many responsibilitieswhich they carry out with such dedication.A highlight of the year was when the sub-Branchreceived a Certificate of Appreciation for 80 years ofservice from the State President of RSL. It isencouraging to see so many of the membersattending our monthly meetings and putting in theirideas, remember the sub-Branch meetings areyour chance to have your say.To the committee I thank them all for their hardwork throughout the year, especially the VicePresidents Harry Taylor and Gary Ohlson for theirinput also our Welfare Officers Slim Rayner andKeith Winsbury, Pension Officers Gerry Smith andTom Baena: The sub-Branch Trustees Jim Bostock,Harry Taylor and Slim Rayner have also been verybusy. Much appreciation to Gary Ohlson SeniorVice President for his years of service, I thank youall.It is pleasing to welcome two new committeemembers, John McCann Welfare Officer and BruceScott Committee Member. Also pleasing to see isSlim Rayner back to good health and returning tothe Trustee’s office of sub-Branch after manymonths of sickness. For those in hospitals andnursing homes I wish you all good health.With much sadness we farewelled Cecil Ovingtonwho passed away recently. Cecil was a longserving member of the sub-Branch as well asWelfare and Pensions Officer. He will be sadlymissed.Our ANZAC Day Service was again well attended.This service now attracts more attendees than theAuditorium can hold causing other parts of the Clubto open to cater for the overflow. TheRemembrance Service also draws a very goodattendance. We receive several invitations to attendthe ANZAC school services. All of these areattended by representatives by the committee. Ifyou have children or grand children then you areencouraged to attend one of the school services.The children put their heart into the day.I also wish to thank the ladies of the Women’sAuxiliary for the work they do throughout the year.Once again the Board of Directors, Managementand Staff of our Club Ltd have been of greatassistance with our functions and other activities:Their ongoing support has been greatly appreciated.LEST WE FORGETBill Norris OAMPresidentsub-BranchSecretary’s ReportIt is an honour and privilege to again present thisreport to you all .At the time of writing we have atotal of 457 members consisting of 430 OrdinaryMembers, 8 Life Members, 11 Life Subscribers,4 Honorary Members and 4 Associate Members.Although our membership has been consistentover recent years, in 2001 we had 556 membersbut with the ageing of our WW11, Koreamembers our membership has declined. It isimportant that if you the member know of anyperson eligible to join the League have a talk withthem and urge them to join us.Reflection on the past 12 months has seenanother successful year for the sub-Branch. Theattendance at our ANZAC Dawn Service seems togrow every year, the Remembrance SundayService at the Wall of Remembrance is wellattended, but our Victory in the Pacific Servicerates a poor attendance compared to our otherservices. We receive several requests forattendance to the ANZAC School Service, 10schools were attended last year with the childrenand their parents looking forward to ourparticipation at the service.Our luncheons also are a success withapproximately 300 attending. I thank the PresidentBill Norris OAM for the great assistance given tome in organising these services, also thecommittee who assisted me throughout the year.Our sponsorship for the local children to trek theKokoda track is very popular. The child chosen forthe trek comes back to us with stories about theiradventure had. This year we began sponsoring aboy/girl to a voyage on the Young Endeavour, I amsure we will receive a report about the oceanvoyage. I would like to thank the Executive,Committee, Women’s Auxiliary, also the GeneralManager and his staff for the assistance againgiven to me this year.In conclusion, I thank you the member for yourattendance at our meetings and services againthis year.LEST WE FORGETKevin JohnstonHonorary SecretaryBLACKTOWN RSL CLUB LIMITED - where friends love to meet25