Vic Newsletter April 2013 - Order of Australia Association

2 2CHAIRMAN’S WORDThe National Conference of the Order of Australia Association was held in February in Canberra and was a greatsuccess on all levels. In the Director’s meeting a lot of business was completed and signed off of which more detailswill be forthcoming. The AGM covered another couple of issues where votes were required and all matters werebrought to a conclusion. The big challenge ahead is for us to be the hosts for the 2014 National Conference for theOrder of Australia Association and I am pleased to announce that we already have three confirmed sponsorships –one from Budget Car and Truck Rental, one from the Harold Mitchell Foundation and the third from the GandelGroup. We are endeavouring to have up to 6 major sponsorships that will help to bring down the price of themorning and afternoon teas, lunches, dinners and social events.Some of the events that are already confirmed are a reception hosted by the Governor at Government House,a lecture series at Melbourne University, trips to the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, the Macedon Ranges,Ballarat and Bendigo and also quite a few people are forthcoming with home hosting activities.Early registrations are encouraged and a discount is available for those who participate in this scheme. It will also helpus to determine numbers as some activities are restricted because of capacity on coaches or sightseeing attractions. Ifyou know of someone or would like to be co-opted yourself on one of the conference committees we are lookingfor people to help us with the transport, home hosting, accommodation and tourism aspects of the conference andin particular we will need volunteers to man a registration desk for five days. The conference convener is BoardMember Duncan Stalker OAM and I thank Duncan and his extended team for the excellent work they have alreadyput into this conference by having brochures, dvds and information packs on hand one year out from the event.In relation to the Victoria State Branch it’s nice to be able to formally welcome new members Diane James AM,Julian Stock AM, David Rayner OAM and Richard Williams OAM and in welcoming new members I would alsolike to thank the departing members, Don Hyde AM, Kevin Howard OAM, Max Chester OAM, Trevor Brown AMand Jacqueline Taylor OAM. These Board Members have given so much of their time and their network to furtherthe Order of Australia Association in Victoria and in Kevin Howard’s case leaving a legacy of 14 regional groups.We are lucky to have the quality of our previous members and our new members who have kept the Associationin a good financial position in what has been a difficult time. We look forward to those present and past membersparticipating in the 2014 conference. Future functions that will be highlighted by direct mail, via the website ornewsletters will be the New Recipients function kindly hosted by Seasons Botanical Hotel in St Kilda Road and theCultural Lunch this time with the United States Consul General as our special guest. There is also a terrific theatrenight for Hot Shoe Shuffle starring David Atkins and Bobby Fox. We are looking at doing more joint ventures withour proud corporate sponsor RACV and they are very happy for our members to join in some of the activities thatthey host and give suitable acknowledgement to the Order of Australia Association members present.It’s a year of change, a year of challenges, a year where you the members are the most important ingredient of theAssociation and in particular our regional groups, which I have said time and time again are the future of the Orderof Australia Association Victorian Branch. I look forward to visiting many of you during the year and keeping youupdated with State and National issues and I am a phone call away for any matters you would like to discuss with me.David G. Mann OAM, Chairman, Victoria State BranchCommunicationsThe cost of communicating with our members represents about 70% of Victoria Branch’s normal operating expenses.Currently all communication is by snail mail. Members with email would be making a significant contribution toreducing the $10 per member annual cost of communication by electing to receive all communications electronically.Would you please indicate your willingness to assist us to become more cost-effective by sending your email addressto oaavicmbrsec@theorderofaustralia.asn.auKen Wright OAM, Chair of the Mallee Regional Group, was most impressed with the Wreath Laying ceremony heldduring the recent Annual Conference in Canberra. He writes “It was a moving experience, particularly to my wifeand I, both of us having an uncle on the Remembrance Wall, and placing a poppy beside each name. Both weresergeants and both only 21. We also experienced the sound and light of an Australian Bomber Command Lancasterapproaching the target, and the voices of the pilot and his crew. We all owe much to those courageous men.April_2013.indd 25/04/2013 5:19:15 PM