PRESIDENT'S CORNER
This has been another disruptive year for our group, with Covid causing us to cancel the February meeting, but we can be thankful that largely we have worked within and around the restrictions reasonably comfortably. This contrasts with some of our east coast compatriots who have been less fortunate, with sadly one Chapter needing to temporarily close and others
missing several meetings. We have been able to hold five of our six meetings, always with an
excellent roll-up of members and guests. We must sincerely acknowledge and thank Alex and Julie Aitken for continuing to open their home to us for our meetings, always making sure that our health and safety was properly considered.
Once again, we have enjoyed some excellent speakers at our meetings, including Lionel Lovell and Julie Aitken, as well as Jon Carpenter from the WA Museum who told of his diving exploits on Norfolk Island and the “Sirius” and other places. As usual, the December meeting heralded the entertaining “Show and Tell” session, which never ceases to amaze me how many of our members have accumulated so many interesting or historical items. More than half of those at the meeting took the opportunity to expertly and enthusiastically tell their story. Let’s hope we never ever completely empty those back sheds!
Our library continues to grow, with the acquisition of new books, as well as valuable historical books either donated or lent to us by our members. Please take time to search through what we have.
We celebrated our tenth anniversary as a Chapter on the exact day – March 19th. Alex expertly drove most of us by bus to historical Toodyay for the day. It was extremely hot, but we managed to visit most of the town’s museums, and enjoyed lunch at the historical Victoria Hotel, including the cutting of our birthday cake. The bus journey passed quickly as we pondered over a couple of very different mental activities there and back.
Our main external function on Australia Day was the usual success and was supported by a record number of members and families. Thanks to Alex, Lynton, Trish, Judy and others for their efforts to make the day so enjoyable. Photographer Roger captured the day for us to give us a pictorial record of the event.
During the year we made a couple of important policy decisions. We recorded the Chapter’s position on the recent defacing of historic statues, memorials and plaques, by supporting their preservation and protection from any form of vandalism. We also took a position on how the Chapter will deal with Welcome to Country ceremonies. Both these decisions were passed back to First Fleeters Sydney.
Our financial position remains sound, thanks Lynton, with a commitment to purchase equipment to video record our guest speakers for posterity. First Fleeter, Denby Roberts, has donated a further $1000 to the Chapter, and we have committed this sum towards our education programmes.
The St Hilda’s First Fleeters education programme continued, with good support by members
on the day. This activity has developed into a tradition for both the Chapter and the school.
Thanks once again to Toni for her commitment to the important secretarial duties, including our communication with FFF Sydney. Also, thanks to the committee and Vice President, Judy, during the year. There were a number of activities and other matters that were efficiently handled by email round-robins, with everyone contributing. Alex and Roger continue to enhance the website, and of course a big thumbs up to Julie for her expert production of “Rations”. We get excellent feedback from other Chapters on its quality.
We are a unique group with a common interest and purpose. However, the personal interaction we have developed over the years is quite special and this background and goodwill will set us up for at least the next ten years.
Bill Cutler, President
This has been another disruptive year for our group, with Covid causing us to cancel the February meeting, but we can be thankful that largely we have worked within and around the restrictions reasonably comfortably. This contrasts with some of our east coast compatriots who have been less fortunate, with sadly one Chapter needing to temporarily close and others
missing several meetings. We have been able to hold five of our six meetings, always with an
excellent roll-up of members and guests. We must sincerely acknowledge and thank Alex and Julie Aitken for continuing to open their home to us for our meetings, always making sure that our health and safety was properly considered.
Once again, we have enjoyed some excellent speakers at our meetings, including Lionel Lovell and Julie Aitken, as well as Jon Carpenter from the WA Museum who told of his diving exploits on Norfolk Island and the “Sirius” and other places. As usual, the December meeting heralded the entertaining “Show and Tell” session, which never ceases to amaze me how many of our members have accumulated so many interesting or historical items. More than half of those at the meeting took the opportunity to expertly and enthusiastically tell their story. Let’s hope we never ever completely empty those back sheds!
Our library continues to grow, with the acquisition of new books, as well as valuable historical books either donated or lent to us by our members. Please take time to search through what we have.
We celebrated our tenth anniversary as a Chapter on the exact day – March 19th. Alex expertly drove most of us by bus to historical Toodyay for the day. It was extremely hot, but we managed to visit most of the town’s museums, and enjoyed lunch at the historical Victoria Hotel, including the cutting of our birthday cake. The bus journey passed quickly as we pondered over a couple of very different mental activities there and back.
Our main external function on Australia Day was the usual success and was supported by a record number of members and families. Thanks to Alex, Lynton, Trish, Judy and others for their efforts to make the day so enjoyable. Photographer Roger captured the day for us to give us a pictorial record of the event.
During the year we made a couple of important policy decisions. We recorded the Chapter’s position on the recent defacing of historic statues, memorials and plaques, by supporting their preservation and protection from any form of vandalism. We also took a position on how the Chapter will deal with Welcome to Country ceremonies. Both these decisions were passed back to First Fleeters Sydney.
Our financial position remains sound, thanks Lynton, with a commitment to purchase equipment to video record our guest speakers for posterity. First Fleeter, Denby Roberts, has donated a further $1000 to the Chapter, and we have committed this sum towards our education programmes.
The St Hilda’s First Fleeters education programme continued, with good support by members
on the day. This activity has developed into a tradition for both the Chapter and the school.
Thanks once again to Toni for her commitment to the important secretarial duties, including our communication with FFF Sydney. Also, thanks to the committee and Vice President, Judy, during the year. There were a number of activities and other matters that were efficiently handled by email round-robins, with everyone contributing. Alex and Roger continue to enhance the website, and of course a big thumbs up to Julie for her expert production of “Rations”. We get excellent feedback from other Chapters on its quality.
We are a unique group with a common interest and purpose. However, the personal interaction we have developed over the years is quite special and this background and goodwill will set us up for at least the next ten years.
Bill Cutler, President
