VMVC President's Rant
Hi all,
Welcome to another “Presidents Rant”, the last one for 2009.
Well the silly season is not too far away and the end of another great year is near, “What’s that?” you say, “A great year?”, well aside from the petrol prices, interest rate hikes, recession, and so on… The VMVC, I think, has had a great 2009. One of the best. From participation, representation and communication.
“How’s that?” you say, well for one thing 2009 has seen the total re-build from the ground up and truly world class re-introduction of the VMVC web site! All this under a new logo that truly represents the passion of the Victorian team
Thanks to John W., our web site is now reaching the four corners of the Military Vehicle collector and restorer world! The countless hours that John has been putting into this remarkable site has been amazing, the quality of his work is second to none, the huge amount of feedback and comments we have received from around the globe and locally has also been very positive, and on behalf of the entire VMVC membership I salute your effort and all the time, effort & hard work you have put into this project that brings the VMVC on par, if not above some of the other international Military Vehicle web sites from around the world, Well done John!
Also for 2009 a bigger and better news letter to compliment our web page, a big thanks to our man of many talents and skills, Gordon E. Gordon has been looking after both the secretary and editors roles and has done an outstanding job in both roles, the newsletter has gone from strength to strength and has become a much anticipated and eagerly awaited delivery prior to our monthly meetings by an ever increasing legion of fans of Gordon's editorial style! Gordon has seemed to have perfected the balance of the contents within the news letter to include both the mundane necessary information, and the exciting informative articles that he seems to pluck from the obscure caverns of that seemingly endless library of information, the World Wide Web! and the odd one or two articles our membership send in to him every now and then, we could do with a heap more please guys!! And as every super hero has a side kick, Gordon has one too! Namely, Russell H. Russell has the unenviable task of placing the hundreds of newsletters into their envelopes and seeing that they get to the post office on time, and is also a very keen photographer. Russell’s mostly uncredited photos have graced both the web site and news letter on many occasions. A true quiet achiever, thanks heaps Russ.
2009 also saw a mostly new, very eager and positive team elected to steer the VMVC into the future and explore new possibilities and ideas, headed by me!, Nothing much to say here, l have the easiest job going in the VMVC. It’s people like Rod M, our VP and membership officer, Beven Fenner our AOMC delegate, Ray E our treasurer extraordinaire, Lionel S our Vehicle inspector, Jim H the mighty ANZAC day Co-coordinator, Ron and Jen our 'Q' ies, and MasterChef contender and caterer extraordinaire Phillip R, & all round nice guy, Dave F. Without all these truly remarkable people the club would fold overnight! A big thank-you to you all and also to all the members who have contributed articles etc. for the year.
Now, for some very important items. The AOMC have a letter out concerning the Vehicle Clubs permit system. I have read it, as have the Committee members and we 100% endorse the actions. The letter is posted on the VMVC site, & the AOMC site along with the background and the action YOU need to take to have input into this vital legislation. We, the Committee will be submitting a response from the VMVC, but YOU, as members and individuals should read, understand and participate in this process.
Secondly, you will have received your NEW 2010 VMVC club membership card. The card was designed by Rod's daughter Lauren, and again, makes us a very professional, well presented operation. Rod is also arranging VMVC "business" cards similar to the membership cards for every member to have 10 or so and hand out to those people that ask about the club or membership on all the outing , show and parades. A great innovation and again, thanks to Rod. This is designed to acknowledge your VMVC membership, provide contact information to the principle committee members and give you a reminder to log onto the web to catch up on news as it happens, changes to outings, and as a source of information in restoring your vehicles. Remember, there are now people & business advertising in our Newsletter and on the web site, who have that specialist technical information you may need to correctly instal that wavy washer ( no, not the 12 volt version, the correct 6 volt serrated, stamped, plated, NOS wavy washer). For those of you that have NOT been updating yourself on the web, Leon is the winner of the Dec "I SPY" competition as he spotted the "interesting" advertisement for an original created GPW that was found on the Darling Downs and offered for sale for $50 obo. Well done Leon.
Well that’s about it for me, but before I go and sit up a Christmas tree, please remember to start planning for Corowa as I would like to see the VMVC with the biggest representation there, and also ANZAC day, we need all the vehicles we can get! Please help those who served on their special day.
What a great 2009! If you like and support what we achieved in 2009, tell us what you want for a bigger, better 2010, and strap in for an exciting ride. We hope to be able to implement many of the members ideas. If you can, pop into a monthly meeting and order a pizza, strike up a conversation and sample Phil's supper skills. If you want a VMVC meeting in your neck of the woods, call me and lets talk!
All the Best for Christmas and New Years to both you and your Families,
stay safe and happy motoring,
Gino Di Tella
President VMVC.
