President’s Report – May 2003

Another year has gone and it has been pretty much ‘business as usual’ for the ‘Touring Club’ with no dramatic changes or events happening during the year. Although this may seem dull, it has been a year where we have stabilized our membership decline and concentrated our efforts into providing a varied and enjoyable riding itinerary.

Membership

With a continual influx of “sports” type riders on our Club rides, the change to our name has proved to be the right decision and with many of these riders joining the Club. Our membership has now grown to 64 financial members. This is a great result and, although only an increase of 2 over the same time last year, it is a big turnaround from the previous year when we lost 15 members.

It is not only our Website or ads in Just Bikes and Motorcycle Trader that continue to bring in many inquiries but also the many members who “spread the word”. One in particular is Dianne Welsford who, in the course of walking to and from her city employer, places an itinerary on the many bikes she passes. Many thanks to her and the other members who help in this recruiting of suitable members.

One aspect that will have a dramatic effect, not only on our Club, but also on motorcycling in general, is the current over zealous campaign of speed limit enforcement! With the threat of “loss of license” or a hefty fine, ones enthusiasm for a long Sunday ride diminishes substantially. Also, the spread of suburbia and its crowded roadways has made it more difficult to reach the ‘good’ riding roads quickly. As we are a ‘riders’ club, I can see both these factors effecting our future dramatically. Hopefully that is a long way off!

Our social sip venue, the Whitehorse Inn, has proved quite popular. Unfortunately the owners have decided to redevelop the site into a restaurant and apartment complex. Although the council has rejected the proposal this time, it won’t stop the future redevelopment of this venue.

Fees

The good news is “no” membership fee increase is envisaged for this coming year as our cost saving strategies have kept our expenses below our income. This is a great result and justifies the changes the Committee put in place two years ago.

Committee

Our current committee comprises the following members and it is through their dedication that the Club continues to prosper.

President: Ian Payne Treasurer: Wayne Grant

Secretary/Editor: Ben Warden Captain: Pete Weyermayr

Vice Captain: Liz Oliver Assistant Secretary: Ron Johnston

Public Officer: Wayne Grant Social Secretary: Kirsten Anderson

Although the Committee has been below strength without a Vice President, the current members have worked together harmoniously throughout the past 12 months. Most will stand for re-election, though our treasurer, Wayne Grant, has decided not to.

Wayne’s first ride with the Club was in September 1997 and he joined the Committee in 1999, initially as Vice Captain and, for the past 3 years, as our Treasurer. In this role his expertise has steered the Club into a much stronger financial position. For this I thank him on behalf of all members. I also thank him for his friendship, dedication and sense of humor. Committee meetings will not be the same without those funny stories! All the best, Wayne, in your future endeavors.

To the other members of the Committee, I thank them all for their support and look forward to their continued association with the Club.

To all members, I thank you for your participation and friendship over the previous 12 months and look forward to another exciting year in the MSTCV.

Ian Payne (President. 2002/2003)