Club Person of the Year, Years of Membership Badges at AGM, Wed 15th Feb 2023

We had a great attendance at the AGM at which the Club Person of the Year award was made, as well as the presentation of Years of Membership badges.

Below are some pics of the recipients. (Photo credits to Peter Hall).




As voted by Geelong Branch members, the Club Person of the Year was awarded to ...... 

Our outgoing Secretary, Don Wilkinson. Don’s low key, accurate and good-natured approach to documenting all aspects of the Branch communications over the past six years, as well as reporting to Members and NATCOM has been exceptional. Thank you, Don, for your great work and long-term contribution to the Branch. 



Above: 20 Year membership badge presented to Ken Dancey.



Above: 20 Year membership badge presented to Dr Colin Hook.




Above: 15 Year membership badge (from 2 years ago) presented to Graeme Beardwood.



Above: 10 year membership badge awarded to (a former Branch President) Mac MacBride





As well as these awards, some of lucky attendees won vouchers to the value of either $50 or $100 from our advertisers The Motorcycle Shed and Twisted Moto. Our thanks to both of these business for their ongoing support for the Geelong Branch of the Ulysses Club. Our monthly door prize has jackpotted to $80 for the March meeting.


 Many thanks to Rob Hunt (another former Geelong Branch President) for acting as Presiding Officer after the 2022 Committee was dissolved.


An incoming Branch President typically presents an address to members after the new committee is confirmed.

Incoming President’s address: Jules Pearce, 15^th February 2023

Thanks for entrusting me with the Presidency of the Geelong Branch for another year. I’ve been part of a terrific team who have worked together co-operatively and effectively.
I’d like to thank all the Geelong Branch members who were so supportive last year. In particular, the 2022 Committee members:

• ·         Don Wilkinson - outgoing
  
• ·         Graham Aitken - outgoing
  
• ·         Phil Rousseaux - Treasurer
  
• ·         Mark Nicoll - outgoing
  
• ·         Mal Stapleton – Social Director.
  

Also, my thanks to those not on the Committee but who are central to the lifeblood of the Club;

• ·         Stan Kluzek for the outstanding work that he’s done with the Exhaust Notes,
  
• ·         Rob Pow for Welfare
  
• ·         Peter Barclay for the fantastic photos
  
• ·         Rob Hunt for Managing the email system and mailing list
  
• ·         Terry Fraser for his lobbying with Vic Roads
  
• ·         Graham Beardwood who set up our Forum some years ago
  
• ·         new member James Rousseaux for injecting new ideas and following up with a new member pack and an open FB page to promote the Branch & take membership enquiries.
  

I’d like to welcome the new members of the Committee, Sheryl Townsend, Ron Howell and Marty Owen, and thank those who’ve stayed on for another year.

As a Branch of the Ulysses Club Inc we are independently financially strong and what you’ve seen over the past year is that the Committee has aimed to give back to the membership by way of subsidising meals at selected social functions, a barrel draw at each meeting and sharing our advertising revenue by way of gift vouchers. Special thanks to our paying advertisers, the Motorcycle Shed and Twisted Moto. Please mention that you are a Geelong Ulysses member when you use their services.

I think that we are all aware that the world around us is changing rapidly. As we move forward, we will need to adapt and evolve to stay relevant and effective. I am committed to working with members best interests in mind to ensure that we can navigate these changes and emerge stronger and more united.

This is a club with a mature membership, which means that we’ve often been through a lot. We have life experience and are resilient. Certainly, what I’ve seen during my time in the club is that the strength of the Geelong Branch is not just about the socialising and riding, but also in your commitment to each other and our support for each other in times of need.


Thanks for coming along tonight, and may the road ahead be filled with good health, adventure, camaraderie, and joy.



Jules: