Dear Fellow Apexians,
As the Apex year draws to a close I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulation to the Apex Club of Mooroopna for their contribution to Apex and their community in the last 12 months. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend your handover, but wish to thank-you one and all for your hard work.
I have been asked of provide a brief review of the year and will endeavour to keep it brief so as not to take up time that could be spent on fellowship or as I like to call it Apex networking.
This year has seen many highlights which included-
- The successful running of two Muso Magic Programs within the state. These programs target at risk kids in our community and over the course of several days the kids involved participate in a music workshop with Adam Thompson of Chocolate Starfish fame. At the end those involved have written, produced, and recorded a song of their own creation. I have had the pleasure of seeing this program and would encourage all districts and club to raise funds to run their own. As a sidenote the most recent Muso Magic program run in Victoria at last the national convention wrote a new Apex song which was sang at the National Presidents handover dinner.
- Debating and Public Speaking- As with past years we were represented well in this area and it was pleasing to see the state field a finalist in the newly established primary public speaking competition. I must also congratulate Brauer College as they won the National Secondary School Debating Competition Final. Once again I would encourage all clubs to get into their schools organise a local competition. Remember many of these students may be our members of the future so let’s tap into them now.
- One of the significant events for Apex this year was the first National Teenage Fashion Awards hosted yet again in Victoria. The standard of entries was magnificent and two Victorian students won prizes within their categories.
- As a state we have been endeavouring to make changes to the way we interact and the events we run. This year we targeted the area of convention and STS. Our convention was enjoyed by all attendees and the changes that were made ensured that the business session was finished by lunch and that there was a greater focus on networking and fellowship. STS also saw a move to Kyneton in an endeavour to rejuvenate this valuable training forum. Although numbers are still small the training in Safe Food Handling, and First Aid, alone with other portfolios addressed the needs of the attendees and I look forward to seeing this program grow in the future.
This year has been a travel year for me and I have endeavoured to get out and meet as many Apexians as I could. I have travelled over 30,000 km in the past 12 months around the state spreading the word of Apex. This involved some 44 weekends away attending a variety of Apex function and countless hours on the phone. Unfortunately I was unable to visit all clubs individually, but wish to thank all clubs who hosted me and representatives from state and national board. I cannot understate the importance of a warm welcome from friendly Apexians when you are sending so much time away from the ones closest to you.
Finally I would like to wish the incoming president all the best on the up coming year, congratulate the outgoing president for all their hard work and ask the club to set some key, but achievable goals. I would like the club to aim for at least one representative at the State Convention in Moe and the State Training Seminar. Remember each club has 1 represented funded to each and all new members registrations are also funded.
“Service is the price we pay for our space on this earth.”
Your’s in Apex and the interests of brevity.
Wayne Bandel
Immediate Past State President Victoria. 2006-2007
