THE APEX CLUB OF MOOROOPNA

It was the 7^th of June 2005, my birthday. I had already won the heads or tails competition and was well into my forth pot, when the discussion turned to who would be president for the next twelve month. I guess I must have been drunk on power because I volunteered to have another go at the job and the rest as they say is history.

2005-2006 has been a very mixed year in the history of our club. Adam Moss and Andrew Farago moved away from our region. Meeting attendance levels were low with a number of Dinner Meetings being abandoned. And our attempts at finding new members were unsuccessful. On a more positive note we completed a number of service projects and the clubs finance’s remain strong.

This year our club has been busy catering at Fruit Salad Day, parking cars at the Day on the Green, spinning away prizes at the New Year’s Festival, making erections at Relay for life, and donating hundreds of dollars to many worthy causes throughout the community.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have supported me through the last twelve months. The directors have managed there portfolio’s admirably. Kim Banfield has had a big workload being involved with service and membership. Mike Nethersole provided us some much needed entertainment as Social Director, and Michael D’Amore together with Steve Rogers performed their duties at the front table admirably.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my wife Marlain, who once again has put up with me dedicating far too many hours attending Apex functions, and publishing the Midlander. I could not have done it without her.

Being President for two years in a row was a first for our club, and on reflection probably an experiment we should not repeat. However I am encouraged by Andrew Huntington’s willingness to take on the position, and hope it will bring a new energy and perspective to the club. I know that this will be a great learning experience for him, as it has been for me. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last two years.

Yours in Apex

Kevin Perry

President – Mooroopna Apex Club

Twelve Months has come and gone, and now it’s time to stop and reflect on what we have achieved, and what goals will we strive for in the future.

This year our club has been busy catering for the Big Juice festival, working at the Winery Walkabout, planting hundreds of trees at the Hydroponic Tomato farm, finalising our commitment to the Mooroopna Skate park, walking many miles at the Relay for Life, and donating thousands of dollars to many worthy causes throughout the community. But without a doubt one project has dominated 2004-05.

Hosting the 2005 State Convention was a huge undertaking and challenge for our club. In the opinion of many, we conducted one of the most successful, well organised conventions of recent times. We did a great job of highlighting our region, demonstrating what our club can achieve, and entertaining our fellow Apexian’s from across the state. However the convention has also been a huge burden on our club. It was highly draining on our member’s time, and it distracted us from other key activities, most importantly building the membership

Membership is without a doubt the biggest issue facing our club. Seven members are reaching retirement age in the next two years. Added to this Adam Moss has resigned from the club after taking on a new job challenge in South Australia. Adam has been a highly active member of the club for the last three years, and his contributions will be much missed.

To combat this Membership crisis a membership sub-committee has been formed. Kim Banfield, Andrew Huntington, Brad Fennell and Andrew Farago will be in charge of creating new ideas to revitalise our club, and build up the membership base. I trust all members will give this committee there full support.

Our newest member to the club Andrew Huntington is taking on the important role of Programs director in 2005-06. The club has committed to doing an activity for its second meeting of every month, we all agree that we need to get away from having Dinner Meetings, and start doing more activities in the community

Michael Hendrickson is the incoming Publicity Director for 2005-06. This is a role that is going to take on increasing importance in the future. Too many people in the community do not know about Apex and what it is that we do. We need to build a line of communication with the local media, and other community groups.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have supported me through the last twelve months. The directors have managed there portfolio’s admirably. Steve Rogers has had a big workload on State Board as our Convention Chairman. Michael D’Amore provided us some much needed entertainment as Social Director, and Michael Hendrickson together with Graeme Dean performed their duties at the front table admirably.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my wife Marlain, who has put up with me dedicating many hours to attending Apex functions, and publishing the Midlander. I could not have done it without her.

Being President for two years running is a highly unusual situation, and one I was not expecting to have to fulfil. Yet I am excited by the prospect of revitalising our club, and achieving big things in the year ahead. We need to forget about the Convention and concentrate on what our next challenges will be.

Yours in Apex

Kevin Perry

President – Mooroopna Apex Club

Mooroopna Apex Club over the last twelve months has continued to meet the needs of the organization and goals for club members and the community. I have enjoyed my year as club president and feel that I have learnt so much from the experience.

I would like to thank Kevin Perry for his excellent job as Secretary and being my right hand man for the year. Thank you to, to Andrew for the efficient job as Treasurer and also the directors who made the club a success.

What an achievement for the club to take out the State Debating Championship at the Ballarat State Convention. Thanks to Adam, Andrew, Michael and Kevin, members of the debating team.

With members and club commitments, it has been difficult to fit in extra service work. However our involvement included the following activities. New Years Mooroopna Festival Spinning Wheel, and assisting at the Rutherglen Winery Walkabout at All Saints and St Leonard’s Wineries with car parking. The service work was also provided valuable time to enjoy fellowship and much fun while working together.

Considerable time and effort has been put in by members organizing the 2005 State Convention. Special thanks to Steve and his committee for their efforts over the year.

The other big event was organizing for the 1000^th Club Dinner Meeting and I would like to thank the committee Kim, Adam, Jim, Phil Banfield and Lou D’Amore, members and partners, past and present, for all the work they put in to make the night such a success.

Thank you to all the members who have contributed in their own way to the continued success of Mooroopna Apex Club.

I wish Kevin Perry and his team all the best for the next Apex year 2004/2005.

Yours in Apex

Brad Fennell

CONGRATULATIONS to all involved in the Mooroopna Apex Club this year. In the words of one of our esteemed life members, "it will happen", and it has. We should all be proud of the club we have built and the ethic the members have toward apex and the Mooroopna community. It has been an honour to be involved with this group of people. I must commend the members on making my year as your president the success it has been. My job has been made easy by the dedication and efficiency of those around me.

I am reluctant to name any individuals as I feel our success is due to the fact that we work extremely well as a team and so don’t have any standout performances to applaud. I will thank Leanne and the kids for the support they have given me during what has turned out to be a turbulent and at times difficult year personally.

The year was capped off nicely with the awarding of Victorian club of the year. I think we received this honour because of our all-round performance as a club. We fulfilled all of the ideals of the association with our activities through the year. I would like to congratulate and thank Shane for his year as district governor which included encouraging us to prepare a submission to state board for club of the year.

I have included a copy of the report I prepared for Shane which outlines all our activities for the year. It shows we have been busy and our contribution to our community has been significant. Our donation of $5000.00 toward the skate park being the most challenging. Our income since the demise of paper has been a problem, but when the need arose, we found some money due to the generosity and commitment of our members. Although I said I wouldn’t single out members for individual performances, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge Michael, Kim and Leanne for their efforts in individual events.

I would like to finish by wishing Brad all the best in his year knowing the club will afford him the support I have enjoyed the last twelve months.

Thanking you

Your President

Brian Ireland

It’s hard to believe a year has gone by since Dad officiated in handing over the reigns from Kim to myself. I have enjoyed myself greatly and have never regretted taking on the task of President of the Mooroopna Apex Club. I am always impressed with the esprit de corps of all the members and believe this is what makes the club so strong.

I would like to thank Brian for his role as Secretary and Vice President. Brian knows the craft of wording a letter to create the desired effect. Just ask the 14 members from Shepparton who turned up to a dinner meeting in response to Brian’s literary wit.

Kim completed the front table as Treasurer with his tight reign on the money and his timely and accurate book balances. Thanks Kim.

Also thanks to all the other Directors and Members who made sure that each portfolio was successful and well organized.

One of the highlights of my year was presenting Michael Nethersole with his life membership. Mike has contributed so much to Apex and to the general community and the good news is he continues to do so as an active member.

Andrew Farago has taken on State Secretary for the upcoming year. Well done Andrew and I know the entire club will support you in your new role.

It is great that we have five new members in the club. Welcome Graeme Dean, Arron Schultz, Adam Moss, Wayne Gledhil and Kevin Perry. All five are already positively contributing to the club and proving their worth. I would also like to welcome their partners and families.

All the best next year to Brian and his team. I know they will continue with the great traditions of the Mooroopna Apex Club.

It’s time for ‘Handover’ again as we enter the 40^th year of the Mooroopna Apex Club. A lot of water has passed under the bridge in the past 12 months. Time to forget about `M.U.A. here to stay’, the stamping out of the Y2K bug, and, ‘Who was the runner up in last year’s GF’.

Apex is not a place for individual recognition, but I must recognise the efforts of Michael D’Amore as Secretary, Steve Rogers as Treasurer, and all of the various directors and members who have made my job a pleasure. The Club has been very active in Programs, Service, Social, Debating and Travel which highlights the reason for being a member of Apex. A very successful year within the local, district, national, and international communities.

May I also take this opportunity to thank the club for their support to develop and grow as a community organisation into the 2000′s. It has been a year of consolidation as we build toward the coming years. Certainly our focus of being a community group has changed as the needs of the community have taken a new direction.

Andrew’s reign as District Governor is nearing an end. He has served our district with diligence and a great knowledge of Apex concerns. Thank you Andrew.

I must admit that I thought that the Club Membership could be down to as few as seven for the new year. Those stats have turned a corner to now boast a healthy membership of twelve. If we can continue to build at this rate, the Club can look forward to many rewards in the future. We have been graced by the induction of Tony Duncan, David Collier and Michael Sleeth. The Club has been very fortunate to welcome three energetic and community minded members, partners and families who have already shown their worth toward the club goals.

On a sad/happy note we applaud the 17 years of service given by Michael Nethersole. His outstanding efforts to represent the community through Apex have finally come to an end with his decision to retire at the ripe age of 40. Mick has always displayed high expectations of himself and other members. This characteristic has set a trend amongst his peers to achieve great heights. Well done Michael, Vija, Megan and Jack. We will certainly miss your presence around the club and look forward to a continuation of our valued friendship for many years to come.

To Michael D’Amore and his team, may I wish you all the very best for the year ahead. Apex is a place of learning and growing. I predict that you will enjoy the role of President and help guide the Club throughout the community and prosper as a group.

Now the year as President has come to the end. The new Millennium has started with some great events to the club. Paper drive on the Sunday’s has come to an end, the age of membership is now 45 years, and we had the 900^th dinner meeting for the Mooroopna Apex Club.

My year as President has been most rewarding, expensive (3 times l00% attendance) and totally enjoyable. Special thanks to my wife Sue who has been a great help in supporting me and the family over the busy year.

During the year many hours of community service work was performed. The New Year’s Eve Mardi Gras spinning wheel, BBQ for Fruit Salad Day, selling Christmas Lanterns, and catering for the Make A Wish Foundation Christmas steam train. Also working with the Apex Club from Shepparton hours putting service hours towards the Grutzner House project.

Membership still remains a vital issue for our club and organisation. With the membership night held we had over 25 potential members. Welcome to Neville Fiegert to our club.

We had changes to the previous structure of members being on Board. Positions appointed are President, Secretary, Treasurer and two members from the club, as oppose to the whole club. With present numbers, this structure has worked quite well.

Mooroopna Apex Club is famous for being a friendly social group. Highlights this year have included our Christmas night, the annual fishing trips (men’s and ladies), Father Child, the Kiwi visit, and the paper drive finale. All great events for prospexians and families to enjoy.

A special thanks to the Life members, Senior Active and past members who have been involved in Club activities during the year. I believe it is essential that this group actively support our club as this promotes the club to new members as well as making the club more social and broadening ideas.

The entire board has done a terrific job with their portfolios. The reports from each director outline our many achievements during the year. Special thanks to the Board, Kim Banfield (Secretary), David McKenzie (Treasure), Steve Rogers (Debating) and Andrew Farago (Social).

I would like to conclude by wishing Kim and his board all the best for the coming year. Also seek that all club members provide support to Andrew Farago who is the incoming D.G.

Thank you to everyone involved with our club for their efforts this year.

The Y2K bug

President William Mason

To use an old cliché, it seems like only yesterday that I was writing a Vice President’s report for our annual report.

My year as President has been most rewarding and totally enjoyable. This has been greatly due to the support and help of many people. Firstly, thank you to my wife Lyn who has been a great help in what has been a very busy year. When taking on the role I certainly didn’t anticipate we would have twins during the year. Thanks also to Lyn for coordinating the ladies activities and to all the ladies who helped with these.

The entire board has done a terrific job with their portfolios. Each is to be congratulated on their efforts. In particular, thank you to Kim (Secretary) and William (Treasurer/VP).

Also, thank you to Life, Senior Active and Past members who have been involved in Club activities during the year. I believe it is essential that this group actively support our club as this promotes the club to new members as well as makes the club more social and broaden ideas (and workers for community projects).

Mooroopna Apex Club is famous for being a friendly, social group. Highlights this year have included our Christmas night, the fishing trips (Men’s and Ladies), Father/Child and the Kiwi visit. These events certainly are great fun, but do tend to knock the liver around.

Our Club has been able to sharpen our focus in fundraising with the issue of paper becoming clearer for the first time in many years. We now have the opportunity to control more of our own destiny in this area.

We have also set future directions with role statements for Board Directors and have planning in place for a new catering trailer.

During the year we once again performed many hours of community service work. The New Year’s Eve Mardi Gras spinning wheel. Daffodil sales, BBQ’s etc were complimented by painting at The Performing Arts Centre, moving a fence for the Fig Tree garden and the new projects of selling Christmas lanterns and the catering for the Make a Wish Christmas steam train party.

Membership remains a vital issue for our club and organisation. We must all follow up on the potential members list and get prospective members along to meetings.

I would like to conclude by wishing William and his board all the best for the coming year. We all must strive to make our great club even better.

The buck stops here (for the last time!)

President Steve

This year, 1997 – 98, we celebrate 36 years of Apex in Mooroopna. Welcome to this 36th Annual Handover Dinner. With the dinner comes the release of our Annual Report. When reading the report one reflects on the year that has been.

For me, there have been several highlight this year. There was the induction of three new members, our successful exchange with Mosgiel Round Table, State convention and a Life Membership awarded to Jim Hepworth. Let’s keep working hard to ensure that our strengths carry us into a future with many more such highlights.

The presidency was more taxing than I had originally imagined. My job was made easier due to the efforts of my directors. When required to perform they responded to the challenge with the usual high standard. A special word of thanks to David and Brian for their extra efforts. Changed commitments outside of Apex put some pressure on all members. In true Apex tradition it was still a good year with well attended service projects, social events and dinner meetings.

Some difficulties were experienced with paper. We are still collecting but the situation could change without notice. We need to be flexible and ready to act. Other major service projects have been discussed. With more members we can take better advantage of opportunities that come our way.

The Handover sees our "old" friends Perry Broad and Jim Hepworth retire. Perry introduced me to Apex and he will be missed. Jim was awarded with a Life Membership. It was an honour to make this presentation to such a worthy recipient. I wish Perry and Jim along with their wives, Jackie and Janette, all the best for the future. Sadly, Trevor Forsyth also leaves us. Good luck Trev. We hope to see you back.

Behind every good man there is a good woman. I take this opportunity to give due recognition for the wonderful work that Andrea did and all her support for my work.

As well as the charter I pass on to Steve my congratulations and all my best wishes for his year as president. I know that his vision for the club takes us in the right direction. I look forward to Steve’s year as president and beyond.

Yours in Apex,

Andrew Farago

President

It is with pleasure I welcome everyone to the 35th Annual Handover Dinner of the Mooroopna Apex Club.

As I sit here reading David’s Report from last year, not many things have changed. The clubs number one priority was and still remains to increase our membership if the Mooroopna Apex Club is to remain the leading club in the District. Some very positive steps were taken on our membership night and it is crucial that we follow up these prospective members and their wives.

It was on this night I had the pleasure to award Russell his well-deserved Life Membership. The look in his eyes said it all – a complete surprise.

As per previous years the Mosgiel Exchange was once again one of the high­lights of our Social Calender. Many thanks to all who made it such a success and may I wish the lucky winner of this year’s draw all the best in New Zealand and to maintain the tradition of don’t let the Kiwi’s get you.

Once again our Social Director kept up the high standard of social events which contribute to our clubs success within the district.

Apart from this night being very important for Andrew to receive the Presidency of the Club, we must also acknowledge the retirement of two members Russell Hall and Geoff Rowlands May I wish both Russell and Geoff, along with their wives, Sandra and Lisa (Monster) all the best and many thanks for the untold hours of work, they have put in whether it be service or social. Who could forget the Father and Child Weekend or Moon God!!

Many thanks to my very active board this year, who handled their portfolios competently and always for the best interest of Mooroopna Apex Club. I must give special mention to my Right and Left hand executives, Steve and Trey, who both put in extra work to assist myself in the running of Mooroopna Apex for 1996 / 97. I must say that I look forward this year to sitting up the back and having a few cans with Trey and Steve.

In closing I must give special thanks to my wife Jackie who has been so support­ive this past year during the Good times and also the bad.

May I wish Andrew all the best for his upcoming year and I urge all members to get behind the president and support Andrew as he strives to build the Mooroopna Apex Club.

Yours In Apex