Once again I will open with a message of sincere thanks to two important groups.
Firstly to my hard working and passionate fellow committeemen who give so much time and energy to keep the club alive and flourishing. And they offer their services without any return except the knowledge they have made a significant contribution to the success of Bernborough Club functions and to the amount of money we again have disbursed to many deserving charities.
So to these gentlemen – long serving secretary Clem Thiele, treasurer Brian Whitehead, John Loth, Pat Mason, Bernie Pramberg and Steve Dunne – thanks you for your camaraderie, generosity and tireless efforts once more inn the past year.
And secondly a huge thank you to all Bernborough Club members, especially those who are “regulars” at our various functions. Your ongoing support has been vital to the warmth of our lunch meetings.
A big pat on the back to members who were able to attend our October, December, February, May and June luncheons – your ever reliable support gave us an average luncheon attendance of 188 for the year under review. This figure was only marginally down from an average roll-up of 203 in 2014, and at a time when almost all other clubs were experiencing severe downturns.
Your committee tries valiantly to keep the cost of lunch functions within the reach of all. thankfully we have some ultra-generous sponsors who provide raffle and auction items. Through these fund-raising efforts in financial year 2015-2-15 your club was again able to distribute $50,000 to charities.
The organisations the Bernborough Club supported were: St Vincent’s Heath and Aged Care (Mt Olivet), Riding For The Disabled (McIntyre Centre), Karuna Hospice Service, Mater Foundation (Prostate Cancer Research), RBWH Foundation (Prostate Cancer Research), Friends of Casuarina Lodge, Youngcare, AEIOU, Arafmi Mental Health Carers, Thoroughbred Racing History Association, BestLife for Disabled Children, Cerebral Palsy League, Motor Neurone Disease Assn, Qld Melanoma Trust, Cystic Fibrosis Qld and Asbestos Related Disease Support Qld.
As to our prize donors, our enormous gratitude is due to: Brisbane Racing Club, Tattersall’s Club, Peter Harney’s Ambassador Travel, Paul Barry’s Suits on Q, Denis Sherman’s Kerwick Hotel, Norris Coughlan, Mark McLean, John Loth, Breakfast Creek Hotel, Dennis and Troy Curran’s IGA Stores, Brisbane Broncos, Brisbane Lions, Sono Japanese Restaurant, Ladbrokes, UBET, Newcastle’s Pudding Lady, Dan Murphy’s, Brisbane Bulk Meats, Fine Wine Partners, Rydges Southbank, Royal On The Park Hotel, Aaron Clancy (McLeod Golf Club) and a further member-donor from the legal profession who wishes to remain anonymous.
In addition, it is with real appreciation that we acknowledge very helpful cash donations from Owen Hayes, Barrie Greenup and Michael Kelly.
We were again able to attract many high-profile guest speakers. The committee would like to recognise them and offer our thanks for their time. Our special guests were: Peter McWhinney, Chris Anderson, Mick Mair, Andrew Courtice, Ben Cutting, Chris Munce, Greg Carpenter, Trevor Gillmeister, John Messara, Greg Radley and (paid) comedian Peter Dee.
We welcomed 17 new members in the year to June 30,2015 (previous year 21). They were _ Merv Welch, Bruce Halligan, Evan Davies, Mick Dolan, Bill Stephens, Stephen Ware, Leo Doyle, Doug Porter, Aaron Clancy, John Taylor, Paul Brown, Rob Turner, Bruce Myers, Jeff O’Sullivan, Jim McIntosh, Allan Parsons and Wally Gleeson.
With sadness, we honour the passing of six respected members: Col Grant, Tony Bloodworth, Don Button, John Saunders, Bill Carter and Bill Atkins.
Club membership numbered 315 at at 30 June, 2015.
Thanks of course to our auditor Brendon Murray of Bentley’s Chartered Accountants.
Gratitude also to our MC David Fowler who unfortunately cannot be here today but gave so much assistance during the year and also provided the much like phantom calls of upcoming major races.
The Bernborough Club website hits continue to grow and I thank Bernie Pramberg for his professional input into this service to our members and interested parties.
I believe the Bernborough Club has enjoyed a successful year in regards to function numbers, charity funds raised and the general feeling of friendship generated at our lunch meetings.
May the year ahead be just as rewarding and beneficial to everyone.
Bart Sinclair