CLUB CAPTAIN’S REPORT

Written by Haydn Vernon

Hi, Its Norm and Hayds back again to fill you all in with the current news on the club flying front and let’s say it’s been up to now a busy one. It all started back on the 3rd October where 11 aircraft participated in our club fly in to the wheat belt town of Koorda , a great trip with reasonably good flying weather. Through the preparation from RACWA Member Adam Bettles and his mother, the people of Koorda welcomed us into their community with a guided tour of the CBH Grain Terminal, a visit to the local museum, a film at the local drive in and the hospitality of the Koorda Pistol Club with breaky and a shoot.

The local pub prepared a wonderful lunch upon our arrival, of course the beer was nice and cold, and the hospitality was only what you could experience at a country pub.

There is a small chance that we will make a return journey back to Koorda in the not to distance future, thanks Koorda for a great weekend.

Well, what can we say about the Wings Dinner, it was a great evening during which all members that attended enjoyed themselves immensely. The venue was beautifully presented and congratulations to all the award winners and achievers. A big thank you must go to Coril for all of her hard work to ensure the evening went off without a hitch, thank you on behalf of all the members.

A thanks also to our MCs for the night, Merrilee and Jarod, you did a grand job.

A good mate of mine Martin Jones (Jonesy), was awarded his 25-year membership which was thoroughly deserved.

Martin has been a wonderful stalwart and contributor to the Club and it was fitting that he was recognised at the Wings Presentation.

On behalf of all the members well done Jonesy.

On the 23rd of September I took my son down to the annual SABC Fly-In held at the Serpentine Airfield. There were several club members attendance in their respective aircraft, it was a good day enjoyed by many aviation enthusiasts.

The only low point of the day was that the weather turned for the worst and a couple of our members had to return the following day to retrieve their air craft, I wonder who they were?

Our local flying competitions have been well supported especially in the lead up to W.A.L.A.C. which was held on the 11th and 12th November.

We had a total of 18 competitors which included the formation teams and individual competitors, it was a great two days with everyone that participated enjoying themselves. The formation competition was one by “A “Team which consisted of Gary Evans as leader, Bruce Rathbone and Michael Stenson with the individual event overall winner awarded to Rod Garnaut, congratulations and well-done guys.

W.A.L.A.C. requires a lot a pre planning, a big thanks must go to Mick Harcourt who not only did all the pre work but mentored the new Club Captain for the upcoming in later years, thanks Mick.

For the competition to be successful it also requires the services of air judges, ground judges, scorers and helpers, this was very well supported and a massive thank you must go out to each individual who gave up their time, thanks guys. Lunch was provided and prepared by the Aerobatic Competitors again thanks for your efforts.

The dinner and presentation were held at the Club on the Saturday night, we had 38 people in attendance, again a good evening to cap off what was a successful competition.

Special thanks must go to the caterers Muzz Buzz as they cooked up an enjoyable dinner which was appreciated by all that attended.

Well next to come along was the Greg Hill Memorial Trophy that was held on the 19th of November at YMUL in which it was a fun day with the three teams consisting of the Students, Members and Instructors participating in a PFL, spot landing and flower bombing.

Again, a big thankyou to all the helpers, judges and of course the competitors for giving up their time to as well as the support from David Currey.

Unfortunately, the result didn’t favour the members with the instructors coming first then the students coming second and the members coming third.

Oh well, I suppose there is next year.

As a closing note, may I on behalf of the flying committee, myself and Norm extend our sincere thanks to all the members that come along and support our activities and make it the Club of what it is.

Hope you enjoy a relaxing Christmas and great start to the New Year!

Catcha later, Hayds and Norm