Presidents Report 2024

Fellow Vets!

Following discussions within the Vets Committee and the executive of the Club Board we are introducing some changes to our constitution to bring it in line with our current and future needs.

The number of Committee members has been reduced, in line with the new Vets Constitution. We have gone from a minimum of 12 members down to a minimum of 6 members. To compensate for the shortfall, we will be calling on volunteers from our membership base to assist if and when required.

Firstly, thank you to our longest serving outgoing committee for their efforts and assistance over many years, I will miss all of you on the committee.

 Rick Rutten

 Davis Cox

 Ernie Myers

 Joe Walo

 Kevin Bullock

Next, thank you to our short-term outgoing committee member, your efforts have been appreciated.

 Jimmy Poulos

 Peter Harden

 Geoff Barlow

 Michael Baker

A big welcome to our two new committee members:

 Mark Astley

 Geoff Barnes

Both have been members of the Ballina Golf & Sports Club Board of Director and Ballina Vets Golf for many years with proven track records, they will bring knowledge and experience to the committee.

A reminder that as a Members of Ballina Vets you automatically become full members of the New South Wales Veteran Golfers Association, and Northern Rivers Veteran Golfers Association. These organisations provide a platform for increased social interaction with Weeks of Golf, state-wide, organised by NSWVGA and Open Days at the 14 Northern Rivers Clubs. If you have not been to a week of golf or open day, give it a try!

Our Ballina Veterans Open Day was last week with a field of 239 players and was a raging success. Thanks to our new Captain, Greg Cross, for his expert co-ordination of the event, of course our Sunshine Girls, our Vets Committee and the generosity and support from the club.

Our 2023 Week of Golf went ahead magnificently with Jim Poulos at the helm and assisted by Rob Orchard, there were visitors from Victoria, Queensland, and NSW. Jim Poulos has stepped aside, and Rob Orchard will take over as the Director of the 2024 Ballina Vets Week of Golf. Nominations are rolling in for, what looks like, a record year. The event is open to visitors at this stage and our members will be notified when we can accept nominations from them.

Again, a special thanks to our Sunshine Girls, they happily provide 1st class meals to our members and visitors on special days. Their services provide us with huge savings in catering expenses, which of course goes back to you, our members. Thank You! ladies, you are really appreciated. These ladies are mostly Vet members themselves and/or wives of our Vets.

Thanks to the club board, management and all staff for their valuable assistance afforded to us, obligingly, throughout the year.

I would like to particularly express my gratitude to our General Manager, Andrew Porter, for his enthusiastic interest in Ballina Vets Golf. He is a true ally and goes above and beyond providing us support.

Thank You to Chris Hawkins and his pro shop crew for their obliging support and assistance, Chris has implemented a number of vital changes that have eased our workload and created harmony.

Thanks to the green staff, the course is always in excellent condition, due to your efforts we are the envy of other clubs in the district.

Finally, thanks to you, our members for your support.

John Swan

Vets President