Welcome everyone, and thank you for turning up to the AGM, for taking a vested interest in your club, and for showing support to the committee members who have dedicated their time over the last 12 months, to making this a better organisation for all members.
I think we all agree that the Traralgon Harriers is an excellent club, filled with wonderful people from various backgrounds, who join together and share a collective enjoyment of running.
We all run for different reasons and to achieve different goals, but whatever our individual reasons, being a member of the Harriers provides us a social aspect, a community and valuable group support.
This has been my fourth year as President, and I want to again show appreciation for the amount of encouragement, endorsement and positive feedback I’ve received over the last 12 months. Hopefully it is an indication that we’re doing good work, and the club is a valued place for all members.
In any leadership position, it’s important to assess, improve, prepare, react and to listen; we can always do things better and we must be open to ideas and constructive suggestions, but we must also remember that the club is run by volunteers, who I believe always do their best. The committee might not get everything right, but I think we’ve done overwhelmingly positive things.
The club is what we all make it, and that’s reflected in the time and energy that is injected by the committee and our members.
Part of my philosophy for a successful club, is that it should give value to members, and make sure that the energy, dedication and work people do is acknowledged.
Of course the last 12 months have had some hurdles and challenges, but we’ve continued to thrive and grow, not only through our Thursday night runs, but also via weekend events, social activities, and the club’s AV Team.
Last week I was surprised and a little embarrassed to find out that I’d been nominated and shortlisted for a national award. Apparently there were hundreds of nominations and somehow I made a shortlist of 7 national finalists. I certainly do not do what I do for awards, and it is quite humbling to even be nominated, let alone being named a finalist.
After getting over the initial embarrassment, I am of the belief it's actually really good for the club to have this level of acknowledgment. Being shortlisted for a national award by Athletics Australia, is an honour which I humbly appreciate. However, I am of the belief that recognition for one person is problematic, because there is always a team of people that make something a success. Although one person may drive things or have a vision, nothing can be achieved alone, without support, without other’s talents and time and energy.
So thank you to everyone in the club for buying-in to what I knew this club could be. Thank you to Ann Bomers and the other 2 individuals who nominated me, for the kind words and unnecessary accolade. I do appreciate the acknowledgement.
Over a period of time, we’ve developed wonderful relationships with businesses and community organisations. We have many wonderful sponsors and supporters of this club, without which, we would struggle to operate, especially with the cost of larger events. In particular DFP Recruitment, First National Real Estate Latrobe, Win Network, Aussie Broadband, Gold 1242 Ace Radio and Athlete’s Foot Traralgon need special mention, but there are many others that help enhance the club.
As a club, we support our AV Team runners more than any other club in the state. Although we must acknowledge that competing at this level is a personal choice and comes with a cost. It doesn’t matter what sport you do, from footy, soccer, martial arts, tennis, netball, basketball etc, participation at most levels, costs money. That’s the reality unless you’re truly “elite” and get paid, funded or sponsored. Membership fees, competition fees, uniform costs, the list goes on.
I am proud that our club goes over and beyond to support our AV team, as well as making sure we give great value back to all members, recreational and social.
The Harriers isn’t just a running club, it’s a whole lot more than that, with great friendships and support networks developed because of our mutual participation in this sport.
It’s fantastic that the club has so many levels and individual reasons for participation. Whether its Thursday runs, coaching, training groups, the social and recreational aspect, our club weekend events or AV level participation, this club has dedicated members who support each other, and many great friendships develop because of it.
Add to that, those members who volunteer their time to sit on committee, race direct, do media reports, contribute to the newsletter, mark a course, help out with events or the myriad of other small jobs that make the club run smoothly, and everyone can see why this club is so special, successful and in such a great position.
A healthy club always requires new energy, new ideas and a little helping of selflessness to keep it going.
As an organisation, we’ve developed a family-friendly aspect, with a large contingent of family members joining, and we have an almost equal gender representation.
Speaking to some club elder statesmen and women recently, it was noted that when they first joined there may have been 10 females at the club. How things have changed.
As far as families go, so far this membership year we have members of the Bomers (Cook), Podmore, Graham, Francis, Heafield, Irvine, Lappin, Magoldi, Kenney/Cross, Marino, McGown, Preston, Reid, Reily (Roscoe), Livingstone (Hill), Twite, Verschuur, Cutler, Warner, Beasley and of course the Mayers .. (sorry if I’ve missed anyone). I think that qualifies us for the title of “family club”.
I was reflecting recently on milestones of local runners participating in parkrun. Many members have achieved some amazing milestones with the Harriers. Just on a general crunching of numbers, if someone has been a member for 10 years, and completed say 40 out of the possible 48 runs in a year, that equals 400 Harriers runs.
There are members who have been running with the club for over 20 years, averaging out over time to equal maybe 800 Thursday runs. It’s difficult to be exact, but current and still active club members such as Crossy, Liz K, Legge, Barry, Belinda, Ian H, Ian C, Kaye and others must be approaching the Harriers 1000 run club. That’s incredible!
The club continues to build on a foundation of inclusiveness and progressive attitudes, but change is sometimes hard and takes time to adapt to. As a committee we are not afraid of healthy, robust conversations or debates, and with such a solid representation across demographics, most perspectives are expressed.
The Victorian Government recently relaunched its Fair Play Code, which is an update of the 2018 blueprint that sets out the standards of behaviour expected of everyone involved in sport and active recreation. At the heart of the FPC are five principles of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Safety and Fairness. These principles apply to everyone involved in sport in Victoria, no matter what role they play, and our club is one of the original signatories to the code.
The fact that Athletics Victoria use the Traralgon Harriers as a model for how a club should be run, in particular on how to attract and retain recreational runners, is a huge feather for our club, and further recognition of our leadership around inclusiveness.
Another example of this social-mindedness was the club running an “Orange Round” in conjunction with Gippsport and the Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault. You, the members, embraced this initiative, and the positive atmosphere with members interacting and buying-in was excellent. This again showed our club to be a leader in this area, progressive, thoughtful and inclusive.
Some people may think it’s unnecessary for a sports club to be hosting such an event, that it’s pointless and not what a club is about, but let me say this; these sorts of events which support inclusion, make for a better society, community and world. It’s what all organisations should be about. They foster an environment of true equality, inclusivity and integrity, where support is not just lip-service, it is genuine and ensures that all member demographics are welcomed.
Whether we’re championing gender equality, the prevention of violence against women, awareness about important community issues, inclusivity or mental health, a strong and progressive club should stand for these important issues. Having conversations about difficult topics like suicide, or cancer, or anything else deemed taboo or controversial at our small club isn’t going to change the world overnight, but starting the dialogue is essential if we want anything to change.
A quick dot-point snap-shot of some of the things the club has achieved in the last 12 months, is as follows;
-The weekly lucky-member draws, managed by Kaye Livingstone and Ann Bomers, brings the club together and provides a positive and fun activity after our Thursday runs
-We’ve broken attendance records in consecutive weeks for a Thursday winter run
-We have record membership for this time of year, currently at 155
-We donated over $30,000 to Rotary Centenary House since 2017
-We launched the club’s new user-friendly website with work by Dave Barr, Andrew Broberg, Giuseppe Marino, and input from Alfie Warner
-Our representative AV Team has had the greatest numbers in years, with thanks to Captain Greg Semmler, along with Miles Verschuur and newly appointed female Captain Callie Cook
-The club’s trivia night saw over 80 members join for dinner, drinks and healthy competition
-We had a successful K&Q of the Mountain, with new RD Yani Cornthwaite
-The 25th Community Fun Run saw a new assistant RD Clinton Jolly, and we were nominated for an Australia Day Award for Community Event of the Year
-The club ran a successful Marathon & Running Festival which sold out, and marked our 56th continuous running of the event
-We raised money for Lifeline and awareness for mental health and suicide with the Memorial Run
-The Martin Thompson Boolarra Run had a first time RD in Kaye Livingstone
-Greg Semmler & Miles Verschuur have continued to grow as RDs running successful events including Ray & Doris at Wirilda and the Summersgill Run at Edward Hunter
-We had many great achievements on the track and trails by club members including but not limited to Corey Milner, Yani Cornthwaite, Molly Irvine, Depsey Podmore, Ian Cornthwaite, Ian Twite, Sally Theobald, Shane Gavin, Miles Verschuur, Zak Beasley, Narelle Crozier, Emilie Cutler, Pete Cutler, Bill Barry, Jack Marino, Courtney Risotto, Sarah Lewis, Jay McGown and Jason Odlum
-Several members were recognised for their epic representation of the club at AV level including Darrell Cross, Ian Twite and Greg Semmler who reached the 100 milestone, whilst Ian Cornthwaite, Liz Kenny and Mel Jones hit the 50 representations
-We established the Club Person of the Year Award which went to inaugural winners Andrew Legge & Ann Bomers
-Carol Summersgill was awarded Life Membership for her contribution to the club
-We continued to build strong relationships with sponsors, supporters and the community, including mending our previously strained association with Latrobe City
-We were successful in Grant submissions totalling over $10,000 thanks to Sep Marino, Yani Cornthwaite & Andrew Legge
-Our club monthly dinners have been very well attended, averaging over 60 members
-We made several purchases of new club assets including our impressive new race arch
-We have new runners pretty much every week, with many becoming financial members. There’s always going to be a natural attrition in membership, but it seems the old issue of retaining members has been alleviated. We ensure new runners to the club are welcomed, introduced and valued, which has no-doubt added to retaining and gaining new members
A successful club gives back to members, whilst ensuring fiscal responsibility. As you’ll hear from Ann, we are in a solid financial position, and we continue to give value to members. My belief is that we should use funds raised through events and memberships to make the club stronger, and a better place for all. We give to community organisations and charity, but this should not be our prime operational purpose.
As a committee, I hope all members agree that we’ve been open to feedback, conversations and ideas, and we hold the interests of the club at the core of any decisions. I believe we acknowledge and respect the history of the club, and that the committee represents members and runs the club for the benefit of all.
This is a club for everyone, elite, social, recreational, fun or otherwise, and inclusiveness is essential to making a community organisation a flourishing and positive body. Things don’t just happen without members making them happen, and everyone contributing to the vision.
A few thank yous and acknowledgements. Firstly to Alfie Warner for his work and support behind the scenes in various capacities. You are a valued member and your work is appreciated.
During the year we had 5 committee members step down for various reason, so I’d like to acknowledge and thank Pete Sanders, who continues to do valuable work for the club in various capacities, Hayley Batchelor, Tim Bye, Stephen Renehan and Yani Cornthwaite, who took off overseas, for their time and service.
I’d like to thank the outgoing committee for their efforts over the last 12 months. On behalf of all members, thank you for putting your hands up to ensure that the club continues to operate, and indeed strengthen.
We had new faces, talents and energies join committee including Clinton Jolly, David Barr, Andrew Broberg, Danelle Wright and Giuseppe Marino, who joined sitting members Warren Shields, Kaye Livingstone, Molly Irvine and Greg Semmler.
Appreciation to all, and thanks for another great 12 months of support, input, your time, talents and energy - I believe we should be proud of the work we’ve done collectively, and I thank you all for your support personally, and for making the time to enhance our wonderful club with your ideas and skills.
I need to make special mention of Treasurer Ann Bomers for her work and support, not only in her official capacity, but generally around the club. Ann is always first to put up her hand, and no job is too much for her. Ann makes doing my job much easier, she is appreciated, and I know all members thank you for the time you put into the club.
I’d especially like to thank Vice President Andrew Legge, whose invaluable ideas, tireless work, positive vision, authenticity and amazing energy to make the club a better place for everyone, is an absolute asset to the club.
The many small things Ann, Legge and the general committee do for the club, for members, to make it a better place, add up to a massive amount of positive, and the committee is a big reason why the club is so healthy.
I feel this club’s committee and members are approachable and we provide opportunities for all members to be empowered, to be involved in decisions, and to continue being a part of a friendly, supportive club. I believe as a committee we have continued to invigorate the Harriers. We should continue to invite all members to share their ideas, but we must remember, ideas only become reality, when someone does the work to make them happen.
In closing, a club does not operate without its members. A vibrant and successful club is what we all want. We have dedicated, talented, friendly, supportive people in this organisation, and if we work towards supporting our AV members, who represent our club, and our recreational runners, who are our life-blood, if we aim to find a balance, if we all work together and support the committee, Thursday runs, and our amazing events, then the Harriers will continue to grow and prosper, despite any adversity.
We may just be a small country running club, but we add to the recreational and social fabric of members, and that adds to quality of life. We provide opportunities for the community through participation, and more than fulfil the parameters of our Mission and Vision Statements, reflecting a commitment to this club’s worthy values.
Thank you.
Phill Mayer – President, Traralgon Harriers
