LITTLE SHIP CLUB (Qld) 2016-17 ANNUAL REPORT

Commodore’s report continued

The Rear-Commodore also came good, for ANZAC Day 2017, on a project which had been unrealised the year before due to his hospitalisation with pneumonia, and our Club has now tangibly reaffirmed its proud commitment to the memory and legacy of service personnel. On 25th April, following its inclusion in the blessing at the conclusion of the march-past, an AWM-approved sapling, directly descended from the original Gallipoli Lone Pine, was planted in the foreshore lawns of our Club between the RAN Bofors gun and the flagpole. In a very moving and well-attended little ceremony under bright sunny skies, this very special piece of living history joined the trove of our Club’s rich heritage. Norma Canfield’s puzzlement at the large gap in the polished granite tops of her renovated kitchen benches has by now (surely?) been assuaged by Bill, who arranged for the slab to be so beautifully engraved before its presentation to our Club. The stone will be post-mounted adjacent to the tree for all to savour in years to come. Vice-Commodore Chris Goodhew resigned from his Board and Flag roles from 1st September 2017 due to ill health and we wish him well for his treatment. In the ensuing adjustment of Board and Flag roles, Matt Tesch has been promoted to A/Vice-Commodore and Bill Canfield to A/Rear-Commodore until the Annual General Meeting. Also, from 5th September Mr John Cross, a well-known business identity in the hospitality industry and boating fraternity was appointed to the Board. As I reported last year, the constraints of our now quite-dated Constitution continue to impede the Club’s efforts to accommodate, adapt and evolve in response to changing circumstances in the 21st Century.

Some progress has been made but the modernising of such a traditionally- framed body of work is a painstaking and time-consuming affair indeed. Nor is this a ‘new’ experience for our Club; keen-eyed Members might recall the words printed on page 56 of LSC’s little history book Blue Sky White Star : “Another major task was begun in 1981 by Commodore Maschmedt, that being the updating and re-drafting of the Club Constitution. This is such a large job, that at the time of compiling this history [published 1986] , the task is still underway.” A key task for the incoming Board should be the identification (and employment, if required) of suitably- qualified person/s with a view to having a draft of the fully-revised and updated Constitution available for membership consultation by Easter 2018. Following a thorough legal assessment the updated, proposed Constitution should then be placed before Members at a Special General Meeting for their approval and its implementation before June 2018. Our Club is indeed fortunate to have such a group of talented directors from across many areas of business and industry and, with their willing commitment of expertise and time, the Club continues to be well-handled for the long-term benefits of Members. It is pleasing to note that a profit, although small, was delivered this year which indicates that we are holding our own. Of course, a more substantial outcome would have been welcome but the result is nevertheless a solid one, especially given the afflictions on our trading conditions due to weather (of which, more later in this report). Honorary Treasurer Greg Leggett has introduced a number of procedures that have significantly tightened fiscal policy and which have enhanced our Club’s operations.

Part of the LSContingent in the 2017 ANZAC Day march-past.

The gold-engraved polished granite piece for the Gallipoli Lone Pine sapling.

AR.4 Annual Report 2016–2017

Little Ship Club (Queensland Squadron)