CLUB IQ | Page 6

President’s Perspective David Hiscox President It is hard to believe that a year has passed since I wrote my first report to the members of the Association, and a lot has happen in that year. We saw the election of a new Executive, with Karen Howe and Tracey Lentell joining myself, Allan Peter and Michael O’Sullivan. Tracey was elected as the first female Vice President of the Association; a great honour. As occurs after every election the Federal Executive and Federal Council with our staff, held a strategic planning work shop, and four key focus areas were identified – Training and Professional Development, Membership, Industrial Representations and Finance and Sponsorship. The Executive Officer has provided more detail in his report. In May I had the honour of presenting a CMAA member, the most prestigious and rarely conferred Life Member of the Club Managers' Association Australia recognition award. In the over 50 years of the Association only 25 members have received this award and it was an absolute honour the present the Award to David O’Neil. IQ 4 January saw the appointment of our new Professional Development Manager, Zoe Clegg. Zoe is based in Queensland and her appointment is critical to the association meeting its objectives in the training and professional development area, and more recently after feedback from our members. Peta Imber’s position was restructured and she now has the role of Industrial Relations and Compliance Advisor. This appointment will strengthen the IR component of the Association and provide valuable support to Peter Cooper. Next year sees the Mid-Year conference return to the Gold Coast in July, and at the conference the Executive will convene the first Zone Presidents Meeting where all of our Zone President will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the challenges and opportunities they see in their individual zones. Last year Zoe held a similar meeting with Zone Education Officers and this was extremely beneficial to all attendees. We continue to liaise with Clubs NSW on the bullying and harassment issue facing our managers. At the start of the year our colleagues in Victoria were optimistic that there would be some clarity around machine ownership and the findings and recommendations from the Review were to be handed down midyear. Unfortunately in the world of politics nothing is certain as the relevant minister is no longer in this portfolio and things seemed to have stagnated, so our Victorian colleagues continue to operate in and environment of uncertainty. Queensland saw the first tranche of the lock out laws introduced on the 1st of July with last drinks in pubs and clubs outside nightclub precincts at 2am, and a number of other restrictions. The second stage comes into effect on the 1st February next year with 1am lockouts to be introduced in 15 safe night out precincts. Interestingly Casinos remain exempt from these provisions. Whilst the Queensland Government restricts trade in traditional Clubs Pubs and night clubs it is at the same time is proposing to expand the number of exempt Casinos in the state. Some challenging times are ahead for our Queensland members. On behalf of the Executive I would like to thanks Ralph, Chris, Peter, Zoe, Priscilla, Brad, Peta, Julie and Estelle for the wonderful contributions to the association, they are all valuable individuals committed to providing the best service to our members. Finally I wish you all a merry Christmas, enjoy the time and relax with your families, who are after all the most important part of our lives. Cheers