There was hope last month that we might be coming out of Covid-19 lockdown with easing of restrictions,
but this is not the case. Significantly increased infections in greater Melbourne have led to several suburbs
going into hard lockdown and more may follow. On the positive side, Australia is not as badly affected as
many other countries and our early shutdowns are credited with slowing the virus spread. Obviously we have
laws and the state of emergency constraining what we are allowed to do, but there is also the guidance from
our State Health Officer: “ … that's why it's incumbent on all of us to be minimising our interactions with
others." This guidance and social distancing of 1.5m dictate the regular activities that we should not be
promoting as a Club such as normal monthly meetings.
The death of Greg Sinclair on 21 st June has shocked and saddened us all. Greg and Tammy Sinclair are 20-
year club members. Senior club members have been wonderful supporting Tammy and son Riley with
touching eulogies at Greg’s funeral from Alberto Parmituan, Anthony Saul and Ralph Longley, and Fred
Farrugia presiding.
The Person-of-the-Year Award (POTY) finishes on 31 st July in time for an announcement at the AGM. With
the number of meetings down this year, the hurdle to earn raffle tickets has been lowered from 500 to 400
points. This way we can better acknowledge those who have continued to contribute to the Club.
Our annual general meeting is scheduled for 17 th August and there is almost no chance of this being a full
face-to-face meeting. We will announce towards the end of July the details of the AGM, and we ask everyone
to plan early to help us: think about committee nominations for you or a colleague, think about proxies to
ensure we have a quorum, read up on the Rules around the AGM and think about voting. Formal reports will
be out before the meeting.
As Covid restrictions eased in early June we started some trips, but then July has been more difficult with
some sensible postponements due to virus risks. To leaders and those wanting to go on trips, stick with it,
we understand the frustrations and will try to have a busy program as soon as it is legal and sensible.
Our new member management software, Wild Apricot, has performed well thanks to the care of the
Implementation Team led by Terry Barbie and on-going help for all of us provided by David Boutchard. They
announced the end of Team App from 29 th June.
Our treasurer Ian Fieldhouse is working with the auditors now to have a report ready before our AGM. Ian
and the Committee took swift action earlier this year to ensure the Club stayed in a sound financial position
through covid-19 though we had no knowledge of what the months ahead might look like. Expenditure has
been reduced in several areas, and the use of Wild Apricot is attributed to an excellent membership renewal
process. The delay in implementing the $150 pa membership fee has been appreciated by those I have
spoken to. We have moved to a full double-entry and accrual accounting system under Ian’s leadership.
At our June Committee meeting we approved the motion: “that the Pajero Challenge be retired gracefully based
on the documents supplied to the meeting”. This decision followed months of member consultation and consideration
of the most realistic way forward. We can take pride in the contribution of the Pajero Challenge to the wider 4WD
community over nearly three decades.
Laurie and Chris Finlay join a most exclusive group as they finally led their 100 th trip after bushfire and virus
delays. Without trips it is difficult to have a meaningful 4WD club so a very big thank you to all our trip
leaders; not only do they run trips that we enjoy, but they also inspire us by their examples to lead our own
trips. Remember, lead five trips and you can earn your first truck badge. You will be on the way to catching
Laurie and Chris but be warned that the gap to Peter Cooney especially will take some years to bridge.
I have been very heartened by the understanding and support all members have given the Committee during
these times of rapid change and so many postponements. Thank you.
As the medical experts have advised us, maintain our social distancing, wash our hands thoroughly and be
sensible with where and why we travel.
Neil Phillips #1744
Email: [email protected]