H28 Association Chairman’s Report
for 2003/2004
It is my pleasure to present the H28 Yacht Owners’ Association report for the
2003/2004 season. This is a very special occasion, our 30th AGM.
I believe we have had a successful season and personally I have had a lot of
fun. To me the highlights would have to be the racing and the Anniversary
dinner.
The Association has existed for 30 years and continues to enjoy strong
membership. In fact it is the strength of membership that makes the Association
what it is. Without the members’ enthusiasm the Association would simply not
exist.
I believe we are one of the strongest yacht class associations in New Zealand
I would like to run through our achievements over the past year and take the
opportunity to thank some of the many that have contributed.
30 Year Celebrations
To mark our anniversary we had special 30-year anniversary caps designed and
manufactured with the H28 Association logo on the front. These caps were sent
out to all our members.
What an incredible turn out for our 30th Anniversary dinner! The
committee originally thought we would get around 60 people to attend the dinner
but we had close to 100. People came from as far as Wellington and Christchurch.
We’re lucky that a number of our life members and previous owners of H28’s
were able to attend.
Over the course of the evening we had a number of speakers. This included people
involved in originally setting up the Association and those involved in the
manufacture of the H28.
I would like to thank all those who helped make the dinner the event that it
was. Paula Woodman did a fantastic job organising the caterers, managing the
ticket sales and decorating the venue. Richie Williams spent countless hours
trying to contact previous Association members and coercing existing members to
attend.
Lastly my wife Nicola for the media releases to promote the event.
Newsletter
A special thank you to Richard Barrington our newsletter editor and Sarah
Marsden for typesetting. Many people are not aware of the significant effort
that goes into producing the newsletter. The newsletters are brilliant and I
look forward to reading them every month. A very enjoyable read when I get home
on Friday night. The newsletter content and presentation appeals to wide
audience. For many the newsletters are the only contact they have with the
association.
It’s pleasing also to see the number of articles submitted by members. I
believe the amount of content submitted reflects a healthy organisation with
plenty of member involvement. As Richard has requested -please have a go at
sending in the odd article, recipe, questions etc. It is always enjoyed by other
members and keeps the newsletter interesting.
Membership
We have strong membership and the number is increasing - now up to 110 thanks to
the efforts of our Membership Coordinator. Ritchie has a remarkable memory of
the history of a number of H28s. Over the years he has collected information
about the 350 odd known H28s. He has also participated in most if not all of the
events and owned his own H28 for 20 odd years. A very keen member!
Racing
The weather continues to prove a challenge and I don’t believe we were able to
get in the number of races we would have liked to. Interestingly enough this
year ended with increasing participation. I can’t think of anything more
pleasant on a Sunday afternoon than a couple of hours enjoying some friendly
racing.
Thank you to Roger Woodman for his focus and drive on racing. For the first time
in ages we enjoyed the privilege of a major sponsorship.
Notice how clean the racing trophies are thanks to Ross Bargove.
Open Day
We had a good turn out of boats and were kept busy for the whole day by
visitors. I note a number of our visitors were reasonably informed about H28s
and have since joined up as members. In many cases it’s a matter of long term
payback as we inevitably hear from visitors to the open day later on in the
year.
Crusing programme.
Our calendar has proved popular and despite some marginal weather on the odd
occasion we have enjoyed good turnouts. Our members enjoy great camaraderie on
the water and at the customary foreshore BBQ in the evenings.
There were the usual misdemeanours, which we will endeavour to recognise later
in the evening.
Secretary
I would like to thank Paula Woodman for her secretarial efforts. Everyone knows
it’s the PA who really runs the company and it’s no different in the H28
Association.
Someone has to keep us in order.
The behind the scenes work is not often seen or recognised outside the
committee.
Thankyou.
Treasurer
Nigel Trickett our Treasurer has kept our books in order. Richard Barrington
organized around eight hundred dollars of advertising, which has significantly
helped the Association’s books.
Blue Water and Technical
Kerry Blaymires our Technical Officer contributed significant technical support
to our members and H28 owners overseas via email. It involved a reasonable
amount of time and he did this freely. Kerry’s recent passing has been great
loss to the Association.
Coordinators
I would like to make mention of David Grant in Christchurch, Dale Felmingham our
Nelson Coordinator and Robin Clearwater our Wellington Coordinator. A large
proportion of our members are based outside of Auckland so this is a vital
connection for us. It was pleasing to hear of the successful H28 social
gathering in Christchurch with many more planned.
The Members
Last but not least I would like to thank all those members who in some way
contributed to the Association. The Association is what it is due to your
involvement.
The season comes to an end and a new season starts
Thankyou.
