Devonport Swim Club
Annual General Meeting – Wednesday 28 May 2015
President's Report
Welcome
Overview of the Year
The Club has had another good year both in maintaining steady numbers and a healthy financial position.
This is the 20th year of the club so it seems timely to celebrate and reflect on our proud history.
Devonport Swim Club began life in March 1995 largely due to the efforts of Devonport locals including Sharon Hutchison, Chris Glew, Brian Gallocher and Courtney Kenny. The Club was originally titled the Devonport/Navy Swim Club but changed its name along the way at behest of navy.
It is believed the 33 metre pool was installed in the 1950s using a Government fund benefitting navy personnel for their assistance during the 1951 waterside dispute. The pool’s age and occasional shut down threats mean that the Club maintains a policy of keeping a reserve fund for a rainy day.
During its 20 year tenure the Devonport Swim Club has maintained and steadily increased coached sessions for masters and junior swimmers and weekend uncoached sessions for masters. Two of the foundation members, Tom King and Marjo Thomas, remain with the Club today.
The Club is marking its 20th year with a dinner on 13 June and welcomes all past and current members and other supporters to reflect and celebrate this important milestone.
Coaching
We are fortunate to maintain a steady crew of coaches (Brent, Ben, Brad, Marjo and Vince). We lost Dawn for a year but welcomed Alan to the afternoon and occasionally, morning, crowd.
Juniors
Junior membership continues to be strong with wait lists in many sessions and proud achievements, particularly in open water events.
Masters
Masters membership again remains steady, with numbers perhaps a little down in the evenings. We perennially canvas members about their reasons for not swimming and find that more often than not the reasons stem from having other commitments, cold and dark.
During winter last year Bronwyn and Liz initiated after swim drinks as an incentive to encourage evening swimmers to get out of the house and to the pool.
Pool
We have had a fairly good year of continuous pool opening, with a few cloudy patches and odd smells. I haven’t personally been in the pool much lately so ask that any pool issues are reported straight to me so I can action them with navy staff.
For health and safety reasons the coaches have been moved into a poolside shed which a hardy group of morning masters put up for the best part of one Sunday in April.
I’m told that automated pool covers and revamped women’s change rooms are on the navy agenda. But that agenda doesn’t move at breakneck speed.
Events
Weather conditions were great for both RNH and CC and Ian McDonald will report separately on those events.
We carried on the recently established tradition of running a mini carnival for Kids’ Christmas followed by fun adult races and drinks. It seemed to be a success and is something we think is a good use of funds to thank as many of our members for their support.
Committee
The current committee (is:
President – Robin Harrington
Treasurer – Jenny le Noel
Secretary – David Claridge
Event Organiser – Ian McDonald
Coach Liaison – Tom King
In addition, members of the General Committee are Jane Goddard, Bronwyn McKinlay and Jack Revell.
I am pleased to report that all of the current committee will stand again for nomination. Several of us (me included) have not recently been swimming in coached sessions and we are conscious that this may make us less visible to members and the perception may be that we are not as in touch with the feel of the club. In my case I have questioned whether for this reason it is time to stand down as president. That said, my three children still swim and keep in touch that way with that side of the club. If you do have a view on how the committee manages the club or where we should be taking it, please feel free to;
a. Stand for the committee;
b. Let us know by email.
Summary
In conclusion, for yet another year I am pleased to copy and paste the comment that Devonport Swim Club is in good financial health and positive spirits. That doesn’t happen without the support of our members and I thank you all for that.
Robin Harrington
President