2013-14 Adelaide Rowing Club Annual Report

40 Pages·2014·1.41 MB·English

by  James Martin

A R C I .
DELAIDE OWING LUB NC

(Founded in 1882 as I'Zingari Rowing Club)

131 S T A R
NN U AL EP ORT

S e a s o n 2 0 1 3 / 2 0 1 4
O
FFICE BEARERS

Ex Officio Patron...................... The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Adelaide
Mr Stephen Yarwood

Senior Vice Patron…. Don Sarah
Vice Patrons…………. Phil Mangelsdorf, Grant Duncan, Patrick Hill,
Nigel Winter, Geoff Hill, Dick Turnbull, Jock
Jamieson, Brain Sawley, David Hislop, Jim
Eglinton, Brian Dalton, Sam Binder, Edward
Suttell, Tony Matthews, John Osborne, John
Jarvis
President.................. Richard Turnbull (25 Aug – 31 Dec 2013)
Acting President....... Chris Greening (11 Mar – 31 Aug 2014)
Senior Vice President Chris Greening
Vice Presidents......... John Absolon, Joanne Howski, Chris
Greening, Rob Greening, Tim Dunstone, Trent
Collins, Darryl Bosch, Tim Hennessey, Tom
Guthrie, Patrick Winter, Danny Barrera,
Stuart Masson
Honorary Solicitor….. Nigel Winter
Honorary Auditor.….. Patrick Winter
Honorary Architect…. Chris Greening
Public Officer………… Mitch Oliver

Committee Captain..................... Jarrad Schar
Vice Captains............ Toby Demmler, Andrew Cropley
Secretary………......... Mitch Oliver
Asst. Secretary.......... Adam Salleh
Treasurer.................. John Absolon (25 Aug 2013 – 9 Jan 2014)
Toby Demmler (9 Jan 2014 – 31 Aug 2014)
Asst. Treasurer......... Erica Webb
Bar Manager............. Amy Hobbs
General Members...... Donna Webb
Tax Skrembos
Nathan Bowden
Jordan Schiller
P ' R
RESIDENT S EPORT

As we draw the curtain on the 132nd Season of the Adelaide Rowing Club,
we pause for reflection on what has been both a rewarding and eventful
season.

The Club has performed particularly well again on and off the water with
representation on the water at State and National levels.

Dick Turnbull’s Service as President

We thank Dick Turnball for his service to the club as President prior to
unfortunately retiring his position prior to Christmas due to ill health.

Success On and Off the Water

Off the Water

Clubhouse improvements continued during the year including the
installation of the new security and access system by Adam Salleh. Also,
Toby Demmler as Club Treasurer, has rolled out a new accounting software
aimed at streamlining invoicing, club accounting and improving our point of
sale record keeping.

Our bar continues to be efficiently and well run by the now well-seasoned
team of Erica Webb and Amy Hobbs, the clubhouse is always well presented
and provisioned! Well done.

The work of the I’Zingari Foundation continues behind the scenes. Earnings
from the invested capital will help to ensure future financial security for the
Adelaide Rowing Club. I thank those current and founding members
including the outgoing Chairman Mr David Hislop for his work in this regard,
and I would implore all current and resting members to invest in foundation
membership.

On the Water

We are experiencing increased participation in Master Rowing with
predominantly younger squads beginning to make their mark on the older
fields. Notably:
 David Eichler chaired the organisational committee to run a very
successful Australian Master Rowing Champs at West Lakes with
more entries than senior Nationals in a 4 day schedule - a huge
event to manage.
 Andrew Tidemann in SA State Master's 8+ that placed 4th.
 The Composite ARC Master's Women attended Head of the Yarra.
(Some big names coming out of retirement for that one!)
The Learn To Row and Intermediate programs continue to be well patronised
and are a tribute to Donna and Erica Webb.

ARC Members featured prominently at state level. Our representatives for
Kings Cup (Nathan Bowden, Alex Hill) and Queens Cup (Molly Goodman, Oly
Aldersly and Isabella Milazzo) earned silver medals in their respective events,
wth an exceptionally strong showing by the ARC in the SA youth Crews
providing a promising future at the top level.

At a National Level, ARC fielded four reps for Australia at the first World Cup,
with 2 Gold Medals for Alex Hill, and one for Olympia Aldersley. From this,
Alex Hill (M8+), Olympia Aldersey (W2x) and Molly Goodman (W8+) have
been selected for the 2014 Senior Australian Rowing Team.

Club Numbers

We were saddened earlier this year by the passing of Guy Hebblewhite, co-
founder of Hebfotos. Guy and Cynthia Judd co-founded Hebfotos Sports
Photography in the 1970s and specialised in rowing photography. They
photographed 5 Olympics from 1988 to 2004, many FISA World
Championships, and countless regattas in Australia and New Zealand.
Hebfotos sponsored and supplied photos and articles for every edition of the
Australian Rowing Magazine from its foundation in 1977 until its demise.
Guy was a life member of the Adelaide Rowing Club and was 86 when he
died.

On a somewhat lighter note, the Club continues to grow in a number of ways
this year including many new additions to club member’s families:

• Andrew Randell and Vicky Spencer, with Beatrix,
• Mitch and Liv Oliver, with Annabel,
• Alex and Sally Silz, with Hillary,
• Sarah Bricher and Mark Matthew, with Ruby,
• My wife Sarah and I, with Chloe,

As you can see, vacancies for the 2030 ARC and national junior women’s
squad are filling up fast.

Into the Future

The Adelaide Rowing Club has always provided a venue for activity and
activation to the riverbank since 1882, through the healthy pursuit of rowing
and the sometimes unhealthy pursuits after rowing that we shall call
‘clubhouse activities’. Into the future, the ARC is keen to maintain not only
our presence, but our position enjoyed over the last 132 years.

We are very interested in increasing our profile and extending our
endeavours in activating the lower riverbank precinct in line with the council
and governments objectives for increase use and activation of the areas
around. Our little clubhouse was once largely alone in its presence on the
riverbank, now we can see from developments around the area that we are
indeed part of some greater schemes. We must resolve to remain relevant
and remain steadfast in our commitment as contributors to the precinct. To
that end we are fortunate to maintain dialogue with both State Government
and City Council on these issues.

The future of the Adelaide Rowing Club is only assured by the dedication of
the membership on all levels - volunteers, dedicated rowers, Coaches,
support committees and administration working together for a common goal.
In my first term as President, I see all of these key ingredients for a strong
and prosperous period for the Adelaide Rowing Club.

Chris Greening
Acting President
C ’ R
APTAIN S EPORT

Rowing is a fantastic sport which pushes the human body to its physical
limits. It is normally these physical gains and performances which we
celebrate. However, this season, I would like to draw attention to the growth
and development I have witnessed in people from a social, emotional and
cognitive perspective.

I remember being involved with Adelaide Rowing Club from the time I
finished school. I developed friendships which are stronger than I ever
expected and have no doubt will last a life time. I was given an opportunity
to develop as a person through people trusting me, great guidance from older
members who didn’t tell me off, however showed me how responsible people
of the Adelaide Rowing Club behave and conduct themselves. It was these
people who taught me valuable life lessons, which have enabled me to
succeed in life outside of the adolescent years. I would definitely say I grew
up at Adelaide Rowing Club.

I look at many of the people who are around the Club and see attributes of
people who were around in years past. I see them being presented with the
same opportunities from years ago and I am glad to say they are grasping
these opportunities with both hands. Jordan Schiller is one such person,
who has put in countless hours, not only doing boat maintenance, but also
regatta entries. Jordan Schiller has combined with Isabella Milazzo to
coordinate the senior squads that row out of West Lakes, in the absence of a
Head Coach, and they have developed many skills. Tax Skrembos and
Nathan Bowden are another two people who have gone above and beyond in
helping others, and at the same time, have made many personal gains
themselves.

The bar and function room manager is a vital aspect of the club to ensure its
longevity and every member owes a great amount to anyone willing to fulfil
this role. Over the past season, Amy and Erica have had many headaches
and heartaches. However, I sincerely hope they are able to take a step back
and look at what they have been able to achieve. Their work is greatly
appreciated by all members, they are certainly loved by all, should be proud
of what they have achieved, and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t
thought about thanking them personally to do so.

It must be noted that without guidance of the members who are young at
heart, these younger members would not have the example which to grow by.
There are so many people who ever I look up to. The Master’s Men are
fantastic - this squad is led by Mitch, Toby and the Cropley’s. They have all
worked together to create such a good culture, which all squads at ARC can
strive for. I strongly encourage this squad to continue in the spirit they have
because many people look from the banks in admiration. The Master’s
Women are similar, led by Donna Webb, who is like a mother to anyone who
comes near her, and is the perfect person for the Learn to Row and
Intermediate rowing programs, which explains why she does such an
amazing job.

On the water, the Club has been successful from a local, national and
international perspective. Locally, the Masters men set the bench mark for
professionalism and culture. We also achieved well at a local level during the
1st Grade State Championships with the lightweight women’s squad being
the shining light, winning the single, double and quad. Nationally, we
achieved extremely well with great representation at Nationals and in the
South Australian Team. Olympia Aldersey, Molly Goodman and Izabella
Milazzo represented the club in the Queen’s Cup silver-medal winning crew.
Nathan Bowden and Alex Hill represented ARC in the King’s Cup crew which
also won a Silver Medal. Unfortunately, Bryn Coudraye was unable to race
during the season, due to a back injury which has required surgery, and we
wish him the best of luck in his recovery. Internationally, we achieved some
great results with Nathan Bowden and Jordan Schiller in the Australian
Under 21 Team, Alex Hill and Molly Goodman racing at the 2013 Under 23
World Championships. Alex joined Olympia Aldersey in the 2013 Senior A
World Championships.

There are plenty of people in the world who are motivated and tell others
what they are going to do. These people are hap-hazard about whether they
achieve these goals. Adelaide Rowing Club creates and develops people who
compound that motivation of ideas with steadfast commitment to working
hard and getting a job done. It is the development of people from a holistic
perspective which I celebrate this season.

I would like to finish my speech by congratulating everyone one of you here
tonight for being involved with the sport of rowing and the Adelaide Rowing
Club, and to thank you for making it the place which taught me right from
wrong, and continues to give that opportunity for generations to come.

Jarrad Schar
Captain
S ’ R
ECRETARY S EPORT

After a three-year break from serving on the ARC Committee, and in the
knowledge that the bulk of the 2012-13 Committee was retiring at the 2013
AGM, I decided to nominate again for a Committee position. In consultation
with others, it was felt that the office of Secretary would be an appropriate fit
for me, with the objective of restoring some order and process to the back-
functions of the Club, and to remove the load from the Captain carried this
role in the previous year.

In regards to the Secretary’s position, my initial focus in the first half of the
season was simply to ensure that some existing problems did not continue to
grow. Some of the basic but essential tasks that needed to be prioritised
included:
 Managing membership applications & renewals,
 Maintaining an accurate membership database,
 Compiling a key/security register,
 Cleaning up our ROMS database, and,
 Chasing down outstanding debtors.

With these necessities mostly addressed, I can assure you that the Club is
focussed on improving its administrative systems, processes and procedures.
I would like to thank Members for their continued patience and
understanding as we systematically address each issue.

Committee Line-up

The Committee has changed its composition over the course of the year with
unexpected resignations of Dick Turnbull and John Absolon from the vital
positions of President and Treasurer.

We are relieved that Dick’s recovery from his health scares is progressing
well – all who attended the Annual Dinner will attest that Dick was in fine
form! We must also acknowledge John’s understandable decision to step
away from the demanding Treasurer’s role after 4 ½ years to spend more
time with his young family. Fortunately, the Club is very lucky to have Toby
Demmler and Chris Greening amongst its ranks, and who were able to take
on those roles with minimal impact – a sincere thank you to both for their
efforts.

Nonetheless, the Committee did operate short a few hands for the entire
year, and towards the end of the year, struggled to achieve quorum at
meetings. The Club will need to ensure that a full complement is elected at
the 2014 AGM and that the workload is shared around.

It must be stated that the Committee carried the brunt of the Captain’s
workload from the start of 2014 onwards, and this year’s Committee
deserves an enormous amount of credit for their diligence, patience and
perseverance to keep the Club ticking along despite this hurdle.
Committee Meeting Attendance
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October  d 10     A       
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A 1
February 1           

March* 41  X  A  4 A A   A A 
JAMupanryiel dengiseR 02 rebmece  XXX  AA  dengiseR 102 yrauna A    AA  
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July* 1 A X    9 A  A A  A 
3
August  A    A  A A   
TOTAL 3 5 5 11 8 10 2 7 10 8 9 7 7 10
*March & July meetings did not achieve a quorum and lapsed – informal meeting held.

Outstanding Debtors

An important issue of concern for the Committee this year has been the large
volume of outstanding debts owed by both current and former members, and
by function clients. We largely nipped this issue in the bud with respect to
this Season’s operations, and have started working on older debts inherited
from previous Seasons.

Nonetheless, several now-former Members were reticent to address their
significant outstanding debts and were delisted from our records during the
Season, as per the direction of the Constitution. This is always a regrettable
decision to take, and I can assure you that, on a considered, compassionate,
case-by-case basis, the Committee did offer alternative payment options to
these ex- Members, to give them every opportunity to continue their
Membership. However, when people continue to ignore our repeated requests
to address their outstanding debts for over 18 months, termination of
membership is the only course of action left available. In the end, this is the
only fair outcome for all other ARC Members who do the right thing and pay
their fees in full and on time.

Associated with this, the Club unfortunately has had to write-off a large
amount of outstanding debts this year, most of which dated back several
years. For a variety of reasons, the Committee could not consider that there
was a realistic chance of recovering this money in a timely manner, and we
were obliged to write-off these debts. While we will no longer carry these
debts in our accounts, rest assured that we will not forget about these debts,
and should any debtors seek to re-join ARC, hold a function at the
Clubrooms or request a ROMS transfer to another Club in future, they will
be required to pay their debt before approval is given.

Administrative Highlights

On a brighter note, I am pleased to report that the Club has made numerous
achievements this Season in respect to administration, beyond those basic
expectations I alluded to earlier, including:

1. Installation of an electronic swipe-access security system at the Tor-
rens boatshed.
- This system has increased security at the boatshed, particularly in the
bar, by restricting access to limited personnel.
- Additionally, it has assisted to an extent in debt recovery and the ex-
clusion of non-financial persons from the Torrens shed as pendants
will not be issued to non-financial persons, and unlike a standard key,
can be easily cancelled.
- Many thanks to Adam Salleh for his efforts to purchase, set-up and
install the system (estimated to be in excess of 150 hours!) as well as
those other Members who generously assisted Adam.

2. Introduction of the MailChimp email management system
- Used for the ARC Update email newsletter and circulating other Club
information, such as social event invitations.

3. Documentation to assist in managing the Club’s operations, including:
- Terms & Conditions of Membership
- Terms & Conditions for the Learn-To-Row Program
- Boatshed Security Conditions
- Private Rack Hire Policy
- Coaching Policy
- Honorarium & Re-Imbursement Policy

4. Conversion of our accounting system from Excel to Xero
- The Treasurer, Toby Demmler, undertook an extensive effort over the
first few months of 2014 to transition to the cloud-based Xero pack-
age, considered current best practice amongst book-keepers.

5. Adoption of a new Point-of-Sale system (Vend)
- This new system is linked directly to the Xero accounting package and
operates from a tablet PC/iPad mounted in the Bar.
- Benefits include more accurate and faster invoicing for function cli-
ents, and improved traceability of transactions over the bar.
- This has been approved by the Committee, and will be implemented as
soon as time permits.