Page 3 - The Outdoor Showman OCT-DEC 2021

VSG President’s Page
VSG
President’s Report
THE OUTDOOR SHOWMAN 1
PO Box 36
Ascot Vale Victoria Australia 3032
Telephone: (03) 9376 8544
Fax: (03) 9376 0505
Email: vicshowmen@gmail.com victorianshowmensguild.com.au
Office:
Shop 1. 157 Mt Alexander Road Flemington VIC 3031
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Office Bearers 2021 PRESIDENT
Elwin Leroy Bell Jnr.
VICE PRESIDENTS
Aaron Pink
John Roberts Adam Reardon Bob Brown Jnr. Clayton Taylor Jamie Pickett Travis Taylor Stewart Watkins Brady Phillips
Josh Allan-Reardon
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Broderick Pavier James Quay
Eli McDonald
Ron Trevor Annette Calder Kyle Quay
Michael Miller Charlie Miller (Bris) Andrew Quay
SECRETARY
Eileen McClure
TREASURER
Terrence Moon
TRUSTEE
Marjorie Chant
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Justine Sinclair
Dear Members, friends and readers,
Wow, what a roller coaster year again! Covid-19 is still hovering and now we contend with a new strain Omicron that has been detected in NSW. We have certainly faced another challenging year; however, we have almost made it to the end of 2021 and with the vaccination rates high in Australia, let’s hope the New Year sees the return of Agricultural Shows and events bigger and better than ever, especially in Victoria.
Before we end 2021 I’d like to reflect on the year, and some of our achievements, despite ongoing challenges and uncertainty.
Maitland and Newcastle Shows were good, followed by Moomba which wasn’t too bad!
Insurance was a big problem for many Showmen, and despite Covid-19 the Royal Easter show went off with a bang!
Off to Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo, then into Queensland..... and then up we go!
Oops Townsville lockdown, next Alice Springs snap lock down and the Show was cancelled 2 days before show. Luckily we managed to run a carnival to keep moving forward.
With fingers, toes and everything crossed we got through Katherine to Darwin, then bang,
the Brisbane Ekka cancelled, leaving a lot of devastation. If that’s not enough Melbourne then Adelaide Royal Shows followed suit! What a kick in the guts....
Congratulations to anyone who took the chance on Perth, it paid off with massive crowds. However, following the Perth Royal every Show in Victoria and New South Wales one by one were cancelled, which was devastating for all our members and community.
With Shows cancelled in Victoria for the 2nd year the focus was on members and advocating for Australian Travelling Showmen and Women. This including the ongoing work with the Federal Government on the Travelling Showmen and Women support package. Future appeals were sent to the Minister for Transport for the reinstatement of amusement vehicle registrations, and the ongoing work with the NHVR on the establishment of a National Notices to allow special purpose amusement loads to travel throughout majority of states in Australia. We anticipate 2022 to be a good year!....
The Victorian Showmen’s Annual General Meeting of Members was held last Tuesday, 30th of November 2021. I am delighted to be elected your President once again, along with Secretary Eileen McClure, Treasurer Terry Moon and Trustee Marjorie Chant.
Due to the recent sad passing our Ron Trevor the Australian Electoral Commission recalled
the election for Committee Members and a new election must be conducted. Nominations opened on 1 December, so please ensure you submit your new nomination forms prior to 12 noon on Wednesday 15 December should you wish to be considered.
I would like to warmly welcome our new Members, Chanel Chant, April Garth, Maddix Godfrey, Peter Harding, Garry O’Neill, Tasman Pickett (jnr.) Wayne Riely, Zachary Taylor and Gregory Webster.
Richard Miller and Paul Watkins were awarded 50 year membership and Brian McDonald and Len Perham became Honorary Members. Congratulations to all!
The industry has lost many people this year and recently Keith Nocen, Ann and Brian Watkins and as mentioned above Ron Trevor. My deepest condolences to their families and friend, they will be sadly missed.
Lastly, a massive thank you to Justine Sinclair and Marjorie Chant!
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year!
Elwin Bell Jnr. | President