G’day and welcome to my last presidents report.

My three terms as President have been hard work but also a time of great pleasure, seeing the Golden Oldies grow from a small registry to a club of over 120 members covering three states as well as two overseas members. This is a club that has produced three spectacular shows, showcasing the cream of vintage commercial vehicles in Australia to an estimated audience of approximately 18,000 and a club that has bought together enthusiasts that enjoy getting together to celebrate the old trucks.

It is inspiring to see, not only our members getting involved with restoring and saving trucks, but passing on this fascination to other people and watching this fascination turn to a passionate hobby. We have embarked on a really memorable and worthwhile experience and each day brings something new, or as in the case of a truck, something old. Our members have travelled in support of many other truck and charity shows across the state and interstate and secured wonderful friendships with people that have the same interest in old machines as we do. These friendships will be as long lasting as the old trucks themselves.

The club is in a very good financial state to start another year and this is necessary to remain a strong and viable club. We have started to accumulate equipment and more is planned. There are many charities that have benefited from some of our activities over the past three years to the tune of about $20,000 and there are plenty more ideas ready to be implemented to assist even more charities. Again, we still have further to go but the future is looking bright. As with every successful club there are the people that, for some unknown reason in the past, put their hand up to volunteer to take on a job so that the club can run successfully and meet the requirements of the members, and these are the people that I would now like to thank.

John and Anne Howey for their tremendous work in the treasury department, Noma Barker and Mike Grady for their support as Vice presidents and Peter Kuhner for his tireless efforts as not only Media Officer but also events co-ordinator, a job he was ably supported in by his crew of Carl, Paul, Alan and Graham.

Our Editor, Brian Little, should be mentioned for his contribution to the club as well as the club registrar and permit officers, Graham McKechnie and Steve King.

Thanks also to Steve King for his much needed and appreciated help in setting up our Constitution. Many, many hours were spent working on our Constitution to make it fit our needs.

I suppose I should not forget the true engine of our club, without her we would simply splutter away and expire and that is our secretary Mandy Eminson.

There are other members that need a mention. Barry Dowton for his donation to the three truck show raffles that were very popular and profitable parts of our activities and the un-named members and businesses that donated time, money and goods with the belief that the Golden Oldies have a future and are an important part of our society.

I have saved my last thanks for a group of wonderful women who have also worked tirelessly since the inception of the club. Their hard work and support have contributed greatly on many occasions and of course I refer to the Golden Oldie Gals. They have worked quietly behind the scenes and sometimes we forget just who it was that made those wonderful lunches, afternoon teas or barbecues. With the Gals retiring, I feel that there is a golden opportunity for someone to take the reins and develop what is a wonderful and appreciated part of our club.

We really do have a very sound club, a respected club, a club with a great future, and I wish success to the incoming executive in their positions .

I would like to see all members get behind their new executive and give them encouragement and support all the way. Sometimes a tap on the shoulder and a quite ‘well done mate’ is needed and appreciated to keep this club a happy club. A club that gives support and helps other members is always going to be a strong club.

I thank everyone for their support over my last three terms. This support has not only come from our members, who are a special group of people, but also from other clubs and individuals. There are the people that I have never met who will ring and say what a wonderful job we are doing. It has been a long, hard struggle but I feel that most of the hard work is behind us now.

I would like to see a close and personal relationship maintained with other clubs. We need their help and they need ours. We all have the same interest which is why we exist. Let’s never forget that we are secondary to our cause. Preserving history on big wheels.

There are memories to be made through the Golden Oldies - I have mine and no doubt you have yours but remember that there are unlimited more memories waiting out there and every single one is sponsored by an old truck. Make sure you don’t miss out!

Thank you.

ED EMINSON

G’day everyone,

Winter has hit at last and the good news is that there has been very good rain recorded over a large area of the state. Good for the farmers but makes it a little uncomfortable driving some of the early old trucks that do not have heaters or demisters. We look at the past and think of them as the good old days but maybe we have forgotten what it was really like operating without the luxuries of modern trucks. Still, I would rather solid cold steel than the plastic of today.

This is my last chance to remind everyone of your AGM coming up on the 11th of July. If you are considering running, which I know everyone of you are, then get along to the meeting and let your intentions be known or fill in the forms and get them sent back pronto if you want to nominate but can’t make it to the meeting. A separate sheet will be inserted in the newsletter for you to fill in. Remember you must be a financial member to nominate and vote. Subscriptions are due on the 1st July 2009.

I am very happy to report that the Golden Oldies now have a new member and I have been told that she is the most gorgeous gal that Steven and Grace Muscat could ever have dreamed of. Her name is Charlotte and she is the first child for Steve and Grace. Congratulations from all members of the club. Steve was unusually silent when I asked him if there was going to be an addition to the family for every truck and tractor he has collected. I am not sure what that meant.

Another popular member that I would like to pass on our best wishes to is Rod Mack-Kechnie who is still unwell. He will be very interested to know that the big orange “Bruiser” Brockway let me down on the way to Grenfell on the long weekend. About 20 miles from Dubbo it developed a leak from the radiator tank so I turned around and headed for home. Of all the Brockway parts used to make such a magnificent truck someone came up with the crazy idea of using a Mack radiator in them. But then I know that Rod has been living with these problems since he bought his Mack (Just kidding Mate) . God I ‘m going to miss this column!

I will keep this report brief and will give a full summary of past happenings and future dreams for the next issue.

Ed Eminson
President

G’day everyone

It has been decided that the Golden Oldies Truck Club will hold their AGM on Saturday the 11th of JULY 2009 at the Guide Hall on the corner of Baird Drive and Howard Ave Dubbo at 2.00pm. Between now and then I would like to ask all members to seriously think about the positions available and if they would like to become involved in the running of the club. All positions will be declared vacated on the day and a new executive elected.

If you are interested in standing for a position then please let other members know so you have their support at voting time. If you would like to nominate someone please talk to them before the meeting so that they are prepared. It can come as a shock when someone nominates you for a position and you have not had time to consider if you feel comfortable with that nomination.

For members who cannot get to the meeting and would like to nominate for a position then let someone know because nominations can be made in writing. The vacancies are not only for the local Dubbo members but all members wherever they live.

The positions that will be vacated and open for nomination are:

• President
• Vice President
• 2nd Vice president
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Club Registrar & Permit Officer (2)
• Media Officer
• Events / Rally Organiser

Below is an extract from the Golden Oldies Truck club’s Constitution regarding the election of Committee Members. Please read it carefully especially if you intend to nominate or vote at the annual general meeting.

Again I ask you all to consider the future of the club and if you think that you or someone else can contribute to it over the next twelve months then start discussing it now. We will set aside a section in the June issue of our newsletter for your ideas, suggestions and queries regarding the elections. I, along with the present committee members are quite willing to discuss any concerns that you may have.

Till next time
Ed Eminson
President

Click here to download a nomination form Nomination Form

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