Feedback: Management Committee Meeting

Have you visited us yet? Fridays from 5 pm at Tanunda Recreational Park. Visitors are welcome. No military connection required. See our Tab above for more information. Our meeting on Tuesday, 3 February 26 took about half an hour longer than 2025 meetings because we now have a larger number of committee members. However, it was all new to several members and my guess is when they begin to interact more, the meetings will go longer.

Most topics are fairly routine eg, our monthly income and expenses report produced by Treasurer, Craig.

ANZAC Day: We're well advanced in preparations for this special day with just a few items to fine tune that will be done well before 25th April.

New Bar Refrigerator: Our current bar refrigerator is close to the end of its life and needs to be replaced before it breaks down at the most inconvenient time (think ANZAC Day!). Our enquiries reveal it's too old to be repaired with original parts, so the committee endorsed a motion to purchase another for up to $3,500.

Initially it was intended that we would lease it for 12 months and at the end of the 12 months pay out the residual amount. However, one of our committee members has generously offered to donate the amount required. The donation is still being discussed, so I don't want to mention the member's name before it's a done deal. It's an extremely generous offer.

Avoiding Friday Happy Hour During Show Weekend: The Tanunda Show is on Saturday, 14th March 26 and the show organisers will be busy with show-related activities from Thursday through Sunday of that week, so the committee decided last year that we would avoid any RSL activities during that time that might interfere with the show organisation and inconvenience our members. 

Our Hut will be open from 5 pm Wednesday, 11th March in lieu of Friday, 13th March.

Completely avoiding the relevant days seemed the most sensible thing to do for both of our organisations. Having said that, the committee is determining whether we could open the Hut as a commercial venture during the show. More about that later.

Review of Major Meals, Snacks, and Bar Costs: 

Several committee members are reviewing both the amount of food we are providing, the costs, and how to recover costs from members. This was brought about by the financial losses we realised last year and also the fact that some members didn't appear to be paying for their snacks.

The aim is not to price the meals or bar prices out of existence, but to have a better balance between what we invest and how we can break even or preferably make a small profit. For example, a carton of Guiness Draught is more expensive and has a greater quantity than a carton of say Great Northern beer but we charge the same price for each product. This doesn't make good business sense.

You will no doubt be advised of the outcome of this review when it's finalised.

Help Lists: President David has produced lists for a number of volunteering opportunities we need filled and we ask members to choose something they'd like to help with. I've asked for the lists to be emailed to members since not everyone attends the Hut.

We really need help with numerous tasks that have been done by a small cohort to-date and the burden needs to be spread among as many other members as possible so everyone does a little and nobody is left to do everything.

Temporary Secretary: Malcolm Harvey has taken over the secretary role in Robin's absence and I ask that you give him every support as he adjusts and takes up the role.

That's all for this post.

Management Committee Feedback

---- Our email system is now back to normal and attended to at least once daily ----

Our meeting for Monday 13 May was rescheduled for 9 May and I'm pleased to give you an overview of the main points of discussion.

ANZAC Day

All reports indicated that ANZAC Day activities were a success with a large number of attendees. Several issues were discussed that we believe will help improve commemorations in 2025 and President David said he will call a special meeting to discuss those issues shortly.

Tasks for Volunteers

We needed to discuss the various duties that need to be attended to and which Committee members would do them. For example, organising meals is a big task that also requires table setting, cleaning up afterwards, and ensuring food is not wasted. 

The Hut needs to be cleaned after our Friday Happy Hours and cans and bottles need to be disposed of. There's much more and we rely heavily on individuals to help with these activities.

We're drawing up a list that will be available to everyone shortly so we know who does what, when and why.

Food Handlers Course

Some of us have already completed the mandatory Food Handlers Course but we have decided to do it again to ensure we are up to date and clear about hygiene requirements of the Department of Health.

Grant from Barossa Cooperative

We were delighted to receive a $100 grant from Barossa Cooperative that we can use to buy some of our foodstuffs, perhaps for one of our sausage sizzles or evening dinners. 

Our local community is very generous in supporting us with gifts of wine and these type of grants for which we are always grateful. As a self-funded organisation we wouldn't be able to operate without the revenue obtained from generous organisations and individuals.

Advocacy Training

For several years we haven't been able to provide an in-house Advocacy Service, however, we're pleased to advise that our member Dr Jack Urlwin (whom many locals will know) has agreed to undertake an Advocates Training Program and become our Advocate. 

Poppy Project

We were invited to be involved in a Poppy Project which is about producing a variety of poppy objects including wooden poppy signage to display on Remembrance Day outside our Hut. The Committee agreed it would be a worthwhile project for us and Vice President Patsy Biscoe has taken charge of it.

The next meeting is scheduled for 17 June 24.