We held a Committee meeting on 7 April 25 and among a lot of routine issues, the following might be of interest:
Advocacy: Dr Jack Urlwin is beavering away on our behalf attending to advocacy cases through our State Branch Office. At present he's experiencing challenges with the computer provided to him and when they are sorted, he will be working out of the Hut Advocacy Room.
ANZAC Day Organisation: We're pleased to report that all is prepared for ANZAC Day commemorative services. Shortly we'll erect the advertisement signage at the Tanunda Memorial Gardens and closer to the day, the usual crosses that Neville Jaeschke usually manages with students from Faith Lutheran College (thanks Neville and Faith College). Advertising posters will also appear in local shops.
Because there are football events at Tanunda Recreation Park on our special day, VP Patsy has arranged for the Barossa Council to cordon off an area for RSL Parking only near the Hut. Also, the Tanunda Football Club may provide a Guard of Honour for marchers as they enter the Park.
Pernod-Ricard Vintage Festival Truck: We were asked by Pernod-Ricard if we could find someone with a military uniform to accompany their staff on their truck in the parade and our member Colin Owen has volunteered. The truck will display two banners acknowledging ANZAC Day. (Thanks Colin)
Our Hut Wine: Our "The Hut" wine produced by Gomersal Wines has been selling well at our Happy Hours and we've managed to sell a few cartons. If you need to add to your shiraz stock before Easter, you know where to get some.
Father Mark Sexton's Transfer: We were saddened to hear that Mark has been transferred, however, he's agreed to do our ANZAC Day service for which we are most grateful.
Mark is a serving Army Chaplain who has been providing services to our sub-branch for years and will be missed. However, taking up a parish at Glenelg doesn't sound like a hardship and we wish him every success.
Dinner Bookings: The booking system I had organised changed and we've found that people turn up for meals who haven't booked and sometimes don't turn up when they have booked. Bookings with Craig need to be made three days in advance of the meal date to allow food purchase and preparation.
If you have booked and can't attend, please let Craig know as soon as possible, otherwise we find we have food that is wasted.
Our next major meal will be a luncheon in May and will be advertised closer to the date. I will also be arranging a Sunday meal with Mallala Sub-Branch for anyone interested.
Recreation Park Signage: You will note there is a new sign on the right-hand side of the Bilyara Road entry to the park advertising our presence within the precinct.
Airconditioning for the Bar: Committee member Peter Annells has generously offered to provide funding for an airconditioner for our bar that gets very warm during summer. That's not good for our two bar heroes or the stock.
And finally ... A Revenue Focus: During the past year or so we've spent a lot of money beautifying the Hut, installing a glass washer, new doors, getting names on our Honour Board, and so on. You can see the difference when you visit.
Much of the funding has been possible because of the revenue gained from the two successive Fashion Shows held at Lambert Estate and their subsequent very generous donation of two pallets of their wine. Some of the improvements have also been due to generous donations from members.
The Committee, having agreed that we've done as much as we needed to, is now going to focus on revenue raising through bar and memorabilia sales and sausage sizzles.
