
President's Update
The Australian Golf
Heritage Society held its Annual General
Meeting at North Ryde Golf Club on 27th October. Two of our Board
Members, namely Nikki Bethwaite and Jim Glenday, have now retired as
Directors. Both have made significant contributions in their capacity
as representatives of Golf NSW. Tony Doggett retired as Captain but has
remained as a Director and, on behalf of the Society, I would like to
thank him for the efforts he has made in that position. The following
Members were elected to executive positions:-
Bruce
Nairn Chairman
Malcolm
McIntosh Treasurer
John
Lock Secretary
Tom
Moore Director
Tony
Doggett Director
Steve
Doorey Director
In addition Peter Monks and
Charlie Earp, Royal Queensland Golf Club, have made
considerable progress in establishing a Queensland Chapter of our
Society.
Emma Williams, our
Museum Curator, has been successful in
obtaining $4,000 grant from the Federal Community Heritage Body. This
grant is to be used to provide a complete and independent “Significance
Assessment” of our Museum collection. Emma has done a terrific job at
the Museum this year, especially in organizing the PGA Centenary
Exhibition which was officially launched at the Museum on 22nd
September.
The night was a great
success and the backdrop of the Museum
provided a considerable insight into the history of golf and the work
of the AGHS. The opening was attended by the NSW Government Minister
for Sport and Recreation, Graham Annesley, the Member for Granville,
Tony Issa, the CEO of the PGA of Australia, Brian Thorburn and the
Chairman of Golf NSW, Chris Allen.
The night was a
celebration of golf and of the ongoing
contribution of the PGA and its Members to the development and success
of Australian golf both at the professional and amateur levels. My
thanks to Tom Moore and his willing team and caterers who made the
night a wonderful success.
The Australian Hickory
Championship was held at Carnarvon Golf Club on 30th November
and it was very pleasing to see a further increase in attendance this
year. Congratulations to the defending champions in both the Men’s and
Ladies sections, namely Perry Somers and Jane Buckley, who were again
successful in winning their events.
2011 has been a successful
year for the Society. We find ourselves in a satisfactory financial
position due mainly to the continuing support of our sponsors namely,
Golf NSW, the PGA of Australia, Dennis Brosnan and Museums NSW. The
Australian Golf Heritage Society used the occasion of the PGA Centenary
opening to present a plaque to Dennis Brosnan in recognition of the
contribution he has made in providing the Museum premises to the
Society.
In this regard, our
sponsors together with the NSW Golf
Foundation, assisted in financing the installation of air conditioning
in the Museum earlier this year. This will contribute greatly to the
preservation of the exhibits and to the comfort of staff and visitors
to the Museum.
Finally, I would like to
thank all of our Directors on the Management Committee and
especially Tom Moore and his assistants Emma Williams and Arianna Deer
and all of the Museum volunteers. Also Steve Doorey, Tom Winter and
Gerry Bush for their continuing efforts in connection with the website
and publications.
With best wishes for
2012,
Bruce
Nairn.
