May 2009

Hi Folks,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members that nominated me for the position of President of the Club and the encouraging words of support prior to the nominations making it easier to make the decision to accept nomination to the position.

I look forward to working with the committee members and would like to welcome the new committee members, Bernie Garland as Secretary and Magazine Editor, Craig Barass and Colin Humphreys as Committee Members and the Committee Members returned to their positions, Peter Woods as Treasurer, David Squire as Membership Secretary and Tom Preston as Committee Member, and our past President Greg Sharp moving to the position of Vice President by his own choice and health reasons.

I feel that it is only befitting that we as a Club pay tribute to the following gentlemen for their tireless and devoted contributions to making the HSV Owners Club of Qld. Inc. the great and respected Club it is today.

Past President Mr Greg Sharp a truly talented gentleman who has contributed 16 years as President leading the Club, it’s members and committee during that time achieving the status as the oldest, most continually financially viable car club in Australia.

Very few people achieve the status of a legend – Mr Peter Brock our club Patron achieved that with his contribution to MotorSport. Mr Greg Sharp you have achieved the status as a legend at the HSV Owners Club of Qld. Inc. for you contribution to the Club.

Past Secretary and Magazine Editor Mr Rod Thiesfield, an equally talented gentleman who has prepared the minutes of each meeting, organised events for the Club members to enjoy and prepared and organised the contents and distribution of our monthly magazine for over 5 years. Rod on behalf of the Club and the Committee we can’t thank you enough for your amazing contribution for all those years.

Past Vice President Mr Allan Mair a true gentleman with a very practical and sensible approach to every issue that arose in the club also the organising of events and ability to tap into resources normally not available to the general population always gave the Club and its members an edge. Thank you Allan for you contribution to the committee over the past 5 years.

Committee Member Mr Matthew Muller a truly great guy with an ability to organise a car show and the set up of the display winning the Club the First Prize for a Club display on a number of occasions. Your ability to set up the Club display from scratch was always a joy to watch and your calm and collected approach was nothing less than amazing particularly when the Club walked away with the big prize. Thanks again Matthew.

To all the members of the Club I encourage your input and ideas and your support, also I encourage each and everyone of you to come to the meetings as much as possible to support the Dealerships that so graciously give of their time and facilities to host our meetings. The Club is all about its members and each and every one of us has the key to making a difference, just a kind word of encouragement to a fellow member, or a phone call making sure they meet you and your family at the next event or making yourself known to a new member, don’t leave them standing on their own. Let’s be known as the friendly Club. Let’s get involved for 2009.

Look forward to working with you all.

Les Gray
president@hsvowners.com.au