N.Z.A.C.A.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2010
Where has the year gone?
It only seems like yesterday that I was tendering my apologies for not making the AGM.
First we moved it from the Nationals to a separate date. Even in conjunction with a Rotorua Fishing event at Matata, it was a test that did not work.
Now this year we are testing the response and reaction to permitting 2 rods per person during the Nationals. Your feedback on this, after the event, will be valuable.
At this time it is wise to remember that all your’ Executive are volunteers. Note it is YOUR Executive. With so many meeting, from so many different walks of life, there is bound to be conflict. Like everyone I have faced my own demons from this stage and hopefully the way forward for your organisation is becoming clearer. It is good to see differing opinions tabled so that we can discuss them, and I would like to say thank you to all those who travelled to Rotorua to attend meetings. Some spent more time travelling than they did at the meeting.
After many attempts to found time I spent a few days with our Patron, Bill Hohepa, on a possible programme for advancing awareness of the Association. This came in the form of a 3 DVD package by Bill that would include mention of the Association within the DVD as well as an insert in the case, for people to contact us. This was released just before Christmas with an offer to members to obtain the same at a reduced rate direct from the Secretary. These DVD’s are still in stores so it is hoped we will get some response from that and my thanks goes to Bill for his generosity in providing this avenue of exposure.
I have to admit also that the prospect of a day’s fishing, in a year when too few opportunities have arisen, was also too hard to turn down. Yes, Bill beat me in the catch stakes but I had a pleasant couple of days with Bill and Linda as a change from work.
The talks between Big Game and ACA eventually saw the completion of an agreement on Records and management of them. Thanks to a lot of work By Scott Tindale.
Now we seem to be going to have a battle on our hands with some disturbing information coming out about Big Game’s direction forward. Yes they have changed their name but are primarily Big Game, and appear to be trying to muscle in on everyone else, including the Recreational Fishing Council. Through all of this we have confirmed our support for Rec. Fish and, as was indicated at last year’s nationals, they have sorted out their situation. We have renewed our membership and this includes the money that had been withheld at the time of last year’s event, now having been paid to the Council.
You haven’t heard the last of me (bugger some will probably say) because I will be haunting you from about October onwards to get trophies returned to me. Thanks to everyone this year who saw 100% of trophies accounted for by the end of January.
That includes a couple of trophies that had gone missing and have since been found.
A number of them require repair or updating and this is has been done with about 10 this year. Others will be done as and when we get them back and can do so. That is the reason for chasing you from October. Please remember it is up to the recipient to ensure they are engraved.
I would like to say a special thanks to the Life Members whose knowledge and input into your Executive have hugely aided me over the last two years and also to Graeme, and in no small way Ann, for their support over the years.
Good luck to the new Executive and in particular to Janine who, as your first woman President, has a lot to take on. I won’t say ‘big shoes to fill’ because they are not. You and all the new Board will have to work together to support each other, solve problems, and sort out differences, as well as run the Association, while still trying to maintain private lives and jobs and occasionally going fishing. During the last 8 years I seem to have spent considerably more time attending meetings than going fishing but I hope this will now change. Only 2 days fishing since last year’s Nationals is nowhere near enough.
Good luck for the Nationals. Good luck in the coming years and great fishing.
Tight lines.
Bill Cronin
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