I believe there are exciting times ahead for the Golf Society of Australia (GSA) by broadening its current range of activities and strengthening relationships with like-minded people and organisations in Australia and overseas.
There is an opportunity to form stronger links with similar societies to our own in the other states of Australia with the possibility of creating a truly national Golf Society of Australia.
Another matter of importance is the creation of a golf museum to display and present to the public, the extensive amounts of golfing equipment, memorabilia, etc.
Several locations for this museum (and a library) are being considered, but progress has been slow. We will work with Golf Australia to advance this project as a matter of urgency.
Although membership is strong and functions are well attended, we must not overlook the need to continue recruitment of new members, both men and women, to maintain a robust society and ensure its future. With the new committee, I plan to examine ways and means of increasing our membership.
These developments will require a strong, devoted leadership from myself and the committee working as a team to face these challenges and opportunities.
It is important that your President should belong to a well-recognised golf club and I have been a member of Yarra Yarra for 23 years. Prior to that, I have belonged to several clubs in Melbourne, Sydney and England.
I believe that my lifetime in golf as player, writer and publisher together with my academic, professional and managerial background across many disciplines, equip me well to fill the role of President of the GSA.
In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge and thank my nominator Morag North, seconder Brendan Moloney and each one of you for considering me as your President.
Thank you.