President’s Report : October 2015
19 October 2015
Hello members
I am very late getting this report done but I honestly don’t know where this year is going! Billy and I have been very busy with one thing or another and the days just go by in a blur. However saying that, things are rather quiet in our household today and the Scottish flag is flying at half mast! The Scots were very unlucky to miss out but that’s the way it is. The Scottish Rugby Captain, Greig Laidlaw comes from our home town in the Scottish borders, Jedburgh. We actually went to his parents wedding way back in the early eighties. We were lucky enough to meet Greig when we were over there 3 years ago and he is a very nice young man. His uncle, Roy Laidlaw, was also a Scottish/British Lions International Representative in the seventies and was our next door neighbour when we were first married.
Enough of the chit-chat back to business:-
At this time of year it is all systems go for the Christmas party.
Date: 28 November 2015
Where: Nashdale Hall
Time: 3.00 p.m.
Cost: Family – $10.00, Single – $5.00
Once again Santa will be coming and bringing lollies for the children and a jumping castle for the kids. We will be having a number of lucky door prizes and Jack Daintith and Chelsea Gregory are going to sing a song after the presentations. If there are any other members who would like to show us their musical talents please let me know.
At each run you will find the blue book, and if you are coming to the party please ensure that you have your name listed as soon as possible with payment. We are not having a BBQ this year, food will consist of cold meats and lots of different salads, followed by a wonderful array of sweets – all food prepared by the very talented Sue Betts – need I say anything more than “Yum”!
Of course, the Christmas Party is the time of year when we acknowledge the winner of the Most Consistent Wednesday runners, Most Consistent Runners, the Most Improved Runner, President’s Medal, Junior Runner of the Year, over 50’s trophy and the Runner of the Year. To be an entrant in the Junior and Runner of the Year categories, nomination forms are available at each of the runs for the next three weeks. So, if you know of someone you consider is a good candidate please ensure you collect a form and complete it in full. Remember, it is not necessarily the fastest runner, it is a person who has achieved a great deal this year with their own running journey. Some people have asked if completing in triathlons qualifies and the answer to that one is no – it is running abilities and running only.
People who won perpetual trophies last year, please return them to me as soon as possible as I need to arrange for these to be engraved for the new winners.
The committee held a meeting last Monday night and I am pleased to say that the club is running very smoothly and financially we are in a good position. We have 498 members as of today, so I wonder who will be our 500th member?
Thanks to $500.00 Charles Sturt University grant we decided to purchase a wonderful big TV screen for displaying results at Elephant Park each Wednesday. Everyone seems really happy with it so that is good. That’s another foot forward for ORC.
The Orange Colour City Running Festival is gearing up again, so it won’t be long until their Committee is seeking help from ORC members. After such a successful 2015 fun run, we wish the Committee another successful year in 2016. They are a very hard working group of people and deserve a lot of respect and admiration for showcasing not only the OCCRF but also Orange Runners Club.
I have a small supply of ORC running singlets available for the bargain price of $16.00 each. I do not intend to carry these to the Sunday runs, however if you only attend Sunday runs and would like one please let me know and I will make sure you get one. Otherwise, the singlets will be available each Wednesday, please see me.
Forbes Fun Run was good fun this year and the weather conditions were perfect. Numbers were down but the previous years weather conditions could have frightened a lot of people off. Congratulations to Ursula Wilson who was the first lady home in the half marathon. Other place getters were Liz Simpson, Sophie Martin, Nic Williamson, Darcy Hamling and brother Lawson Hamling.
That same Sunday the Hounslow Classic was on and the guys, Brett Sammut, Iain McLean, Tim Scrimshaw and David Ross battled through 23 kms of shear torture. Congratulations to you all but a special mention to David Ross who came 18th out of an international field of 274 finishers.
Yesterday a few of our members competed in the 2015 ITU World Championships and congratulations to you all, such a great honour. Extra congratulations to Janet Martin who won the 40-45 category and to Brian Sharp and Estelle Dean, who both picked up a bronze.
Also yesterday, our friends, Tony and Julie Fitzpatrick were competing in the Fernleigh 15 at Lake Macquarie event. Tony completed the 15 kms in a smart time of 1:17 and Julie finished in the great time of 1:40, however, both were outdone by their lovely daughter, Rhianna who resides in Newcastle, completing in the event in the time of 1:14. I also notice that Russell Tym was up there, so well done to Russell for a time of 1:33. I hope I haven’t missed anyone out.
Many thanks to Alison and Ian Spurway for taking the mats to the Sunday runs for the month of October. I need more people to come forward and offer to take the mats as we have run out of volunteers. Your help would be much appreciated.
Well folks that will do for now.
Please ensure that you get your name down for the Christmas party list as soon as possible and remember to nominate someone, or yourself, for Junior Runner of the Year and/or Runner of the Year – we are lucky to have a lot of talented athletes in our club, so please acknowledge them.
The Christmas party will be fun so I hope to see you there.
Happy running.
Jane