This is my last article as President . While I am sad to be leaving The Group I am pleased to say Dick Greenbank ZL2TGQ will be stepping into the President’s role. Dick’s co-optation by the Committee was supported at the last General Meeting and I am confident we will be in safe hands.
I must extend my sincere thanks to the committee and in particular: John ZL2HD for his great support as Vice President; secretaries Dick ZL2TGQ, Mark ZL1VMF, and Rob ZL2WAL, and treasurer Tom ZL2TDD for keeping The Group’s affairs on order; Gavin ZL2TVM for his tireless work preparing Q-BIT every month; our trustees for looking after our precious repeaters and beacons, John ZK8EG and Rick ZL2TVY for their leadership and deputy leadership of the AREC Section, and all the other committee members who have put so much work into running The Group. The Committee put a tremendous amount of their own time and effort into The Group, and I am appreciative of their dedication and enthusiasm.
Over the 2½ year period I have been involved in the Committee, membership numbers have risen nearly 11% from 139 to 154 (that is not to say the growth is necessarily attributable to my presidency). This growth represents about 4.4% per annum, and at over four times the current New Zealand population growth rate is a very promising sign. It is the large and varied membership base that gives the Wellington VHF Group its strength and enables it to promote its objectives and authoritatively represent VHF interests. This coupled with the recent re-emergence of some hands-on-projects makes the Group a dynamic and exciting organisation to be a part of. I feel that there will be few organisations of equal standing in my new home.
I am off to Sydney and my West Island call sign will be VK2BLF (my initials) - unfortunately VK2BRF was already gone. I will retain my New Zealand call sign and remain a member of The Group. I wish the Committee and all of you the very best.
Signing off for the last time ……..
Brian ZL2BRF