When survival is elevated to an art form and the Club is increasingly "old-economy", the Chair's report to the members becomes repetitive, boring and predictable. The fundamentals are the same as ever - that the survival of the Club depends on more members and on members spending more and visiting the Club more often.

The financial position leaves no room for more than the most essential expenditure on capital replacement items and what should be normal routine expenditures such as redecorating must be continually postponed even though marketing the Club depends not only on the quality of the service but on the perceived quality of the accommodation, especially in the upstairs areas.

The Manager and Committee believe that the Club's trading position post-GST will not be substantially changed, but with survival on the edge, even a small fall in income could prove very difficult. Rod Scroop has already indicated the anticipated effects on our prices, but as for other small businesses, GST implementation coupled with the Wine Equalisation Tax imposes a strain on our staff, especially Denise Beaty and Rod himself I hope that members will be understanding and thoughtful of the problems all the staff will have to handle after July 1.

Membership and sales are the key to the Club's operational stability. Membership has continued to fall - older members retire and have less interest in the Club, and personal priorities, increasing work-loads and social patterns make the Club seem a less attractive option for younger members of staff We have found our membership campaigns only marginally successful and I believe that the direct approach by current members to new colleagues is at least as successful as more elaborate marketing, and much less costly in time and effort by our staff. But the Committee must thank our members - you appreciate the Club and its services (although we would always like you to buy a little more wine and use the Club more!) and the Committee feel that you appreciate their efforts and those of the staff.

The arrangements for Rod Scroop's part-time management of the Club have continued and we all recognise that without Rod's very hard work in difficult times, the Club would have closed long ago. This is a case where the cliche is true - Rod is indispensable, and he has become a friend of most members over the years. I know we all appreciate Rod's work for the Club especially in this last year, and how well he is supported by his wife Sue.

The Committee are grateful to all the Club staff, so many of whom have given loyal service for many years. The Club operates only because we have staff who can turn their hands to most tasks (how would you write Rita van der Wegen's duty statement?) under a manager who has never considered himself above any of the mundane tasks required to keep the Club running.

I want to personally thank the members of the Committee who have persisted in a positive attitude in difficult times and have made my task as Chair particularly easy. This is my last report to you all as Chair of the Club - after so long you may not believe me if I say that you will not see me in this position again. but I know that it is the end of my long association with the management of our Club. This makes a general "Thank you" to everyone over the years. for sustaining the Club and being interested in its survival and for allowing me to enjoy support, friendship and a wonderful wine education through working with Rod Scroop.

Gerald Laurence
Chair
May 2000

Previous Annual Reports: 1998-1999

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