From Chris:
Last weekend, we marked the passing of another Apex Year with our 3rd annual Changeover, and our first as the new ‘superclub’. A tremendous day and a showcase of what the club has to offer. The changeover was attended by 25 people, including Cr Graham Quirke, Life and Senior Active members from both merged clubs, fellow Apexians from Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Sandgate and Weston creek (ACT), our own members of course as well as two prospect members and a couple of additional friends of the club.
Ruth Morahan did a sterling job as the MC for the luncheon, tough she was quite nervous, and a little wobbly, having just come off a week on a house boat. Colin Waugh, Life Member Mount Gravatt delivered the toast to the Association, providing some great stories of his time in Apex and of the things that Apex has achieved over the years. It was great to see Colin back at an Apex function, as he mentioned that he had little contact with Apex since he received Life Membership eleven years ago. We of course hope to rectify this!
It was my job to respond to the toast, which was a great honour. I also took the opportunity, while holding the floor, to make a presentation to the club of a new presidents chain of office for the Brisbane City club. I was deeply proud of being the Charter President of the club, and felt it appropriate to donate an item like this to the club.
Both Fiona and Brett delivered Presidents reports for the 06/07 Apex year, with both making note of how well the merger has gone, and how good it is for both clubs, and now the new ‘superclub’. Brett also presented the awards for the club, being the service award to Keeley Russell following a big effort of 143 service hours for the year, the encouragement award went to Darryl Byers, a member in his first full year of Apex and doing some great things and finally the big award, Apexian of the Year, which was presented to Ruth Morahan for the outstanding work and dedication to the club over the past twelve months.
The handover was performed by Life Member Terry Russell, who took the opportunity to congratulate the club on getting to this point. A combination of a club which was almost dead and a club that started from scratch only three years ago. The new club is going strong with fourteen members and another two keen to join. He paid tribute to the job that Brett had done in his two years as President then ‘passed the baton’ to Samantha, who will lead the new merged club for the next twelve months.
Samantha made a couple of presentations during her inaugural speech, including “Brisbane City” club badges to the former Mount Gravatt members, followed by a special presentation of Senior Active membership to Allan Russell, in recognition of his ongoing support and work for the Brisbane City Club.
Following the presentation of the new Board, the attendees adjourned to the balcony for some extended fellowship, no doubt the best part of the day. Of course this could only be topped by the exceptional quality of the meals served by the staff of the Women’s College, where the changeover was held. All in all, a great time was had by everyone, and we are looking forward to a sensational year under Samantha’s stewardship.
From Fiona:
Last Sunday saw the Changeover Lunch of the Brisbane City and Mt Gravatt Clubs. It was a wonderful afternoon spent in the company of great friends, and wonderful food! Kudos to the chefs at the Women’s College, they did a marvellous job!
It was also the last official hurrah for the now merged Mt Gravatt Club. On behalf of the Club, I would like to thank everyone who attended for a very enjoyable afternoon!
