Members of the Association 

 G’ Day

 My Name is David Leek and at the 21^st Annual General Meeting of the Association on the 1^st of August I was voted in as your President. It was a surprise and a pleasure to be elected and I only hope the committee and I can keep the Association heading in the same direction as the past few years. 

I would like to thank Bob Corbett for his hard work as past President, especially his efforts to bring the constitution up to date with the assistance of Jim Nash.

I would also like to thank the committee for all their work over the past twelve months and to welcome the incoming committee which has some new faces this year namely Tony Millar formerly from 28 Bty, BDR Jeff Brown a current serving member of 28 Bty, Andrew McCallum formerly from TST and finally Gary Fry who has previously served on the committee. 

The only project the committee has outstanding is the Regiments pictorial and video history which is being collated by Pat Sengos and David Blow and we are hoping to produce a 2 CD/DVD set for the dinner in November. 

The Association has 3 official functions each year, ANZAC day, Reserve Forces Day and the Annual Reunion in November. There are a number of other functions that the Association is represented at, as well, but by far the highlight of the year is the Annual Reunion which will be held for the first time at Pymble Depot the home of the Regiment. I would encourage you all to attend this year. We expect to see some Old and Bolds who have just joined the association to add their charisma to another good night of camaraderie in a mess environment. 

In the next 12 to 18 months the Regiment faces a new challenge with a change of ordnance from 105 mm Hamels to 81 mm Mortars to take place.  I see this as a positive move as the Regiment adapts to the current battlefield scenario, of a close all arms support.  I will keep the Association informed as more details become available. 

Recently I had a meeting with the CO and RSM and they are both very keen to foster the relationship with the association.  Our request to use the Pymble depot for the reunion was enthusiastically received.  As the depot is central to the members, close to Pymble train station and with ample parking as well as holding many fond memories, I feel it will be a great night.  

The CO has again invited the association to attend their Regimental dinner being held at Forestville RSL on the 1 Dec 2007 and the Regimental Cocktail party held at North Fort in March 2008, more details will be passed on to the Association shortly.  The Regiment could be possibly loosing their guns late next year so I have expressed the association’s interest to be present at the final shoot. 

The committee has some issues with insurances to deal with this year which may be a costly exercise and that is why your annual subs have increased. This is the first time they have increased since the Association was formed. As I indicated at the AGM, if this increase is found to be in excess of funds needed I will move to rectify that situation.  

The Website has come ahead in leaps and bounds and is now not only a point of contact and a place to go to keep up to date, but I believe it is the place to store the Regiments and the Associations History. It’s a place where all interested parties can view this history in the comfort of their home at their leisure, otherwise this information would be locked away in some dusty box in the museum.  I would like to thank Pat Sengos for his tireless efforts in this regard.  North Fort is the place where we can go and touch, and I would like to also thank all of our members who volunteer their time and efforts at the museum. 

I look forward to seeing you all at the Annual Reunion in November and remember bring your Gunner mates, more the merrier. 

UBIQUE

David Leek

President