Thanks for the Honour (August 2011)
At Club’s AGM on Sunday 11th September my 3 year term as President will end and, having not accepted nomination for next year’s Committee, so will my 10 years’ service to the Club as a General Committee Member, Vice President and President.
In stepping down from the Committee, rather than reflect on past positions, achievements and missed opportunities, I’d like to say a few thank yous.
Firstly, to my dog, Harry, without whom I would never have joined the Club and who, thankfully, 12 years on is still here to share my journey. Good dog, Harry!
Next I’d like to thank two individuals who fostered my involvement at the Club, especially as an Instructor, Heather Martyn and Mary Clark It’s a measure of their influence on me that of all the Members at the Club, the two I recall most clearly from my 1st morning are Heather and Mary.
In my time on Committee, particularly as President, I have often needed wise counsel, and none have been wiser than Jan Evans and Grahame Brown. I thank them both for their advice and support over the years – it has been very much appreciated.
There are many at the Club who help out on a regular basis without seeking positions on Committee. They include Instructors and Members like David Givney, who has selflessly towed the Club trailer for several years and without whom there would be no training on Sundays. Thank you one and all.
While some see the Club as being about Members and dogs others, like me, see a broader Club that in-cludes our families. My son, Jaiden, born during my 1st year on Committee, is now 9 years old, and Sundays mornings for his short life have been about dad leaving him propped with cereals in front of the TV to head down the Club to set up for training. I thank him and my wife, Cheryl, for their patience over the years.
Finally, the Club celebrates our 50th Anniversary in 2012. With an average membership of 6-700 over the 10 years that I’ve been on Committee, in 50 years the Club must have helped tens of thousands of dog owners to train, look after and enjoy their dogs. This is a worthy achievement and it has been an honour to have served this great Club on Committee and as President.
I thank the Club and its Members for the honour.
Robert Fairhead
Club President 2009-2011