President’s Letter

by Ann Byrne, President

Hello again!

Well, the Centre opening was a great success and thanks to everyone who helped make it so. I certainly had a good day. It was great to catch up with so many members and reminisce about the "good old days" of working from the Belconnen High School. I have also received quite a few phone calls from members congratulating us on the move. Thank you all for the positive feedback.

The Canberra Times article in Monday's computer section was an added bonus. Petra has had a lot of response from that, not only from people wanting to join the group, but from advertisers and several enquiries about hiring the training centre. So all in all, it looks like our move is paying off already.

Please note the Centre is now open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am - 2pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am - 5pm. If you have not seen our new premises, drop by and have a look!

TIP will be settled in its new home by the time you read this. (Says she with fingers firmly crossed.) Word from around town is that the downtime caused not an inconsiderable amount of activity across Canberra. Lawns got mowed, shirts got ironed, houses got painted and the sale of chocolate soared; and Telstra profits plummeted.

Don't forget that between 2 and 4pm on the last Saturday of each month representatives from the Committee will be available at the Centre to answer questions and hear your ideas. Hope to see you on the 30th of November!

The new committee had its first meeting in October. This marathon session resulted in the following sub committees being formed:

• Centre Maintenance and Volunteer Co-ordination - Rod Farr, David Schwabe.
• Sixteen Bits - Darrell Burkey and the Editorial Team.
• Meetings, Venues and Publicity - Ken Livingston, Allen Mikkelsen. Member Public Relations will also be covered by this group.
• Planning and Policy Development - Ken Livingston, Rod Farr, Emil Joseph, Karl Auer, Paul Balnaves
• BBS - Michael Phillips
• Training and Network - Paul Balnaves, Mike Gellard
• The Executive Committee consists of - Ann Byrne, Mike Gellard, Hugh Bambrick, Hugh Alston
• Ken Livingston was confirmed as Advertising Manager for Sixteen Bits.

Matters arising at the September Committee meeting:

• The Treasurer and President be authorised to enter a leasing arrangement with the Commonwealth Bank for training room computers, projector and accessories.
• Karl Auer be appointed the groups Communication Spokesman.
• That due to bank costs in transferring monies across from PCUG to TIP accounts that the accounts be amalgamated, providing the TIP accounts can still be accounted for separately.

Other items discussed:

• The draft Policy Guidelines be tabled, further discussion to take place via email and at the next committee meeting.
• Hugh Bambrick advised that profits from the sale of chocolates at the centre had resulted in the purchase of a microwave oven, and 18 reams of printer paper. It was noted that the bulk of chocolate had been purchased by the Editor of Sixteen Bits. Thanks to Darrell for his efforts in this department.
• It was suggested that the Group should have a "sister city arrangement" with the city of Nara in Japan.
• The Chairperson offered a vote of thanks to retiring Committee Members, Lis Shelley, Gabrielle Wright and Andrew Clayton for all the work done on behalf of the group over the last few years. Received by acclamation.

Income for September

$25,039.00

Expenditure for Sept

$30,130.07

Balance at Bank 30/9/96

$81,892.65

TIP Accounts

Income

$10,433.50

Expenditure

$4,105.47

Balance at bank 30/9/96

$78,688.88