GREAT LAKES PEARL DRAGONS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President:- Chris Dowell

Secretary:- Denise Marr

Treasurer:- Jan Brain

Women’s Club Captain:- Marg Steel

Additional Directors:- Brian Bruton, Kim Evans

Appointed Directors:- Ken Watson , Paul McCann

PEARLS

OF

WISDOM

Great Lakes Pearl Dragons email: dragons2428@hotmail.com visit us: www.pearldragons.com

Newsletter August 2015

8th August Bunnings BBQ - Stockland Forster

27th August AGM 6pm - Tuncurry Bowling Club

12th September - “Pearlers” Birthday Bash Tuncurry Races stay tuned for information

21 & 22nd November Great Lakes Pearl Dragons Regatta

UPDATE FROM YOUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EC)

Chris Dowell Denise Marr Jan Brain Marg Steel Brian Bruton Kim Evans

Well it has been very quiet on the water. However it is good to see that there is still a core of determined Club paddlers who are still paddling on during the colder months. They have to be commended for their determination. Also, some of you who have children or grandchildren are involved with their sports during the winter period which may preclude you from paddling.

As you are aware the paddling sessions have had to be changed due to a shortage in sweeps and paddlers during the cooler months. However, we should have some more trained sweeps during the spring. We have been very fortunate to have had Sally Cooke from Wallis Spirit at Coomba Park help out during this period. Sally has a considerable drive from Coomba Park. She has to be up at 4.00 am. The EC would like to express its gratitude for Sally’s support.

It is very important that we all try to get new members when spring arrives. So invite your friends, associates and the people that you work with to have a go. They might just like it, like you do. This is the best form of recommendation. As equally important as new members, we need people who are prepared to take on roles within the Club on the Executive Committee, Coaches, Sweeps and Officials at regattas and either support our fundraising or be part of this committee. Your Club is hoping to have a stand in Stockland Shopping Centre to promote the Club. We will be looking for volunteers to man the stand in their GLPD uniform.

A Special General meeting was recently held on 14th July to vote on a new constitution. We only had 16 members attend this meeting. Which was rather disappointing. There were 9 votes for and 7 against. As a 75% majority is required for a resolution to be passed, the motion for new constitution was denied. It will now be up to the new EC which will come into operation at the end of August to pursue further.

Our AGM will be held in August, this is where you can put your name forward and nominate. So, if you think that you have something to offer your Club please put your name forward.

Your Club will be holding its 4th Regatta at Forster Keys on the 22nd of November. There has been discussion amongst clubs on the North Coast as to whether they will hold a regatta every second year. GLPD will share with Taree. Next year 2016, will be Taree’s turn we will have our turn again in 2017. Taree are also looking at a November date. This will alleviate some of the pressure on Club members.

Another Saturday morning get together barbecue will be held at a date to be determined, probably in September when the weather is warming and more paddlers about. We had a gathering a few months ago and thanks to Ray and the fundraisers we all enjoyed a cuppa and an egg and bacon roll.

A Message from our President

Hi Pearlers, Welcome to this our latest edition of Pearls of Wisdom and thank you Jo for doing such a wonderful job with our newsletter. Just a quick note from the other side of the world to say g'day. Leonie and I are SORRY to say we are having an absolute ball over here, enjoying the European summer. We say sorry because of the crappy weather we hear you are having back home...........not conducive to paddling at all, and so bad you wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy!!!!!!!! Anyway (not to gloat) but we have been through, Spain, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro, Copenhagen, Nor-way, London and are in Sweden now with our son Brendan. We are going to North Sweden with him and his girlfriend (Maya) tomorrow to meet her family. After that we are heading to Cambodia and then Phuket be-fore returning home on August the 6th to be in time to attend the DBNSW AGM on August the 8th as the GLPD's delegate. I'll be particularly looking for feedback from the DNSW board around their new structure and how it's going to affect regional clubs. You would have already read that Melanie Cantwell’s position has been made re-dundant as part of the restructure. GLPD has sent her an email of appreciation, thanking her for all the help she has given GLPD since our inception. I'm sure Melanie's help will be sadly missed going forward and we wish her all the best for the future. Speaking of AGMs, I hope you have all penciled ours into your diary.............August 27th, 6pm, TBBC.......be there. A strong club is always well represented at its AGM. Please support your club with your vote. I also strongly urge all Pearlers to consider your options of sitting on the committee. I've heard a few of our 2015 committee maybe stepping down for one reason or another, so if you are in a position to help out, please seek nomination. Take care, see you all in August and fingers crossed for better weather very soon. Regards Chris

HELLO FROM

YOUR FUND RAISING COMMITTEE

Deb V, Frank and I decided it was time to have another car rally. We decided on the date (May 31st) then decided on a secret venue just to leave a little bit of mystery to the day. The fun started for us as we did the drive which took us almost 2 hours of cryptic and crazy thinking. We had 1 driver, 2 writers and 3 talkers all with ideas flying around the inside of the car. We had a few stops to plan morning tea and of course had our own morning tea stop at Nabiac which gave us time to do more planning. We had a question in the gift shop which proved to be a tricky one. We had a great response with 40 people attending. The beautiful weather and fabulous personalities combined to a very successful day. All cars left the Beach Bums car park a minute or two apart as we didn't want a convoy. We wanted each car to follow the questions on the rally page. There are too many stories to tell for the whole day so if you didn't get a chance to join us this year ask other paddlers who did attend and hear their stories. There were some fun times had. When the teams arrived at Robyn Macintosh's residence, that being the final destination the expressions on all the faces was priceless. While some wondered if they came in last, others were excited to be finished and there were those relieved to be at the end. Then came the phone call from Denise’s car telling us all that they were at Bulahdelah, The crowd roared with laughter but then concern and then not long later a surprise visit. Denise's car arrived at the final destination. They were just tricking us. The “Long & Short” had the last laugh. Every one was happy all together and shared a meal of home cooked butter chicken and rice and or pulled pork on fresh rolls with salad followed by plenty of desserts. Then the team sheets were marked and winners awarded. 1st Prize for most words made from “Gloucester “.This was awarded to Kathy Peter's car. (Kathy, Alan, Bernie and Helen) congratulations. The 1st prize ( the trophy and wine) for the most correct answers was awarded to Denise's car with Fay, Sarah and Muriel. Congratulations “The Long & Short” 2nd Prize to Brenda's car with Sarah, Gillian and Sue Ellen) Well Done “Chokies.” The raffle was won by Frank. A great day was had by all and we are looking forward to next time. Happy Paddling.

Gina, Frank and Deb V.

In regards to the Fundraising Committee

At the AGM we will be calling for some new volunteers. Hands up if interested

CALLING ALL PEARLER’S WE WANT & NEED U

Yes, it is only 3 months away

GREAT LAKES PEARL DRAGON’S REGATTA 22nd & 23rd November

“VOLUNTEERS ARE NOT PAID, NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE WORTHLESS BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE PRICELESS”

Please ask your husbands, wives, lovers and anyone else that would like to join us to help on the day

Fay would love to hear from everyone that would like to volunteer. Please let her know what you would like to do or just put your name down and Fay will organise it for you

Lines are open now and Fay is waiting

Email - fay_brooks@bigpond.com

HELEN BRYAN

When the Manning Dragon Boat Club was being formed Helen Bryan did go to some of the initial meetings, but did not trial paddling until the second year of the Pearlers. This was a fortunate move on our part as Helen decided to become a pearler and to train as a sweep, which she enjoys more than paddling. Helen has swept at Manning, Urunga, Port Macquarie and of our own regatta.

We pearlers are a diverse group and Helen is one member with a diverse range of interests. Whenever there is a community event happening, it is quite often Helen who is gathering us together to attend so that the group involved has the much needed support. Helen is a committee member of Great Lakes Education Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide grants to young people, who reside in or attend school in the 2428 postcode and who need financial assistance to be able to pursue their career aspirations. She is a volunteer at Manning Art Gallery involved with Cape Hawke Surf Club and also FOGLLS (Friends of Great Lakes Library Service). When not pursuing those interests, Helen is also involved with several book groups, quilting, weaving and a walking group.

When looking at Helen’s past career you can see the parallel with her volunteer community work. Helen moved here in 1983 to work for 12 months as a Community Profile Worker with Great Lakes Shire Council and apart from four years on the Central Coast in the early nineties, Helen has been here ever since. In her career in she has been involved in establishing a range of community services including Kindiland, Adult Education (now WEA), Forster Neighbourhood Centre and Vacation Care programmes. She has also worked as a Social Worker with Community Health, Manning Hospital, Early Intervention & Cape Hawke Hospital. One divergent in her career path was in the late eighties, when along with two others, Helen had a business called Adventure Outdoors. This involved taking people on white water canoeing trips on the Barrington River & camping safari trips. Of immense pride to Helen, is her son Bryan Warren. Bryan is a very good cricketer, a fast bowler and in 2014 spent 6 months of his gap year playing cricket for Richmond Club in London. Bryan is now back hitting the books, studying PE teaching at CSU Bathurst.

Helen with her son Bryan Keeping One Mile Beach safe

URUNGA REGATTA

Once again, we were prepared for some cold rainy winter weather, which the weather man had predicted but the weekend could not have been warmer or sunnier! The dark clouds only showed up at the end of the regatta, during trophy presentation.

8 of our women paddlers (Carol, Wendy L, Megan, Joan S, Kathy D, Jo H, Wendy O & Kim C) took part in the Saturday 7km marathon, combining with Newcastle Dragon Hunters under the direction of Bronwyn Shields. They headed the 2nd heat but unfortunately had a few mishaps along the way and to make a long story short, we didn’t to keep the trophy we had won the previous year. Ah well, there’s always next year!

Sunday went much better. Frank, our only club male paddler, combined in the Men 10s with Manning and Flamin Dragons. His Men 10s team came 1st, beating a full men’s team from Ballina, Camden Haven and Coffs. Go Frank!!!

Brenda joined us on Sunday to make 9 GLPDs to combine with 9 Camden Haven Contessas with Rejane drumming. We had 3 heats and placed 1st twice & 2nd once, which put us in the Women Finals! We were up against full boats of strong teams but we dug deep and managed to bring home a beautiful and well deserved 3rd place trophy which we will very proudly display in our trophy case.

Frank joined our 9 women to make 10 GLPDs paired with 10 Newcastle Hunter Dragons in the Mixed category. Again we did very well, placing 1st once & 2nd twice, which also qualified us for the Mixed Finals!! We were up against equally strong teams, whose boats were full of men and unfortunately we went off course as we got caught in their wash.

All in all it was a great weekend, these 10 dedicated & brave paddlers certainly made our club proud. Well done everyone!! A huge thank you to all 10 paddlers and supporters as well as Jo Harris who brought up the 2 gazebos and table.

Thank you

Coach Rejane

The Trophy

GLPD MEMBERS SERVICE DIRECTORY

‘Julies Place - Hairdressing’

for an appointment ring 0403 239 686

Cuts & Colours a speciality.

titaniumwebconsulting.com.au

Call Cameron Moses on - 0402 246 785

JV’s First Aid Kits Supplies & Restocking Service

Ph: 0432 930 498 - email: joanne@jvsfirstaidkits.com

visit: www.jvsfirstaidkits.com

Contact Elsa Ph:- 6557 5544

5/86 King George Pde, Forster

If your busy life makes you look at your ironing pile and groan then give me a call. Julie, your ever helpful ironing

lady, $50 a basket. I not only sweep, paddle and hairdresser but also iron.

Ph:-0403 239 686

RACHEL’S HANDMADE CARDS

All occasions personally designed cards crafted by Rachel

Ph: - 0432 477 303

PADDLER’S PADDOCK

NOTICE BOARD

A REMINDER

When Paddling

Wear the appropriate clothing for the weather

Bring your drink bottle

Put on sunscreen

Our Trip down the Track

Wear shoes at all times

Bring a torch when dark

Stay Safe

Walk to the paddling site in a group

Carry a torch when dark

Trim our bushes when required

A sample of Rachel’s “Handmade Cards”

$4 each or 3 for $10. Thank You, I Love You, Father’s &

Mother’s Day, Birthdays & Christmas ~ See Service Directory for details ~

The Gang of Pearler’s that went to Port Macquarie Regatta in June