Tandem Club of Australia Newsletter No 92 - Election Special March 2001 - AGM Edition From the Pres. With the club's annual general meeting only a few weeks away, I'd like to let you all know I'll be standing down as president this year. After two years in the position, I think it's time to hand over to someone else to bring another wave of new ideas and enthusiasm into the club. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as president - as well as teaching me new skills, the position has allowed me to meet many people who love tandeming and to be a part of a significant period of growth within the club. Thanks to a very enthusiastic committee and great TwoUp events, the club's membership has grown from 53 members to 102 in the last two years. TwoUp 2000 saw 48 tandems gather in Canberra, a 58% increase on the 1998 event at Castlemaine, when 28 tandem teams joined in the fun. To expand the club beyond its traditional Victorian base, we've established a system of state representatives, and this year we'll be aiming to give them more resources to publicise tandeming in their state. Queensland has monthly rides; new NSW rep Phil is organising a weekend extravaganza; and member numbers are gradually increasing around Australia. After our first attempt at holding TwoUp outside Victoria was a huge success, the committee went all the way in handing the event organisation to Queensland for 2001. We can all look forward to a great weekend in the Sunshine State, with lots of new faces and new aspects to the weekend. In Victoria, the Christmas Tandem Olympics has joined the Treasure Hunt as a popular annual event; hopefully other states will build up similar traditons. So, a big 'Thank You' from me to the committee, who've ensured committee meetings are always interesting, and quite often hilarious and inspiring. The long-term club experience of club officers such as John Harland and Andrew McDowall complements the enthusiasm and new ideas of officers such as Kim Travers and Janette Beeston, and the expert skills of Peter Hines, Derek McKean and, on the social front, Tony Barter enrich the mix. And, of course, as organisers of the club's main event, Charlie Farren and the rest of the TwoUp committee deserve special recognition. As Jaimie and Sue Cook are busy discovering, organising a national event for around 100 people is no small task; the committee in Victoria have been going from strength to strength and have enthused people around Australia to join the club after being part of such a fun weekend. And finally, thank you to all the club members who come to events and have a great time - your enjoyment and positive feedback makes it all worth while. I'm looking forward to being part of a dynamic club in the years ahead. Sally Dillon FRONT PAGE IMAGE: This Rudge-Whitworth 1897 sociable bicycle was bought by a bike-shop owner in east Anglia in Norfolk to take to the church on his wedding day. He and his bride arrived at the church on separate bicycles; then rode away, side by side. The bicycle is now part of the Farren Collection and was ridden by Heather Margetts and Phil Crohn in the annual Vintage Bicycle Club weekend. NOTICES 1. Kaye and Paul, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, are heading to South Australia, where Paul will be on sabattical from August 2001 through June 2002. They're bringing 'Junior', their recunbent tandem, and are looking for groups cycling in and around Adelaide. Contact them on to invite them on rides or give them advice about good places to cycle. 2. You are invited to the launch of book Three Wheels, Two Continents, One People about Jeff McLean's recumbent journey around the world. Some people may remember Jeff as the guy used to run the radio station on the Great Victorian bike ride in the early 90s. The launch will be accompanied by a free showing of the movie Baraka. It's at 7.30pm Wednesday 4 April, at the Sun Theatre Ballarat St, Yarraville, Melbourne. RSVP by 23 March to Jeffmof@replicant.apana.org.au. WEB PAGE PICS Our Web page home.vicnet.net.au/~tandem now has a photo gallery of TwoUp photos taken by Mike Watson: here's just a taster. TCA SCORES A TON In March 2001 the Tandem Club of Australia made its own history, hitting the 100-member mark for the first time. Each team counts as a 'member', and with some teams including children, we have more than 220 people in the club. Well done to everyone's who's been spreading the word about the club and the joys of tandeming. Among the new members are Ray & Merrill Martlew, from WA, who love tandeming so much they've already agreed to be our WA state representatives. Welcome to all our record-making new members. New Members: * Paul, Janet, Nicholas & Amelia Aslanides (VIC) * Katie Coates & Alan Renolds (NSW) * Greg Stephens & Jennifer Grace (NSW) * Ray & Merrill Martlew (WA) FOR SALE * Full-suspension Ventana tandem mountain bike, hand-made in USA, 1996 model. 19"/16" frame, high-quality components (Rock Shox Judy DH suspension forks, Chris King headset, Shimano XTR and WTB SST saddles, XT V-brakes). As-new condition $4000 ONO. Contact ( 0411-239 667 (mobile) ( 03-9495 1816 * Burley Rumba road tandem 21-speed STI gearing, 18"/16" size. As new condition $2500 ONO. Contact Brett Richardson (Brisbane) ( 0407-345 451 (mobile) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Don't forget about the 2001 AGM. Come along, meet the committee, take an interest in the club's plans for the coming year and maybe take a position yourself. No-one will be press-ganged, so don't feel the need to hide. Join us for a light supper afterwards When: Tuesday 10 April Where: Andrew & Caroline McDowall's place, 7 Camden Rd, Hawthorn Vic 3122 RSVP (please do so for catering purposes): 03-9721 7504 WHAT DOES THE COMMITTEE DO? With the TCA AGM coming up on April 10, now's the time to think about joining the committee. President Sally Dillon is standing down this year, as is Newsletter Editor John Harland and Membership Secretary Kim Travers. All other positions are also declared open to contest at the AGM. The committee meets seven times a year, at six committee meetings and at the AGM. At the moment meetings are held on the evening of the second Tuesday of every odd month. Each committee member has specific duties that contribute to the smooth running of the club. These jobs are listed below - have a read and think about whether you'd like to help out this year. Feel free to contact the incumbent if you wish to discuss the position, or to call Sally to express an interest. PRESIDENT * Oversees the smooth running of the club by: enthusing committee and club members, suggesting business that needs to be discussed at committee meetings, contributing ride ideas, and liaising between all office bearers to ensure tasks are completed (eg, work with membership secretary on ways to increase membership). * Contributes a president's report to the newsletter editor in time for each issue. * Chairs business meetings. * Represents the club at any bike functions, or delegate someone else to do so. * Prepares a correspondence summary and passes on copies of electronic correspondence to the secretary for filing. * Helps other committee members as required. VICE PRESIDENT * Deputises for the President in their absence * Often provides continuity (often is a former club President) * Holds a watching brief for overseas clubs (finds out who they are, contacts them to let them know of the TCA, and looks at the services they offer members to give the TCA more ideas). * Prepares a correspondence summary and passes on copies of electronic correspondence to the secretary for filing. * Helps other committee members as required. NEWSLETTER EDITOR * Solicits articles from members (issues reminders and sweet-talks people at events). * Produces six issues of the tandem club newsletter to be distributed on the 20th of each odd month. * Provides some editorial material for each issue. * Prepares a correspondence summary and passes on copies of electronic correspondence to the secretary for filing. * Helps other committee members as required. SECRETARY * Takes minutes at six TCA committee meetings during the year and the AGM. Circulates the minutes, a reminder and an agenda prior to the following meeting. * Collects mail from the TCA PO Box. Replies to and initiates correspondence as required by the committee. * Files correspondence and minutes it for committee meetings. This applies to both physical and electronic mail exterior to the committee. * Makes notification of address changes. * Helps other committee members as required. SOCIAL SECRETARY * Contributes the rides calendar to the newsletter editor each issue * Submits articles (or ensures someone else does) on club rides to the newsletter editor * Liaises with rides organisers to run rides. * Liases with state representatives to ensure calendar items are sent to newsletter, representatives are provided with any materials needed (eg, back issues of newsletter, membership forms) and provide advice. * Prepares a correspondence summary and passes on copies of electronic correspondence to the secretary for filing. * Helps other committee members as is required of them. TECHNICAL OFFICER * Contributes technical articles to the newsletter. * Answers technical queries (email address is linked to from the TCA Web site). * Collects information on tandem retailers for the web site. * Maintains the 'buying a tandem' guide for the Web site. * Prepares a correspondence summary and passes on copies of electronic correspondence to the secretary for filing. * Helps other committee members as required. INFORMATION OFFICER * Maintains Web site * Archives past newsletter copies and records other than those kept by the secretary. * Prepares a correspondence summary and passes on copies of electronic correspondence to the secretary for filing. * Helps other committee members as required. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY * Processes membership applications, renewals and magazine subscriptions (if existing) on Excel spreadsheet (copy provided to incoming committee member). * Sends welcome letters to new members and liaises with treasurer to send receipts,. * Transfers membership funds to treasurer. * Liases with committee on ways to increase membership. * Sends update of new members and other any membership news to newsletter editor before each issue. * Provides hard copies of mailing labels to newsletter distributors. * Provides hard copies of membership list to committee members upon request (no electronic copies of membership lists will be circulated to avoid problems of outdated copies existing). * Ensures state representatives have access to lists of members for their state. * Must have computer and printer access. * Provide membership report to each committee meeting. * Prepares a correspondence summary and passes on copies of electronic correspondence to the secretary for filing. * Helps other committee members as required. TREASURER * Upon election, is automatically transferred the title of public officer. * Manages TCA finances, recording incoming and outgoing funds, and issuing receipts. * Pays regular TCA bills, such as affiliated memberships, PO Box costs, newsletter mailout costs. * Prepares financial statement for each committee meeting (financial statements may kept electronically, but a hard copy should also be kept). * Prepare floats and petty cash and reconcile for special club events. * At the AGM, brings all materials needed to arrange new signatures on checkbook, and to make incoming treasurer recognised as public officer. * Prepares a correspondence summary and passes on copies of electronic correspondence to the secretary for filing. * Helps other committee members as required. PUBLIC OFFICER * Must present (send in signed forms and copy of annual financial reconciliation) within six weeks of AGM. * Every year, signs off and presents annual treasurer's report to Office of Fair Trading & Business Affairs, who decides whether the TCA can continue as an incorporated body. STATE REPRESENTATIVE This is a non committee position; representatives are ratified by the committee. We currently have state reps for all states and territories but the Northern Territory, so if you know anyone there who would like to take on the role in the Top End, contact the president. A state rep's role is to: * Promote the Tandem Club of Australia in their state. * Encourage membership of the Club in their state by distributing flyers, membership forms and event notifications, as requested or approved by the committee. * Organise rides in their state (representative doesn't have to run rides themselves, but can recruit volunteers). * Provide rides calendar, ride reports and state news to the newsletter editor. * Keep the committee in touch with events in their state at which the club could be promoted. * Identify bike shops in their state which sell tandems and pass this information to Technical officer. * Circulate copies of electronic or regular correspondence to the secretary for filing. * Help committee as requested. TCA CALENDAR TWOUP 2001 28-30 September, 2001 Nambour, Queensland Contact Jaimie Cook ( 07-5483 3990 Queensland April 1, 2001 No fools in Rosewood. Contact the Davies family 07-3201 0071. NSW 19-20 May Nelson Bay, on Port Stephens. Contact Anne and Phillip Govoronsky before 30 April 2001 for an application form and more details. VICTORIA Sunday 29 April Treasure Hunt INTERNATIONAL (NOT TCA RUN) April 12-16, 2001 The 2001 New Zealand International Tandem Rally, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Four days of great riding amongst some of the best vineyards in New Zealand and the world. A full social programme and rides. Contact Louise and Philip Shambrook (+64 (0)9 522 9331 or email PhilipShambrook@xtra.co.nz. NELSON BAY TANDEM WEEKEND New NSW state representative Phil Govoronski and his wife Anne haven't wasted any time in organising a get together. Inspired by the conviviality of TwoUp 2001 at Canberra, he's organised an event closer to home, for for the weekend of 19-20 May. Activities will centre in and around Nelson Bay, on spectacular Port Stephens, which is about a 45-minute drive north of Newcastle. The weekend will begin with an optional morning tea ($5.50) and 'hello' at 10.30am on the Saturday at the Salamander Shores Resort at Salamander Bay. This will be followed by an enjoyable day's riding (approximately a 45km easy ride) from Soldiers Point to Fingal Bay and return with lunch at Nelson Bay (either BYO packed lunch or try one of the many eateries available). That evening it is back to the Salamander Shores for an enjoyable dinner and to renew old acquaintances or meet new friends. On Sunday there will be no organised ride though you could ride into Nelson Bay to the local markets or join a Dolphin Watch cruise or walk around the Marina. Accommodation for you and your bike is available at the Salamander Shores (( 02-4982 7210), with rooms from $108.90 a double (family suites available). Camping accommodation is available opposite Salamander Shores at Waterwonderland Caravan Park (02-4982 7300), which has motel accommodation and on-site vans as well as camping sites. Contact Anne and Phillip Govoronsky before 30 April 2001 for an application form and more details. TWOUP 2001 TwoUp 2001 will be held in Nambour, Queensland, Australia, a sugarcane centre in south-east Qld, about 130km north of Brisbane. Nambour is central to the Sunshine Coast hinterland townships of Maleny and Montville (noted for their coffee, art and craft culture) to beaches and tourist attractions such as the Big Pineapple and the Ginger Factory. A variety of rides will be offered over three days to make the most of the location, attractions and rider abilities. Accommodation will be split between the Koala Welcome Motel and the Nambour Rainforest Holiday Village caravan park offering, rooms, camping, cabins and en-suite cabins, swimming pool, rec. room. Nambour is serviced by the Bruce Highway, bus and electric train from Brisbane and by the Sunshine Coast airport at Maroochydore (with some direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne). TREASURE HUNT A fantastic repeat of our annual event. Details to come by email, ABOUT THE TCA NEWSLETTER The newsletter is published on the 20th of every odd month (ie, January, March, May etc). Articles are welcomed from members and personal notices are published free of charge. The submission date is on the 6th of the publication month. Current editor John Harland is resigning at the AGM; until the new editor is announced, send submissions to Sally Dillon through the club mailbox or by email on ,