23 June 2011
Member Welfare
Darryl Cupitt has returned home from hospital after a double bypass operation. Some challenges during the recovery were apparently overcome and Darryl must now persist with several weeks of rest. Darryl has asked that members be thanked for their kind thoughts during this time have been much appreciated. Best wishes, Darryl from us all.
Brumbies Season 2011 is over for us
Last Friday week was an unexpected buzz and most reactions appear to have been favourable. Thank you to the 26 members who were able to attend and participate on the pitch and in the precinct. Enough said about the belated win and bonus point, all to no avail. Roll on 2012.
In writing to Brumbies General Manager, Michael Thomson, to thank him for his efforts in organising our appearance on the pitch, a number of issues were raised and briefly reviewed about Season 2011 from the choir's viewpoint. These will be taken up again before the next season begins which, being a non-World Cup year, the timings and duration will be different, more on that later.
The notable point at this time is that Michael informed me that he will leaving the Brumbies in the next couple of weeks. In his own words, the Australian Rugby Union made him an offer too good to refuse to take up a position with them in Sydney. I have taken the liberty of assuring Michael that the ARC has appreciated the support and encouragement he has provided to the ARC in his two years in the job and we wish him and his family well in Sydney.
I was a bit slow off the mark and neglected to ask if likely favours for the ARC might emanate from an ARU perspective!!
Australian War Memorial
Notice is also given that Steve Hooper, our recent regular liaison in Ceremonial and Events Section at the AWM finished up yesterday to take up a position in the Department of Defence. Again, our thanks and appreciation has been passed on. We will be dealing predominantly through Alissa Gabriel from now on.
The AWM has advised that it will NOT be resuming Carols at the Memorial in 2011.
Annual Reserve Forces Day Ceremony
Please attend to the gig sheet and add your name to participate in the annual Reserve Forces Day ceremony on Saturday 9th July. Numbers were quite thin as at last practice. Please assist if you can.
Retreat 17-18 September in Goulburn.
Please ensure that you can attend this weekend traditional retreat. This year we expect to need practice not only for our Concerts but also for the Police Memorial Service and the Heart Foundation Service.
As we expect to be provided very soon with the Oceania Confederation's repertoire choices for the 2012 London Concert, we are hopeful of including some of that in our concerts. Plenty of notice has been given via the forecast calendar so try to do your part to complete the arrangements and planning that are well underway.
Remember, try to attend both days but if you can attend only one day, that is fine also. Numbers on the sheet last Tuesday were in the high 20s which is a great start so please endeavour to enter your name ASAP.
Our Annual Fundraising Concert in October
Mick Rice has offered to once again coordinate the concerts. A group of members has volunteered to assist him. Gig sheets are on the table to indicate your intention to participate in either or hopefully both concerts.
Remember, the new dates, times and formats for these concerts have been born principally out of members' suggestions and the encouragement has been to give enough notice to organise personal arrangements so that you may participate in both but especially the Thursday commitment.
I have appreciated the notice given by a couple of members so far of their inability to participate – understood. Plans are proceeding. Gig sheets will on the table to indicate your intention to participate in either or hopefully both concerts.
Remember that David Kilby is to be Master Ceremony at the Saturday afternoon concert.
Annual Recognition Dinner
Don't forget to mark you diaries up now for this very important night. It will be held again at the ANU Hall. Final details will be available soon from Mr Vice.
Uniform
The black blazer from Workin Gear with the ARC pocket patch was on display at the last practice. Eddy Stevens has negotiated the cost of the blazer down to $148.50. Members will need to personally attend Workin Gear, Paragon Mall, Gladstone Street, Fyshwick, during working hours to be measured and fitted for your blazer.
You will be contacted when your blazer is ready to be collected but allow approximately 3 weeks. Members may attend Workin Gear from this time onwards.
As the first wearing of the blazer has been designated for the first Annual Concert performance on Thursday 13th October, members are advised to attend Workin Gear by the week ending 9th September at the latest to play safe with delivery before the concert.
The other occasions are the annual ARC Dinner, the 2012 London Concert, the MCAA Festival proposed for Melbourne 2012, Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies at the AWM. All other gigs will be considered on their merits.
Subsidisation of purchase of blazers
Your committee confirmed that the choir will pay the cost of the pocket ARC logo insert (approx $12 each), the insert to be returned should a member leave the choir. After discussion, the committee agreed there should be no subsidy from the choir for the jacket itself. It was reaffirmed that should any member have hardship in meeting the cost of the blazer or any other uniform items, that he is able to discuss a suitable arrangement, privately and confidentially for payment with Treasurer Rick.
With the imminent introduction of a blazer, it is timely to repeat notices placed previously, that it is not acceptable for members to wear "close resemblances" of the stipulated uniform. Such notices have been made following mention of such concern by several members in last year's uniform survey, and endorsed by your committee. The black blazer will be a specific one from Workin Gear with patch pockets and uniform buttons, and members must not presume to wear a close resemblance. The integrity of our uniform can then be assured.
Winter Break
Our final practice will be on Tuesday 28th June and we will resume Tuesday 19th July which is a week earlier than the end of school term and the end of the holidays.
Annual Subscription & Annual General Meeting
Annual subs will become due on 1st July and must be paid before the AGM on 9th August 2011 for members to be eligible to vote at that AGM. Your committee resolved to keep annual subscriptions at $25 per member per year and practice night fees at $5 per night. Please pay your annual subs at the door ASAP.
All committee positions will become vacant at the AGM. Nomination forms will be available soon for all positions. Please consider if you wish to nominate for a committee position.
London 2012 Concert
Those members intending to participate in this overseas venture should make themselves aware of the part practices that have begun or will soon begin. If you have missed the earlier advice, please contact Rick Dresser to find out where and when practices for your part will be available.
London Gig Books
If any chorister has copies of the London books and they are not going to London, the choir will buy the books back and make them available to a few intending travellers who failed to purchase the material. Please see Rick Dresser if you can help out.
Regards
Neil
Sibelius files
Members should note that all converted Sibelius files remain the property of the Australian Rugby Choir and must not be transferred to third parties other than other financial members of the ARC.
Last Choir Standing
On UK TV, Thursday nights at 7:30pm, it is entertaining and some good male choir songs.
Remember
This Warble and others are available on the website.
Many Parts in Tune
Related files:
- 23 Jun 11.pdf (PDF 81.4 kb)