Author: Derren Page

 

Hello fellow club members.

We are almost at the end of 2018 and I believe that most of you are busy with yearend functions and trying to get the last few jobs done before most of us will be taking a well needed break.

So far this was a fantastic year for the club with 27 outings to date.
Since our last newsletter we hosted another 11 outings with 4 outings already planned for 2019. These outings include the following:

28 – 29 Jul	Weekend outing to Hexrivier 4×4
3 Aug	Noggin at Clubhouse (Namib Ship wreck route)
9 – 12 Aug	Weekend outing to Highlanders Camp
31 Aug – 2 Sep	Weekend Outing to Kleine Paradys
7 Sep	Noggin at Clubhouse (Spring braai)
22 – 24 Sep	Long weekend outing to Witsand
5 Oct	AFD preparations at Atlantis
6 Oct	AFD at Atlantis
13 Oct	Day outing to Matroosberg
9 – 11 Nov	Year-end function at Leeuwenboschfontein
30 Nov – 2 Dec	Weekend outing to Scheppie Saus
8 Dec	AFD Thank You lunch

Outings already planned and shared with members for 2019:

27 Jan	Day outing to Atlantis dunes
2 Feb	Noggin at Black Pearl (Technical and ORRU)
8 – 10 Feb	Weekend outing to Marcuskraal 4×4
8 – 22 Apr	Long weekend Mystery Tour

It remains a challenge to fill the calendar with outings and the Committee has agreed to re-introduce the reimbursement scheme for any members including committee members who arrange and lead outings. This consists mainly of the following arrangements:

• Day outings: Venue / route fee and running cost contribution of R200
• Weekend outings: Camping fee for the weekend and running cost contribution of R500
• Club to sponsor one bag of braai wood per vehicle / night
• The Exco reserves the right to approve / disallow contributions for an outing on merit

As the Committee we want to say a big thank you to the following members who have organised outings for the club during the year; Gerard Buitenhuis, George Purchase, Denis Verventen, Elna Buitenhuis and Gary Terblanche.

We want to encourage and invite all the members to also contribute to the organising of outings, especially day outings. Full support will be provided by the Committee where required. Please note that all the RSVP’s that relate to outings are currently going to Elna Buitenhuis, our Administrator. You are welcome to contact her if you need any additional info regarding the outings.

The 13th Atlantis Fun Day was another huge success with very positive feedback from the participants and visitors. A huge thank you to the AFD Committee for the organizing of the event and to all the members and friends who helped on the two days. This event will not be possible without your help and support. Toyota SA is on board for 2019 and you will be kept informed of developments as time goes by. Follow this link to view the AFD video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/U22Hm1Qg5ho

Leeuwenboschfontein in the Klein Karoo was our host for the 2018 Yearend function. Looking at all the photos and comments on facebook, I can confirm that this was a very enjoyable weekend with lots of fun and laughter. Huge fires, late night swim challenge, 4×4 route, relaxing, swimming, dinner, rugby, group breakfast and a lot more …. Thank you to all the members, new and old, who have made the effort to join in the fun.

Telegram Messenger has become a very popular communication method to share information with the members and also to give the members a platform to chat. We want to encourage all the others members to join as us Telegram. Please contact any Committee member if you need more info on Telegram.

Telegram gives us the option to create and control two separate groups, one to share News/Info with the members and the other group is a Social Chat room to discuss various topics of interest and for members to participate.

Currently the membership of the Club stands at 88 family members. The economic situation, fuel prices and the proliferation of website based clubs remain a challenge. However, please also allow me to welcome the following new members to our Club. We hope to see many of you on the outings.

Tim and Liz Morris
Ruaan and Liani Huysamen
John and Elinor Irvine

The membership renewal notice for 2019 has been sent out to the members for payment by no later than 15 January 2019. We have managed to keep the membership fee the same as for the last few years at R450 for standard members and R250 for country members. This is mainly to the contribution that AFD is making to the club funds.

Please note that the 2019 AGM will be on Friday, 1 March 2019. More details regarding the nomination of members for the 2019 Committee and the election of the Committee will follow in January 2019. Please make a note of the date as we would like to encourage all the members to be present at the AGM.

Lastly from the Committee we want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2019.

Cheers for now, travel safely and see you on the 4×4 roads.

Schalk Louw
Chairman