President’s Report: Presented by President, Bill Anderson 

Bill thanked all for making the time to attend the AGM. With the help of Graham (RCA Secretary) the quarterly newsletters are working very well. As a result, Bill believed members have been kept up to date with all significant matters effecting the RCA and proceeded with a recap of highlights for the past year:

• The Beresfield lease. This matter is still open i.e. the AF are paying the rent and expenses but are yet to sign a new lease. There is light at the end of the tunnel. The agent has booked an inspection ‘for the tenant’ on Friday October 18th. We all hope this will result in a signed lease and the return of our Bond. On the operational side with HH AF is working very well and we are extremely well supported by WGCDR Rick Dyson.
• The Rathmines Catalina Memorial has had a lot of attention. The new posts and wire rails and two new flag poles all look rather nice. The restoration of the memorial propeller is well in hand, and the job expected to be completed within the next few weeks.
• Bill mentioned a special thanks to our volunteer Rod Mellor who attends to the grounds and gardens both at Rathmines and the Beresfield site.
• We have continued to work with staff from the Newcastle TAFE college and plans are in place for around 13 of their students to attend Beresfield on 4 Monday commencing November 18th. They will bring their own tools, and RCA will supply the consumables.
• Friends of Rathmines have decided to wind up their group. Their constitution required them to distribute any remaining funds to a like-minded group…RCA recently received $10k and we have expressed our sincere thanks. They also hold a considerable collection of memorabilia, and this is on offer to us. We plan to attend and collect these items on October 10th.
• We recently acquired three radio headsets through AF connections. The supplier company - 3M - were contacted, and a training session arranged. 3M have since provided a 4^th set (free of charge) allowing two teams to work without the need to yell out ‘rivet’ - thanks have been passed on and we are developing a relationship with this Company.
• Base tours and morning teas…over the last FY…20 different groups comprising 486 people have visited the Rathmines Base and the Beresfield facility.  Net revenue was a little over $10,000. Equally important was that these events support our constitution by promoting the history of wartime RAAF Base Rathmines. Bill thanked the committee and the other volunteers who give up their time to support these activities.
• Our accounts – Bill thanked Graham for accepting the Treasurer’s role and keeping RCA accounts in order. Bill explained our change of accounting firms to Quay Accounting in Toronto following the frustration at the delay in getting our previous FY accounts audited. Bill recognized Amanda Sullivan form Quay Accounting for her expedient work and donation of time. 

Bill gave sincere thanks to the committee and the restoration volunteers. 

“It has been a very close knit and hardworking group and a privilege for me to be the President.”