President's Report 2017

Members of the Society,

It has again been my pleasure to be your President for the past 16 months.

This year our Annual General Meeting is being held at a cooler time of the year and you will recall that the Constitution of the society was changed at a Special General Meeting to allow for the timing of the Society’s AGM to be moved to later in the year. This brings us into line with the FWFSA calendar year, as well as allowing us to hold it at a time when all are back from the Christmas break and therefore it should be somewhat easier for all statutory requirements to be completed and the dinner to be organised.

I would like to thank all the members of the Committee for their assistance and contribution to the running of our Society over the past year, ensuring that it continues to function and flourish.

I think you would agree that over the year, our Foodmaster Andrew Lewis, in his inimitable style,  has again taken us on an interesting and varied culinary journey, to many different venues, including dining at private homes, sampling the private cellars of Shaun English and John Nelson, as well as having a number of different chefs, including a memorable dinner presented by Surprise Guest Chef, Maria Campbell.

All dinners have been accompanied by excellent selections of wines chosen, on most occasions, by Winemaster Andrew Bailey who I’m sure has enjoyed the opportunity to delve into the Society’s extremely well stocked Cellar to select and match wines for our enjoyment. 

I would like to acknowledge the other Committee and Society members who have been stand-in Wine and Food masters when required throughout the year. 

The Cellar itself is most ably maintained and nurtured by Cellarmaster John Coco. John’s report has been tabled, and it is clear that the Cellar, having been built up over many years is a remarkable and valuable asset of the Society - it would be a rare occasion that a suitable wine to be matched with a meal could not be found from within its shelves.

Shaun English, after some not insignificant internet and banking challenges, has mastered the Treasury, and we look forward to receiving his report to show that the Society is a satisfactory financial position, whilst Secretary Dean has kept the paperwork up to date and the information flowing. 

Thanks also to the other Committee Members, Anthony Singleton and Gabriel Yanes who have eagerly contributed to the running of our Society.

I would like to make special note of several special events during the year. It was our turn to host the Combined Wine & Food Society and Beef & Burgundy Club Dinner in May 2017, and we look forward to future committees continuing this tradition. 

A number of our members attended part or all of the biennial FWFSA Victor Gibson Dinner and Weekend, hosted in 2017 by the Wine & Food Society of Ararat, a society we sponsored 62 years ago. and those who did would agree that their Society did an exceptional job in presenting a very enjoyable weekend. A highlight was the VG Dinner held in the Drives at Great Western Cellars.

This year I had intended attending and representing our Society at the Federation’s Convention held in Geelong just over 3 weeks ago but circumstances prevented me from doing so. I had earlier accepted nomination, and in my absence, was elected to the Committee of the FWFSA - is the motto of this story to not miss meetings? However, I do look forward to representing our Society, and the interests of Wine & Food Societies in general during my time on the committee.

Thank you again for the opportunity to be your President, and I wish the new Committee well for the year ahead,

Malcolm Anderson

May 2018