Hi there everybody and a very warm welcome to all new members to our special club.

This is the final month for the current committee and as announced at the June meeting, I will not be continuing in the President’s role due to business commitments and other activities. So, the Pajero Club needs a President and Vice President to co-ordinate committee positions and chair the monthly meeting. Yes, the position of President is a challenging role, but made so much easier thanks to the tremendous support given by all committee members.

At last month’s meeting I had the pleasant task of presenting John Peterson and Bill Mead with a certificate of appreciation for the great work they have done for the club.
Both John and Bill and also Jim Payton’s positions have been made redundant. No more photo copying and no more stapling. But this is not the end for the rest of the dedicated team of volunteers who gather each month to collate the magazine. The Exceed magazine has to be bagged including any additional leaflets, then made ready for posting. On behalf of all the appreciative members – to - all the volunteers who have, over the many years, given up so much of their personal time to collate the magazine THANK YOU .

At our last meeting Evan Thomas, the Community Education Fire Fighter for the CFA (Lilydale) gave a very interesting and informative talk on bushfire safety and the different types of bushfires. For those of you that were unable to be at the meeting and would like further information regarding Bushfire Safety when out in the bush, the Victorian Bushfire Information Hotline is 1800 240 667. You can also visit the CFA web site at www.cfa.vic.gov.au Part of Evan’s talk was the devastation of the Grampians. Pam and I toured the Grampians in June and we were both amazed at how great an area was affected by the bushfires. It is encouraging to see the new shoots from the trees, and ground cover regrowth slowly rejuvenating the blackened earth. The fire covered a vast area from Mirranatwa Valley, Zumsteins right across the ranges to Pomonal. Now is the perfect time for Pajero Club members to plan a trip to the Grampians. The locals really need some financial support to rebuild the tourism.
At Pomonal there is an olive farmer who has lost most of his crop through the fires. Call in and sample the great range of olive products, it’s hard not to buy just one olive product when you have sampled and taken in the excellent range displayed.

Thanks to Ron Reed and Stewart Bairstow for their presentation of the up and coming new Pajero Club web site. I had some great feed back from members, complimenting the presentation and what will be a very professional – next generation web site for the club. Well done to all involved putting this together. I know that the midnight oil has been burnt over the last 12 months.

Have you all looked at the ‘Future Trips’? Now is the time to plan participating in a future trip or perhaps run a trip to your favourite part of Victoria. Don’t just go by yourselves – advertise the trip and take other members with you.

Finally and most important, I would like to give a personal thank you to the 2006 committee that has worked so hard over the last year. Each committee member has developed their individual role to a very professional standard. Their efforts have been most beneficial to the club and will be of great help to any new member coming onto committee.
I would also like to give a personal thank you to Kayren Browne. Kayren has been the stand in venue officer over the last 3 months organising prizes, supper and maintaining the advertising / sponsorship role. Thank you Kayren.

To all members, stay warm and dry and remember-
Enjoy all your adventures and the company of your fellow Pajero Club members.

Ralph Longley