The Achilles Heel - Newsletter of the Achilles Running Club -Sydney
PO Box 240, Randwick,2031:
Achilles_syd@hotmail.com
www.achilles-sydney.org.au

December 2007 Edition
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In this Edition:

 
*End of year Celebration

*Ted Magen - our long serving Treasurer

*International visitors

*AGM

*Michael Levy finishes the NYC Marathon

*Membership renewal

*Personality Profile of one of our members

*Six Foot Track Race

*A New beginning For 2008

*Sunday Roster

 

 

 

End Of Year Picnic:

 

On Sunday 16 December Achilles will gather after our running/walking exercise for our wonderful End of Year  Picnic.

 

Who:  you and your family and friends -  everyone is welcome!

Where:  The Domain - over the road from the Art Gallery of NSW steps

When:  9-30 am - after training (after you are well exercised and are hungry!)

What to bring: A plate and/or something to drink - we'll put it all together for a big Achilles feast

What to do:  Relax, socialise and eat! (and for anyone with influence - make sure that the weather is good)

 

The annual Andrew Bristow Memorial Awards will be presented for the first time - one for a disabled member and one for a guide. As you probably know, each recipient of this award will have their name engraved on a floating trophy as well as receiving their own trophy to keep.

 

It will be great to have as many people there as possible - a super way to end the Achilles year.

 

Ted Magen

 

One of the most active and longest serving members of Achilles, our Treasurer Ted Magen was recently taken ill. He will out of action at Achilles for the next while. We all wish him a speedy recovery from surgery and look forward to his active return to Achilles.

 

 

Visitors from New York

 

On Sunday 4 November Artie Elefant (visually impaired) and his wife Susan came to Achilles and joined us on our regular run around the beautiful Botanical Gardens and Harbour.  It was special as Artie and Susan are very active members of the Achilles New York Chapter and had many stories and information about Achilles in the USA and the rest of the world.  Many of us were able to share a very pleasant breakfast together and enjoy the tremendous positive attitude of both Artie and Susan.  T-shirts were exchanged, although no one wanted to swap their running singlet for Charlie McConnell’s sweaty one.  Its wonderful to share the Achilles International spirit.

 

Annual General Meeting

 

The Club AGM was held on 11 October 2007.  The committee elected are:

President - Ellis Janks

Vice President & Events coordinator - Charlie McConnell

Treasurer- Ted Magen

Minutes Secretaries - Karen Parker & Mariana von Lucken

Website coordinator - Sarah Vickers

Committee members - Marjorie Roberts, Doug Ritchie & Nick Gleeson

 

 

President’s Report – 2006/2007

 

This last year has been a very positive one, thanks to the excellent input of many people. There have also been a number of significant events and activities, so that this has been a very memorable year. I will briefly mention the highlights.

 

1.        10th Anniversary The Club’s 10th anniversary celebration took place on 29 October at the Coogee RSL, and was a great success. About 80 members, supporters and ex-members attended the event, which included a brunch, a slide show of images of 10 years of Achilles, and speeches from a wide range of Achilles members and supporters. I am mentioning this event first in this Report because it ably illustrated the achievements, spirit and continuing growth of our club.

 

2.        Membership During the past year, consistent numbers of people have attended each Sunday training, and participated in organised runs and walks and social get-togethers. A number of new members have joined this year, which has been very pleasing.

 

3.        Finances The financial status of the club is very sound. Funds have been received via membership fees, bank interest, the sale of clothing, and donations. Of note is a very generous $10 000-00 bequest to the club by the estate of the late Andrew Bristow.

 

4.        Events Members participated in various events during the year, including the following: the Mothers Day Fun Run/Walk, NYC Marathon, Kokoda Trail, Sutherland to Surf, City to Surf, Sydney Running Festival (Bridge and Fun Runs), Trailwalker, and the Sydney Tower Run Up. Social events included the end of year picnic and social breakfasts after Sunday training. A number of members got together to train during the week and outside of club training times. Some of our members participated in events (swimming, golf, dragon boat racing, cycling) outside of Achilles, both in Australia and overseas, and have performed extremely well.

 

5.        Sailing event A sailing day with “Sailors with disAbilities”, which had previously been cancelled due to adverse weather finally took place in February and was very much enjoyed by 8 disabled and 2 volunteer members.

 

6.        Training This year, we have been running a training program for volunteers. Doug Ritchie, the presenter, is to be thanked for his expert contribution. Volunteers have made use of the program and have responded very enthusiastically.

 

7.        Uniforms New club t-shirts were ready for distribution at the 10th anniversary celebration. Once again, thanks go to Guide Dogs, which sponsored the costs and have their logo displayed on the t-shirts. At present, a sponsor for the production of singlets is being sought.

 

8.        Awards Two new annual club awards are to be made. These are the Andrew Bristow Memorial Awards, to be presented to a disabled member and a volunteer. Criteria for the award include the member’s contribution to Achilles, participation in the club in general, and the achievement of personal goals.

 

9.        Website The Club website is being revamped by Greg and Sarah.

 

10.    Thanks The website was previously kindly hosted by Richard Wassell. Thanks to Richard for his great support, and for Greg and Sarah for their continuing help. Thanks also to Mark Davis, who has most generously continued to provide the venue for meetings at New Horizons Learning Centre. And of course thanks to all Achilles members for their excellent contributions and their enthusiasm. A special note of thanks to the committee for the excellent work they have put into the running of Achilles, and the time and effort they have generously given. It has been a pleasure working with you.

 

Achilles in the future I hope that the website will play a bigger part in promoting the club and disseminating information to the members. On this note, I am hoping that in the coming year we can market ourselves more effectively to the wider community, thereby attracting new members and seeing an increase in participation in club events and affairs by current members.

 

I wish Achilles every success, and positive growth in the next 12 months.

 

Ellis Janks - President

 

Michael Levy

 

Congratulations to Michael Levy on not only finishing the New York City Marathon, but also for his very successful fundraising effort for the Heart Foundation. He well exceeded the amount pledged. Michael had a very pleasant run, taking in the sights and atmosphere of this, one of the world's great marathons.

 

Membership Renewal:

 

A gentle reminder for those who need to pay their membership as it is due.  The good news is that the Achilles membership remains at $20 and $10 if not working.  Please see either Ellis, Charlie or Nick to pay this fee.

 

Achilles Member Personality Profile: Marjorie Roberts

 

Marjorie Roberts has been a member of Achilles since  the club began.  Although, Marjorie has always taken on life at 100kms per hour.  A successful business woman who knew exactly what she wanted in life and despite various barriers has achieved so many goals.  Marjorie was faced with the enormous challenge of blindness at an age where most people would be preparing for a relaxing retirement.  Initially it came as a shock but with the encouragement of a mobility instructor from the Guide Dog Association she started to believe in herself and stayed on her large block of land at Warriewood.  Her closest neighbour is a 5 minute walk from her home, although, Marjorie says that “her closest friends are the wildlife that lives on her bush land.”

 

Marjorie has tandem cycled in many countries including England, France and Russia.  She has played golf at an elite level in Japan, Scotland, Canada, Ireland, America  and has loved the various cultures of each society.  Marjorie has represented Achilles in many events over the years and is a regular participant in the Mothers Day Classic in May.  Volunteer Sarah Vickers has partnered Marjorie for the past four years in this event and is quite a sight chasing Marjorie and her guide dog Moira through the crowd.  Marjorie’s greatest two friends are Moria and her retired guide Dog Ishbel a 17 year old Labrador.  Marjorie Roberts is a woman of enormous determination and makes sure that every step in her life is forward.

 

Six Foot Track Race

 

This is a call for you  long distance off-road runners - come and join the growing group (3 so far) of Achilles members who are keen to run the 45 km  from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves. The race is in March so, time to make the commitment and to get training.

 

 

A New Beginning for 2008

 

Achilles will be in recess until Sunday 3 February.  We very much look forward to seeing you all in the new year and wish you a safe happy break from Achilles.

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and have a great holiday.

 

 

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Sunday Roster:

 

Dec 9 - Karen Parker, Ellis Janks, Colin Bradford, Stephen Lenn, Volunteer Required

Dec 16 – END OF YEAR PICNIC

Mark Houlihan, Meg Buchanan, Sarah Vickers ,  Volunteer Required

 

Merry XMAS & Happy CHANUKAH

 

Feb 3 - Marilyn Myers, Nikki Caminer, Karen Parker, Ellis Janks Volunteer Required

Feb 10 - Karen Parker, Ellis Janks, Colin Bradford, Stephen Lenn, Volunteer Required