President's Report AGM 2024
President's Report
Annual General Meeting - 2023 - 2024
It is with great pleasure that I present my second annual report for the year 2023 -2024. I wish to extend
my gratitude to all present at today’s meeting.
I believe the last 12 months has seen the Club progress in terms of stability, both from a financial
perspective as well as new faces attending our functions. We have partnered well with The Grand on
Princes and look forward to a long and successful relationship with them.
I would like to thank all the committee members for your support afforded to me over the past 12 months.
I would like to give special mention to Earl Ferdinand for providing me with guidance when required in his ex-officio role.
WELFARE BENEFICIARIES PROGRAM
Presently, the Club continues to fund quarterly pensions to 212 Welfare Beneficiaries in Colombo and
Batticaloa. The usual mid-year and Christmas bonus payments were supplemented with 2 additional
bonus payments in consideration of hardship due to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka over the past 12
months.
With the present high cost of living, a well-considered approach will be taken before any commitment is
made to increase funding in future. Consideration has also been given to increase the number of qualified welfare beneficiaries to 225.
Additionally, an emergency fund is also held by the DBU, Colombo to provide for medical and other emergency payments, which is independent to the pension payments.
To Shireen Ferdinand (WB coordinator), Yvonne de Vos (Asst. WB coordinator), Etienne Jayatunga (DBU
Support), my sincere thanks for their hard work and dedication in coordinating this program.
STUDENT SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
At present 166 students receive financial assistance through the Club’s sponsors. I would like to thank
those sponsors, for their ongoing commitment that has enabled the Student Sponsorship Program to be
a success in breaking the cycle of poverty through education. Some students have continued to Tertiary
studies and those who completed schooling at GCE (AL) have gone onto secure gainful employment. A
number of students with the help of their sponsors have successfully completed trade qualifications.
Independent of the sponsors, the club subsidises book allowances and other needs of the students, as
required.
Ten students receive a Post-School Educaon and Training (PSET) allowance, which includes:
Higher Educaon Level at University;
Technical and Vocaonal Educaon and Training; and
Apprenceship.
The PSET scheme was made possible through an endowment made by the late Mr Ivor de Kretser,
specifically for this purpose.
Student sponsorship is an integral part of the Club activities and will continue to help a new generation of students in their education, their well-being and that of their families. Undoubtedly, education will
provide a future for students and will break the cycle of hardship and poverty for many families.
Many thanks to Trevor Collette for liaising with sponsors, monitoring the academic progress of students
and providing feedback to the sponsors. Trevor is ably assisted by Dal Drieberg.
MEMBERSHIP
Due to the demographic of our membership, our elderly members subsequently seek retirement
accommodation, and many are unable to participate in the Club’s activities. Membership plays an
important role, not only to our fund-raising efforts but to also spread the word of the work we do, to help
the ‘Less Fortunate’ in Sri Lanka. Our membership total to date stands at 560.
Many thanks to our Membership Secretary, Allan Pinder for his tireless work to increase our membership and chasing up unpaid renewal notices. Additionally, Allan continues the good work of facilitating the cataract surgery program and providing prescription glasses to those who need it. Together with the First Sight Hospital in Hendala, Sri Lanka, cataract operations are ongoing and provided free of charge to our WB’s and other deserving patients, brought to our attention. I would like to thank all those who donated to this program to make this a remarkable success story. Allan is ably assisted by Eric Harmon (Asst. Membership Secretary)
FINANCIALS & FUND-RAISING
The Club is in a solid financial position. This is a direct result of 42 years of dedication by our members
through their continued support at functions and their generous donations throughout the year. It is also a direct result of the hard work of our long-time treasurer Tony Scarnivel, along with our assistant
treasurers Chris Harvie and Ingrid Harmon.
I want to make special mention of Tony Scarnivel. Tony commenced as Assistant Treasurer back in 1992
before assuming the role of treasurer. Tony has decided to hang up his pen and calculator and retire from the committee and take a well-earned break. The Club is indebted to Tony for his dedication, time and effort, who has been ably supported by his wife Arlene during this long journey. As recognition of his commitment to the Eighty Club, the Committee approved life membership for Tony and Arlene.
Congratulations to you and we wish you all the very best for the future in health and happiness.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the Fund-raising Committee for their dedication and hard work for making our functions a true success. A special mention to George de Vos for the effort he goes through to decorate the room for the country and western night and Christmas dinner dance functions. We must also not forget our function compère Rodney de Kretser who does a marvellous job for us.
The Club has also been very appreciative to all those families who made bequests in honour and
remembrance of their loved ones. We also appreciate the well-wishers who requested donations to the
club, in lieu of gifts to celebrate those very special occasions in their lives.
The Committee is looking at options how best to plan to utilise our financial resources to increase welfare beneficiary assistance and student sponsorship, whilst we balance that against high inflation and cost of living for our members, the challenge to retain membership numbers whilst ensuring we have sufficient funds to support our beneficiaries well into the future.
ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT
I would like to thank Marie de Kretser for excellent service in the role as Club secretary and keeping me
organised at our committee meetings. To all our office bearers, thank you for your positive contribution
throughout the year. Thank you to Terry Jansen, in his role as honorary auditor.
Sincere thanks to our counterparts in Sri Lanka, who facilitate and co-ordinate our programs:
The President of the DBU, Mr David Colin-Thome and his team in Sri Lanka.
Mrs. Etienne Jayatunga for her tireless work and support for the DBU and the ECM.
Mr. Terry Stockvus and his team at the Batticaloa Cultural Union for the work they do for the
Batticaloa Burgher community.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
After 2 years in the role as president, I have made the difficult decision to not nominate for another term.
My priorities remain with my professional work and therefore find that I cannot commit to the time
required to lead this great Club. I have enjoyed my two years as your president and perhaps some time
in future I will look at taking up the responsibilities once I have retired completely if the opportunity
presents itself. I will continue to remain an remain active on the Committee. I wish the next president all
the very best in the role and know that he or she will have my full support.
Once again, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to our members for their continued support of the
Eighty Club. I couldn’t be prouder of the members and guests who have given so generously to those ‘less fortunate than ourselves’. Our members connue to epitomize the meaning of giving. Your connued support is not only vital but will always be appreciated.
Finally, I wish to thank my loving wife Melinda for the support she provides me to make my role as smooth and successful as possible. I appreciate the support and warmth she also provides the committee members in their duties. It’s very much appreciated.
With Warm Regards,
ANGELO HERFT
PRESIDENT – EIGHTY CLUB MELBOURNE INC.‘Caring for the less fortunate’