TRACS - Townsvilles Best RC Club

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5511

Sunday, 15 May 2011 20:05

Members,

Another weekend of top weather for flying with a good roll up of members to take advantage of it, plenty of models were on hand from both classes of aircraft, it has been quite a while since we have seen six models in the air at once which is great to see. It goes to show that our membership is growing at a steady rate. While on the subject of membership don't forget our AGM is fast approaching and at our next monthly meeting I think we should discuss what changes to our fee structure may be needed so that we know what membership fees may be for 2011/2012 financial year. while I guess none of us like paying more the plain facts are everything is going up drastically in price, this being the case we are in the same boat as all organisations, costs have to be met for us to keep making improvements to our infastructure and the only way I know of to generate the required income is through annual subscriptions or working like hell to pull funds out of the general public or sponsorships and Grants. There are no free rides in this world.

Thanks heaps to those who turned out for the working bee. Marvellous just how big the area is when all the grass has been cut, plenty of room for lapses in judgement on landing, all helps to take our models home in one piece if a small mistake is made. One of the dead trees was cut down which only leaves the other two to go which I hope will disappear next Saturday. Watering , at present is our biggest need to keep a layer of grass over the paddock, maybe we should put our application in to council to have treated water put on, even if we don't act on it just yet at least if and when we decide to do it there will be less delay.

JUNE FLY-IN organisation is progressing steadily and I can noe confirm that Ultra Lites will be donig a couple of fly pasts as will the Red Barron who will Have Henry Eagle on board, Townsville Helicopters will be doing some low work as well as an auto gyro., lastly at around 5PM Tvlle. Sky Divers will drop four jumpers two of them will have huge AUSSIE flags. These events will happen during Sunday. For all members who have indicated that they are prepared to help over the two days as well as Friday night. we will need to have a meeting next Sunday at 12noon to make sure we have all bases covered as well as making final preparations for catering, we still have to organise the purchase of food and disposable plates etc.As I will be away from 27 to 30 of May these matters will need to be sorted out. Other items have been ordered or arranged, such as Tents, tables chairs, porta loos, lighting towers. We just need to confirm and pay for items that need to be hired.

I am sure there are other matters that I may have forgotten but they can wait for another day. Until then clean down and check out your models for next week.

Dave Goldsworthy,

President TRACS.

481 comments

Published in President Blog

80511

Monday, 09 May 2011 12:07

Members,

Well the weather turned against us yesterday and combined with Mothers day our turnout was five in the afternoon shift that I know of. On to a brighter note, organisation of the flyin is well underway, we now have three definite starters for the displays on Sunday 12/6/11 they are Ultra Lights, Red Barron and Sky Divers, I am having difficulty getting hold of Tvlle. Helicopters, they have not answered any calls or e mails yet,but I will keep calling them right up until the last minute.

Went to the field on Saturday morning and mowed the heli ring completely. Our mower needs new blades and belts which Dirk will buy today, we will probably fit them tomorrow. Darryl Dunn bought his bob catcat out ot spread the top dressing but had to stop after the machine blew a seal on a ram, now that there has been a bit of rain I guess that it will curtail our plans in that direction for a week.

Now that most long grass has been cut there is lots of grass that needs to be raked up and moved, so I suggest that we have working bee next Saturday morning, bring along lawn rakes mainly and get the place looking in good condition.

A big thanks to Ray and Geoff for installing pit lighting it will make them much safer of a night, also they will make conditions much better for after dark usage. At our meeting last week Richard Oudin, our coordinator for night flying indicated that we start night flies again now that the weather looks more predictable. I think Richard is looking at the first Saturday Night in June, he will confirm this wiyh us this week.

Well the end of another financial year is almost upon us, that only means one thing, memberships will need to be paid before the end of June, don't be surprised to see and hear the Treasurer and Registrar reminding you . As soon as possible after the 30/6/11 we will have the books audited, then the AGM will be held once the audit is complete.

Dave Goldsworthy,

President

61 comments

Published in President Blog

010511

Saturday, 07 May 2011 16:38

Members,

It's nice to see this fabulous weather continuing, clear skies little wind and hardly any cloud. What more could a modeler want? There was a good roll up for the meeting considering it is a long weekend, the main topic to come out of the meeting was the passing of a recommendation that the meeting minutes will be posted on our web site from now on, I believe this is another step forward in keeping all members up to date with what is happening within your club, now members who cannot attend a meeting will be able to keep themselves in the loop.

Although numbers were down a little today those who came out were able to get in some good flying time, with each pilot able to get in about four flights each before the meeting began. Our heli fraternity had a small turnout but a few fixed wing members stayed around and combined with the helis, nice to see the camaraderie coming back. Another pleasing aspect of this morning was to hear several members get up and thank their instructors for their time and assistance in enabling them to attain bronze wings. It is very pleasing indeed to hear these praises from the floor of a meeting, this is just one indication of why we consider ourselves to be the friendly club.

Preparations are well underway for the fly in, a programmed of events is now in place, the menu and cost per meal set down, now our secretary will be sending a flyer out to all clubs from Rocky in the south, Emerald, Mt. Isa to the west and all clubs in the northern region, now all we have to do is wait and see how much interest we can generate. If last year, at our first attempt, is any indication we should be in for a pearler of a weekend.

I do not know if members have heard that Bob Mc Dougall is back in hospital? The club wishes him well and a speedy recovery.

That is it for another week, see you next Tuesday or Sunday.

Dave Goldsworthy

President TRACS

505 comments

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121210

Monday, 13 December 2010 08:22

Members,

As 2010 is almost over I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and Happy new year. Last night we held our last function for the year, in spite of the rain we managed to have our presentation of trophies and awards to our members and a very enjoyable meal as well, thankyou to Ado, Shane and the wives who helped in the kitchen preparing the salads also thanks to Teena, Joy, Helen for their deserts and potato bake, they were delicious.

At this point I would like to sincerely thank our committee members for their efforts and help to me over the year, you have all made my job easier. To all other members I also extend to you my gratitude in the way you are willing to pitch in wherever help is needed. We have a very people friendly membership and it is this meteship that is propelling our club along at an astonishing rate, who would have thought we would have been able to carry out the improvements we have made and still hava a substantial sum in the bank after the position we were in only a few short years ago, you have all played a part in making this turn around.

Our monthly meeting in January will be held over until the first Sunday in February, any business in that time will be taken care of by the committee, Richard Oudyn will keee us informed when night flying will begin in the new year. This will most pribably be my last news letter for this year, however I will keep you informed if anything comes up that is urgent. Bye for 2010.

Dave Goldsworthy

President TRACS.

3077 comments

Published in President Blog

071210

Tuesday, 07 December 2010 15:59

Members,

We need people at the field on Saturday morning to clean up kitchen, pits, empty bins, set up servery and anything else that needs doing for Party night. If you are available please bring whipper snipper, push mower, poison spray, water blaster or just yourself. let's make this a good family night out.

CONTINGENCY PLAN IN CASE OF RAIN. If the weather turns bad on us and Saturday is a wash out the Party will be PUT BACK A WEEK, in this case we will send out an email and ring people who do not have internet.

Dave Goldsworthy

President

12086 comments

Published in President Blog

051210

Sunday, 05 December 2010 19:19

Members,

Well what a great week it has been for flying as well as the march forward of progress with new members joining and hard working and long serving members being rewarded for their personal contributions. Firstly congratulations to our Secretary Greg Stokie who was awarded a Life Membership , Greg has been a stallwart for over twenty five years and in that time has held the positions of President, Secretary and I believe Treasurer. Over this time, some of Greg's achievements has seen the addition of flight boxes, starting pound as well as field extensions in the past, I will never forget Greg staying behind every Sunday afternoon watering the fields by moving around a two inch hose by hand, waiting for a patch to get a drink and then moving the hose to another patch. Greg you deserve every accolade that comes your way for your loyal and meretorious service to the club. Last but by no means least Jason Clark was awarded the John Whittaker shield fot the member who cnntributed greatly to the club and also took a keen intrest in helping new heli flyers setting up their transmitters, helis and teaching these students to fly. Jason the work that you put into setting up our website has been the most fantastic singular thing that has taken us into the 21st. century, we are now becoming known far and wide and the site has been praised by individuals and clubs throughout Australia, thank you.

As members come and go today we had to say goodbye to Lee Powell and his family, Lee has been posted to WA. with his work. In his time with us Lee was a good team member and his happy smile and easy going nature made him a friend to everyone, his presence among the boys will be greatly missed. Lee we wish you and your family well for the future.

Next Saturday afternoon and night our Christmas party eill be held at the field from 5.00pm onward, it was decided that the club will foot the bill for the food and some soft drinks for wives and children, any hard stuff will be byo. We decided at the meeting that the club could meet these costs as we have progressed very much this year with most members pitching in where they could, so come along, enjoy the evening and night flying will take place after dinner. It would probably be a good idea to bring along your chairs.

Tomorrow I will be going to Goodsell Earthmoving to order top soil which will be spread over the new earthworks, let's pray for a week without rain, new member Daryl Dunn has offered to bring out a bobcat and spreader bar to do the top dressing for us. This is another example of members willing to pitch in. To bring you all up to speed onthe treated water project our Secretary has made contact with Councilor Vern Vetch and explained to him our needs toward this venture and he has agreed to support our case in Council, So early in the new year we will start to plan and purchase enough pipe to get the water to our boundary ASAP.

Well I think most points have been covered for now, so see you all at the ball.

Dave Goldsworthy
TRACS President

P.S.I omitted to congratulate Shane Johnson who obtained his bronze wings for FW. Instructor Gyro said thanks for the $50 you slipped into his pocket before the test.

Dave

97618 comments

Published in President Blog

291110

Monday, 29 November 2010 12:08

Members,

My email is finally fixed, I HOPE, but it has not received any mail since the 24/11/10. I now have a new address which is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it so it is now back to what it was initially.Ain't TELECOM just great.

There was a good rollup yesterday with everyone in good spirits and having a great time, Mark Heilbron's new 110cc YAK loked and flew great and the smoke makes it a lot more showy, am now looking forward to Greg Gysin fronting with his new model.

The grounds are looking good with grass gradually spreading, if we give it a bit of help there could be complete cover by the end of the wet season.

Next Sunday 5/12/10 at 9.30am our last meeting for2010 will be held and the following Saturday 11/12/10 we will have the Christmas party with night flying afterwards, so keep that date in mind and bring your wife children.

Just to let you all know Bob McDougall from TAS club and TREK AIR HOBBIES has undergone major surgery and we wish him well in his recovery.

Dave Goldsworthy.
President

127272 comments

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221110

Monday, 29 November 2010 12:06

Members,

Not a lot to report on this week due to the wet stuff stuffing conditions up a little Jason Clark has done a good job of mowing the fields, however he is going to require help as his back is playing up again and our facilities are going to require weekly maintenance for some time to come. Geoff Ado Dirk and Perry completed stone pitching the outlet pipe on Eastern end of the maim runway, great job fellas. Our main gate lock fell apart on Sunday Greg Stokie retrieved the bits and it will be placed on our gate tomorrow.

This morning Greg and myself took MAAQ President and Secretary for a look over our facilities to famularise themselves with all clubs in NQ. and were impressed with what we have accomplished and where we are heading, so I believe that is a plus for us, they also told us to apply for a one off $500.00 grant toward the recycled water project. It would appear that we are much better off than a lot of clubs in the state, lets keep working toward being the best.

Dave Goldsworthy
President TRACS

85200 comments

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141110

Monday, 29 November 2010 12:03

Members

Not a lot to report today due to weather conditions, however a few brave souls did get up, Tony Walters had a very fast glider and small foamie tested by Andrew Kellock for him, have a look at photos provided by Geoff Varnes, a few heli boys were getting a couple of midges ready when I left and that was about it for today except our ever present BAR B DOLL was still there cooking up some burgers for the boys.

Don't forget the postponed working bee next Saturday, jobs to be done will be a full mow and blow job plus stone pitching outlet pipes. If anyone can lay their hands on old carpet we need heaps to cover the leve banks to stop erosion by tides as well as rain. Early in the new year i would like to see a start to realigning the pits and laying down a good all weather floor, this is not as difficult or expensive as you may think and will be easily achieveable along with our reticulated treated water supply for our fields.

WE have the capital all we need is muscle power. At our next meeting I will give you my thoughts and all the guidance to see these projects through, I don't care if I have to sleep there these jobs will be done before our next Fly In ON Queens Birthday weekend.

On the subject of Fly Ins Greg Stokie and myself have informed the MAAQ President and Secetary that we will be conducting an event on Q.B weekend, I need our Heli fraternity to give us a date by next monyhly meeting, get your fingers out fellas and come to next months meeting with your proposal the we can get our open events squared away and advertised in Airflow Magazine.

Don't forget the Christmas party on 11/12/10 Commencing about 5.30pm., at the party we hope to have some important guests present so we can present with certificates of appreciation for their help with our field improvements. Also would all committee members give me their choice for Member of the year award, when I have your choices we can then sit down and select a worthy recipent, if you put your thinking caps on I can think of several.

That is it for this week, I will be away next week so I will leave it to Greg Stokie to keep you all up to speed next week.

Dave Goldsworthy,

President TRACS

589253 comments

Published in President Blog

081110

Monday, 29 November 2010 12:00

Members,

Yesterday at our monthly meeting several topics were raised, some on the safety side and some on the social side, fot the benefit of those whowere not in attendance I will relay on the points of discussion. In reguard to safety it was pointed out that pilots are continuing to fly from outside the flight line and this was being breached by FW & RW pilots, the second issue raised by both safety officers was the amounting of incidences of people smoking in the pits, third issue raised was pilots using opposing strips and therefore all pilots on the flight line do not have good vision or commicunication of each other therefore creating what could be a dangerous situation, all members are asked to be vigilant and be aware of what their actions may cause. Personally I do not wish to be standing in a court of law either defending the CLUB or more so Myself and the committee members because uncondoned practices are occuring at our field, ultimately safety is all our business.

This year our Christmas party will be held at the field again as last years event was extremely successful. The date will be the 11/12/10, and I am guessing at the moment, but I think starting at about 5.30 for 6pm. We invite all members and their famalies to join us and take part in what should be a good night. Catering arrangements will be arranged in the coming weeks.

Sunday morning flying was very pleasent indeed and I noticed that quite a few members are staying out there later and getting in a few more flights wich is great to see. On the membership side new comers are virtually streaming in through the gate, off hand I reckon there has been at least six forms handed out last week alone and another two who came late and intimated that they would be joining us as well, so the possibility of reaching our target numbers will be achieved in the next year. Don't forget that we are all ambassadors for the club so if you see a neww face looking over the fence, introduce yourself, show them around if they are interested, you may never know what contribution they may be able to make to this club if they join up. Good to see an old member in Greg Page coming out for a look at what is happening to the old place, most impressed he was too, I reckon he will get the bug again.

Before the wet season and king tides arrive we will need to getthe stone pitching done around the outlet pipes in both east and west leve banks, as this work needs completing urgently A WORKING BEE will be held this Saturday morning starting at 8.30 and going for a couple of hours, equipment needed for this work will be a couple of trailers, wheelbarrows and of course plenty of help if you are able to supply any of these don't be shy and come out.

That will do me for this week so keep up the maintenance of your aircraft and safe flying.

Dave Goldsworthy

President.

1170042 comments

Published in President Blog