December 2007

This has been a difficult year for Murray Grey breeders with the dry conditions still affecting most of Australia with no state being unaffected. Congratulations must go to you all for maintaining your registrations and keeping your confidence with this great breed.

This year saw the end of a four year term as President of the MGBCS by Gary Buller. It takes a fair bit of one’s personal time to be President and I thank him for this great effort over these years. When the new board met directly after the AGM to elect office bearers, we knew it would be a difficult year ahead for the Society and anyone on the board.

The Society was facing a tough year with the losses and eventual closing down of the Armidale Business Centre (ABC) and a probable lower than expected income due to the drought. To make matters worse, the Office Manager, Di Hardman, resigned at the end of May leaving the office seriously understaffed as well as the loss of all her knowledge of the running of the Society.

The board had a meeting in July and unanimously agreed that the Society could not afford to continue renting an office in the ABC and maintain two full time staff. All the ‘fat’ from years ago stored in the form of term deposits had been used up over the last ten years and the Society could no longer run at a loss. Therefore the board contracted ABRI to run the Society as it does for other breeds. This move has meant that the Murray Grey Society staff is supported by others at ABRI and makes us less vulnerable to staff movement. The letter you all received earlier this year, introducing the people at ABRI, shows a talented team that will add professionalism to the Society. This professionalism will lead to publications coming out on time, more communications from the office to members and better accounting practices just to name a few.

I would like to thank the members, whose patience and understanding were tried from June till November over this bumpy period. Special thanks must go to Rose Schaulk who single-handedly ran the old office until the transition took place. Thanks also to Alex MacDonald for his help in keeping the changeover on target.

The good news is that the Society’s recalculated budget from the July meeting to the end of December is better than expected. Next year’s conservative budget should also see the Society trade ‘in the black’. The MGBCS will continue to support steer and carcass prizes at Royal shows to promote the breed’s true commercial importance to the Australian Beef Industry.

The board is working with a new committee made up of enthusiastic members to run the 2008 National Show and Sale. We have a big opportunity to raise funds for the Society with the raffle to be drawn at this, our major yearly event. This raffle is already fully paid for with all ticket sales going to support the Society’s promotion of Murray Greys.

I am very confident in the future of the MGBCS, with its new arrangement with ABRI and of its ability to trade positively. There will be elections this coming February/March for the states of Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. Please consider who you would like to have as your representative on the board. I thank my fellow Directors for their support and contribution during the year.

Merry Christmas and seasons greetings to you all.
Tony Dikkenberg