When I awoke to a lousy wet morning, I was convinced that many of you would have turned off the alarm, rolled over and gone back to sleep, and left your pride and joy locked in the garage for the day. Having moved the Bella Vista event to September to "enjoy better weather" and to avoid the clash with the biggest show 'n shine of 2012 at our National Convention next Easter, I was more disappointed than you could imagine with what I saw outside my bedroom window.

To witness fifty Corvettes that had been given some serious attention through the preceding week, arriving in the atrocious weather, made me extremely proud to be a member of this Club. When so many members were prepared to still participate in our big day in such conditions tells me that we must be doing something right, and that the club is heading in the right direction. The level of participation in club events this year has been extremely pleasing to your committee, and even Sydney's wettest September for ninety-three years couldn't keep members away from Bella Vista. Rainfall over this weekend equaled September's usual monthly total! We did lose around 20 entrants on the day due to the weather, many of which were convertibles understandably, so just imagine what a show we would have had if typical September weather had prevailed. We hope that the management of Totally Home Bella Vista saw good sales results as they always do, and are prepared to support us in September 2012 for our 12th annual Bella Vista show.

This is the sort of club I want to belong to. One that enjoys a friendly, positive atmosphere, in which members want to participate, and are prepared to travel from the likes of Canberra and Wollongong to do so. Thank you NSW Corvettes members for your continued support and involvement in the club's activities. It makes the efforts of your committee all worthwhile and rewarding.

The past twelve months have been a rewarding time in my life, as your committee has taken much pleasure in guiding our club through its 31st year. The committee you elected a year ago has been a pleasure to work with, and I believe we have achieved what we set out to; that is to develop a club with a friendly social atmosphere that encourages the active participation of its members. I thank you for this opportunity, and if you are willing to put up with me for another year, I will gladly serve you again and continue to work towards making this the club of choice for Corvette owners and their families.

I hope to see you on a run somewhere soon,

Gary Nelson