GALTA IN CAIRNS – 14-16TH SEPTEMBER, 2007
With Glenn & Phil arriving on Friday 14th to a superbly warm and tropical Friday evening, this year’s events began with a friendly networking function at Skinny Dips Resort & Spa (GALTA member # 232). Olli had flown in from Darwin earlier in the day and was soon joined by Rod who had flown up from the Sunshine Coast.
TNQ’s local represenatative, Jason, ensured that things were organised for our function. Darren flew in from Airlie Beach bringing our newly refreshed GALTA banners with him and all was set up by 5pm. We were joined by local Kevin (retired GALTA Board member), Wally up from Brisbane, Rohan up from Adelaide along with Jason, Josh and friends from the Pink Guide. Sincere thanks to our gracious hosts, Wayne & David from Skinny Dips who ensured that we were well fed and a few drinks flowed for the couple of hours. A group of us stayed on for a delightful dinner and networked well into the evening.
After a tremendous night’s accommodation and scrumptuous breakfast at The Hotel Cairns (GALTA member # 321), three car loads of us drove 40 minutes north of Cairns to arrive at the fabulous Turtle Cove Resort & Spa. Kent and his team did a great job in accommodating us throughout the day – even providing ‘room service’ with a great working lunch during our AGM!! The Out-going Board Meeting was held, lunch ordered, the AGM conducted in a very efficient and timely manner and the In-coming Board Meeting decided dates ahead for the next few months. Jeff Aqulina has already circulated the minutes of the three meetings for the benefit of members.
Saturday evening saw most of us return to downtown Cairns to witness the first ever Tropical Pride street parade along The Esplanade and view the spectacular pyro-technic show over the water. Following this, a group of us adjourned once more to the delightful Hotel Cairns for a goumet dinner with just about ‘hot rock everything’.
Sunday saw the GALTA team displaying at The Tank as part of the first ever gay pride fair day. A most stunning setting in tropical surrounds that is arguably the best fair day venue anywhere around the country. TSDs and other collateral were distributed and we were all made to feel very welcome in our tropical north city.
As a final up-date, our new 2007/08 Executive team consists of:
- Jeff Aqulina – Managing Director, Financial Director & Whitsundays represenatative
- Phil Walcott – NT Regional Director & Company Secretary
- Rod Stringer – Director & Sunshine Coast regional represenatative
- Jason Pask – Director and Tropical North Queensland represenatative
- Wally Cowin – Director, Brisbane/Northern NSW represenatative & Media Relations
and the Executive is ably supported by:
- Olli Berst – Top End NT represenatative
- Rohan Shearn – South Australian represenatative
- Paul Dimmick – Tasmanian represenatative
- Hallie & Corrine Fernandez-Markov–Sapphire Coast -Bega Valley NSW
- Darren Thompson – Membership Services Co-ordinator
We are still actively seeking members that would like to represent Sydney and broader NSW, Melbourne & broader Victoria and Perth / Broome & broader Western Australia, so if you are interested in furthering the aims of the organisation & growing it forward, please let Jeff Aquilina know through md@galta.com.au
With a solid team of 10, we are well positioned to building GALTA very strongly into the future. Our international marketing strategies as well as those in the domestic markets (including the ‘bundling’ of GALTA member product in co-operative advertising ventures with your respective RTA’s and STO’s) aim to furher grow the GALTA branding across all markets. Of course, your comments, suggestions and ideas are always welcome – we need your constructive suggestions to more adequately reflect the requirements of the membership.
Phil Walcott
NT Regional Director
25th September, 2007
