No Meeting was held but we all had a great time at Softy's, NHGC Christmas parties rock!!

NHGC Meeting 27/01/2021

Commenced 7:30pm at Bar Beach Bowlo

Attendees: Adriaan, Craig, Harry, Jamie, Ken, Tony Barton, Matt Tynan (new member), 

Zoom attendees: Selmsy, Gary H, Troy Horton

Apologies: Matt Olive, John Dingle, Donney Gardner

Last minutes – moved Craig, 2nd’d Ken.

Business from last meeting,

Hickson st launch – National parks are putting up signage.  One small sign at each entrance to the launch pad with a flip down bit to say if area active.  Adriaan, Craig, Jamie & Gavin Morris meet with 3 National Parks officials on 8th Feb to discuss signage.  Apparently our temporary sign has annoyed them, particularly because it has created an extra path into the bush.  Our general opinion is their signage is inadequate and does little to educate the general public of our flying activities at the site.

Craig & Adrian delivered xmas vouchers to the various landowners which was well received.

New Business

None.  Reminder – If anyone has new business please email Adrian so he can present it at the next meeting.

Flying

Some good local flying on the coast.

Jamie, Selmsy, Shane & James Crago (Berrigal NSW) went to Rainbow beach for ~5 days.  1st day Selmsy got a fly at Carlo Sandblow in average cross conditions.  2st day we had yippee jumps off Teewa South end launch.  45 cross and light.  Even two local paraglider pilots couldn’t manage to get it up.  3rd Day epic conditions at Carlo Sandblow.  Lots of low level flying, takeoff and landings, dune gooning, ridge runs, best day ever!  4th day no fly, we went and sat in the warm waters of lake Mckenzie on Fraser Island.  Day 5 North end of Teewah flew the dunes in 25+ knots and 45 cross to the right.  Very Challenging conditions.  Jamie managed to get up from the primary dunes to the large secondary dunes and fly the bowl at Double Island Point.  Hopefully some 360 camera pics posted on club website soon.

Comps

~27 pilots registered for NSW state titles.  Karl is trying to get AA rating provided borders remain open.

Safety / Incidents

An out of town HG pilot, but frequent visitor, flew into the fence tailwind at Dixon Park.  He suffered broken toes.  Incident is under investigation.  Unsure if it was an equipment failure.
Tony Barton and 2 other pilots experienced heavy sinking air in their paragliders and abruptly forced to land near Merewether ocean baths.  Tony suspects was from two opposite wind directions meeting at the coast.  

Treasurer’s Report 

Westpac Solutions 1 account

Xmas Party -$787.24

Barraba Big Tow +694.94

____________________________________________

$21,839.92

Secondary Account $56.87

Two new members joined the club at the meeting;

Matt Tynan
Rod Moor.

Meeting Closed 7:50pm

NHGC Meeting Minutes 24 Feb 2021

Bar Beach Bowlo

Meeting commenced 7:30pm.

Present:  Adriaan, Ian L, Kenny, Harry, Jamie, Matt, JOD, Andreas,

Zoom: Gary, Frans, Patto

Last Minutes: Moved 1st Kenny, 2nd Adriaan

Flying

Some good coastal flying despite the rain.  Jamie flew at Bar Beach and accidentally stopped a film crew on the beach before realizing they were filming a scene (23/2/2021).

NSW state titles at Manilla started with two good days flying.  More next meeting.

General Business

Hickson St

A very constructive meeting was held at Hickson st Launch with Kate, NP Planner, Kate’s boss, head of NP for the area, Gavin Morris from NPC, Adriaan, Jamie and Craig.  Three new signs were up with their flip down parts open.  The flip downs to show when the site is active will have a combination padlock on each.  The code is 2291 for Hickson St and will be 2290 for Bombala.  Note these are the area postal codes.  Pilots are permitted to operate these signs.  Please keep the padlock locked on the sign at all times so it cannot be stolen.

Vandals removed the old HG sign and it was found in the bush on Hickson St by Kate.  Kate has agreed to erect another sign in a similar location that gives more information on how the ‘launch pad’ operates, similar to our temporary sign.  The temporary sign was not mentioned at the meeting.  We will continue to use it until this new sign is erected.

Also discussed was extending the astroturf all the way to the path.

On busy weekends the use of cones separating picnickers and pilots has been a great success.

The water tower is at some stage going to be replaced with another water tower and a communications tower.

The NP planner will re-write the usage for the launch so flying activities will officially be included.  We will have an opportunity to include in the usage vegetation management, landing and launching on lower parts of the hill (currently considered emergency only).

Kate explained that NP need to monetise the launch in order to help pay for its upgrade and maintenance.  She acknowledges that the site is the victim of its own success.  NP only ever intend to allow a maximum of 1 event per day with a maximum duration of 2 hours.  A detailed events schedule will be shared with NHGC and NPC.  We will share with our members through our website log in.  NP would appreciate our help to monitor any events, particularly if they have not been approved, and report back to them.

We would like to acknowledge that Kate has worked hard to try and keep flying activities at Hickson st.  We were made aware at the meeting that this is very much against the trend with NP.

We will include in the site guide that all communications to NP will be done through the club and not as individuals.

Dixon Park

Plans have been approved for the old unused kiosk at Dixon Park, next to where we often land and pack up our gliders, will be revived and expanded.  We have not yet obtained any plans.  Word of mouth from a local resident is that the building will double in size, expanding towards the ocean with an undercover seating area.  Roof approximately 1m higher than the existing building.  This is not likely to affect us but we cannot be sure until we see the plans.

New Business

SAFA has emailed everybody about getting their VHF endorsement.  They are going to reduce all pilot ratings to HG-Supervised or PG3 until the pilot has obtained their endorsement.  We have until 23/03/2021 to get the VHF rating.  Pilot ratings will be reinstated once VHF endorsement is obtained.  There is an online exam and a practical exam with a SSO.  NHGC is going to organize the practical exam with Tony Barton.  Free to members and paid for by the club.

Harry suggested we, as a club, participate in ‘clean up Australia day’ (https://www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/).  In particular if we register as a group and on the day start at our North most site cleaning it up and move to the next site south and so on.  As well as being good PR we also cleanup our sites.  If your interested in participating please contact Harry.

World Surf League competition is coming to Newcastle from 1st-11th April.  JOD has offered to see who’s involved and find out if there are going to be any NOTAMs.  Note it could be very crowded on and off the beach affecting flying activities.

Booti Booti launch update.  A working bee might be happening up there soon.  Local club pilots have asked to re-negotiate access and keys with NP.  Adrian has provided them the 2008 agreement as a start.

Safety Reports – none.

Treasurers Report;

No treasurers report this Month, Craig was away.

Adriaan and Jamie spent $80 on usb speakers and an omnidirectional microphone for our Zoom participants.  Adriaan also used his good webcam.  Sorry it has taken us so long to sort this out.  Hopefully from now on Zoomers can expect a much better video feed, sound and also be heard.

Meeting closed ~8:45pm.

NHGC Meeting Minutes 31 March 2021

Bar Beach Bowlo

Meeting commenced 7:30pm.

Present:  John Dingle, Craig Hand, Rory Duncan, Foxy, Rhett, Ken Harris, Jason Kath, Billo, Matt Tynan, Harry Daniels, Ward Gunn, John Spencer, Areas, Rob, Selmsy, Jamie Oorschot

Apologies: Adriaan Mulder (working late), Matt Olive(at work)

Zoom: Sorry, we were kicked outside this week and Jamie had a malfunction organizing equipment.  As a result zoom was not operating this month.  We will endeavor to have it running next month.

Last Minutes: Moved 1st Selmsy, 2nd John Spencer

Flying

Some good coastal flying despite the bad weather.

Incidents - none

General Business

World Surf comp starting next week at Merewether Beach. No NOTAMS for the event.  Please be aware extra film crews will be in town and through them SAFA will be watching.  No new rules due to the surf comp, normal separation rules apply.  Please fly safely and be cautious with all the new fencing and extra people that will be in town.

Harry Daniels organized a Cleanup Australia day team to cleanup our four sites Strezi, Dixon Park, Hickson St and Bombala st.  13 people showed up for a combined 56 man hours collecting 40kg of rubbish (inc 1 syringe).  The successful morning ended with a BBQ at Bombala st Carpark.  Thankyou Harry and all those involved.

Two working bees have occurred at Dixon Park launch to reduce the Bitu bush in front and cleanup the airflow.  It was organized by John Spencer with Rhett, Jamie, JOD, John Dingle and Paul helping out.  John first contacted Chris and Barbell at Landcare for permission and they inspected the work on the second day and were very happy with what was done.  Sharon from Newcastle Council coastal management group was informed of the work through a subcontractor and since has been in contact with John Spencer.  She informed John that Landcare do not have authority over the site.  John managed to smooth it over with Sharon with apologies and sincerity.  John and Sharon are going to meet this week and do a tour of our launches (King Edward, Strezi, Dixon Park) and discuss any possible planning of vegetation that will eliminate the need for pruning to minimize air turbulence for safety reasons.  Overall the discussion was positive.  In the meantime there will be no more pruning at Dixon Park.  John also learned that King Edward is soon to become a heritage listing.  If we could get permanent reduction of the bushes out front and to the left (for landing) before becoming heritage this would be fantastic as it will be difficult to change after it becomes heritage.

What we forgot to mention at the Club meeting – 14 pilots did their VHF practical exam with Tony Barton at Pelicon Airport on Monday night.  Big thanks for Adriaan for organizing, Tony for teaching and Airborne for the use of their training office.  Want to be at the next VHF practical exam?  Please let Adriaan know. 

New Business

The committee has given the ok for the club to purchase a brush cutter for site maintenance.  Jamie has been using his for the past few years for the club and it is getting tired.  The new brush cutter is to be used, where permitted, for all club sites on the coast and inland, and club comps (eg Mt Borah North launch at this year’s State titles was an unsafe horrible overgrown mess!).  Rules and a caretaker of it will be thrashed out by the committee.  It was suggested instead of purchasing we consider renting.  The committee will look into this alternative.

A parachute repack night will be organized, hopefully before the Dalby comp, at the Airborne factory.  Let Adriaan know if your interested in attending.

A free ‘Introduction to Hang Gliding’ event will be held in Newcastle on the 24th of April.  Please download the flyer from the club website and share it with your friends and family.  Anyone willing to help out on the day please let Tony know.

Treasurers Report;

The annual fee of $1300 was paid to Forestry for the Watagans sites.

Primary account: $20,271

Secondary account: $166

Meeting closed 8:30pm.

NHGC Meeting Minutes 28/04/2021

Bar Beach Bowlo

Meeting start 7:30pm

Present:  Craig Hand, Harry Daniels, Jason Kath, Rory Duncan, Ken Harris, Jamie Oorschot, Glen Selmes, Tony Barton

Zoom: Apologies from Jamie who struggled to set it up (tecktard).  Adriaan will be back next month and we will try again.

Apologies: Adriaan Mulder (working), Matt Tynan, John Dingle

Last Minutes Moved: Craig, Jason.

Flying  - Conrad Yippee Jump of Murrells in his PG(new NE Heaton).  Later that day Conrad landing in Merewether kiddie pool (empty) and re-launching on the grass behind.

Dalby Big Air – not the usual we have come to expect.  Practice day and 1st comp day did not fly due to rain and boggy paddock.  Mostly blue days and not very high thermals.  Generally much colder out there this year.  Most likely from the recent rain and La-ninya weather.  Jason won 1 day, Rory won 2.  Rory could have come 3rd but due to a gps malfunction came 8th – DOH!

Incidents – none

General Business

One of our new flip down signs at Hickson St launch went missing.  Suspect wedding photographers pulled it out because its getting in the picture.  National Parks have been doing some weed spraying recently.

Dixon Park Kiosk has been fenced off and construction has started.  It was in the Newcastle Herald recently (https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/7217358/start-date-for-dixon-p…) and is due for August completion. 

World Surf Comp came and went without a hiccup.  Fortunately for them there was few onshore windy days.  Craig got to fly over on one day at 500ft.

Moyes Introductory Flying Day was held on Sunday just gone.  44 people registered.  Because the date got changed to Sunday and then Sunday afternoon due to weather 44 reduced to 20 students turning up.  We had ~12 club pilots helping out.  About half of which were from Sydney.  We went to the sand dune approximately 500m south of where the 4wd access enters the beach at Redhead.  The wind came on as forecast with a lovely 10kn SSE.  Five gliders were operating.  Everybody had a great time.  So far Tony has one student signed up.  Let’s hope we get some more!

Airservices Australia are still pushing changes to class E airspace.  SAFA (ops@hgfa.asn.au) sent an email to all members on 23/04/2021.  It is really important you read this email.  We need as many people as possible to object to these changes!  The closing date is the 30th/4/2021!!!!!

Hairy Karl Kindle is currently in Hospital in Sydney.  Karl was mis-diagnosed by his GP with arthritis when it actually was a disk pushing on his spine.  He had an operation approx. 4 weeks ago.  He has lost the use of his left leg, left arm is half strength and can barely move his right leg.  The operation damaged his vocal cords so its pretty hard to talk to him on the phone.  Send him a txt to say hi, he would love to hear from you.

Richard McWhinney died 2 weeks ago from a heart attack.  He was working on some shelving at Dixon Park Surf Club at the time.  He taught JOD to fly, flew a Blitz and was also a club president.  One memorable flying moment was a spot landing on a box at Lake St Claire to win a bottle of whiskey!  Legend!

New Business

Jason Kath suggested a multidisciplinary membership flying discount to those who wish to take up Sailplanes.  Gliding is also in decline with its aging population.  The idea is that if your already with SAFA then it makes sense that if you take up another discipline why pay the full rate on two memberships.  A lot of us go to Mt Borah.  If its blown out for HG then there’s always the option to get a fly at Lake Keepit in a glider.

Treasurers Report

Jamie the first to pay up for Barraba Big tow ($250),

$1186 came back from the HPA for the Watagan sites,

Main account: $21,495.91

Secondary account $416.80

Meeting closed 830pm

NHGC Meeting Minutes 28/04/2021

Bar Beach Bowlo

Meeting start 7:30pm

Present:  Adriaan Mulder, Glen Selmes, Ken Harris, Jamie Oorschot

Zoom: Ian Ladyman (from NZ 😊)

Apologies: Rhett, Matt Olive, Don Gardner, JOD, Craig Hand, John Harriott, Karl Kindle, Paddo

Last Minutes Moved: 1st Ken, 2nd Glen

Business Arising – “Active” flip sign replaced at Hickson St.

Karl Kindle not sounding well.  Major diabetes problems, stomach problems.  Loses his voice quick on the phone.  Send him a txt he would love to hear from you.

Flying – Generally not much flying on the coast, a few light days here and there.

Ken has been ground handling his paraglider at the bottom of Hickson st in blown out conditions (glider doesn’t like the rocks!).

General Business – Royce has been pushing hard with Forestry to remove more trees at the Watagans launches to make it safer for Paragliders.  This has bristled Forestry a bit as their last comment was “If your members can’t control their craft then you should control your members!”.

Adriaan has done the signs for the Watagans launches and displayed them at the meeting.  Ratings on these signs are still being discussed.

New Business – none,

Comps update – Jamie and Adriaan prepared to make Barraba Big Tow happen if Karl not available.  Adriaan ok to take a week off work and do the scoring if Billo not available.  Rory happy to be meathead.

Financials

Main account: $21662.8

-$700 for slashing at Carmels.  This will be refunded by HPA.

Meeting closed 8pm

NHGC Meeting Minutes 30/6/2021

Location: Softys (due to Covid concerns)

Meeting start 7:30pm

Present: Rory Duncan, Jamie Oorschot, Harry Daniels, Kyle Boyd, Matt Tynan, Craig Hand, JOD, Ken

Harris

Zoom: Adrian Mulder, Paddo, Tony Barton, Royce, Glenn Selmes

Apologies: Billo

Last Minutes Moved: 1 st Ken, 2 nd Craig

General Business

- Astroturf was moved from Rathmines to the Watagan launches. Approximately 24 rolls

making up a total of 120m long by 3.66m wide. This was trucked up there over two days

using a Hiab truck at a total cost of $1078. Rolls have been placed at Hunter, W Heaton, NW

Heaton and SE Heaton. Royce and some PG helpers have started laying it down at Hunter.

We envisage there will be some working bees over the next few months to lay down the

rest. The signs are finished and Jamie is happy to install in the next few weeks. Once the

signs are up we can go gangbusters installing weather stations. A big thanks to Royce and

Paddo for finding the Astroturf and also Jamie, Ken & JOD for getting it up there.

- Just a follow-up on last months minutes about Royce and Forestry. Royce did not intend to

‘stir up forestry’. Royce kept communications at a professional level and followed Forestry

guidelines. A poor choice of words, sorry Royce. Keep up the good work.

- Harry has the inside info on Dixon Park Surf Club building. A new person at Council is

pushing to redevelop the Surf Club Building where the public toilets are. Council have been

inspecting the concrete roof to see if they can build on top of it etc. This would negatively

impact the approach to top landing at Dixon Park and could also encroach onto our setup

area. The surf club are not happy because they are likely to lose their gym. Harry is going to

keep us updated.

- A request for Adriaan, the club’s website method of payment does not appear to be very

intuitive. A couple of members are having difficulty. Maybe you could have a chat with

Harry and Craig when you return from your trip.

Nominations

Nobody put their hands up to be nominated for club positions. Adrian, Jamie, Craig and Rory were

ok to do another year as President, Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President respectively. Voting next

month, please attend.

Flying – Nobody has done any flying (motorbikes don’t count!).

New Business – none,

Comps update – No news, Barraba still going ahead.

Financials

Main account: $21,488.26

No real change, most of the truck hire has been reimbursed by NSWHPA.

Of the 80 members that were active last year, we have had 37 membership renewals.

Meeting closed 8:30pm

NHGC AGM Minutes 28 July 2021

Location: 20 Maitland Rd, Islington (Softys).

Meeting open 7:30pm.

Present: Rory Duncan, Billo, Harry Daniels, Adriaan Mulder, Craig Hand, Ken Harris, JOD, Jamie Oorschot

Zoom: Paddo, John Harriot, Ian Ladyman

Last Minutes moved Craig, 2nded Ken,

Voting in Club Board

There were no new nominations for the board.  Existing board members were unanimously voted in for 1 more year.

Adriaan Mulder – President,

Rory Duncan – Vice President,

Jamie Oorschot – Secretary,

Craig Hand – Treasurer.

Adriaan has indicated this is his last year as president.  He has been doing less flying and more motorbike riding and would like to encourage a new president step up next year.  This year he is streamlining many of the administration tasks to help reduce the burdon on the new president and is happy to continue looking after the club website.

General Business

A Working Bee will be held at Hickson St launch Saturday 7th August 10am.  Primary task is to trim trees out the front.  Bring PPE, gloves, cutters and garbage bags for any rubbish.

The gate at Bombala launch is still locked with the combination unknown – Adriaan will ask National Parks.

Karl Kindle is still at Putney Rehabilitation center in Sydney.  Give him a call to say hi and boost his mental health.  He would love to hear from you.  His workshop/residence at Warners Bay has nearly been cleaned out by his family with helpers Selmsy, Donney, Rob and Shane.  He is currently looking for somewhere in Newcastle to rent while his brothers granny flat is being finished.  His number is 0412675293.

Some money will be coming back from Peter Beamish as reimbursement for expenses getting the AstroTurf for the Watagan launches.

Wedding dates for Hickson St launch are on the website, newest to oldest.

Follow up on Dixon Park Surf Club refurbishment - NCC have been made aware that a second story on top of the toilet block at Dixon Park will have a negative impact on us flying there (i.e. top landing approach).  We have asked that if there are any developments that we are contacted as part of the public consultation.  Jamie and John Spencer’s contact details have been put in NCC’s project file should that occur.  At the moment NCC has no commitments to expand the surf club vertically.

Member feedback for Drupal payments on the club website suggest that the process is not very intuitive.  If you are having any problems, please give Adriaan a call (0420359863).

Watagan’s AstroTurf and signage is ready to go.  Lockdown’s have put a halt to any working bees.  Jamie will get the signs up in a week or so.  Once the signs are up then we can seek permission from Forestry to install 3 weather stations to cover all directions.  One at Hunter, one for the E & NE Heaton’s and one at SE Heaton.  NSWHPA ok to fund most of this.  SE Heaton is advanced only rating and may require some club funding.

55 members have renewed!  If you know anybody who hasn’t renewed, haggle them! 😊

New Business

Women with Wings has formed a sub-committee (3 ladys).  It has attracted 115 women Australia wide and funded with $50k.  If you would like to help or have ideas you would like to share, please feel free to contact Karen Waller (marketing@nswhpa.org).

John Harriott suggested we do something to show our appreciation of Karl Kindl’s efforts, Patto suggested buying Karl a basket with goodies, Adriaan suggested the club buy him a decent laptop.  The idea had instant unanimous support.  Karl has put his heart and soul into the club and this is just one way we would like to show our appreciation.  Hopefully we will see Karl joining the next club meeting via Zoom 😉.

Central Coast Sky Surfers are hosting a video night.  If you would like to join in and or contribute, feel free to email vicepresident@centralcoastskysurfers.com for more details.

Special Delegated Authority – permission to teach when there is no access to trained instructors and the applicant deemed suitable .  Handy to know!

Competitions

Barraba Big Tow is still a go ahead.

Safety Issues

None, nobody has been flying because of winter and Sydney lockdowns.

Financials

$21,488.44 in main account,

$677.39 in working account,

$358.21 in paypal.

$22,464.04 total.

Meeting close 8:30pm

Newcastle Hang Gliding Club Meeting  25/8/2021

Meeting start 7:30pm

All attendees via Zoom: Adriaan Mulder, Jamie Oorschot, Karl Kindle, Brad Patfield, Craig Hand, Andres, Gary Herman, Ian Ladyman, Don Gardner, John Dingle, Royce, Ken Harris

Last Meeting Minutes Accepted - 1st Paddo, 2nded Karl,

General Business

Bombala Launch – Adriaan talked to Kate from NP about locked gate.  She is happy for lock to be replaced with a combination lock.  The lock is not really needed.  She will find out if possible to completely remove the lock.  It’s mainly there to stop children running ahead of parents into the launch area and possibly over the cliff edge.  A pool gate style kid safe mechanism would fix this problem.  Ian and Patto happy to sort out a new lock and club re-imburse.  Adriaan will continue to discuss with Kate to see if an alternative can be approved.

Watagans – Signage has been installed at each launch.  Mike from forestry is ok for us to now work on the next stage which is approval for the weather stations.  This will first involve us deciding what we plan to install and where.  Royce and Jamie have formed an informal working committee.  If you would like to contribute, please feel free to contact Jamie (0428280135).  At the moment it is likely there will be 3 weather stations to cover all wind directions.  Mike is ok for us to put weather stations outside the agreed launch footprint.  His concern is vandalism and his suggested best defense is keep them out of sight.  Access to the weather station via the ground using hinged poles or similar.  Attaching to trees is also being considered.  Good wind speed and direction readings is a priority.  Putting a weather station on the Telstra tower has been investigated and is now completely ruled out.

Anybody going to the Watagans please take rubbish bags etc.  Part of our responsibility is to keep the launches clean of rubbish.  Campers have made an absolute mess with broken glass etc.  So much so that it is impossible to use the launch without first cleaning up the mess.

Women for Wings contact is NSWHPA Karen Wallen (marketing).

Comps

Barraba Big Tow is looking unlikely.  Karl only has got Notams to do.  He will leave it to at least half way through October before cancelling.  Currently only one person has paid (Jamie).  Karl is having another operation soon and probably won’t be able to make it in person.

New Business – None

Flying – None

Safety issues – None

Financials

Main Account $20,121

Paypal Account $344

Recent expenses

$140 for Watagan astroturf staples (qty 240 made by Jamie from 5mm steel rod)

$541 for website hosting

$1310 laptop for Karl.

Wonderful to see Karl tune in via Zoom on his new laptop.

A few words from Karl,

Thankyou everyone for the laptop and especially to Adriaan for the phone calls over the past 5 months.

Karl has been very busy despite his health issues and is organizing a fly in at Yarrawa  for disabled people.

It will include tandem flights, trikes and RC planes.  Able body people welcome.  Looking for a couple of tandem pilots.  Has funding through disabled groups (SARGOOD).

Hopes to do this weekend twice a year.

If you would like to know more or get involved, please feel free to contact Karl (0412675293).

End of meeting 8:05pm

NHGC Meeting 29/09/2021
Attendees by Zoom:  Adriaan, Jamie, Royce, Billo, Brad Patfield, Ken Harris, Matt Tynin, John Harriot, Ian Ladyman, Frans, Gary Herman, Tony Barton, Harry Daniels, Edward Assonto, Craig Hand, JOD
Apologies: Karl Kindle, John Spencer, Andreas, John Dingle, Rod Moore
Previous Minutes 1st Craig Hand, 2nd Royce
 
General Business
There are some problems with the club website that Adriaan is trying to fix.  If you see a problem/bug please let Adriaan know.  One of the problems is the login.  Don’t use the menu, use the log in box on the left hand side instead.
Adriaan toured the Watagan launches on his motorbike (Lake Mac LGA) and created a Powerpoint presentation he has uploaded to our website and has created a slideshow under the menu link “Sites”.  Photos show Astro turf still where we left it, ready to be rolled out.  Signage still intact.  Remnants from campfires normal.  Adriaan also created a Map showing locations.  Some of the sites are getting a bit overgrown and will need some attention.

Royce and Jamie have been looking at various options for 3 weather station poles at the Watagan launches.  They include hiding (Forestrys preferred option), directly at launch and attaching to trees.  All have provision to access weather stations from the ground.  Depending on location heights can vary from 8m to 20m!  Vandalism is the main challenge.  Some ideas are being suggested to Forestry first (ie attaching to trees) before a more in depth proposal is prepared.  Gary Herman has an unused Telescoping Radio mast – please email pictures to Jamie.
Karl Kindle’s Yarrawa fly-in for the disabled is moving to Chris and Pete Marhine’s, Yarrawa.  Karl is still looking for Trike/Tandem HG volunteers.  If you are able and willing to help please give him a call.   Troy Horton has volunteered his services for the day, depending on availability.  Karl has recently moved to John Hunter Hospital.
Women with Wings has appointed 3 ladies (Karen Waller,Natalia Huber, Judi de Groot) and funded with $50k grant from NSWHPA to organize/promote women into HG/PG.  The money is most likely to be used creating events to encourage women into the sport.  If you have any ideas or would like to help please get in touch with Natalia (femalepilots@nswhpa.org).  A recent email to Adriaan asking a few basic questions demonstrated how incredibly few women we have in our club.  For example, NHGC only have 2 female members or 3%!  What can we do to attract women into the sport?
Dixon Park Toilet block concrete roof is currently undergoing repairs.  NCC are fixing concrete cancer.  The new kiosk has been finished and is waiting for a tenant.  A concrete footpath has been installed through what was our regular de-rig area behind the kiosk.  This is proving popular out of the wind picnic spot and displacing pilots into the dog park.  A fire hydrant has recently been installed in the car parking area.  Possibly because of the kiosk or maybe council are planning to redevelop above the toilet block?  Please be on the lookout for any DA’s on the NCC website.  NHGC did approach NCC about their plans to develop above the toilet block a few months ago and they came back saying they had no plans.  We are on file and they said they would notify us if their plans change.  They are aware an upper story development would interfere with our top landing approach.  They have been very accommodating in the past, the light bollards are a good indication of this.
Should we attempt to make Dixon Park a recognized site like Strzelecki?  Meeting discussion showed mixed opinion on this.  Recognition that eventually we will be pushed out if we do nothing and the area gets busier with population growth.  Alternatively, club members recognize that if we attempt to get official site status we could lose the site altogether.  Dixon Park top launch/landing tests the  terms of operating in close proximity to the public.  A lot of exemptions are going to be required and might impose additional operational burdens, for example putting out witches’ hats to designate landing area, designating a launch official etc.  JOD pointed out this has been done for Strzelecki/Empire Park. It was dropped because of the fears and obligations mentioned above,  If a couple of club members would like to start the process getting official status please get in contact with Adriaan.  Put a plan together.  The plan needs to be approved by the club first before NCC can be contacted.
New Business
John Dingle asked if we could organize a parachute repack night.  We used to do it at Airborne but unfortunately their new workshop at Pelican airstrip might be too small so we could be looking for a new venue.  Any ideas please contact Adriaan.  If we can do before Barraba big toe that would be great!
Catho launch gate is currently locked.  This is because of the big puddle on the entrance needing some work.  John Harriot will enquire as he knows the person to contact.  Hopefully it isn’t fixed too well so that the spot becomes popular with picnickers in their 2wd’s!
 
Comps
Barraba Big Toe – in 10 days Karl is going to make the call whether or not the comp goes ahead.  Rory is happy to be Meathead, Jamie comp director in Karl’s absence, and Billo ok to do the scoring.  Billo less optimistic about comp because borders will still be closed and hence only NSW pilots.  Which means low A rating if at all.  Currently only 1 person signed up (Jamie).  If you are interested in going but too much uncertainty to commit the $ you can still secure your position by going to the club website signup with a $0 purchase for the comp.  If Karl sees lots of signup, and hence lots of interest, he is likely to go ahead with the comp.
 
Safety Issues
Tony Barton has requested a post at the Hickson St launch be relocated.  Adriaan has contacted Kate about this but Kate has been slow to respond.  Adriaan will keep trying.
 
Flying
Sea breezes are starting to kick in and there has been some coastal flying (Pilots inside their LGA 😊).
Last Sunday Craig & JOD were flying in 20+ Knots from Dicko.  It got up to 27kn which was top end for the old fun!  Later that day when conditions mellowed out to 20-22kn SE Jamie flew to Burwood beach and found the sweetest bit of Dune Gooning ever!
Brad Patfield had two days in a row at 1000ft+ above Dudley.  Why no hangies on the Dunes?  Dudley beach dune doesn’t seem to work!  We have tried 😊
 
Financials
$19,938 main account
$212 secondary account (recent expenses $140 astro turf staples, $541 website services for 2 years & Zoom now attached to our PayPal account and in NHGC name).
$435 PayPal account.