Greetings fellow Ping Pongers,
Firstly, I'd like to wish all SETTA's players, families & friends a safe and happy Easter.
So here's the thing, I was coerced into becoming the President at the conclusion of the December AGM. The VP advised that he would prefer to travel the world instead of hitting a little ball over a big net on a small table, free pizza & drinks were supplied, the position was vacant, no-one else would have their arm twisted and those same gentlemen flattered me endlessly....I rest my case.
Since then, there's been a lot happening both on & off the court and I wanted to take this opportunity to say a few words....so here goes...
The Committee are volunteers that meet in person every 2 months and correspond occasionally by way of calls, texts, email & our infamous WhatsApp Group...What's that?
Anyways, let me introduce you to our current distinguished & not so distinguished Committee folk:
Jeff Gardner - Treasurer / Match Secretary / SETTA Guru
Loukas Yianni - Vice President / Traveller / Explorer
Richard Camm - Secretary / Chauffeur / Carer Extraordinaire
John McDermott - Table Tennis Tragic
David Carnegie - Hockey Legend
Colin Edwards - Tennis Champion
Paul Vella - Computer Whiz
Terry McKinley - Track & Field Expert
Terry is committed to launching an U/18 SETTA competition for the Spring Season. The Junior Comp is still in its infancy and planning stage but to give you some idea, the vision is to have girls & boys between the ages of 13 & 17 to play at Let's Connect from say, 5:15pm to 7pm on Monday nights, prior to the Pennant matches. Terry would like to run a “Come & Try" Day at LC and start some training sessions in May. If you can help with this venture, please contact Terry on 0474 208 399.
Paul heads up our IT department and has been super busy on the keyboard over the last week. We trust the website has become more user friendly for potential new players and our current members. Check it out @ https://www.revolutionise.com.au/southeasterntta/
Colin & our Honourable Sec - Sir Rich are in charge of planning our next social gathering. Stay tuned for event details, some ideas include: Spit Roast & Sippers, Xmas in July and Mez Prez Trivia?!?
In addition to being an all-round good bloke, David has been kind enough to volunteer as our Representative at recent TTV Forums.
John has been instrumental in assisting to update SETTA's governance including Hot Weather Guidelines, Inclusiveness, Code of Conduct and Fair Play. He is also looking to attend the TTV Gala Dinner on 4th July - celebrating 100 years of Table Tennis Victoria. Please contact John on 0410 445 724 if you'd like to be his date for the dinner, join his table and/or purchase an Early Bird Ticket / Individual / Group discount like situation.
Loukas loves a spreadsheet & is ensuring that all Committee members have updated Working with Children Check certificates. He is also assisting with the implementation of a Child Safe Policy.
Our spiritual leader, Jeff is once again organising the annual Wolf Nimmervol Comp Day. Pencil 9th November in your diary for this eagerly anticipated event...further details TBA.
I’d like to finish up with a reminder that World Table Tennis Day is coming up on 23rd April and this year's theme is Diversity & Inclusion. As you all know, SETTA aims to provide opportunities for people to play Table Tennis, on the good side of the city, regardless of gender, sexuality, age, ability, race or culture. Let’s be honest, we will win a few, lose a few, hit some edges, miss an easy smash, give & receive dodgy net clips and let calls. At the end of the day, we can’t control what the Table Tennis gods or fairies decide to do to us on a Monday night. What we can control is how much fun we have, whilst treating our team mates & opponents with the respect we all deserve.
Cheers,
Merrin (Mez) Pertzel
SETTA’s Inaugural Female President
