PRESIDENTS ANNUAL REPORT

What a year, the club is growing with a record number of new members joining up, so we are going from strength to strength. 

A comprehensive events program with plenty of activities during the week as well as weekend activities. A special thanks to our leaders who give up their time to volunteer to lead our day walks, off track, bike rides and camps, base camps, kayaking. social activities, first aid training and trips away. Without these members leading, we couldn't have such a great program.

Our coordinators who assist our leaders and organise the program are greatly appreciated.

We have had members volunteering at the Gold Coast Marathon and Kokoda Challenge for a number of years, and more to come, with another team in this year's challenge.

Over the past year, our traditional Christmas party was, as usual, a very successful event with 120 members attending, coming along to enjoy this special day and a chance to catch up with old friends. Again, our members volunteering always make it a special day, and it was enjoyed by all. 

Linda Mote, our day walks coordinator, was presented with the Quickenden award. 

This special year is the club's 50th anniversary. It was founded in March 1975 by Ron and Elaine Quickenden, with an original 13 members and has grown to over 332, so a great success and legacy to our founders. 

We celebrated with a special BBQ lunch that was postponed because of the cyclone, but we finally managed to celebrate with 80 members attending, some past long-term members.

Our founder, Ron Quickenden, and 2 family members were our special guests and Ron was presented with a plaque and the history of the club. We also had presentations for two of our life members who have been in the club for 50 years, Bernie Malone and Bill James. 

Kay Done was awarded a life membership. She has been in the club for 42 years and was instrumental in starting up the bike riding in the club as well as her other contributions.

Maureen Fells and Wilma Crisford were also recognised for their continual contributions.

Unfortunately, due to track closures and heavy rains, the walks for the weekend had to be cancelled, but we had a lot of fun with our line dancing entertainment. 

Special guests, John Marshall from Bushwalking Queensland, and Barry Davis from The Natural History association gave a very interesting talk. 

Because this is such a special 50th year, we are hosting the annual Bushwalking Pilgrimage in August 2025. The Gold Coast Bushwalkers first hosted the pilgrimage back in 1980, and have since hosted it 6  times. Our last time was back in 2014, it's going to be a wonderful weekend and bookings are coming in from lots of different clubs. Hope you can join us. We have had a great deal of support already from our members. 

We have just had our annual AGM hosted by Bob Fairless, and I'm very pleased to say that our hard-working committee have all been re-nominated and all accepted. Their support makes it possible for this club to grow and prosper.

I am also privileged to accept my final year as the club's president. It's been an amazing experience, full of lots of highs and a few lows, but I have managed to get through the challenges and continue to work hard for this wonderful club which has given me so many great experiences and friendships. I have been lucky enough to have enjoyed 25 years in the club and am looking forward to another 25 years.

Michelle Jackson

President.