Northern Sydney Astronomical Society

Hello all NSAS members

As newly elected President of NSAS I would like to bring you up to date following the recent monthly meeting and AGM. Bob Fuller was away in the US and so as Vice President I took the chair for the monthly meeting. I noticed the attendance at the Monthly / AGM was fairly low, which was hard to understand. Perhaps we should put on a full buffet next year, but otherwise I can’t understand why attendance at an AGM would not be stronger!

At the Monthly meeting, quite a few points came up, many of which had been raised at the Committee Meeting. In point form:
- Astronomy 2013 is now available (being ordered)
- expenses for the year exceeded income, and which point led to later discussion on whether the annual fee should be considered (it has been unchanged for decades)
- Macquarie Open Night was discussed (the event was held the next weekend and was very successful, though observing was restricted)
- the meeting discussed the prospect of sending out Reflections by email only, and whether that would affect many of our members – the Committee will consider further, but any member having a view on this should let the Committee know by email
- the Christmas Party is coming up – 18 Dec – a big attendance is hoped for, and members are asked to please bring a plate of their favourite goodies. Drinks are supplied.
- the Committee will work through a more formal procedure for assisting our visitors and new members
- Lawrie Webb will be setting up at Tantallon Oval to observe the partial eclipse of the sun, and he would be delighted to have as many join him as possible approx 7am Wed 14 November ie next week
- Bob Roeth was to hold (and did hold) the 5th Tuesday Mathematics in Astronomy later in October
- Publications available: Astrovisuals Calendar $9 (contact Bob Roeth); Paul Shallow has the 2 CD Ceduna Eclipse for sale at $5
- Geoff Welch Prize: the three winners of the $50 (each) and a copy of Geoff’s book and a Presentation Certificate were Arthur Boyd for “La Perouse’s Incomplete Voyage”, Irene Justiniano for “Clear with a Chance of Meteor Shower”, and Bob Roeth for “Magnitudes, Wikipedia and Errors”

After the Monthly Meeting the AGM was held and again I acted as Chairman in Bob’s absence (Bob was acting as NSAS operative covering the US election and its impact on NSAS, and world, amateur astronomy) . In summary:
- all went well
- a discussion on annual fees occurred, and the Committee will consider further and come back to the members
- the Committee will discuss reinstating the Gordon Stott Imaging Prize
- I provided some comment on the last 12 month’s activities for the club, including observations, the sub groups and field trips (to Canberra / Tidbinbilla and Coonabarrabran)

Prior to the elections for the next twelve months, appreciation was expressed to the outgoing Committee, in particular to Bob Fuller who as President and Vice President before that, has carried far too heavy a burden for NSAS for several years – it was agreed a small gift of appreciation should be purchased for Bob.
The Committee then stood down and elections for the next twelve months were held, with the following results:
President – Bruce Retallick
Vice President – Gordon Ogborne
Treasurer – Ken Schofield
Secretary – Irene Justiniano
Committee Without Portfolio – Peter Korda, Anna Koeneman and Chris Anderson
As President I thank those who have volunteered their services. There has been quite a turnover in Committee membership and over the next few months we will work on getting a handle across all those tasks that need to be undertaken. We have the benefit of the previous members having all offered their assistance – and this will undoubtedly be called upon!
I offered a few comments as President:
- my interests are fairly broad but unlike previous Presidents, I am not a technically oriented person, and will need support in those areas – I will not be able to take on any technical roles or lead in discussions
- I will be working on assessing our collective knowledge and expertise to ensure that we fully understand our capacities and commitments – and including that of our new members
- we must look after our visitors and new members better – we all have a responsibility to make them feel welcome
- we must all wear our name tags at meetings – such a small point, but so important
- we should pay some attention to formalising our aims and objectives, including the Outreach program, and in accordance with our capacity and our desires
Since becoming President I have noted many possible actions and points of interest. I look forward to bringing at least some of them forward for consideration, and to a successful twelve months.
Regards to all
Bruce Retallick