ON JULY 12 the Northam Aero Club hosted its annual dinner and presentation night for the 2013-14 season.
The evening saw more than 50 people enjoy the flight tales regaled by life member and MC Jim Jenkins as well as foundation member Preston Smith and club captain Errol Croft.
Thanks to the Federals Football Club and the Northam Lions Club for catering and Shire of Northam member Kathy Saunders and life member Robyn Stewart for presenting awards.
This year saw a change of guard to the current committee and the club thanked the following members for their contributions to the Northam Aero Club:
Aircraft maintenance Denis Beresford; club president Les Ballantyne; club captain Errol Croft.
The club welcomed Tony Sandler and Bob Emery to the committee and looked forward to their input.
The evening's presentations began with Robyn Stewart presenting the 'Club Man' Award to Ashley Smith in recognition of his contribution to the club in his role as treasurer along with his tireless efforts on the open day, his encouragement of student pilots and his assistance with aircraft maintenance.
Errol Croft, assisted by Kathy Saunders, then presented the monthly member flying competition winners with medals:
The winners were:
July 2013: Errol Croft.
August 2013: Peter Hill.
September 2013: Ashley Smith.
October 2013: Peter Hill and Ian Berry.
November 2013: Ashley Smith.
December 2013: Errol Croft.
January 2014: No competition.
February 2014: Ashley Smith.
March 2014: Errol Croft.
April 2014: Peter Hill.
May 2014: Peter Hill.
June 2014: Peter Hill.
The final award of the evening was presented to Hill who received the much coveted 'Club Champion' trophy, which is a point-based system whereby members accumulate points for each of the monthly competitions based on the rank of their flights.
This was a first for Hill who dedicated his win to his father, who flew warplanes in World War II.
Congratulations to Smith who came second and Croft who placed third.
The Northam Aero Club is a family-based club and holds competitions, which are open to the public, each month on the second Sunday.
The club welcomes new members and looks forward to another successful flying season.
Over and out.
