FROM THE MINUTE BOOK

The AGM was held on ?? January at the Cinderella Clubhouse. The new committee was:

President Dr Pieter Landsberg Chairman Mike Nuttall Vice Chairman Steve Coetzee Secretary Dom Gargaro Treasurer Cathy Bishop (later Linda Nuttall) Diving Officer Mike Mills Scuba Officer Tim Jones Equipment Officer Rob Proudfoot and Eben Coetzee Events Officer Mike Stafford Clubhouse Manager Harrie de Langen Spearfishing Officer Les Flanagan Records Officer Mike Beresford Public Relations Officer Charmaine Proudfoot Fund Raising Officer Wessie vd Westhuizen Competitions Officer Alex Porterfield Underwater Photography Allie Flanagan

FROM THE NOTICE BOARD

In the interests of infusing new blood into TSA's management, the constitution was amended so that a Committee member may not hold the same position for more than three years consecutively, provided that this does not result in a critical vacancy. Limited powers were granted for negotiation into possible mergers. A new position for Public Relations Officer was created and Charmaine Erasmus (later Proudfoot) was elected.

It was generally accepted that the large compressor should be sold as it was very expensive to ensure and maintain, and that the proceeds would be used to obtain equipment for trainees (regarded as the best way to attract new membership), and/or boat, and/or small compressor. The financial implications of such a move must first be examined thoroughly.

Memorable moments awards

The Boo-boo award hotly contested between: Mike Beresford - for his disintegrating wetsuit at Alliwal Shoal (11 votes); Babs Brightwell - for her 'praying for death' sea sickness (11 votes); Cathy Bishop - for her detachable 'volley ball' nails (4 votes); Mike Beresford - for his 'waterproof to 200m' (horizontally) watch (2 votes); Marti Coetzee - for her 'Blue flashing UFO lights' at Sodwana (12 votes). THE WINNER!

94/06/13: Terrific news is that we have migrated back to our clubhouse, which we have strengthened considerably, and which is now guarded by an armed response unit which has an impressive arrest record. (not themselves, like our new cabinet, but people they have arrested).

Midwinter night dive and braai. Polar party (party to end all 18 political parties?) Another announcement - MONEY! Linda gave all her documents to the new Treasurer, and then in May resumed the position of Treasurer. Amongst files, deposit records and statements that are missing, so is the receipt book(s). Reconciliation is difficult. Other than asset and consumer transactions, which must be guessed at, we dont know who has paid up their membership for 94.

Bar accounts. These are not too bad overall. Generally our club is financing defaulters to the tune of about R550. This is not fair. Please keep your accounts in credit - most of you do - GOOD. The bar prices have increased, e.g. beers now cross the counter at R2, but this still compares very favourably with other public sources.

Eben Coetzee asks you to please re-register your cylinders with him. Copies of test certificates are required. We do treat these matters seriously - unregistered and untested cylinders will not be pumped - please do not give the operators a hard time in this regard - they are legally obliged.

Mike Mills says he is still battling with incomplete training records which make it impossible to obtain certification for some people. Please keep record of your dives, especially if they are qualifying dives, and have them signed off. Some instructors have left us for other provinces (and perhaps countries) before. SAUU has now placed responsibility on the instructors for training records, not the club, and so you may well find that an instructor will not accept an unacknowledged dive - his OWN reputation and liability is on the line.

The early part of this year was spent getting our club back on its feet again. There were many ideas but simpler solutions were realised. Tremendous efforts were very successful. Special thanks to Robbie Schwab who put in a lot of ideas and energy into our own "Reconstruction and Development" program. And all the others who put in their time, skills and labour to make it happen.

TSA went to Sordies again in May. Our PRO contacted everyone who did not regularly visit the club (and whose numbers were still correct) and about 30 of us spent 28 - 31 May there. My family arrived there after going the Josini route (last time, the best route, but this time, well - hell), and arriving around 9pm. The news was that a 70 km gale storm was eminent. I thought this would be an inappropriate time to re-iterate my "it never rains in May in Sodwana Bay" statement. We tied down our tent with newly acquired 30 cm tent pegs and I took a "BEFORE THE FLOOD" photo. The storm missed us about 100 km south, but left turbulent seas.

94/06/23: On the evening of Saturday, 18 June 1994, the traditional TSA Mid Winter Night Dive took place at Cinderella Dam. About 45 club members and visitors gathered around as 16 of them geared up on one of the coldest nights of the year.

94/10/12: In August we went to Wondies, where we had a number of deep dives, especially for those needing to qualify at Three Star. We also had a "bubble" session for those who were curious, and who will probably join us for the real thing.

Twelve TSA members attended a Compressor Operator course, run entirely by TSA instructors - the first in the Transvaal to be run without TUU control or supervision - setting an important precedent. Steve Barnard gave comprehensive theoretical and practical training, sharing his wealth of experience with us. I was able to report this back to the TUU meeting. There, the traditional powers offered help, but also gave us all kinds of not-so-veiled threats of suspension, etc, if we "screwed up".

Linda received her Three Star Diver certificate and Club Instructor certificate. Janet has also received similar certificates, and Tim Jones got his Three Star. TSA is certainly becoming a club of well qualified, up-to-date divers.