S K L INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA

International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals Founded 1934

NATIONAL NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2012

YOUR COMMITTEE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

It is hard to believe it is over 2 months since the National Assembly / AGM in Cairns on 23/24 March. For those of you that are statistically minded, it was Skl International Australias 37th National Assembly, the 17th AGM and our 16th consecutive National Assembly with 100% club attendance. 85 members and guests attended the National Assembly as delegates, observers, guests or partners. Thank you to all Clubs for supporting Skl International Australia. Being the AGM it was time to elect your Executive and 1 Auditor for the next 2 years the Treasurer and 2nd Auditor are not due for election until 2013. Your Executive is pictured to the left and our two Auditors are Kevin Davidson (Gold Coast) and Ernst Krolke (Sydney South) Congratulations to those elected, and to the unsuccessful candidates my thanks for your interest and nomination.

SPECIAL EVENTS Southern Queensland June Combined Lunch

Presidents Lyn Watts, Mark Skinner and Kim Templeman welcome you to the annual combined lunch with Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast clubs. Where: Bretts Wharf - 449 Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton Date: Friday 22nd June 2012 Time: 12.30pm - 2.30pm Members: $65 Guests: $80 This event will be cocktail style. Some tables and chairs will be available. Entertainment provided by Mike Tyler Magic Happy hour drink prices available at the venue following the event. Any queries, please contact Fiona at skalbne@yahoo.com.au or 0428 122 321

PRESIDENT RUSSELL BUTLER +61(2)9353 9065

president@skalaustralia.travel

INTERNATIONAL COUNCILLOR BERNARD WHEWELL +61 418 892 478

ic@skalaustralia.travel

In late April I was in Hobart and met with SI Hobarts President, Phil Fitzpatrick, his wife Jennifer, Sarah Grinning Secretary, Ian Reed Treasurer and Geoff Young former Treasurer and his wife Victoria. It was a pleasure to help celebrate President Phils birthday. On 28th April I joined SI Adelaide to celebrate their 50th anniversary in grand style at the Stamford Plaza Hotel, hosted by Sklleague Graham Goldberg. It was a pleasure to hear Roy King, one of the Clubs founding members, on the formation of SI Adelaide. Congratulations President Richard Mussell, the Executive and members of SI Adelaide, on a most worthy celebration.

SECRETARY CORREEN HURLEY +61 417 004 232

secretary@skalaustralia.travel

We are still working with some Clubs to help them obtain Incorporation which is essential to protect Club members from potential liability whilst providing more formal governance. It is proving more difficult in some states than in others to meet the requirements of the legislation. Congratulations to the incorporated Clubs - Adelaide, Bunbury Margaret River, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, Sydney North. Its our aim to have all Clubs incorporated by the 2013 AGM 15 to go. I hope SI Capricornias application will be approved shortly as that will provide a template for the other Queensland Clubs. I would like to acknowledge John Graves of Bradfield & Scott, for his advice and guidance in this regard. Our next National Assembly is in Canberra, 17/18 August. I invite all Sklleagues to join us and have a say in the running of Skl in Australia. Thank you to all Australian Sklleagues for supporting SI Australia.

Skl Albany Membership Drive

On behalf of the members of Skl International Albany, International Club of the Year (2009), we would like to invite you to join us on a very special night. We are inviting local tourism and travel professionals to an information night on the benefits of membership with Skl. We would like to extend the invitation to you as a current Sklleagues as we believe that there are great benefits from current members sharing their experience of the organisation with potential members. DATE: Saturday 23rd June 2012 VENUE: Albany Town Hall (Lesser Hall) TIME: Amicale and Member showcase: 6.00pm Dinner: 7pm COST: $55 (includes 3 course dinner and drinks) Please RSVP to Cathy Glen by email cathy.glen@gsinsitute.wa.edu.au or Phone 9892 7535

TREASURER COLIN SCHIRMER +61 (8) 8332 8899

VICE PRESIDENT DENISE SCRAFTON +61 417 344 870

vpdenise@skalaustralia.travel

VICE PRESIDENT NOELENE EVANS +61 418 945 177

vpnoelene@skalaustralia.travel

Kind regards, Russell.

BY 5pm MON 18th JUNE

S K L INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA
International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals Founded 1934

NATIONAL NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2012

AN UPDATE ON THE INTERNATIONAL WEBSITE

As you may be aware, skal.org website is undergoing a major upgrade to ensure that it not only looks more professional, it offers members real benefits. Unfortunately the live date of early this year has been and gone and the new site, while available for viewing as a beta site - http://skaldev. net/a_english/index.html - will not be fully functional for another two or three months. The major reason is the transfer of the current database, written in QSL, to the new site which runs under Unix and at the same time the differences between the existing IT company and the Secretariat and new IT company. One of the major problems we are experiencing is the ability to complete the online application form for new members. The simple solution at the moment is to complete a hardcopy and then scan and email to your International Councillor, Bernard at ic@skalaustralia.travel and he will complete the necessary process. We will advise you as soon as the online version is solved.

TREASURERS TURN
I would like to thank all clubs for a much improved number of payments by 28 Feb! What a great effort to get your clubs memberships in. A quick reminder that any new members since February will be invoiced mid-year!! Generally speaking, it is good to get all new membership applications in by Jul/Aug or leave until October to avoid 2 close payments for the member. Remember: if you have any questions relating to financial matters, do not hesitate to contact me at treasurer@skalaustralia.travel and I will be happy to reply and help. Colin Schirmer SKLLEAGUES OUT N ABOUT

WEBSITE - HINTS N TIPS

Its easy to create your clubs monthly function invitations and RSPVs on the website! This way, anyone clicking on your clubs page, they can see what functions are planned! Web administrators: Make sure when you set up your event that the event email is the correct one! This way you can ensure that you receive all the confirmations! You can also download your RSVPs quickly and easily by logging in and clicking on FUNCTIONS on the left hand side. Then click on REGISTRATIONS on the right hand side. This will show all your registration and allow you to export the database. Did you know...? That your clubs Facebook page is now linked to the Clubs webpage! If your club has a FB page and the link in not yet active on your Skl website page, let me know and Ill update it for you! Having problems? Feel free to email me on vpnoelene@skalaustralia.travel UPDATE ON WORLD CONGRESS Registrations are now open online (www.skalkorea2012.org) for the World Congress to be held 02-07 October 2012 in Seoul and Incheon, South Korea. While the original airfares quoted have gone up considerably this is still one of the most cost effective Congresses to attend. Skl Australia is working with a number of airlines to try and gain some good deal airfares and we hope to get these through to you very soon. Congress packages start from EUR1,540 and include accommodation, most meals and a touring programme. Congress Sponsor, Korean Airlines are offering flights as are a number of other airlines. Please see information at the end of the newsletter. The organisers have also put together a very interesting and varied pre and post touring programme including Tokyo and Beijing as well as other areas in South Korea. We look forward to seeing a strong Australian delegation in our new uniforms!

Greeter Programme : The Greeter Programme links Sklleagues all over the world, Pictured: Christine Evans (Albany), Ross and Carol making sure you have a contact in McFarlane (Cairns), Noelene Evans, Gaynor and David the destination you are visiting Clarke (Albany) and Fiona McFarlane (Brisbane). whether it on business or leisure and ensures you get the best local knowledge before you travel. In essence the site lists Sklleagues who have volunteered to act as greeters in various cities and regions. All you need to do is contact the greeter that best matches your destination and they can assist by recommending accommodation, sights to see, events, restaurants and can, of course, present you to his/her fellow Sklleagues. This programme is designed so that everyone has a good time and to enhance the networking possibilities between Sklleagues.

VP Noelene and six Australian Sklleagues enjoyed the hospitality of the Asia Area Congress recently hosted by Skl International Penang. The group stayed at the gorgeous Eastern and Oriental Hotel and were magnificently looked after by Marco Battistotti and his team.

S K L INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA
International Association of Travel and Tourism Professionals Founded 1934

NATIONAL NEWSLETTER

INTERNATIONAL COUNCILLORS REPORT

As your International Councillor I attended the IC meeting held in Opatija, Croatia from the 19th to the 23rd of April. Our welcome function was hosted by the Croatian Tourist Board and the Kvarner Tourism Marketing body and was attended by around 25 Councillors plus the International Executive. The committee meetings were split into Internal Affairs (chaired by IC Vice President David Fisher) and External Affairs (chaired by Nigel Pilkington, President and acting IC from New Zealand). I have been assigned to the External and am one of the two lead councillors on this committee. The variety of subjects were raised by the Task Force or have been requested by the International Executive, some which are; 1. Councillors to formulate a reporting system for the development of the clubs. 2. Formulate a membership category for affiliate suppliers 3. Formulate a membership category for corporate membership The third day of the IC meeting was spent in a plenary session. Reports were given by the two committees with recommendations from each committee to the Executive Committee. Also, each of the councillors provided a report as to what is happening with Skl in their respective country, similar to the format we do the club reports in Australia, which provided an insight into what is happening with Skl internationally. The Executive Committee updated the International Councillors on what is happening in each of their portfolios and the IC executive provided us with a run down on the work they have been doing since the last meeting. As you can imagine the reports and discussion take up the bulk of the day but other items covered off were the induction of new International Councillors and the presentation of the venue for the mid year meeting for the following year. Next year the IC meeting will be held in Bali. This great for Australia in terms of travel commitment and costs but as you can imagine the Europeans thought it was too far away, it would seem it is OK for Australia and New Zealand to travel up to Europe each year but the other way around causes some consternation. The meeting also endorsed the nominations for the positions of Directors to International Executive. The final part of the meeting was the Presidents dinner which was held at a delightful restaurant in the hills above Opatija, a great setting and great food before we all departed for home the following morning. As mentioned above I will expand on the content at the Canberra National Assembly so looking forward to seeing you all on the 17th of August. Bernard Whewell

Thanks to the assistance of President Phil Fitzpatrick (Hobart), our new uniforms are almost ready to order! Information will be sent out in the next few weeks so keep your eyes open for it! As discussed in Cairns, there will be a dress shirt and a polo shirt and an Akubra hat (optional) available.

QUICK UPDATE ON NATIONAL UNIFORMS

CONGRATULATIONS
Skal International Australia wishes to congratulate Sklleague Graham Inns who has received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to business and commerce in the 2012 Queen's Birthday Honours. Graham is not only a past president of Skl International Adelaide but also continues to serve on our Executive Committee as Secretariat. This honour is a wonderful recognition of his years of dedicated service and we congratulate him.

KEY DATES
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Canberra 17 & 18 August 2012 INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS Korea 2 - 7th October 2012 NATIONAL AGM & ASSEMBLY Launceston 22 & 23 March 2013

The National newsletter is produced by Vice President Noelene Evans and will be distributed 3 times a year. If you have any Skl related news, functions, photos or stories you wish to share with fellow Australian Sklleagues, please forward the information to vpnoelene@skalaustralia.travel and I will do my best to include it. Many thanks