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On this page you
will find general news and
notices here regarding equipment and port updates, equipment addition, changes
or problems and solutions that may affect all Club members.
General News & Information regarding New &/or Replacement
Equipment can also be found in the:
Annual General Meeting
Minutes
&
General Meeting Minutes
Latest News Index:
The
Annual General Meeting will be held on September 27th 2007 at
the St George Rowing Club which is located at 1 Levey Street, Wolli
Creek, Sydney (opposite the Sydney International Terminal). The meeting
will commence at 11am.
At that meeting all committee
positions will be declared vacant and elections held for the 2007-2008
period. Nominations from any financial member for a vacant position on
the committee must be received before the start of the meeting and
include full name, address and membership number. Please post all
nominations to QAC, PO Box 103, Engadine 2233. Only those financial
members present at the AGM can vote at this election. Nomination form
HERE
A copy of the Income/Expenditure
Statement for the financial year ended 30th June 2007 is
available HERE
The
club now have nearly 3000 email addresses registered on the database .
The total number of financial members is 6030. This is made up of AKL FA
base 42, BKK FA base 2, LHR FA base 16, MAM FA casuals 92, Flight
Engineers 40, Pilots 1971, LHFA 2665 and SHFA 1202
As you can see from these figures, about 50% of members do not have
their email address registered with the club and beyond that a
substantial number of crew are not financial members.
PLEASE DO NOT LOAN YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD OR DIVULGE ANY PASSWORDS OR LOCK
COMBINATIONS TO ANY OTHER PERSON, INCLUDING OTHER CREW MEMBERS EVEN IF
THEY CLAIM TO BE A MEMBER.
CLUB EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES ARE FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF FINANCIAL
MEMBERS. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE NOT PART OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP.
CLUB EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES ARE ONLY TO BE USED WHILE MEMBERS ARE ON
COMPANY SERVICE. MEMBERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO USE ANY EQUIPMENT AND/OR
FACILITIES WHILE THEY ARE ON ANNUAL LEAVE, LWOP, LSL.
Around
the ports;
London Internet;
Peter Thorpe has had discussions with the hotel management regarding the
slow speed of the internet connection in London. Since then the speed
has increased and in a few months they will have a dedicated 10mb system
in place which should help resolve any further problems.
Additionally, I also received this information from Wayne Leighton which
may assist other members who encounter a similar problem;
"There has been a bit of a problem with the internet in London.
After you enter the code, the screen goes to account verification, then
it used to come up with a screen saying "you've got four days left" or
whatever Now, however, it's coming up with a screen saying "page cannot
be found". Most people think this means the internet isn't working, so
they change rooms, or give up. They are however connected at this stage,
so if they select a page from favorites, it will load, and they have
normal internet communications.
For those members who do not know Peter Thorpe; he like the majority of
others is general Club member, however he has been of great assistance
to the Club's Committee in setting up this facility and without his
assistance we would not have this facility. We all thank you Peter.
Honolulu; As most members would know the new hotel does not
have any area for storage of the Club's equipment, the only storage
facility that could found in the very limited notice that we were given
was some distance from the hotel. This is especially inconvenient for
those member whom are keen surfers. With that in mind, we have come to
an arrangement with Moku Hawaii Surf Shop. The Committee have
subsequently relocated three of the Clubs' surfboards to their premises
and have agreed to the conditions;.
·
There
will be no charge for the storage however
·
they
have the right to rent the boards to their customers under their
normal rental agreements, terms and conditions.
·
At
least one of the surfboards MUST be available for club members use
at any time. Members must call 808 926 6658 before arrival to
confirm availability of a surf board.
Moku
Hawaii Surf Shop is located;
KOA Village, 2446 Koa Ave.
Kung is the owner and Rowlan is his offsider. The street is almost
opposite THE DUKES statue up on the beach. The shop is on a corner, one
block from the beach (Kalakaua Blvd) on the right.
Frankfurt; A Club member recently injured themselves while
using a club bike. Until the bike can be made safe other members
choosing to use the bikes should be aware that the rear mudguards have a
sharp protrusion which can under certain circumstances cause injury.
In the past week a bike that was locked up outside Bastion Von Schonborn
Restaurant, (directly across the river from the hotel) was stolen. The
locks supplied are only a deterrent and they will not stop professional
thief. Please remember to have all equipment in your care in sight at
all times.
Johannesburg; In mid 2005 we paid Virgin Active Gym $8000 as a
deposit enabling members to use their facilities. A few days ago I
received some complaints that Virgin were now attempting to charge
members for entry. This was the first I had heard of this and contacted
one of our committee members who was in Johannesburg at the time. The
matter has now been resolved and members can once again use the Virgin
Active facilities free of charge on production of their club membership
card. We have made enquiries regarding the provision of bikes however
the hotel management had serious concerns regarding bicycle security and
the personal safety of the member using the bike.
San Francisco; Equipment now includes; Six bikes and a guitar.
These have been available for a few months now. Recently; Four sets of
Men's RH Golf clubs were delivered and one Ladies RH set and men's LH
set will be delivered soon.
Perth; For many years we had an arrangement whereby members could
use the facilities at Pelican Point Windsurfing. The business has now
been sold and we are awaiting an offer from the new owners regarding a
similar arrangement. Until then we DO NOT have an arrangement with them.
If you are interested in discounted Wi-Fi when staying in Perth read the
article below from Alan Applin who did quite a lot of work arranging
this deal. Thanks Alan
Singapore;
Free Wireless
with SingNET <> and free WiFi at
365
locations <>around Singapore including Starbucks and
Delifrance
Los Angeles DVDs; Chris Ball (a general Club member) has
spent a considerable amount of time purchasing and setting up the DVD
libraries on behalf of the Committee in LA, Hong Kong and Melbourne base
office. Despite our best efforts in securing these items which are all
original DVDs, we continue to lose a number to theft each week. Each
disc is marked "Property of QANTAS AIRCREW CLUB"
I would like to bring to your attention a general news item in the 2006
Cabin Crew News #19 that stated under the heading of Company Property on
page 6;
"The theft, attempted theft, fraud, attempted fraud or unauthorised
removal of Qantas property, other employee's property, or property
entrusted to the care of Qantas is an act of serious misconduct..."
WARNING: Club equipment belongs to the members and as such
would be classed as "other employee's property".
When borrowing DVDs from the library in L.A. members are reminded that
after selecting the DVD of their choice they are to use the blank DVD
cases which are available from the hotel staff. Using this case will not
only protect the discs from fingerprints/damage but will also remind
those using laptops that they still have the DVD in their possession and
they need to return it after viewing. We have had several occurrences
where members have forgotten to remove discs from their laptops after
viewing and have consequently taken them home. Many are not returned and
are therefore registered as stolen which in turn threatens the very
existence of this fine, comprehensive film library. Please be
responsible with club property so that others may continue to enjoy the
facilities on offer.
Other
news;
Bigpond discount;
Bigpond are offering a 20% discount on broadband connections to all
Qantas Staff (current and new customers) Check out;
<http://www.bigpond.com/offer/sco/default.asp?offer=qantas>
Skippy Squadron; Skippy Squadron was formed in 2002 by the
volunteer Qantas aircrew and ground staff who operated and supported
military charter flights in the prescribed area of operations during the
Vietnam war, maintaining the commitment established by our predecessors
during the Second World War. Members are eligible for the award of the
Australian Active Service Medal 1945-1975 with Clasp Vietnam, and the
Vietnam Logistics & Support Medal. Members have been involved in the
Anzac Day march since 2003.
On January 30th 2007, a Commemorative Plaque was dedicated during a
ceremony at the Australian War Memorial to honor those civilian aircrew
and ground staff who, under the control of the RAAF, operated unarmed
aircraft in Papua New Guinea and over the Indian and Pacific Oceans
during the Second World War.
The Plaque is installed in the Sculpture Garden on the Western side of
the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
To read more or see a photo of the plaque please, see the Article on the
Club's website:
Social Clubs Skippy Squadron <>
Anyone interested in further information regarding Skippy Squadron can
contact Alan Kitchen
alankitchen@optusnet.com.au
Interline Cruises; Recently I came across a very interesting
article by one of our members, Peter Black. It relates to discounted
cruises for current and retired crew I have reproduced the article on
the Clubs website with his kind permission.
The article goes in to some detail about the what anyone
contemplating a cruse can expect and is invaluable knowledge.
To read the full article; visit the Club's website:
Featured Article - Interline Cruises <>
Or contact me via email for the full article at;
fasted@bigpond.net.au <>
Also remember that the Club's website (www.qantas-aircrew-club.com
<>) is regularly updated with further information. There are
a number of websites listed there that you can view with regard to deals
on offer from companies who specialise in discounts of this nature for
airline staff.
There are also a number of other websites offering discounts only to the
club's financial members.
Ed Ronsisvalle
Operations Manager
Members lucky draw
The closing date for entries in the $250
cash prize offered by the Qantas Aircrew Club and open to all members
has been extended till July 31st. All you need to do is confirm or
update your details. This can be done by go to the
Personal Details Updated page
or
Entries can be done
via;
·
Emailed to :
fasted@bigpond.net.au,
·
Vent via OCS mail to
QAC, Mail Box 231, QCC1
·
Mailed to : P.O. Box
103, Engadine, NSW, 2233
·
Faxed to : 1800 040
747 (with in Australia only) or +61 2 9548 1224
It is important that your personal
details are up to date as they may be used in the near future to
verify your membership status through an online membership database
before utilising computers/internet. To date we have only received
1500 updates/confirmations from a total of 6350 members.
Canberra
With the transfer of Cabin Crew to the
Pavilion from July 1st, a guitar and 4 sets of golf clubs have been
positioned at the hotel. Five bikes are being assembled and will be in
place by July 4th. The Clubhouse at the Hyatt will still be available
for gym use on production of your membership card.
Narita
Three DVD players are now available for
members use with a selection of DVDs. If you make use of this facility
please return to the stowage as soon as you have watched the movie as
other members may be waiting.
Los Angeles
A third computer has been installed in the
crew room. Please ensure you membership card is displayed when using the
computers in all ports. Any person not displaying their card may be
asked to refrain from using that facility until a card is displayed.
If a card cannot be produced you will be asked to stop using the
computer immediately.
Bangkok
The hotel has provided
crew with a crew room on the 18th Floor. They have also provided Tea &
Coffee facilities, a standard TV to which the Club have added a DVD play
and library of DVD's, Two PC's with internet connection (ADSL) to which
the Club has a none secures (ie no password required) WiFi connection.
Please note;
Club items are not supported by the hotel staff. If you have
difficulties or would like to report a problem with club supplied
equipment these issue should be reported to the Club's committee and not
to the hotel staff.
Narita
Change of hotel;
we have made arrangements for all equipment to be transferred to the
Mercure Hotel. Management have set a price of 200 yen per day for
internet connection which will be available in your room and 500 yen
per visit for the gym. A selection of DVD movies has been supplied
by the club and will be available for use on your laptop. WiFi is
available free in the lobby
Perth
New equipment;
four new bikes and helmets along with a new kite surfing board have
been supplied to the Hyatt. The contract with Pelican Point
Windsurfing has been renewed for another three years. Fit Australia
Gym close by the Hyatt is now available free of charge to members.
The Sheraton has also been supplied with 4 bikes and 4 sets golf
clubs.
London
Internet access;
we have had a series of discussions with the management of the crew
hotel regarding the installation of a wireless router/modem. Captain
Peter Thorpe, a general member assisting the committee, has recently
been to London investigating the best area to locate the
router/modem to give the best reception in crew rooms.
Hong Kong
A selection of DVD
movies will be delivered in early April for use by members. All
rooms have all zone DVD players installed.
Gold Coast
Free entry to
Fitness Express gym.
Johannesburg
The existing
subsidised golf deal with SA Golfing has been renewed for another
year. Under this arrangement, members are charged between
280-300 Rand for 18 holes. This deal includes return transport from
the hotel, confirmed tee off times on the top 12 courses in
Johannesburg, green fees, use of 21 sets of high quality golf clubs
owned and maintained by SA Golfing and free use of a pull cart.
Members also receive, for 40 Rand entry fee and transport cost of 80
Rand each way, entry to Vodacom World of Golf Driving Range and the
use of any of the 21 sets of high quality clubs including unlimited
practice balls.
Equipment Auctions
The club has some
surplus equipment available to members through our website (see the
back of your membership card for the web address). Currently, we
have three steel cabinets and a 68cm TV being auctioned; auction
close on 9th April 2006.
Database Update
Since the
introduction of the Federal Government's Privacy Act, we can no
longer utilise the Qantas database to update our membership
details. To help bring the club’s database up to date the Club will
be offering an incentive cash prize of a $250 to a lucky member who
submits an update or confirmation of their personal details.
Entries can be done
via;
·
The Club’s website :
http://www.qantas-aircrew-club.com
·
Emailed to :
fasted@bigpond.net.au,
·
Vent via OCS mail to
QAC, Mail Box 231, QCC1
·
Mailed to : P.O. Box
103, Engadine, NSW, 2233
·
Faxed to : 1800 040
747 (with in Australia only) or +61 2 9548 1224
All details marked * must be completed to be entered into the draw;
Details required are;
Last Name
*
Initials
*
Date of Birth
*
Staff Number
*
Postal Address
*
Suburb
*
State
*
Postcode
*
Crew Category
*
Base
*
Phone Number
*
Mail Box Number
*
Email Address
(optional)
The deadline for
entries is June 30th, 2006 After the close
all submissions/confirmations will then be entered into a draw. The
winner will be drawn by an independent person selected by the club's
committee and announced by newsletter within seven days of the draw.
Please contact the
club’s Operations Manager; Ed Ronsisvalle on 1800 040 747 or by
email if you have any comment/suggestions.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
· We
will never ask for any financial details via email or the
internet. All fees payable are via payroll deduction (or direct
to the club Operations Manager for casual & overseas based
crew).
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