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Thank You

GMA Members

The 34th Biennial GMA Conference has come to an end and there are a number of things I want to say and a number of people to thank.

My first Conference was in Adelaide in 1991. The quality of keynote speakers and presenters at this Conference has certainly been the equal to any that I've attended.

From the opening by General Peter Cosgrove to the closing by Peter Hughes, the conference has been fantastic.

Who will forget Martin Grunstein, or the ladies Eleanor Jewell and Dr Sally Cockburn? All of the speakers were carefully chosen by Gordon Hurford to deliver an appropriate message to todays Manager.

I must thank our International guests; Norm Spritzig from USA, Steve Wallace from New Zealand and Mohammed Rom Muslim from the Golf Managers in Malaysia. Thank you for making the journey to join us and to be part of the inaugural International Forum. I trust this innovation stays for future conferences.

To our Life Members Lord Ted Coker and Alex Monteath, thank you for your very presence at our Conference.

Let me congratulate our trophy winners from the golf competitions for the week. The initial Billie Friedlander Trophy winner was Sharon Purnell from Qld. Leon Thompson Memorial winner David Bland from SA, the Jack Merrick teams trophy again went to NSW by a solitary stroke. The GMA Champion for 2009 and recipient of the Ted Coker Championship Cup was Brad White from WA with a par round at Mt Lawley.

These Conferences are not cheap and I acknowledge our Conference and Business Partner Schweppes Australia Pty Ltd.

I also acknowledge all of the conference sponsors; Kevin Gates and his team from Club Car, Matthew Head from Freeman McMurrick, Toro Australia, Golf Australia, Golf WA and NSWGA. Tony Kent and the Golf Group - thank you for your support and particularly the golf on Tuesday and the session draws.

I especially want to thank Brad White and the GMA WA Board and Members for continuing to believe in this venture and the support given to Gordon and the organising Committee and Renee and EECW - thank you on behalf of the Board.

There are a number of people who have worked behind the scenes to make all of this happen like clockwork. I thank sincerely the efforts made by:

Jenni Stade (Partners Program), Shelly Close (Partners Program), Billie Friedlander (WA Committee), Leanne Agnew (WA Committee), Renee Bennett and Danielle Moylan from EECW and the beautiful photographer Tahlia Carter, Lindsay Stade (Chairman of the WA Conference Committee and GM at Mt Lawley Golf Club), Brian Close (Committee member, GMA WA Captain and GM of Western Australian Golf Club), Michael Brunswick (GM at Melville Glades Golf Club), Jeff Zadow (Conference Committee and GM at Lake Karrinyup Country Club), Brad White (Conference Committee and GM at Cottesloe Golf Club)

Two other people who have had an awesome impact on all aspects of this conference - David Fordham - thank you for accepting to be the conference Master of Ceremonies and Facilitator again this year - fantastic.

And finally to our Director Gordon Hurford - Gordon accepted this challenge two years ago and has been single minded in his determination to deliver a fantastic conference to you the members. It is clearly - mission accomplished.

A special thank you to you, the Members of GMA for embracing and attending this conference - notwithstanding the current financial conditions that prevail as well as the best golfer on the planet displaying his wares on the eastern seaboard.

I thank you for your support of GMA Ltd.

Ladies and Gentlemen may I thank you once again for the support you have given the Board and to me personally over recent years. GMA is your Association: treasure it, grow it and prosper by your involvement in it.

Max Mason
President GMA Limited
13^th November 2009