AGM+SHARING

__**President’s Report**__ Another racing season ends and a new one begins and it is my pleasure to stand in front of you all and say that FLAIR is in a good place within the industry. At a time when we hear of doom and gloom, race clubs feeling the pinch, a race course closing, drop of in ownership and breeders and trainers finding it hard to make a living, our FLAIR membership is strong which is very encouraging.
 * FLAIR AGM: August 19, 2012 **

Our contributions on race day over the past season have again been well received by the clubs and gifts given by FLAIR for the winning horse, best presented horse or strapper or the winning connections have brought smiles to the faces of those receiving the gifts and to me that says it all. Thank you one and all who have taken part in these days and I hope that you have all had as much pleasure as I have in presenting these gifts.

Our major sponsorship again this year has been the Amateur Riders Series and again this has been very successful for FLAIR. The media coverage and the races given by the clubs has been marvelous and I am sure that any FLAIR member attending these events has not been disappointed. I feel there is more awareness of FLAIR coming from the commentators as they give a plug before the race. This year's series is again shaping up towards a fantastic photo finish which we all hope to celebrate at Te Rapa come 30th September.

FLAIR has continued to support the Waikato Apprentice School Silent Achiever Award with last year's recipient Dicky Lui now riding in the South Island.

Memorable events of last season have been many, but one of the special ones that comes to mind was the FLAIR trip to Waiheke. This trip back in November 2011 was outstanding, not only great company, brilliant views, fine weather, good wine and food and to top it all off, the olive festival was on that day as well. Very well organized Barbara.

Recently, in June, we had our Mid Winter Xmas luncheon at Whitby Farm. Jeanette had organized this event and also a wee competition for all who attended the day. The venue was a fabulous setting and the company was great, the food and service were all very good. The naming a horse competition created great mirth and frivolity so what more could you want on yet another wet winter day.

We all realize how important sponsorship is in any sport these days so I would like to say thank you to our sponsors who keep our trailer road worthy and insured. It's sometimes easy to forget these things.

Last and certainly not least, I would like to thank my committee: Pam, Sandra, Maureen, Barbara, Pip, Rosemary, Sheryn, Gaye, Moss, Jeanette and Jac. Sometimes people forget how much of their own time they volunteer to make the trips and days at the races work for everyone. Also the newsletter is very time consuming but always such a pleasure to read. I know myself with jobs, family and other commitments, it is not always easy to come to meetings and meet deadlines so thank the committee again for going the extra mile for FLAIR. Geertje Herder President

__**President’s Report**__ This past season has been another successful one for FLAIR with increasing involvement in and contribution to the racing industry. Increased media exposure through Trackside television and radio, the internet, newspapers, the New Zealand Racing Calendar and formal or informal verbal interactions with race goers, both on and off the track, have all been valuable and in many instances, have resulted in people seeking more information about our organisation and often signing up as new members. This is both reassuring of our value to racing and financially rewarding by allowing us the means and opportunity to seek further ways to support racing in the future.
 * FLAIR AGM: August 21 2011 **

Harsh weather conditions, throughout the country in recent weeks, have played havoc with race meetings. When Rotorua, Paeroa and Counties cancelled or abandoned their race days, trainers have needed to reassess their training programmes to best advantage each horse in their care and though the race days may not have gone ahead, our trainers, track riders and stable staff continue on a daily basis to prepare their horses for our race day enjoyment. Our contributions to these people will be ongoing and provide recognition and a small reward for jobs well done. As has been the case for many years, FLAIR has continued to sponsor a few races and present prizes to strappers and winning connections at race meetings hosted by the FLAIR member racing clubs of: Cambridge, Taumarunui, Matamata, Auckland, Dargaville, Te Aroha and Waikato. All clubs treat our representative members well and always express their appreciation of our involvement in their race days. As more clubs have joined FLAIR we have been able to extend our support within the racing community.

Continued acknowledgement of the importance to encourage the education of young jockeys within the industry, saw the FLAIR Quiet Achiever Award being presented to Thamil Arumugam at the Waikato Apprentice 2010/2011 prize giving and this support will be repeated this season.

I take pleasure from the willingness of people within our organisation who see a need and quickly rally to help out. This is particularly evident when one of us suffers personal loss or ill health. We can always be counted on to band together and share our sympathies and support to ensure our friendships are maintained and strengthened. Support through donations of time and energy (none more so than when the FLAIR marquee needs patience, skill and teamwork for erecting or dismantling) or providing and presenting prizes, refreshments or food for the table at our special race day functions - it is all these people who make our organisation special. Our strength and effectiveness are only possible when we have a strong member base and a good management team. FLAIR also owes its existence, success and continuance to our dedicated committee of volunteers - Sandra, Geertje, Pam, Jeanette, Moss, Maureen, Pip, Gaye, Decima, Sheryn and Rosemary whose individual skills are greatly appreciated and valued by me. We appreciated the willingness of Liz to take up the role of secretary at our last AGM but due to personal commitments, she relinquished her position during the year. I thank Decima for filling the void. This committee has tried hard to find ways to add a little extra to the prize pool of those who spend enormous time and effort in breeding and presenting horses for our race days at a time when fluctuations in local and world financial markets have contributed to owners and trainers receiving less financial return from the stakes being presented. This year the committee teamed up to promote and run a most enjoyable fun walk in Cambridge for the benefit of all those who took part and for the injured jockeys’ fund. A recent partnership between FLAIR and the New Zealand Jumps’ Association has led to FLAIR being this season’s national sponsor for the Amateur Riders’ Series Championship and is promoting FLAIR in both the North and South Islands. The 11 race competition will conclude at Ellerslie’s National Jumps Day in October. It is becoming a fiercely contested series with many riders within reach of the ultimate prize. Each individual race winning rider has received a FLAIR jacket and in the case of a rider winning more than one race, they have happily accepted a $100 petrol voucher donated by FLAIR. We look forward to congratulating and presenting a worthy trophy to the overall winner. That trophy has been kindly donated by Pam and Geoff Brindley.

Socialising outside of race days has involved a growing number of our members who recently gathered to mix and mingle at the GPO in Cambridge. This occasion also provided an opportunity for many of our members to entertain us with some of their hat, heel and handbag stories. What great storytellers we have! Another chance for members and partners to share a special outing will be on our planned trip to Waiheke Island later in the year. Already we have a good number of members who have registered their interest. Don’t forget to get your name on the list! My thanks go to Jeanette who suggested and organised a very successful and enjoyable FLAIR trip to the legendary Kumara Gold Nuggets race meeting in January this year. While soaking up the glorious sunshine, friendly atmosphere and unlimited hospitality of the locals, our tour group were treated to a truly unique experience. The following day we were able to take in the beautiful and breathtaking scenery along the coast with Geertje at the wheel of our minibus and Jeanette as our tour guide. Whether we made money or not on race day, we all came away richer for having firsthand experience and understanding of what makes the west coast so special. Our colourful quarterly newsletter has become a creditable record of reflections, of events past, and information of things to look forward to and our members have responded with praise and ideas for further content. Racing is full of interesting people and stories. We have shared some but I welcome more to inform and humour our readers in future publications. Jeanette may suggest that her body is slowing down but her wit and ability to put a good story together is just one example of literary talent within our ranks. To all our writers and photographers – keep those stories and photos coming! FLAIR’s 15th Anniversary celebration last year highlighted the long term commitment and support our organisation has given to the racing industry. From the beginning, the organisation has promoted and enhanced the place of women in racing both on and off the track. Our newsletter continues to feature the successes of lady owners, trainers, jockeys and amateur riders. We have many other members who work within the industry in clerical, managerial, educational, physical, medical and animal health organisations and their personal stories emphasise the importance of women to this industry. Being so fully involved as your president for the past three years has been a pleasure while giving me further insight and connection with racing personnel in all aspects and levels of the industry. I believe our continued motivation and direction, for the best interests of racing, lies in promoting ourselves as welcoming of the people whose ideas build on what is already a well recognised part of thoroughbred racing. I have gained personal satisfaction from assisting the organisation with the integration and increased use of online technologies with the establishment of a FLAIR website and FLAIR email address. The ease and convenience of email has been established as the quickest and most cost effective communication between members, committee and racing organisations with the majority of our members now receiving their newsletters via email. Keeping up with technology and the trends is ongoing and there are many avenues that could still be explored. I leave the president’s position knowing that FLAIR has continued to raise its profile and involvement in New Zealand racing where excellence is celebrated but where there is also reward for commitment and talent of many who combine to bring us great spectator competition. Long live FLAIR! Barbara Wenn President
 * FLAIR AGM: August 29 2010 **

**__President’s Report__**
When pondering my report for the 2009/2010 season, I was most aware of the enormous contribution our racing industry has on the employment and entertainment scene in New Zealand. How many of you can connect with me and recall being on the edge of your seat or almost inside the TV screen, jumping up and down, yelling to urge your chosen horse to success in a close race finish? The adrenalin rush is like no other! Having been involved in the racing game for over 40 years, I am always mindful of the devoted horsemen and women who, even in the bleakest of weather conditions (like we have experienced over the past few months), swap the comforts of home to work behind the scenes, away from the glamour of race day, to provide ongoing care and attention to turn runners into winners. The long hours, the current unstable economic climate and uncertain returns gives even greater importance to our organisation and the ways we can support and give rewards to those who we rely on for a large part of our entertainment. So, as in the past, FLAIR has regularly presented useful gifts to the connections of race day runners at various meetings throughout the year.

In recognition of the vital role apprentice jockeys play in racing, FLAIR presented Amelia Denby with a FLAIR jacket as the “Quiet Achiever” at the Waikato Apprentice School Awards last September and we look forward to supporting and encouraging an up and coming apprentice again this season. Always ready to support our young riders, FLAIR committee members found themselves a surprise inclusion in the Central Districts Awards Ceremony and presented an award to Jane McGuiness for “Dedication”.

This year we embarked on a commitment to sponsor races. FLAIR stepped in “big time” with the FLAIR 1200 for fillies and mares at the Group One New Zealand Bloodstock Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes Day at Te Aroha in April. Sam Spratt aboard Sunstrike took out our race. What a buzz it was to be part of the post race celebrations in the birdcage and winners’ circle with Trevor and Stephen McKee and Thayne Green as they recalled a few of their memorable moments in racing. As a result of the sponsorship, FLAIR gained valuable exposure and advertising via the live televised broadcasts throughout New Zealand and Australia. The cancellation of the Dargaville meeting in May prevented FLAIR from attending and contributing as race sponsors this year. We are continually being approached for sponsorship and the committee considers each request and favours supporting those clubs that contribute to FLAIR through their annual membership subscriptions.

As has been the case in past years, we are always striving to find innovative ways to extend our message of fun, support and involvement to a wider audience. The FLAIR website continues to share information with our members and also to outsiders who are connecting via a link from the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing website. Currently the visit count stands at over 2700 hits. I would like to explore ways to develop this site further in the coming year.

Our newsletter has become a colourful medium for members to share stories and recollections of occasions that promote the intentions of FLAIR. The feedback from our readers is always positive and exposes a growing number of opportunities being promoted for meeting with others in activities connected to the racing industry. Our committee is once again responsible for another successful year of engaging members in old and new initiatives. I extend my appreciation for their commitment to FLAIR being a memorable part of the racing scene in the upper North Island.

We have seen increasing numbers of members and partners join the highly successful Christmas luncheons at “Longlands Farm and Restaurant” last November and the “GPO Bar and Brasserie” in June. Decima took her committee role to a new level when she organised the Winter Hat, Heels and Handbag Challenge, which provided informative and entertaining insight into the secrets behind our race day attire as we dined on a selection of culinary delights and mingled to engage in friendly conversations. Jeanette is certainly one who enjoys a challenge and she aptly led a very enthusiastic FLAIR Punter’s Team at Te Rapa. Her witty recount of the day’s fortunes (or misfortunes) was fully realised in last November’s newsletter. Never beaten, she has taken the bull by the horns by suggesting a rematch again this year. I believe she is training hard for the event. Jeanette has organised and will also lead a trip down to the Kumara Gold Nuggets in January for 12 lucky members. Pip has been efficient in her role as our secretary but will relinquish that role in favour of work commitments which require her full attention at this time. She is willing to continue her support from within the committee. Her energy and flair for telling entertaining stories have added light hearted humour to many occasions. Sandra is the quiet achiever of our committee. She is unrivalled in keeping tabs on the finances. We appreciate the expertise she brings to that role. Our auditor always expresses his compliments for the manner in which she prepares the books for audit. Maureen with husband Mike’s expertise in travel, arranged and led a most memorable trip to Melbourne for 18 FLAIR ladies last October to support Sam Spratt in the Australasian Lady Jockey Challenge, present a FLAIR jacket to the winning jockey and to leisurely tread the turf at Flemington and Moonee Valley racecourses. A chance to pat and chat with a number of equine “Living Legends” and even ample time to treat ourselves to fine dining and retail experiences. All being upgraded to business class couldn’t have been just a coincidence, Mike. Pam is a stalwart of FLAIR and has never missed an AGM no matter what life throws at her. Pam continues to maintain the FLAIR data base and manages the purchase and storage of FLAIR merchandise for sharing with worthy recipients. Our sales table today gives members an opportunity to purchase some memorabilia for personal use and is a good way to promote your organization. Geertje is so supportive and has been able to step into the fray when I am unable to attend a meeting while being responsible for the mailing of postal newsletters. Gaye, who is currently sunning herself in Queensland, can be relied on to communicate with members whom we are pleased to connect with and offer our emotive support. Rosemary has recently moved from the Bay of Plenty to Karapiro as an indication she is enjoying the company and involvement in the Waikato racing scene as I’m sure it wasn’t for our weather! We appreciate her sincere and often humorous contributions to the newsletter. Moss keeps me in focus and provides reminders that leisure time activities are an important part of life. He seldom shares racing tips but can be relied upon to share his gardening tips and occasional samples of produce to urge interest in my own vege patch. His assistance with the FLAIR Marquee has been invaluable. We are so very proud of our Patron, Linda Jones for finally receiving the recognition she deserves for her contribution to thoroughbred racing with her induction into the Racing Hall of Fame. It is great to be able to view her story on the racing channel.

To all members who contribute through financial membership and provide assistance in all aspects of racing or functions, you are valued in our organisation and its place in an amazing industry. FLAIR will celebrate 15 years of supporting that industry by sponsoring a race at the Cambridge Jockey Club meeting in November. I hope you will join me and your committee in events that are focussed on advancing the interests of racing throughout the coming year. Thank you.

Barbara Wenn President

** FLAIR AGM: August 30 2009 **
__**President’s Report**__ It is with much pleasure that I present my first report as your President for the 2008/2009 season. What a year we have had! Personally, this has been an opportunity to connect with the ever growing number of members who support our organisation. In fact a grand total of 243 financial members at last count. This year my granddaughter, Tayla-Renee, became the first Junior Member. I’d like us to encourage more of our young horse lovers to become financially involved and let them help us spread our support into more areas of our racing industry.

FLAIR has, this year, gone global. We are now sharing our information via the internet on our FLAIR website. A growing number of viewers from New Zealand and around the world are connecting with us online and we must encourage that by developing content and social opportunities to attract further interest in FLAIR. We thank New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing for recognising our contribution to racing by allowing us free advertising and direct access from their official website. I thank our past Vice President, Angela Hawtin, for setting up the FLAIR email account and for developing the new-look colourful newsletter. Wow! What a great layout and always interesting content and stories being increasingly contributed by our members. On our mailing list, the Director/Editor of the Australian magazine “Women in Racing” has sought rites to republish several of our stories in their glossy quarterly publication. This is confirmation of the quality of our stories and a great way of advertising FLAIR and getting our message across the Tasman.

We thank the numerous racing clubs that continue to seek and appreciate our involvement in their race days and social gatherings. FLAIR sponsored a race at the Waipa “Fillies Night Out” but you’ll need to read to newsletter to get the details of that event. I’ll not spill the beans. The majority of our support this year has focused on owners and attendants who are often the unsung heroes of our racing industry. With stakes being reduced and training and operating costs increasing, it is the owners who bear the costs in the long run. In recognition of the vital role they play, FLAIR has presented them with sashes, caps, umbrellas, backpacks or chilly bags. Last year we rewarded Andy Webb as the “Quiet Achiever” at the Waikato Apprentice School Awards with a $100 gift voucher and intend to support the apprentice school again this year.

With the Dr LeWinns Lady Jockey Challenge series race in Auckland, we added our support to a racing club promoting women in racing, by presenting the winning jockey, Tasha Collett, with a horse-mounted lamp. Encouraged by the reception we received at Ellerslie that day, a group of 20 members will travel to Melbourne in October to cheer on Sam Spratt, who has qualified to represent New Zealand in the challenge final.

Once again the Dargaville Racing Club ran an appropriately named “FLAIR Maiden” for Fillies and Mares. The small but enthusiastic group representing FLAIR were treated extremely well by the committee and recipients of our prizes. Despite the very wintry conditions the excellent food, shopping and camaraderie made for memorable moments for all.

Some of our members have successfully entered “Fashions in the Field” at various race meetings. Do you know that one member easily won such an event by drawing the name of the winning horse? Not bad Jeanette! We all shared the fun and excitement of that day at Te Aroha while selecting and presenting gifts to the best dressed strappers for each race. A few of our committee members did particularly well on the tote too.

To my committee, I extend my thanks for the way that you have embraced changes that have been initiated and I appreciate your commitment to further planned developments in the future. With the majority of our committee having full time employment outside FLAIR, I understand your contributions have meant time out from your already busy personal lives but be assured that your personal strengths, brought to our committee over short or longer periods of time, have led to the success of the organisation. To husbands, partners, sons and daughters who have assisted when required, thank you. Life is about giving where and when we can to make a difference for others, so to those who are standing down from our committee, I extend my best wishes to you, knowing our friendships will continue as we enjoy a day at the races together. Nicole: a pretty younger face. Your skill as our secretary and efficiency with email have ensured the committee has been well informed and prepared for our meetings. With a new direction in your life, we look forward to catching up on race days. Bev, Diane, Lyn, Hazel and Trish: Your support, expertise and ideas shared in various aspects of committee work, are acknowledged. Though you are leaving our committee we know we can look forward to being able to gain further assistance from you in the future through your offers of involvement in our sub committees. Sandy: a very well organised and competent treasurer who often does her work behind the scenes but always manages to keep us clearly informed of our respectable financial position. Maureen: In your absence, we thank you for your organization of our very successful Mid Christmas luncheon at Woodside Café. Comments from members and partners such as “You’ll have a hard time trying to better that!” or “That’ll take some beating!” highlight the success of that event on our social calendar. Also for your dedication to the role of manager for the FLAIR racing syndicate for the past 3 years and for your lead role, with your husband Mike, in organising what we anticipate to be a wonderful trip to Melbourne in October. Pam: for your hard work and enthusiasm in accepting and maintaining our membership links and data base. You usually get to know our members personally and in your role of merchandise co-ordinator you have always been on the lookout for new products to use for our sponsorships. Geertje: is a very keen race goer and successful punter and we can always count on you to be available to represent FLAIR at our presentations. Your organisational skill and knowledge of how to successfully erect the marquee are second to none. Lea: is also a very successful punter (we love sharing your success when you shout a bottle of bubbly or two). Your commitment to getting the newsletters printed, folded and posted in often tight timeframes is a job that has taken hours of your personal time. No organisation can exist without people like you. Gaye and Rosemary: we can always count on you for doing the little extras such as communicating with members who have suffered loss or illness, keeping communication lines open or making personal contributions to our quarterly newsletters. These are important aspects of supporting a team or committee. Pip: our keen and dedicated ambassador who has personally signed up an impressive number of both male and female members to FLAIR in the past 12 months. Decima: rejoined our committee after some years away from the scene (when our Vice President, Angela moved to Perth) and has rekindled and organised a successful connection with harness racing at Cambridge. Jeanette and Moss: Whatever would I do without you? Bed and breakfast at Lockhaven has become a regular stopover for me following our monthly committee meetings. Lockhaven even became an emergency fuel stop after last month’s meeting when my fuel gauge very quickly showed zero kilometres to empty – and I was a long way from home or an open petrol station. Moss, you are my hero. Jeanette’s contributions are many and varied but her (free) lease of two fillies to race for a FLAIR syndicate was a great innovation and provided the many shareholders with opportunity, excitement and the winning moment that for many had not been previously available to them. Though not current committee members, my special thanks go to both Faye and Marie for their organisation of race book advertising and race day arrangements that has included the provision of special areas for us to gather and get a great view of the race track. To Faye also for your email communications for the duration of the FLAIR syndicate racing. What a great team effort!

The success of our organization should never be measured in monetary terms but by the interest and support from all our members. I look forward to being able to continue to advance the interests of racing through my involvement and leadership of FLAIR in the coming year. Thank you all. Barbara Wenn //(Bouquets of flowers were presented by the President to our retiring committee members – Nicole, Hazel, Lyn, Trish, Bev, Diane)// __**Our Guest Speaker:**__ Bill Lloyd