The 2014 membership has started as of 1 February, so it's time to join/renew for another great year of awesome adventures! 2013 memberships will last until the end of February.

We have early bird membership available until the end of O-Week (13 February), so come along to Market Day or the Gear Store (Tuesday and Thursday evenings) to get a $10 discount!

Information on how to join is here

Two key changes since last year:

As we have done over the past few years, a calendar is being produced for 2014 using the lovely photos from this year's AGM photo competition plus a few extra pics from here and there, all contributed by some of our very talented photographers who are members of the club. Sample images of the mock-up plus examples of an autumn, winter and spring month are available on Flickr (see the link below). Dates include public holidays in the ACT and also list a few of the club's key trips for earlier in the year.

We are taking pre-orders so that we can print just enough calendars for those who want them, and not end up with a bunch of spares left over. The cost of printing is yet to be determined, but should be around $20 dollars per copy. Once we have a firm number of pre-orders then I should be able to provide a more accurate quote of the cost to those who have pre-ordered just in case anyone needs to change or cancel their order. We are aiming to have them ready to be paid for and handed over at the end of year BBQ on at 7:00pm Tuesday 10 December. To help meet this deadline, please get in touch by email before the end of this Thursday 28 November so I can chase down some quotes on Friday.

So, in summary:

• Check out the sample images here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36856779@N02/sets/72157638039655605/
• Decide how many copies you'd like at ~$20 ea.
• Email me* with your pre-order by this Thursday midnight — money will only be required when they're delivered
• Also in the email, let me know if you are NOT attending the BBQ to arrange to collect and pay for your order at some other time/place (e.g. the gear store)

* to send an email via the website just click on my name at the top of this post and use the contact form.

In case you missed the email to members, the winter issue of the ANUMC newsletter — The Epic — is available on the Epic page.

This year, Lauren Bartsch joins the ANUMC Hall of Fame.

This incredibly motivated lady first joined the club around 2008. She came with a love for hiking and an obsession with pink, and soon grabbed onto every activity in the club to became one of our most skilled members. In addition to this, she demonstrated an almost super-human level of motivation on the committee: She’s edited The EPIC, been the social officer and Vice President, and one of the club’s longest serving Presidents with three successful years at the helm.

There is no denying the legacy that Lauren will leave in the club: a greater emphasis on training and competition funding within the club, as well as the hugely popular Bluies Weekend, the Coast weekend, and the brief annual foray into resort skiing where the club hires an entire bus to go to Thredbo.

I’m sure that all here will join me in agreeing that Lauren Bartsch is a most deserving recipient of the Ice Axe, and a very fitting addition to the ANUMC hall of fame.

The 2013 President and Treasurer's Reports are now available at the link below. Lauren and Dave will be presenting them briefly at our Annual Awards Night and AGM tonight (http://anumc.org.au/node/4560) - hope to see you there!

Club memberships are now reduced to reflect the reduced time until the end of the membership year. From now until 1 February 2014, club fees will be as follows:

Students: $20
SRA members: $30

The 2013 membership year started on 1 February. New membership will last until 28 February 2014.

For 2013, membership will cost $40 for students and $60 for non-students.
More details on how to join the club are on the membership page.

Congratulations goes to Alana Wilkes who was awarded the ANUMC 'Axe', Hall of Fame at the 2012 Annual General Meeting and Awards Night.
Alana has been a member of the club since 2008 and has been the club's outstanding Secretary since 2009.

Alana started out as a bushwalker, but has since mastered the art of rolling a kayak, conquered the climbing wall (and the Castle), and donned skis on many occasions.

Alana has made an enthusiastic contribution across all club activities, has been tireless in her promotion of the club to new members and encouraging beginners. She has shown regular and longstanding leadership of weekly activities and club trips. She has exhibited inexhaustible patience and good humour and has many years of stellar service on our committee. Most of all, she has completed all of these activities with her ever present cheerful smile.

Alana was elected as Secretary for 2013 and we look forward to having her in the club for many years to come.

The 2012 President's and Treasurer's Reports are now available at the links below. Lauren and David will be presenting these briefly at our Annual Awards Night and AGM next Wednesday (http://anumc.org.au/node/3457) - hope to see you there!