We are starting a new year and I am very pleased to say that the Melbourne Chess Club is in better shape than it has been for a number of years. A year ago, the club was struggling to survive, with approximately 70 members and a very low and shrinking bank balance - now the situation appears much brighter.
During 2009, the revitalized Club transformed itself from a dilapidated venue hosting events once per week, into a fully functioning chess centre with regular events on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons and evenings, as well as special weekend and annual events such as the MCC Cup Weekender.
Apart from the increase in over-the-board competition activity, the most pleasing aspects of 2009 have been the increase in membership to just under 150 members, the enormous increase in numbers of juniors and new players, the completion of numerous building and maintenance projects, the acquisition of a small sponsorship, the emergence of a new website and the increasingly important role that our Club is playing as a central figure in the Victorian chess scene.
Fund raising was very successful in 2009 with club members digging deep to help the Club get back on its feet. In 2009 the MCC spent more money on building and maintenance than the past 3 years total expenditure!
Most of this work was not of an aesthetic nature, priority was given to safety related issues in order that any safety hazards be eliminated. Examples of work during 2009 include: the new electrical switchboard, and associated electrical circuit update to conform with fire safety regulations, new building guttering, window repairs, new carpet, the mural on the outside of the building (to eliminate graffiti), and rubbish removal from the premises. These projects were not necessarily cosmetic; they are long term investments which will ensure that the Club is in the best possible position to move forward in the forthcoming years. These improvements, made in 2009, will enable the Club to address the cosmetic issues (such as renovation of the toilets and kitchen) in 2010 and beyond.
Whilst now clearly back on it's feet and is no longer fighting for it's survival, it is important to remember that we have a way to go before we can say that our Club has achieved a truly sustainable success.
We must remember that the enormous job of turning the Club around is still only partially complete – and is ongoing.
In recognizing that your Club committee has worked extremely hard during 2009 to improve things at the Club, we could not have achieved what we have without our 150 wonderful members who have donated their money and their time, helped with fund raising activities, supported new events and promoted the Club to the wider community.
At the beginning of 2009 when I was elected president of the Melbourne Chess Club, I believed that the plight of the club was only temporary and that the situation could, and would, improve. However I never thought in my wildest dreams that the Club would have progressed as much as it has in less than a year. Whilst I am extremely proud of the Club and its members for this transformation, it is important to reiterate that while the Club has done very well so far, the job is still not complete and we have a long way to go. So stay on board in 2010 for the ride of your life!The 2010 Annual General Meeting was held on January 31st (exactly a year since the last one).
I thank all of you who attended; it was your opportunity to ask questions and to have your say as to how the Club is being run.
Always remember that it is your Club just as much as mine, so it is important that you also have your say.
Most of the 2009 committee was re-elected to office again in 2010 (with some changes and some shuffling of positions). If you would also like to be part of the committee in 2010 or be involved in some other way, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone 0401-925-075 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
We would love to have you on board.
FM Grant Szuveges, Melbourne Chess Club President 2009-10
