Congress History - Lloyd Meredith
Congress History - Lloyd Meredith
The concept of The Congress was the brainchild of long-time Carbine Club (Vic) Member BRIAN DIXON, former Victorian Minister for Sport and Racing and champion AFL player for Melbourne Football Club. The idea was based around a gathering every two years of interested Members from all Clubs where the fellowship enshrined in the Carbine Club could be furthered; and where delegates could learn more of the host city and it’s Carbine Club. An integral part of each Congress was to be the participation of delegates’ partners who in turn were to be regarded as delegates.
The task of implementing this was placed in the hands of Dr. Allen Aylett OBE, himself an outstanding VFL player and long-time administrator of Australian Rules Football at both a Club and a National level. Allen was further qualified to fill this role from experience gained as a member of the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO).
THE CONGRESS CHAIRMAN
The role of Congress Chairman is to facilitate and co-ordinate the organisation and conduct of each Congress. Put simply, the Congress Chairman “gets people to the event” while the host Club “puts on the show”. In addition, the Chairman assists the host Club through his experience in the planning and conduct of the various events.
1992 – 2008: Dr Aylett filled the role, ably assisted by his wife Marj, and Joanne Tregear who was responsible for the administrative support.
2010 – 2023: Lloyd Meredith (Life Member of the WA Club) has acted as Congress Chairman, in turn supported by his wife Jan.
2024 - : The Host Club for 2024 being the Carbine Club of Northern Territory chose a new approach to the staging of a Congress and dispensed with the role of Congress Chairman.
