This is also the end of my first term as Purchasing Officer in what has been a very busy year. I am pleased to report as stated by Rick Bedford that the store is the best stocked store in the clubs history with over $200,000 worth of stock purchased during the year.

A major review of the store and suppliers has been undertaken during the year. The national committee have endeavoured to supply quality products at a reasonable price to branches and individual members alike. The cost price to Branches is at a level to allow a small profit to the branches and still achieving a reasonable purchase price for the member. The club will continue with this arrangement in the future.

Many of the past suppliers have indicated they are no longer able to supply the club due to our growth and demand now placed on them for future orders. In simple terms we have outgrown some of the smaller individuals and firms that can no longer be competitive. This has necessitated in sourcing new suppliers that we can develop long term business dealings with that will support the club and it’s growth.

One of our major supply issues has been belts with the company no longer supplying the club. This has since been overcome and all belts are now back in stock.

Some minor supply issues were experienced throughout the year as a direct result of a change in suppliers. The T-shirts, sloppy joes and similar clothing range was ordered with the new supplier and delivery times extended due to industrial problems and the large order we placed with some suppliers. This caused some frustration by members until the new stock arrived. The printing on most clothing items has been changed from a fabric print to a plastic based print to allow more flexibility and durability to the end product.

We are now requiring our suppliers to guarantee that the product can be supplied at the quoted price and quality for future shipments and not just for a particular one off order.

I have sourced some new items and we will trial them over the next twelve months to determine their suitability as a regular stock item. These items are plastic pens, leather hats and two styles of watches.

I will be monitoring feedback at the AGM and successful sales will ensure their place on the shelves permanently. At the AGM there will be an abundance of stock at the quartermasters store for all members with all items available. There will be some stock items that can be viewed on trial that suppliers are requesting feedback on. Orders can be taken directly for these items at the AGM, and if these prove popular they will be ordered as regular items so please check out the store at the AGM.

You may have noticed the change in our clothing label to our own brand "Grow old Disgracefully Clothing" with the Bargo 1300 134 123 number. The national committee believe this will give ownership of our clothing and support to members of the Ulysses family of a quality product purchased from the National store.

Future happenings will be "tagging" our clothing with our label and promoting a guaranteed product. While some branches continue to order their own clothing and old man logo I encourage branches to order nationally and to safeguard our logo with existing licensing agreements.

I am continuing to source new products and occasionally receive ideas and suggestions from members for stock items. Please continue to keep sending these ideas in and follow up with the finished goods for assessment by the committee and myself.

With the rush of the AGM in Geelong and the settling in as Purchasing Officer I hope for a smoother transition next year if re elected. My thanks for the support given by the national committee and to Wendy and her assistants at Bargo who receive the stock and ship it to the branches and members.

Also thanks to my family for the tremendous support in answering the numerous phone calls, recording enquires and receiving the parcels that arrive, all Ulysses related

Doug Winckle
National Purchasing Officer