Western Suburbs Games Society News
January 2004
Commentarii Senatus (Comments from the Senate)
Greetings to all.
As 2003 fades into the distance, we look forward to 2004 being bigger than ever before. Thanks to all for your support during 2003. The club underwent a number of changes in 2003, not the least
of which was the move to out new premises. However, we are now well place to grow our club in 2004, and I look forward to another great 12 months for WSGS.
With the success of the past 2 Leviathan tournaments, the club is in great shape financially, and the committee is currently looking at a number of exciting new initiatives for the new year, to
deliver even greater value to members. More details as things progress. My thanks to the committee for their efforts over the past year, and I Iook forward to seeing you all at our first meeting for 2004.
Trevor Williams (Club President)
2003 in review.
I hope that everyone had a happy, safe and memorable Christmas break with lots of toys to play with.
2003 saw Gary Kenworthy and I interviewed on ABC radio in February and a very large and successful Leviathan Hobby Convention in April/ May. Club members also made a new eye catching swamp terrain table for
Leviathan and committed to another eye caching table for 2004. During October we were at MOAB in force running the majority of free participation games as well as at the Matisse Derivan Arts and Crafts Open day. November saw us successfully defend (by half a
point) the WSGS Inter club challenge where we competed against the Penrith Emperor’s Legion and the Baulkham Hills’ Western Warriors.
Over the whole of last year we had 9 Family days with kid oriented games, miniature painting and BBQ, and ran 2 Display days, which are theme based painting competitions. We also had 3 displays at Bunnings
Warehouse Norwest store, 2 of which also involved Sausage Sizzles, (we cooked about 530 sausages at Bunnings).
I believe what we did in 2003 was amazing for a volunteer community hobby club. We activity promoted our hobby to the general public to attract new people not just to our club but to the hobby in general. We
continued to build ties of cooperation with the other clubs both in miniature games, plastic models, model railway and re-enactment societies.
The end of 2003 also saw the move to our new venue, Quakers Hill High School, (70 Lalor Rd Quakers Hill), which has proved to be very successful.
So what does 2004 hold for the club, well work had already begun on Leviathan 2004 and WSGS will be at the Easter Show courtesy of Matisse Derivan on Good Friday and Easter Saturday to promote our
hobby, our club and the Leviathan 2004 Hobby convention. I need volunteers for Good Friday.
I’d like to thank all the club members for their assistance and active positive commitment. Yes there are critics of our club out there, one told me late last year that WSGS does nothing to promote itself. My
advice is leave the critics to themselves and lets continue with more positive and constructive efforts.
Ty Gock
Recent events – News
q Family Day 7th December 2003
We had nine children 14 years and under attend. The younger children painted, played a simplified Flames of War game (The Russians won) and then latter played Chariot Races. The teenagers were all playing 40K.
We were assisted by Russell Hooke, one Uncle – Andrew Waterson, and two parents - Paul and my wife Kim.
At lunch time the kids received a hot dog or two, as many WSGS members were having nightmares about sausages. The kids raffle prize when to Elan who was very happy to receive the cardboard but at 2 years old did not know what it was for. I know Daddy knows
where to send the gift voucher because I’m Daddy. The members gift voucher went to Neil.
q Newsletter input
So you’re a WSGS member and want to provide newsletter input? Email me on kectk_home@pnc.com.au
Battletech Campaign Report – (Played 7th December 2003) – Science Fiction
Diary entry June 24, 3052 The stupid commander of a silly drop ship put the assault binary on the incorrect side of the target, the City Barsalenn. This was an issue because of the river
delta marshland. We lost 3 mech to who knows where in the drop, they are still scanning for them now. The wading through swamp made us great targets for the free birth scum holding Barsalenn. Despite the former Star Commander’s errors our teamwork, training
and superior machines still won the city and the day. Our Star Commander is currently enjoying his new job recovering lost material from the swamp, this is a permanent appointment.
The Battletech campaign is played on the first Sunday meeting of the month. All are invited to join in and have some fun playing a game where you command 10m tall robots weighing in from
20 to 100 tones. No rules knowledge is needed, just rock on up and see Rob, the ½ Ogre with the Mohawk.
q Bunning Warehouse BBQ – Sunday 23rd November and Saturday 6th December
All up we cooked and sold over 530 sausages over the 2 promotional days. The 6/12/2003 was a big day for Bunnings with paint workshops and displays as well as a
visit by Backyard Blitz. Drink sales were low on both days due to cold weather Overall we raised enough money to buy a portable BBQ set as well as cover two thirds of our public liability insurance for next year. I believe Bunnings were happy with us and we are booked for another club promotion and fund raiser on Saturday 28th August 2004 a week before Fathers Day. I would like to thank Trevor, Gary, Anne, Loraine, Mitchell, Pat and Scott for their help.
q Christmas meeting (Diplomacy for all) - 21st December 2003
The game started with Russia and China working together to squeeze England out of the Middle East, with Turkey playing an opportunistic game. Japan moved down into the Philippines and eventually
forced Holland out. France and Holland attempted to work together with England, however England and Holland refused to trust each other. Eventually England was forced out of Singapore and Ceylon became a protectorate of Holland. Then we had a change of Prime
Minister in England and Japan talked China into betraying Russia.
England and Russia stopped fighting and turned East. Turkey joined in on the coat tails. China crumbled, Japan also then moved in on China. Poor Holland retreated out of Ceylon and then it
happened, France betrayed Holland, taking Manila, Sarawak and Borneo. Well what can I say, yours truly was caught out by Max Bancroft’s classic back-stab and the poor colonies of Holland were soon under French rule. The
French then back stabbed England, putting the English Russian alliance on the back foot enabling China to recover. The game ended with China and Japan is ascendancy.
The club meeting also saw American Civil War 15mm game and a 15mm Flames of War WWII game played as well.
UP and COMING MEETING and EVENTS
q First Meeting of the new Year - 18th January 2004 – Alien Display day and BBQ
Did you enjoy the break and receive lots of games from Santa to play. WSGS is back for 2004 with the Alien Display day and BBQ. WSGS members get to each display a painted miniature for free and compete against
other members and outside entries for trophies. $2 per entry for Non WSGS members. WSGS member’s first entry for free, $1 for each additional entry. (Students 14 years and under that painted the Aliens in November and December at WSGS Family days may enter
that miniature for free. Special prizes have been put aside for painters 14 years and under.
q First Family Day meeting for 2004 – 1st February 2004
Mark Fenlon Miniatures have kindly donated some beautiful American Civil War miniatures for the children 14 years and under to paint. These miniatures are designed in Penrith, NSW, made in Victoria, and then
exported to America. (Note the miniatures are sealed in undercoat and based before the children may paint them.)
If you wish to become a member, half year membership is due for the January 2004 to June 2004.
q Junior Membership is $12.50 until June 2004 for children/ teenagers still at school. (18 years and under)
q Adult membership is $25 until June 2004
q Family membership is $25 until June 2004. That covers Mum, Dad and all the kids still at school.
q Visitors to a club meeting have their first visit for free then it is $5 per meeting.
WSGS Meeting Dates for the next 6 months of 2004