Dear Members and Friends of the USRC,
I begin with wishing you all a very Happy New Year and, looking just ahead, we also have an early Chinese New Year in January so Kung Hei Fat Choi to everyone as well.
Our Centenary year of 2011 was a turbulent one in many ways with natural disasters and more global financial turmoil but for the USRC it was a year of growth and celebration. Our Centenary events came to a close with the conclusion of the sports events and the Grand Ball. Visitors and guests from all over Hong Kong shared some great sporting competition with associated social events and our big events of the Spring Fair and Grand Ball were a bit hit for everyone. The Centenary Sub-Committee worked hard throughout the year to make these events a success so I thank them for their efforts.
Growth continued in our membership to a point where we have paused for the moment at 1,000 Members so we are in a strong position going forward into this year. Our Centenary year also saw several infrastructure projects completed or nearing completion. The marquee has proven itself as a great all-weather function venue, the cricket facility is top class, the multipurpose sports facility should be completed within the first month of the year and most importantly for the future of the Club is the final completion of the new kitchen facility. This was a marathon of patience as we battled government stalling for over two years but finally saw approvals come through and now we have a modern, efficient kitchen that, under our Executive Chef Marco's leadership, will take our F&B product to a new level. Other minor works were carried out around the Club to keep it in good shape. The poolside area improvements are almost ready for implementation and the improvements (without changes) to the playground should begin soon as well. So all in all, a big year for the Club as it turned 100!
On a more serious note, the continuing advancement of electronic media has spawned a relatively new type of problem which, although more prevalent amongst youngsters, is becoming a concern within our own membership and that is the misuse of the internet and social media to criticise others through personal attacks. I strongly urge Members who use the various email and social forums to discuss matters related to individuals and the running of the Club to do so responsibly. Please take care when you are posting comments online so you are not exposed to perhaps breaking Hong Kong laws and risking USRC disciplinary proceedings.
This year will not likely see the scale of project development of 2011 but improvements will continue in facilities and operations around the Club to consolidate our image as 'Hong Kong's Best Kept Secret'.
My Best Wishes for 2012 and the Year of the Dragon!
Ross Parker
Chairman
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