Editorial Opinion

Being singled out by the president of TTV, but not for any praise.  

I had no idea that I was so corrupt, a coward and a liar who misleads his fellow veteran players.

But this is what Phillip Carruthers told the whole table tennis world in Australia, stopping just short of naming me but making jolly well sure that by referring to the “originator” there is no doubt about who he is talking about.

He did not have the courage to initially sign the letter or name me, but chose instead to hide behind the TTV letter head and using their website.

He further had his cronies distribute this ‘blog posting’ to some select players during the nationals in Hurstville, to make sure those without a computer would also be informed.

The Public Officer and Secretary of both AusVet Inc and VicVet Inc. is well known to all competitive veteran players as the “originator” of these two movements, which sprang up the past year or so.

Rather then asking the pertinent question:

“Why have these movements come into existence so readily?”

He chooses instead to shoot the messenger in a most despicable piece of diatribe full of suppositions.

Martin Solomons, a respected veteran player was concerned that the last paragraph of this ‘epistle’ was referring to him and demanded a full apology for the defamatory remarks.

This prompted Carruthers to repeat the article, but this time with a disclaimer that it was not Martin he was referring to.

Why are you so aggressive Phillip? Why do you invent these scurrilous ideas? Is it perhaps that the veterans are correct in recognising your unnecessary interference in their affairs?

Is that why you are being so aggro?

It does not behove the leader of the Victorian peak body to demonstrate his emotions and it does him no credit at all to lower himself to name calling.

We are all mature people whose only wish and desire is to have fun enjoying our great game to the full.

To that end Phillip, please be man enough to apologise to all the veterans for inferring they are being led by the nose.

The editor

Carruther’s article can be viewed on www.insports.com.au/ttv/

Minutes of 1st AGM AusVets 2009

Minutes of 1st AGM AusVets Inc. at the Hurstville Sports & Aquatic Stadium Sydney – 22 October 2009 Chairman pro tempore, Ken Cole opened the meeting at 9.00 pm in the Gym and welcomed some 110 players from all States and Territories. Following down the Agenda, which was published on the website www.ausvet.wordpress.com the Minutes of the Inaugural Meeting of October 2008 in Perth were adopted. Moved such by Martin Solomons, seconded Dave Sherman. Ken Cole then addressed those present and apologised for the loss of his voice. He went on to ask Martin Solomons to take over the chair. The secretary read out the Annual Report , which was accepted for information. The first item was the Proposed Constitution along the lines of the English VETTS published on the website. A few copies were distributed and the incoming committee will aim to formalize same, to be presented at next year’s AGM in Melbourne. Another one of the items in this Report concerned the Contact with TTA and the formal registered letter sent to TTA requesting affiliation of AusVet Inc. It was read to the meeting by the secretary. Even though 9 weeks had passed since the letter was sent, no response had been received from TTA. It was suggested from the floor that another attempt be made to communicate with the peak national body and indicate to them and assure them of our honourable intentions. A Financial Report was given by the Public Officer, Case de Bondt, who advised the meeting that $330 was expended to Incorporate AusVet in December 2008. It was moved by Trevor Taylforth, seconded by John Younie that the Registration Fee for Members be set at $5.00 per annum. Adopted by acclamation. Election of Office Bearers. Moved John Younie, seconded by Tony Herbert that Ken Cole be elected as Chairman. Declined by Ken Cole, but he did indicate he was happy to be on committee. Others to decline the chairmanship were Martin Solomons, Clive Sim and Case de Bondt. Elected as Secretary and Public Officer : Case de Bondt (Vic) Elected as Treasurer : Song Chen (ACT) Elected as Committee Members : Ken Cole (NSW), Ken Sands (NSW), Clive Sim (Vic), Tony Herbert (Qld), Gordon Lee (WA), Maureen Sherman (Tas). It was suggested from the floor that attempts be made to obtain representatives from South Australia and the Northern Territory to supplement the present Committee. Moved Trevor Taylforth, seconded Glenys Joliffe that these members be duly elected. Carried by acclamation. General Business. Ken Cole once again addressed the meeting regarding his concerns with TTA and the arbitrary imposts imposed on all veteran players the past few years without consultation with the Veterans Committee. A spirited discussion followed dealing with the very reasons as to why AusVets has come into existence. Several present suggested that we should “go it alone”, but the consensus appeared to lean towards keeping Good Relations and remain in Good Standing with our peak associations by using our membership base to speak with one voice to negotiate matters dealing with all things veteran and try to revert back to the modus operandi of the first 24 years of veterans table tennis in Australia. The meeting was closed by Martin Solomons at 10.15 pm.

Vic Open Vets summary

Brian & Ivana Rule the Vic Veterans World

Brian Berry, one of the fittest 56-year-olds around, made it an even 10 Victorian O40 Mens Singles titles on Sunday. Brian went through without losing a set along the way, defeating the returning Brett Sonnett in the final. He then defeated Peter Wang to take his 7th consecutive O50 Mens title, an undefeated run of Vic Open O50 Singles Titles since turning 50 (sorry to give your age away , Brian!). Brian dominates veterans Table Tennis in Victoria and his success is well deserved as he has been an enthusiastic & significant contributor to the game over a very long period. 

Brian also won the O50 Mens & Mixed Doubles but his perfect day was thwarted by the ageless combination of Jim Kilderry & Ivana Trnka in the O40 Mixed (who Brian & Roma Chambers defeated in the O50 Mixed final). Ivana also had a big day out, earning the O40 and O50 Singles titles. Andrew Beaton & James Jefferies took out the Mens O40 Doubles title but were then defeated in the graded Division 1 Doubles, underlining the depth and evenness of the competition.

Peter Sheedy continued his recent good form by upsetting Buddy Reid & Igor Klaf to win the Mens O60s title. It seems the O60s are having trouble with “Sheeds” spin variety and unorthodox shot-making. Igor had to settle for a win in the O65 Singles over Buddy, plus two doubles titles. Pam Tait bounced back to win the Womens O60 title and then continued her dominance in the O70 to take a second trophy.

Case De Bondt upset Roy Cintolo’s O70 winning streak for the second time this year to claim the title. This is Case’s fourth Vic Open in a row in the 70’s, having won the title in the 60’s and 65’s four times as well. Margaret Mulcahy and Case broke the stranglehold that Pam Tait and Roy held all this season in the Mixed Doubles.

The popular Hans Pappon upset the higher seeds to win the O75 Singles.  Gary Luu again took out the the O80 title. Ever-dangerous Peter Wang ended the day on a good note by winning the Division 1 Singles.