Australian Championships – Where are we now?

Head Honcho of the ACF Gary Wastell convened a meeting of parties interested in the holding of the Australian Championships on the Friday night during the Sydney International Open. The people at the meeting were: NSWCA Prez Bill Gletsos, NSWCA Clubs man and Parramatta CC Treasurer Shane Burgess, Parramatta CC President Bob Sewell, Sydney International Open Organisers Brian Jones and Vasil Tulevski, as well as Peter Parr and one or two other people.

As people probably already know, there was an email from Peter Parr to the ACF early this year (late last year?) stating that the UTS could be available for free or a minimal cost. Alternatively, the email said, Hakoah Club or the Bridge Centre of NSW could be used. For me the UTS would be the best option, as Hakoah just didn’t give me a good impression when the NSWCA held its NSW Open there last year. As for the Bridge Centre I’m not sure. I have heard however that it is not very junior friendly. How would UTS go with this issue?

After reading about Peter Parr’s “proposal” I decided to drop the idea of holding the Championships at Campbelltown. But nothing happened. After the meeting I decided that I’d try again at holding the Championships at Campbelltown. However I have since found out that the Championships could be held at the Parramatta RSL. Dr Vasil Tulevski and the Parramatta chess club could be giving it a go.

Further more to Peter Parrs “proposal” a meeting of Peter Parr, Bill Gletsos and UTS officials had been agreed upon at the meeting. I wonder what will come out of that meeting? Has it happened yet?

There was also some talk on Noble Park Chess club in Melbourne holding something there but no representatives were at the meeting.

The NSW Junior Chess League have already put in a bid for the juniors.

As a side note, one comment at the meeting indicated that there is a possibility that there could be another Queenstown-like tournament in 2009!