Presidents Report 2020

2020 has been an interesting year for the Tunks Descendants Associated Incorporated. Like everyone else throughout the world we’ve been affected by a pandemic which still rages throughout the rest of the world, save for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. In that respect we have been very fortunate, and despite excellent management by our Australian State Premiers, the shadow remains. The virus remains. Knocking on our door, waiting for us to drop our guard, and mutating. Just over a year ago, all of this would have seemed a science fiction
scenario. Today it is reality and has been thus for the
entirety of our TDAI year since our last AGM.

The consequences for TDAI have been significant. 

• No face-to-face meetings: but we’ve found Zoom meetings and much more flexibility in how we conduct our business. Being on the latter half of the temporal line of human existence for most of us has meant more caution; 
• the virus likes the vulnerable. But we’ve found time for more introspection, research, and productive activity which might otherwise have been lost to the rush and tumble of what used to be modern life.

We’ve lost some of our kinfolk and comrades along the way, as is inevitable with the passage of time, including a Life Member in Dudley Tunks at the impressive age of 97 years. For an organisation which cherishes its past, its legacy and its history, such a passing is always a great loss, of all that experience, memory, expertise and Tunks lore.

But these moments also give us time to reflect on our own efforts, and what TDAI stands for. Particularly what it can achieve as legacy for our own descendants. A never- ending task, but certainly a labour of love.

Despite the presence and impact of COVID-19, we’ve gained some new members too. Valuable ones.

Members who are willing to take on office with the Committee; a very welcome thing. We’ve pressed on with research into our family history, making some significant discoveries and finding new leads which will be pursued further. For this we are fortunate to have such a dedicated researcher in Natalie. 

We are also very fortunate in the management of our shop front – our website and Facebook presence continues to evolve and become a better resource for all under Gaye’s stewardship and hard work. We now have a Twitter presence, with followers including journalists and politicians interesting in heritage preservation and history. Another positive step, and all of this online presence will continue to serve us well.

Our financial position is strong. We’ve made a