It’s still January so it’s OK to say Happy New Year, and for the Campbelltown Joggers Club, with the new year comes a new club President, and that be me!  My name is James Baker and I’m here to help.

Firstly thanks again to all our Committee members, new and used who have volunteered their time and skills, and to those that have stepped down after many years of service.  Your efforts are vital to the running of the club and are very much appreciated by all the club membership.

https://www.campbelltownjoggers.org.au/about/committee/

A special acknowledgement to Peta Shanahan who after many years of tireless leadership has stepped away from the club President role, yet she is still contributing via the Junior Coordinator role on our Committee.  Thanks Peta, and welcome back to the Committee.

So my background? 

• I’ve been a member of the committee for the past two years in the systems co-ordinator role and have been a member of the club for about 6 years after being coerced to join (there’s a longer more boring version of this).
• I have no identified talent or previous interest in running.
• I’ve run a few half-marathons, never a full, ultra or UTA nor have any interest in doing so, but I hold a great respect for those that do.

And what I love about this club?

• The community and the ethos it garners;
• The support and the enthusiasm it inspires amongst members, participants and spectators alike;
• The many personalities, which are wide and diverse along with our membership backgrounds;
• The diverse motivations of members;
• The journeys and challenges taken up;
• Stories of struggles, successes and triumphs;
• The richness of knowledge held within the membership, and the willing investment of this amongst and between ourselves;
• Witnessing the collective joy of success measured equally by raw talented performance, managing to cross the line, or just having rock solid go whatever the result;

I’ve experienced how we pull together to achieve difficult tasks, how we’ve participated in the running of many successful events.  To me the club is a living, breathing (sometimes very heavily breathing) organic life-form made of individuals who have decided to have a go, you’re all a part of something where you can and do make a difference, whatever your motivation.  And that’s why I’m honoured and a little-teeny-bit intimidated to be representing you all in the role of Campbelltown Joggers Club 2022 President.

Here’s to 2022, I’ll be seeing you around!

James Baker

CJC President 2022