When John Hudson advised that he wished to resign as Chairman of the Farmers Market Committee some years ago, there was a minor panic about who should be his replacement.
Ian Salek was the obvious choice as he was assisting John at the time, with matters relating to the Boroondara Council and was his 2IC.
Ian, for some reason insisted that I join him as Co- Chairman. I had no option but to accept, as with all organisations there needs to be back up and for someone to step up in case of illness etc, as Ian pointed out.
Many members of the Club have approached me and conveyed their appreciation for all the work we have done to improve the market especially now we are operating the additional opening on the first week of the month.
I wish to point out that all I do is open the gates to the stallholders in the morning and get them in position. All the work on behalf of the Co-Chair is done by Ian alone.
The most work I do during the week is read the copied emails received from Ian to keep me in the loop. It is Ian who chases up the many recalcitrant stallholders and confers with John Suriano to remind them of their attendance. It is Ian who spends hours on the phone before each market with stallholders and the council. It is Ian who communicates with the council to make sure the toilets are delivered. It is Ian who follows up on stallholders applications and then does what he can to make them happy, with the position at the market he allocates to them.
It is Ian who takes care of the many regulations imposed on us by the council, especially regarding the covid pandemic. In fact it is Ian who has coordinated all aspects of the market to make it as successful as it has become. It is Ian who writes the report after each market and always remembers to thank all who helped.
I wish to thank Ian for all that he does.
The Club is certainly indebted to Ian. I also cannot conclude without expressing appreciation to Heather who I am sure never wants the market mentioned in their house again.
I write this only to put the record straight and acknowledge a job well done by Ian Salek.
Robert Winspear
Co-Chair
Farmers Market