At the time of writing my column, the NRMA Board elections are in full swing.

On behalf of the whole Board, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank our 2 million Members for the honour and privilege of serving them over these last three years.

It has been a fantastic time for the company. Today, motoring clubs around the world use NRMA as a benchmark.

So much has been achieved over the last  three years and I know I speak on behalf of my colleagues, Deputy President Michael Tynan, Graham Blight, Dawn Fraser, Kyle Loades, Wendy Machin, Gary Punch, Coral Taylor and Geoff Toovey, when I thank Tony Stuart and the whole NRMA team for all their amazing work.

I have never met a more committed group who believe passionately in their work – the whole Board is dedicated to serving its Members.

Over the last three years NRMA has regained its financial stability. Economies around the world are struggling and many Australian businesses are hurting under the pressure of collapsing global markets.

Yet NRMA is well placed to see off the hard times and I am confident good times lie ahead for the company.

On the advocacy front, the NRMA brand is the strongest it’s ever been. Every day NRMA is in the news fighting on behalf of its Members – no other company in Australia can lay claim to such a formidable role and the results speak for themselves.

We have seen governments double the money they spend on roads. We have reshaped the State Government’s licensing laws for older drivers so that they are not discriminated against and NRMA is seen as the one strong voice against a petrol industry that is neither fair nor transparent.

The last three years will go down in NRMA history as among the company’s best. I thank all our Members for their support and look forward to what lies ahead for our wonderful company.

Alan Evans President

Open Road November/December 2008