While about 70% of members chose the convenience of enrolling online this year, many were still prepared to join the queue to enrol in person. Well before the doors opened on 25 November, dozens of members were lined up outside the office, with a number bringing folding chairs to make their wait more comfortable.

By 3.30pm on the first day, 1233 members had enrolled either online or at the office, with 400 members enrolling online in the first 45 minutes.

When the office closed for the year on Wednesday 4 December, we had 1729 members enrolled for 2020, about 6% up on the same time last year. Our total 2019 membership was more than 2100 and we expect to exceed that figure in 2020.

Responding to our request not to pay fees in cash, we were pleased to see cash takings for the first week of enrolment significantly reduced: we took $15,000 this year compared to $42,000 two years ago. Carrying thousands of dollars in cash to the bank during our enrolment period is a risk for our volunteers, a concern we have been addressing for a number of years. This year 63% of members chose to pay online via PayPal which significantly reduces our volunteers’ workload.

Congratulations and thanks to all members who assisted in various roles with enrolment this year. The process, which has been refined over a number of years, went very smoothly.