Well done Simon "MANTA"

[big pix]

Simon well done on your win...........

[spartikus]

seconded, always enjoy your posts, and always so helpful! Congrats!

[big pix]

Queenslanders are winners..........

[avkomp]

well done manta.

Steve

[TonyH]

Congratulations Simon

Tony

[Alpha_7]

Congratulations Simon! A well deserved win!

(Sorry to invade the QLD territory )

[leek]

Top bloke... Bet that took you by surprise

[Nnnnsic]

He's got a brand new rank, too.

Congratulations Simon.

[gstark]

Simon,

Again, congratulations. It was indeed a thrill for me to be able to convey to you the good news of your award. Well done.

[spada]

Hi
Congratulations, you are top helfull bloke.
shot at ISO 1600 f5 Av mode



Regards
spada

[gstark]

Spada,

Thank you for posting that image.

For those who haven't yet caught up on this, we have named the award for the outstanding member of the year in honour of our patron and Benro Boffin, Thanh Ho, and it will be officially known as the Thanh Ho award for the Outstading Member of the Year.

Stuart - smac - kindly arranged for this plaque to be struck, and it will be sent to Simon along with his 17 LCD screen which was very kindly donated by Thanh.

A bit of background on this award: Thanh approached me with the idea of donating a prize for somebody who had made a significant contribution to our community; somebody who was outside the group of senior members whom we consult on various issues pertaining to the running of this place.

As you all will know, bioth Thanh and myself believe that this site should be a strong community and it is this aspect of our activities that we wanted to recognise and reward with this prize.

We considered a number of points - length of membership (needed to have joined prior to April), participation in activities such as challenges, postings, minimeets, helpfulness to others, and so on.

Simon's efforts through the year stood out like a beacon - especially considering that most of our activities are Sydney centric - and he came very highly recommended. We had no hestitation in making this decision.

Of course, this means that we have now started something, and next year .... it might just be you.

[rokkstar]

Congratulations Simon, very well deserved.

[Flyer]

Congratulations Simon.
Fantastic prize!
Well done.

[xerubus]

Congrats Simon.. a well deserved win

cheers

[Manta]

Thank you all so very much for this incredibly unexpected accolade and your kind words.

I was at my work Christmas party last night when Gary rang me and made the live announcement. To say I was shocked would be an understatement.

I feel extremely humbled and honoured and wish to convey my gratitude to Gary and Thanh specifically but also a big thank you to all the members who, as Steve said in one of his posts today, make this a second home for many of us.

I wish I could say more but I'm out of words, which will surprise those who know me. I'm also nursing probably the worst hangover I've had for many years and I've been wickedly reminded that I'm getting too old to party as hard as I did last night...

Oh and thanks for the new title Leigh - I'll have to work hard to honour it!!

Edit: Forgot to add my gratitude to Smac for arranging the plaque. It's going straight to the pool room!

[Slider]

Congratulations Simon. Very well deserved win

[Manta]

Thanks Mark - and congrats on yours as well. It was always a stand-out image!

[Matt. K]

Simon
Well deserved. Your name popped up and stayed up as the key members thrashed out their choice.

[Manta]

Simon
Well deserved. Your name popped up and stayed up as the key members thrashed out their choice.

That's very high praise indeed Matt. I'm really chuffed.

[stubbsy]

And you were in damn fine company in the decision process too Simon. I must say Trevor was a fantastic advocate for you and you probably owe him a beer since he helped the Sydneysiders involved in the selection understand just how valuable your contributions are on the Queensland side of things.

To whoever aspires to receive this particulare honour in 2006. You have mighty big shoes to fill.

[Manta]

And you were in damn fine company in the decision process too Simon. I must say Trevor was a fantastic advocate for you and you probably owe him a beer since he helped the Sydneysiders involved in the selection understand just how valuable your contributions are on the Queensland side of things.

To whoever aspires to receive this particulare honour in 2006. You have mighty big shoes to fill.

Wow - I never would have known - thanks Peter! And as for you Trevor - just let me know your favourite brew and I'll make sure you don't go thirsty. (Although...you may be drinking them by yourself - alcohol and I aren't on speaking terms at the moment )

[Killakoala]

Well done Simon. A thouroughly well deserved accolade for the work you have put in north of the border, to take the message to the masses that DSLRusers.com is the place to be and the finest internet community there is.

Congratulations.

[sirhc55]

A well deserved accolade for a north of the border member - well done Manta

[Greg B]

Congratulations Simon, it was great to be a part of the selection group, and to hear what you have done in the Qld branch. Well done.

[marcotrov]

Well done Simon and well deserved. A scholar and a gentleman.
cheers
marco

[Manta]

Thank you, everyone. It's great to have such a talented band of well-wishers in my corner. I love organising and participating in Forum activities - the growth of the Qld chapter and the friendships I've made here as a direct result of the Forum are all the rewards I need.

[Oneputt]

Well done Simon, it is well deserved.

[blacknstormy]

Simon - already said congrats, but want to post it in a public forum.

You are an invaluable member of this forum, and are always helpful, honest and involved. I think sometimes you underestimate your abilities and talents, and I hope that finally, you listen to what I've been trying to tell you for a while

Ok, off my soap box now - CONGRATS

Rel

[elffinarts]

Congrats Simon.

[Manta]

Thanks John, Narelle and Mark.

I really enjoy the mateship here.