MEMBERS’ NEWSNEW MCC WEBSITEMembers visiting the club’swebsite (www.mcc.org.au)will notice a marked change toits appearance and function, followingthe launch of the new site in June.With increased functionality for usersand a broader range of informationabout the club and its vast array ofactivities, we hope there is somethingthere for everybody.With an annual patronage of morethan 300,000 visitors, the MCC websitehas become a popular s<strong>our</strong>ce ofinformation and interactivity formembers, waiting list candidates andother stakeholders. We hope theseimprovements enhance that capability.“The new design is more user-friendly,easier to navigate and should helpmembers achieve a <strong>great</strong>er understandingof how the club operates and how toutilise their membership,”said communicationsmanager Shane Brown.“While it may take a littletime for members to adjust tothe new layout, we ask forpatience as users becomefamiliar with the alterations.”Created by the club’s digitalcommunications partner Next Digital,the website also profiles the club’s historyand explains how members can utilise theMCG’s facilities – both on event day andduring the week. Further enhancementsare planned during a second phase ofworks later in the year.DO YOU HAVE AN EMAILADDRESS?The club sends regular updates on events,functions and other club news via email.If you have an email address and wouldlike to receive updates in future, registervia the website (see right for details) andadd the correct email address to <strong>our</strong>system.LOGIN AREAFOR MEMBERSA key feature of the website is itsability to provide members with asecure area to conduct a number oftheir personal membership activities.This added security also improvesthe operational efficiency for <strong>our</strong>Member and Customer Services team,enabling us to better serve <strong>our</strong>members.FIRST-TIME USERSThe first time you wish to accessmember-specific pages of the websiteto book into the Members DiningRoom, apply for Long Room andBalcony passes or change personaldetails, you will need to use y<strong>our</strong> sixdigitmembership card number and avalid email address to create anaccount on the website.Creating y<strong>our</strong> account will involvegenerating y<strong>our</strong> own password.Members should retain this passwordsecurely and use it upon returning tothese member-specific pages in future.You will not need to login to accessthe remaining areas of the website.If you have any queries or problemswith creating y<strong>our</strong> account, pleasering <strong>our</strong> Member and CustomerServices team on (03) 9657 8888 orcomplete the website feedback form.22 MCC NEWSJULY 2008
ALL ABOARD FORINDIA AND UK TOURSPlans are now in place for a numberof t<strong>our</strong>s over the next 12 months,with cricket t<strong>our</strong>s to India and theUK presenting some exciting opportunitiesfor members and guests.First up is a “<strong>Cricket</strong> and India” t<strong>our</strong> inlate-October 2008 to watch the third Testof what will be a pulsating Australia-Indiaseries at Delhi’s Feroz Shah KotlaStadium.Departing Australia on October 25,t<strong>our</strong>ists will enjoy deluxe accommodationin Delhi and Agra, guided sightseeingt<strong>our</strong>s (including Agra Fort and thespectacular Taj Mahal) and tickets to allfive days of the Test match. There willalso be an option to stay on in Mumbai atthe conclusion of the t<strong>our</strong> on November 3.Next year, the club will be sending twomembers’ groups to the UK to supportRicky Ponting’s men in their bid to atonefor their surprise Ashes defeat on their lastvisit to English soil in 2005.The first is a “History and <strong>Cricket</strong>”t<strong>our</strong> from July 1-24, 2009. This trip of alifetime will include a visit to Gallipoli,Istanbul, Paris and the battlefields ofFrance. Top that off with a week inLondon, tickets to the Lord’s Test and anMCC-hosted dinner to wind up the t<strong>our</strong>,also at Lord’s.The second group is the “<strong>Cricket</strong>Lovers” t<strong>our</strong> from July 5-24. The j<strong>our</strong>neywill incorporate attendance at the Firstand Second Tests of the Ashes series atCardiff’s Sophia Gardens and Lord’s, aswell as acelebritydinner inCardiff hostedby formerAustralian Test bowlers Andy Bichel andMichael Kasprowicz. Between Tests, thegroup will visit the Cotswolds in style.At the time of publication, places on the“<strong>Cricket</strong> and India” t<strong>our</strong> were stillavailable, but it is likely that the UK t<strong>our</strong>swill be oversubscribed. To find out more,including costs and an itinerary, pleasecontact the Member and CustomerServices team on (03) 9657 8888 or emailmembership@mcc.org.au.YOUNG MEMBERS’SYDNEY TOURA Young Members t<strong>our</strong> of Sydney overthe Australia Day long weekend is on thedrawing board. A highlight will beattendance at the Australia v South Africaone-day international at the SCG onJanuary 23. Please keep an eye on thewebsite and y<strong>our</strong> email for details over thecoming months.MCG TO HOST INTERNATIONAL RULESAs we went to print, the clubreceived confirmation fromthe AFL that the MCG wouldhost an International Rules matchbetween Australia and Ireland on FridayOctober 31.The series, which will also see a gamein Perth on October 24, should be aripper after the controversies thatemerged from the most recent seriesbetween the teams two years ago.The MCG match will be held exactlyfive years to the day since the ‘G lasthosted the hybrid code of football, when60,235 people saw the Irish creep homeby three points.MCC members will have normalaccess to their Reserve for this event,provided they have paid their membershipfees for the 2008/09 season. Detailsregarding visitor tickets, dining room,Long Room and Balcony passes andother arrangements will be displayed onthe club website and distributed viaemail in the weeks ahead.2008/09 MEMBER INTAKEAt its meeting on June 17, 2008 the MCC committee elected to Fullmembership candidates on the waiting list nominated from February 1, 1988to April 30, 1988.Waiting list candidates nominated from October 1, 1994 to October 31, 1994inclusive will be offered Restricted membership, while those nominated prior toOctober 1, 1994 who turn 15 years of age prior to September 1, 2008 will beoffered Restricted Junior membership.The latter candidates were previously eligible for membership based on theirnomination date but were too young under the club rules to be offered RestrictedJunior membership at the time.In accordance with the club rules, the names and addresses of these candidateswill be available for perusal at the Gate 2 Membership Services office on matchdays and during business h<strong>our</strong>s (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm).Candidates wishing to advise address changes are asked to do so through thewebsite (www.mcc.org.au), or by fax or mail.JULY 2008 MCC NEWS23