Collingwood’s record profit of $7.835 million in 2012 is something everyone associated with the club should be proud of. Particularly our members, the heartbeat of all things black and white.

We work hard for our money at Collingwood, we stand on our own two feet and when we make a mistake we fix it ourselves.

We also aim high, which is why we want to be the biggest and best sporting club in the country, and to be among the most successful on the world stage.

That was our stated intention back in 1998 when you installed me as president of our club.

There have been many ups and downs along the way, times and plans that have been good, great and occasionally regrettable.

But at a time when it is fashionable again for those without ambition to look at Collingwood as a cash cow and an easy solution, I say look at the Collingwood members for inspiration and the personification of standing Side by Side.

For example, the Northern Stand of the MCG was built on the certainty of large crowds being drawn by our club. Our partnership with the MCC was predicated on the strength of our supporter base and the knowledge that they would turn up to support the Pies through thick and thin.

Some look to our stadium deal with envy, as if it just fell into our hands. They forget that our members sat in a building site for more than three years while every other tenant club sold its MCG games either interstate or to Etihad.

Speaking of Etihad, people may forget that the original name of the ground was to be Victoria Stadium, to entice us from Victoria Park.

Once the planned capacity fell below 75,000 to around 50,000 we lost interest because at Collingwood it is more important that every person who wants to see the black and white stripes in action can get in and get a seat at an affordable price, as they do at the MCG. It doesn’t interest us to live by the philosophy of economic rationalism, of profiting out of supply and demand.

The Etihad deal never stacked up for Collingwood. We picked our partner, the MCG, stuck to our club philosophy and delivered.

The same with our state of the art facilities at the Westpac Centre, smack bang in the middle of one of the world’s great sporting precincts. We are now creating a world class training facility, to give our players every opportunity of achieving what we all want - success on the field.

The next development will deliver first rate social club facilities, something our members have been patiently waiting for. Wait they have and deliver we will.

At the same time, we are in the process of providing magnificent new public facilities for all Melburnians, in particular women, to use and enjoy in safety and comfort. Our facilities will link the famous Tan track, Botanical gardens, AAMI Park, the tennis centre and our home ground, the MCG.

The support of the Federal Government for this project has been critical, as has the input of the Melbourne Olympic Park Trust, the Melbourne City Council and the State Government of Victoria.

Let’s never forget the pain and heart ache of the tough decision made to leave our spiritual home of Victoria Park and that others who had a first look at what was the old Glasshouse turned their nose up to it.

Speaking of Victoria Park, the continued beautification and recreation of our birthplace and beloved piece of Collingwood continues. So too does our strong philanthropic presence in the community at large. Our motto, that if you don’t stand for something you stand for nothing rings true at Pie Park.

We intend for Victoria Park to continue to recapture its “field of dreams” reputation by turning the Bob Rose Social Club Stand into a beacon for not-for-profit charitable groups that will impact on the hearts of our homeland.

Our VFL team will continue to bring Victoria Park alive with the sound of the Magpies in action. Our relationship, once bitter, with the Yarra Council, is now an example of how two organizations can put aside their differences and work harmoniously for the greater good.

I’d like to thank the AFL for its continued support of Collingwood. Our agendas may not always coincide but we have a healthy and successful working relationship which we continue to build upon. Thank you also to our valued major partners, Westpac, CGU, Emirates and Star Athletic and the hundreds of other enterprises who enjoy an association with our club. I want to also acknowledge the AFL’s broadcast partners, Channel 7 and Fox Sports.

To the Collingwood board, installed unanimously for some 13 years by our members, congratulations on bringing home the financial bacon. Now for unfinished business. To our senior coach Nathan Buckley, his staff and the players, I also pay tribute. It was an injury-blighted year but we will be back.

And finally, to the staff, led by chief executive Gary Pert, director of stadia and community David Emerson, director of football Geoff Walsh and director of commercial operations Justin Reeves, congratulations on another prosperous year at Collingwood.

Far from being “embarrassed” by our sensational results we look forward to putting in place our plans for the future to make “Collingwood domination, the envy of the nation!”