As many long term shareholders would know, the EVG birth has not...

As many long term shareholders would know, the EVG birth has not been without its set backs, fustrations and disappointments.

Throughout it all has been BJ, the leader, who has backed it publicly, privately and with his own wallet...both as a major shareholder and even making temporary advances of not insubstantial sums in order to keep the EVG dream alive. That says a lot about the quality of the man.

It's often said that the true mark of a man is how he handles adversity, not the good times. Perhaps that's why they give out Victoria Crosses for extreme valour (usually in losing situations) and not simply for winning an easy war.

In the mining and management arena, I think our leader has proven himself under extreme fire and hardship and has emerged victorious and now he deserves every accolade that comes his way. But he's a modest man and won't blow his own trumpet.

So, Brian, congratulations. You deserve the equivalent of a Victoria Cross and many of us shareholders will now ride the rocket to the moon with you.

My reason for writing this: To give new shareholders a sense of perspective of where we have come from and the quality behind the leader.

Also, a hearty thanks to JID, our resident EVG historian and decoder of the facts and figures. Many of us owe our existence on the EVG register to his reasoned posts into the absolute standout quality and prospects of EVG. If you haven't made JID one of your favourites, you would be wise to do so as I figure he'll have plenty to tell us over the coming months.