Page 106 - Friendships Through the Years

Geoff Paul reported on the 12th annual Probus bowls tournament at Heathmont
Bowling Club (one of five venues being used on the day for Probus bowls.) The Club’s
two teams finished runners-up in their respective sections, but the records only show the
names of one of the teams. Brian Walsh, Geoff Paul, Max Rees and a ‘ring-in’ Ray
Hynds, who, incidentally, was also a ‘ring-in’ in 1983 for our participation in the very
first Probus Bowling tournament at Glenferrie Hill. They did well to be runners up.
Martin and Helen Taylor flew off to the U.S. in April/May 1995, whilst Jack and
Aileen Coffey were in New Zealand. The newsletter called them ‘The Globe Trotters!’
President Arthur commented at the February 1995 meeting on the Committee
decision regarding expenses. He confirmed that there would be no increase in
subscriptions for 1995-1996. However the newsletter would henceforth become bi-
monthly and contain reminder details for the ensuing two months activities. (The bi-
monthly newsletters did not last long and have been monthly again for some time now.)
Also mentioned was the comment that members, who did not advise the Secretary of
non-attendance for a period of two months, would receive a letter or otherwise be
contacted regarding the reason for their absence. This was at variance with the advice the
foundation members (and other members in the early days) received upon joining the
Club, that attendance was not to be compulsory.
President Gearey welcomed back to our general meetings Albert Aird (in a
wheelchair) and his wife Jean, and also Harry Box and his wife Marjorie. Albert and
Harry were both foundation members and had both served a stint as Treasurers of the
Club. Harry was very involved in the incorporation of the Club in 1984.
Some of the monthly outings in Arthur’s year were a coach trip to Fiskville
C.F.A. test facility near Ballan and a visit to the State Parliament House. On a coach trip
to the Portarlington Hotel for lunch we caught the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento and
paid a visit to Arthur’s Seat near Dromana and then came home via Dandenong. This was
a very popular and enjoyable trip which 49 attended.
Peter Straw was the September guest speaker, talking on his newly opened Red
Gum Furniture manufacturing workshop and restaurant in Lilydale. Warwick Heine,
C.E.O. of the Shire of Lilydale, spoke on the “Revision of Shire Boundaries”. Ken
Mitchell’s subject was crossing the Simpson Desert by 4.W.D. The subject of Tony
O’Connor, the Manager of the Lilydale Memorial Park Crematorium and Memorial Parks
talk was “Going out in Style!” Geoff Scully’s subject was “Organ Transplants – Spare
Parts”. The last speaker in Arthur’s year, at the June meeting, was Lesley Koole, a
Palaeontologist who spoke on dinosaur fossils at a “dig” in the Patagonian wilderness o f
Argentina. Lesley was the last of a very interesting group of speakers. Additionally,
seven of our members spoke on differing subjects during the year.
Arthur’s comments, when asked for his year’s highlights, were:

“My contribution was only what was to be expected from the office of President
of the Club, however I was able to introduce the Club banner and also the Honour
Board to record Past Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers, and I was also
fortunate to induct several new members to the Club. My year in the chair, 1994-
1995, was gratifying and delightful, supported by the members AND ladies of the
Club.”