Page 121 - Friendships Through the Years

his wife, Nancye, were very active members. He was Secretary for three years from 1990
to 1993, Vice President in 1994, and President in 1994/1995. They were participants in
nearly all the five day coach and car trips, plus our monthly outings and Arthur was a
very good handy man, fixing, repairing and making various items needed by the Club. He
and Nancye moved to Spring Gully, near Bendigo, but even after he had resigned, they
joined those who attended the five-day car trip to Mulwala in 1997.
Graham Kenyon suggested at the May 1996 meeting that the incoming
Management Committee give consideration to changing the date of the annual general
meeting, bringing it forward to coincide with the election of the Club’s new officers and
committee in March each year. Clive Winnett followed up this suggestion in his
presidential year and this is now the Club’s format. Clive served for nine months only
instead of twelve months to enable this to be arranged.
Harry Brennan reported at the May meeting that the sale of $2 Shire raffle tickets
had raised $268. The Editor of the May newsletter stated that: “This is a pitiful result for
a Club of this size, particularly in view of the fact that some of the members purchased
books to the value of $20. Hopefully we can do better next year!” (Note. The Club has
not been involved in the Shire raffle since.)
The first mention of the legendary “Sausage Sizzle” by those Master Chefs – Jack
and Aileen Coffey, which have become a regular feature of our outings and trips away,
was made at the conclusion of the meeting on 11th January 1996. Jack advised that, due
to the good offices of past President George Sank, “Ra inbow Meats” of Chirnside Park
had donated the sausages. (It pays to advertise and sponsor!)
The sausage sizzle was preceded, in lieu of a Guest Speaker, by a demonstration
of Line Dancing, organized by our President’s wife, Joyce, assisted by a group of
Mooroolbark ladies. A number of Lilydale members and ladies (I must stress mainly
ladies) went up onto the stage of the Athenaeum and showed us that they didn’t know
how to Line Dance. The December 1995 newsletter recorded that: “Martin Taylor, having
organized the event, felt it incumbent to be the first volunteer.” The newsletter also stated
“All exits will be sealed to prevent escape, and age, arthritis or anaemia will be no excuse
for not participating at the next meeting.”
In February 1996, the Committee of Management agreed that the Probus Master
st
Insurance Scheme would replace our existing Insurance cover from 1 July 1996, at an
annual cost of $60 ($1per member per annum.). The scheme provides excellent personal
accident cover for members, members’ spouses or partners, guests accompanying
members and guest speakers whilst participating in any organized or officially recognized
(and recorded) activity. (Note. The scheme is still current and appears to be a very good
one. Mr. Bill Thornton’s letter, quoted earlier in this chapter, adequately covers those
Clubs that did not contribute in the early stages of the Scheme.) As a result of joining this
Insurance scheme, it is now essential that the Club’s Minutes record the details of every
outing, function or trip the Club undertakes, and of course, the Minutes can no longer be
taken as read.
As has been the case with every President, there were some excellent Speakers in
Geoff’s year. The Hon. Rosemary Varty, M.L.C. spoke “Of Shoes, and Ships and Sealing
Wax” – I don’t think “Cabbages and Kings” got a mention, but they may have been since
the speaker spoke about a variety of subjects. Bill Howie a “disc jockey” from “Radio
Magic” talked to us. He seemed to be too old to be a DJ”, however he knew his radio and