Page 138 - Friendships Through the Years

comprehensive summary of my term in office, and also that I have no photos of
relevance to my year.”

This author has not quoted in full from any of the other letters he received from the past
presidents, but nothing has been deleted from Fred’s letter either, except a personal note.
It is left to the readers to decide if it was an “uneventful” year. However, when you reach
the end of the chapter, you may agree that, with a “reluctant” President in the chair a lot
was achieved, including the re-enactment, so it would probably be one of the more
successful years. Even though Fred had one or two set backs early in his term, he coped
very well with some major problems.
Now down to the year’s business and doings.

“Will all ladies attending Probus meetings ensure that they sign the Visitor’s
Book to establish their attendance is covered by our Insurance Policy”

This was the opening paragraph of the July 1997 newsletter.
A Club Forum was held instead of having a guest speaker at the July 1997
meeting. A number of useful suggestions were received, including a proposal to move at
the October meeting, that the membership be increased to 70 and also a number of
suggestions of outings the Club could undertake.
The Probus Association of Victoria advised that there were 283 Victorian Clubs
affiliated with the Association as of June 1997.
Organizer of Trips Harry Brennan reported at the September meeting that the
planned visit to the old Pentridge Prison had to be cancelled due to the lack of support
from members. He had paid a $20 deposit that was not refunded and the Club decided to
fund the loss. A Waverley Cinema trip in August was also cancelled due to lack of
support.
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Carl Adamson advised at the October meeting that the Proposed 8 annual coach
trip to Mt. Gambier had been cancelled due to lack of support from the members. Carl
advised that he was “calling it a day” after having arranged seven previous coach trips.
Harry Brennan supported Carl and said he was having similar problems organizing
outings and he had to cancel several trips. Harry resigned as Outings Co-ordinator at the
January 1998 meeting.
At the November meeting, Jack Cockcroft mentioned the omission of a vote of
thanks to Carl for his efforts in arranging the many coach trips over the years. This was
duly passed. Allan Boak, who had been newsletter Editor for some years resigned and
was thanked by President Fred. Allan later resigned from the Club at the meeting on
January 1998.
Clive Winnett drew attention to the potentially disastrous changes to retiree’s
financial situations due to changes in Federal and State funding for Hostels and Nursing
Homes accommodation. The changes and their ramifications were still unclear and Clive
was to keep a watching brief for residents of “Tudor Village,” Lilydale, (where a number
of our members had units). He offered to do the same for our Club and his offer was
gratefully accepted.
Of the guest speakers whom Fred Harding introduced during his year, probably
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the most significant was the Reverend Trevor Byard B.A., Dip. Ed. He was our 144