Page 150 - Friendships Through the Years

and the re-enactment of the Inaugural meeting, but generally, the members appeared to be
happy with a 10 am start.
President Martin mentioned the problems of Committee member Alan Finlaw,
who had lost his sight and was in Peter MacCallum Hospital. Members contributed quite
a sum of money and a “Walkman” was purchased and presented to him in the Hospital.
th
Unfortunately, Alan’s health deteriorated further and he died on the 12 December 1998.
st
Sadly, Bertha Rogerson passed away on 1 December 1998. She was the widow
of Laurie Rogerson, who died in July 1992. She and Laurie had been constant supporters
of our trips away and outings. Another good supporter of the Club Margaret Hand, wife
th
of Ron, died on 6 October. She, with Ron, had attended most of the car trips and
numerous outings.
Vice President Bert Milgate took the chair at the September meeting as President
Martin was away with his wife Helen, at Cape York. It was reported that Bert Milgate
had been elected Treasurer of the Royal Victorian Bowling Association.
Ted Brookes, the Almoner, reported at the October meeting that he had a large list
of members and ladies with health problems – including Jack Coffey, who suffered a
mild heart attack. After hospitalization he made an excellent recovery.
Also at the October meeting it was decided that members and/or partners, who
had hearing problems, could be seated at the front in reserved seats, and reservations
could be made. Even though we now had an excellent sound system, courtesy of Harry
Brennan, unfortunately a number still did not hear all that went on. Perhaps it was
because some of the speakers, members and guests, who did not use the microphone
properly. Or perhaps, because too many people at the meetings decided to have a private
conversation whilst the business of the meetings was going on.
The October meeting was a busy one. Martin Taylor reviewed the “Probus
Awareness Fortnight” . The Club provided a display at the Lilydale Library for a week,
manned by member volunteers. Out of this we obtained several new members for this
Club and also for other Probus clubs in the district, particularly Ladies Clubs.
Jack Cockroft proposed that a vote that of thanks be conveyed to President Martin
for the work he put in to make the Probus Awareness Fortnight the success that it was. He
said several members gave Martin invaluable assistance with the display, and also by
manning the table each morning and afternoon.
According to the November newsletter, two of the Club’s long-standing members
received the O.B.E. (Over Bloody Eighty) at the November meeting. Maurie Barnes,
Secretary from 1986 to 1989 and Keith McLennan, Foundation vice-President and Life
th
member. Maurie was born on November 12 1918 and Keith one day later. They both
just missed World War I!
The members elected their third Life Member at the November meeting. Keith
McLennan moved and Lex Lillie seconded that, following the Committee of
Management’s recommendation, Jack Coffey be elected a Life Member. This was carried
unanimously. Jack was a foundation member and President from 1992 to 1993.
However, he and his wife Aileen, are better known as the “Master Chefs”, having
organized barbecues at meetings and car trips, and also the morning coffee and the
spreads at our annual general meetings and Christmas meetings. President Martin
presented Jack with his lapel badge and Life Member’s plaque. He responded, firstly,