Page 161 - Friendships Through the Years

They were always been well supported. There were very good reports about this film that
unfortunately nobody wanted to see.
Denis Lawson and Ron Hand had very good support for most of their projects,
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particularly for the last coach outing in Bert’s year. A trip to Mt. Macedon on 24
February 2000, attracted 64 members and ladies and required two coaches, one seating 48
and a smaller 22 seater. That was only the second time in the Club’s history that an extra
coach had been required. The other occasion was in April 1986, Bob Shellard’s
presidential year, when two coaches were required, quite coincidentally, also for a trip to
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Mt. Macedon, when 57 attended. A planned trip to the Caulfield racecourse for 23
September, which was at a quite reasonable cost - $7 - also had to be cancelled due to
lack of support, only 5 persons wanting to attend
At the March meeting, members were advised that influenza ‘jabs’ were then
available. Members and ladies were also requested to wear their name badges to all
meetings and outings. Vice President Jack Cockcroft reported on the ‘Lifestyle
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Discovery Day’ for Senior Citizens held on 23 March. He thanked all the volunteer
helpers and advised that there had been 35 inquiries about Probus Clubs. As a result, our
Club now had 6 potential new members, and 6 possible new lady members would have
their names forwarded to the relevant Clubs in the area. Jack also said that the names of 4
possible speakers had been forwarded to our speaker’s officer, Martin Taylor.
The question of the Club conducting raffles had been raised several times in the
previous couple of years. Jack Cockcroft said that in his opinion raffles were not to
necessarily increase Club funds, but to be able to improve the quality of Club functions
&/or outings.
A minute’s silence was observed at the May meeting for Alex Graham who had
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been a member for 12 years. (From 12 April 1987 until his death on 1 May 1999).
Another long serving member, Max Rees, died during the year. Max joined the Club on
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11 September 1986 and died, after a lengthy illness, on 6 October 1999.
The resignation of past president (and Secretary and Treasurer) George Sank was
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mentioned in the last chapter. He had been a member from 12 March 1987 until his
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resignation on 9 April 1998. George and his wife, Joan, moved to Queensland.
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Unfortunately he passed away on 14 September 1999 after a long illness. A number of
our members, when ‘up north’ for the winter, called in to see George and Joan. A
minute’s silence in memory of both George and Max was observed at the October
meeting.
It was also mentioned at the April meeting that Ed Burgi, who was a member
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from 14 March 1991 until he resigned on 13 November 1997, had died. Ed was the
brother of our foundation member, Bernie Burgi. An obituary notice published in the
Herald Sun, detailing some of Ed’s life, ambitions and work was passed around for
members to read. Condolences were also extended to Marilyn Carmichael and Secretary
Bill Molyneux, after the tragic loss of Marilyn’s eldest daughter.
President Bert advised the members at the May meeting that copies of the
amended Rules and Statement of Purposes (Constitution in Unincorporated Clubs) were
now available to members for perusal. Members could also borrow a copy from the
Secretary, Bill Molyneux. The amendments to the Rules were passed at the annual
general meeting, presided over by Martin Taylor, prior to handing over to Bert Milgate.