Page 168 - Friendships Through the Years

meeting broke the attendance record for meetings set at the December 1999 meeting
when 96 attended. (Must have been something to do with the Millenium).
Bert altered the format of his last meeting. He conducted the usual general
meeting formalities: the Minutes, correspondence and Treasurer’s report. He then
commenced the annual general meeting by giving his President’s report and Rex Wyatt
presented his last financial statement before stepping down as Treasurer. This showed a
credit balance of $1,643.83, a vast difference from the balance of $70-68 presented to the
first annual general meeting seventeen years previously.
The Almoner, Ted Brookes, also reported on the health of the members and ladies
for the last time. He gave very comprehensive reports at the commencement of every
general meeting for several years. Alby Dowel was to be the new Almoner. There were
several other changes. Lex Lillie audited the Treasurer’s books. He was only our third
auditor. His successor was Bert Patrick. Geoff Paul also decided to retire from a job that
he had held since November 1996 - that of Public Officer. William Bennett was elected
to take over Geoff’s position.
There was a sad note to end the last chapter of this History. Harry Box, who has
th
been frequently mentioned from the first to the last chapter, died on Sunday 5 March in
a Ringwood Nursing Home. He was a foundation member and after his resignation in
March 1996, he was made an honorary member for his services to the Club. His death left
the Club with two honorary members, Derek Reeve-Cox, basically the founder of the
Club, and Stuart McGlashan. There are three Life Members, Carl Adamson, Jack Coffey
and Keith McLennan.
President Bert said it was a privilege to have been President for the
st
commencement of the 21 Century.

“It was my desire that the Club continue to expand in a relaxed and member
participation concept, nevertheless each President will no doubt leave their
personal impressions upon members. “Probus w as founded some 35 years ago to
enable the more Senior Members of the Community to join together in a relaxed,
organized Club with social activities of mutual interest. If that was the intent, then
this Club is on that path. Unfortunately the membership declined by one over the
year. Increasing the membership or at the very minimum, maintaining the status
quo, is most important for a Club to survive and hopefully be vibrant and forward
looking. This is the source of the future Office Bearers – for, if it becomes
necessary to recycle Office Bearers, it is in most cases the beginning of a decline
and is a fight for survival – hence I do not in principle support a ceiling on
Membership.”

Membership at the commencement of Bert’s year was 58. He inducted 8 new
members; there were 7 resignations and there were 2 deaths. As Bert said in his annual
report: “there was a net loss of 1, the total being 57 members.’
Bert Milgate handed over the Collar of Office to the President Elect, Jack
Cockcroft and remarked that, with the weight of the names of the 18 Presidents hanging
around the President’s neck, the new Presidents had to be getting fitter and fitter!
President Jack then introduced his Office Bearers and Committee and Auxiliary
team and presented them with their badges: