Page 17 - Friendships Through the Years

Probably one of the most important Minutes in the Club’s history comes from the
th
very first committee meeting on June 9 1983. It read: “All ladies to be involved in all
possible functions” The first function was a luncheon at the Sky High restaurant at Mt.
th
Dandenong on June 30 . 1983. The proprietor was Syd Koehrer, who moved the Rotary
motion to form the Probus Club. The ladies were invited and there was a very good
attendance of 20 members and ladies. In 1983, the two important tasks of obtaining guest
speakers and arranging functions and outings were in the hands of Ron Warne and Bill
Coates. Bill resigned in November 1983 and his job of outings and functions was taken
over by the President. This format of the President obtaining speakers and arranging
outings and functions (with some assistance from other office bearers) continued until
1987 when Carl Adamson, after completing his term as President, was elected to a new
office: that of “Trips, Entertainment and Programs”. Carl carried out these three tasks
for a number of years.
Many ‘one off’ decisions had to be made in Stan’s year as can be seen from the
above. Most were discussed at length in open meetings to enable the members to decide
and were time consuming. Several committee meetings were held, incorporation was the
one item, which took most of the committee’s time, plus the matter of insurance.
Bob Shellard was the Foundation Secretary but he resigned from the position due
to pressure of other commitments (mainly as Secretary of the Lilydale Bowling Club) and
Lex Lillie was elected Secretary as from 6th October 1983. He held the position for three
years until June 1986.
Other things that happened in Stan’s year were that Mary Dean, wife of Colin
Dean – Past President of the Rotary Club of Lilydale - presented him with the GONG on
behalf of her husband, who, at the last minute, was unable to come to the meeting on 3rd
November. Every President since has beaten that same gong with great gusto!
At the meeting in February 1984, mention was made that it was desired to contact
members or their wives who were unwell. Any member aware of any such case was
asked to advise the President. This was the first approach along the lines of our present
Almoner’s job.
Several interesting outings were held, the most memorable, of course, was the
coach with the square tyres. In February 1984 we had a coach trip to Sorrento, the coach
stayed at Sorrento and the passengers took the ferry to Queenscliff where the town was
inspected and we had lunch at various pubs and cafes. We returned on the ferry to
Sorrento and embarked on coach for Melbourne. It had been a very hot day and the coach
had been standing in the sun all day. It is not recorded in the Minutes or the Newsletter
how many attended, but it must have been a full coach, probably 45 persons. The author
had to sit in the back row and those in the last three rows soon found out that the tyres
had gone “out of shape” or “square”. The coach bounced and thumped along until the
tyres eventually became round again about Seaford, only then did those in the back have
a more comfortable ride. This trip was a financial bonanza for the Club. A letter of
complaint was written to the Coach Company (which shall remain nameless) and to our
knowledge has not been hired again by the Club. The organizer of this trip was our
foundation member Bill Warren. Apparently, he let the coach company know in no
uncertain terms how dissatisfied he was with the coach that was supplied, since he had
been told that a five star coach would be provided. The outcome was a refund cheque
from them and our coffers were increased by some $100 odd. This meant our