Page 34 - Friendships Through the Years

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESIDENT: BOB SHELLARD 1985 - 1986

resident Bob Shellard had one main item “on his plate” in the early part of his year
of office: an Association of Probus Clubs. In August our delegates to the second
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meeting were instructed to vote for a small Regional Association – its suggested
boundaries were from Nunawading in the west to Upper Yarra in the east. The outcome
of that meeting was that several Clubs agreed to form an Association of Melbourne and
Environs. An organizing committee was also formed.
Eventually Bob advised those at the December meeting that a Probus Association
of Melbourne and Environs had been formed. It was to function purely as an information
centre. Clubs were to provide the Association with lists of outings and guest speakers.
Subscription was to be $10 per Club. It was moved by the President and seconded by the
immediate past president Keith McLennan that Lilydale Probus Club would join. Carried
unanimously. Bob later reported on various matters brought up at meetings of this
Association. The saga of Associations continues throughout this History.
Jack Coffey’s suggestion of an overnight trip to the Latrobe Valley was watered
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down to a day trip to that area on 22 November, 1985 but even that fell through! A
Coach trip to the Winneke Dam was held instead and was well attended. It consisted of
an inspection of the Yering Gorge Pumping Station followed by a Barbecue.
Jack found out early in the piece of the difficulties in organizing outings where we
didn’t sleep in our own beds. Eventually the concept was accepted when the first car trip
was held. Today, of course, there is little difficulty obtaining sufficient numbers for
outings where we are away for a number of days and nights. However over the years
there have been a couple of projected outings which have fallen through because of lack
of numbers.
At the September meeting of his year, the President welcomed back past President
Keith McLennan and his wife, Evelyn, from their overseas trip. Additionally, the
Secretary - Lex Lillie - took the opportunity to resign as the temporary Public Officer
and Keith was re-appointed to that position.
The President reported at the November meeting that he and Keith attended a
meeting at Healesville, where both spoke at the well attended gathering. Two Probus
Clubs were formed: a Men’s Club with 30 members and a Ladies Club with 29 members.
[That is a lot more than attended the Lilydale Inaugural meeting.]
The most interesting outcome of the evening at Healesville was that Bert Walker
and his wife Joyce were there with the intention of joining. They lived in Lilydale and
apparently were unaware of the existence of our Club. Bob and Keith soon made Bert
aware that he would be welcome. A perusal of the statistics at the end of this chapter will
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show that Bert became a member on November 14 1985, and, of course, he became the
sixth President of the Club.
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The third annual Probus Bowls Tournament was held on March 12 1986 at
Auburn Heights Bowling Club. Lilydale entered one team: George Denham, Bob Ewin,
Keith McLennan and Merv Wenker (We won two games and lost the third.) The
tournament was getting bigger each year. One hundred and sixty eight players
participated and 11 teams were balloted out.