Page 67 - Friendships Through the Years

In the decade 1990-1999, there have been eight Coach trips, the only year when
one wasn’t run was in 1997, (the last year that Carl organized such events) when a
proposed trip to Mt. Gambier fell through due to lack of numbers.
At the December committee meeting and later the general monthly meeting, Keith
McLennan proposed that consideration be given to amending the rules to accommodate
the election of life and honorary members. Three months later at the March meeting, the
necessary rules regarding life and honorary membership were adopted at the general
meeting.
Immediately after the rules were suitably amended, Keith McLennan moved, and
Lex Lillie seconded, that Carl Adamson be elected the Club’s first Life Member. Keith
said that Carl was a foundation member of the Club, was it’s fourth President, and at the
completion of his year as President, he was immediately elected to a new office of Trips
and Functions Officer in July 1987. He was also responsible for obtaining guest speakers
for some time. As mentioned above, he was the member who commenced the annual
coach trips every spring. Carl was also elected the inaugural Vice President of the Probus
Association of Outer Eastern Suburbs in February 1987. He has been the Club’s co-
Delegate ever since. The motion was passed unanimously and with acclamation.
President George presented Carl with his Life Membership badge and he also
presented Dorothy, Carl’s wife, with a miniature replica of a lovely vase that he and his
wife Joan had just brought back from Jakarta. Another Foundation member, Bernie
Burgi, presented Carl with his Life Member’s plaque. Carl suitably responded.
Albert Aird, our Foundation Treasurer and long standing Auditor, was reported as
being in Hospital having suffered a stroke. He was later transferred to a Croydon nursing
home where stayed until he died in August 1995. Carl Adamson agreed to become the
Auditor.
Foundation President, Stan Moser, reported that the Rotary Club of Lilydale was
to form a Ladies Probus Club in Lilydale and he was to be the Convenor of the new Club.
He informed the members that the two clubs would be autonomous and completely
separate entities. Ladies interested were asked to contact him. Members also agreed that a
printed Probus letterhead be obtained for future use.
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Members mourned the death of John Jeffries on February 19 , 1991. He joined
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the Club on May 3 1984. There were numerous tributes from members. His fame rested
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on his stint as a Guest Speaker on 13 June 1985, when he spoke on “The man behind the
badge – the story of my career.” This talk was very interesting, particularly on his life in
Queensland and Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea. The finish brought the house
down: “That’s my st ory and I’m sticking to it!
One of the interesting outings in this year was a rare night function. Thirty
members and ladies gathered at Potter’s Cottage Restaurant, near Warrandyte for a dinner
dance where the music was provided by Graeme Bell and his famous “All Stars
Dixieland Jazz Band” The night was memorable for the fact that Jack Mackay didn’t miss
a dance. At one stage he ran out of partners and danced by himself until he was joined by
one of the ladies.
Nine members and their wives were at the M.O.E.R. Barbeque and picnic at
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Silvan Dam on March 25 Such functions as this were becoming more and more
enjoyable and well attended by our members over the years since their introduction. It