Page 68 - Friendships Through the Years

gave members a chance to meet men and women from other Clubs and enjoy the
entertainment that they supplied.
th rd
The fourth annual five-day car trip from 29 April until 3 May was at
Mt.Gambier, where 12 units were occupied by the 24 who attended. A number of
members stayed at Warrnambool on the way there to cut down the length of the trip and
did the same on the way home. Places visited, besides the city of Mt. Gambier, were
Robe and Nelson and the Coonawarra Wineries. Jack Coffey gave a very favorable report
to the members at the following meeting.
th
The 8 annual Probus bowls tournament (Eastern section) was held at Heathmont
th
Bowling Club on Wednesday 13 March. Lilydale entered three rinks, but details of the
individual teams aren’t recorded, only that they won four of the six games played.
The tradition of unfavorable weather continued at the fourth annual visit to the
th
Yarra Glen races on May16 . Fifteen people didn’t enjoy the cold and wet weather and
inability to find a winner.
th
The 8 annual Christmas luncheon was again held at the R.A.C.V. Healesville.
The cost was $20 per head plus $3 for those using McKenzie’s Coach. The numbers
attending were rising each year and this year 70 members; ladies and friends were there.
Three other outings were to the Lavender Farm and Wallace Cheesery on the way
to Ballarat, 36 went. Forty-one went on the coach to Rupertswood and Mt. Macedon.
The other trip of interest was a Bay cruise and then inspection of Polly Woodside, where
48 attended.
New member Russell Johnson brought his Choral Group to the September
meeting to hear “Irving Berlin” hits. John Stuart spoke of “Early Days of Sailing Ships
and the Polly Woodside”. George Carman, a Geologist in Papua New Guinea also spoke.
Probably the most interesting guest speaker was an unnamed member of the Police Dog
Squad, accompanied by his dog. They both kept the audience entranced.
Three of our members also were speakers. David John spoke on the T.V. Industry
(in which he was involved as an actor.) Stan Moser’s subject was “Real Estate” and Lex
Lillie gave us his “Career and L ife Story.”
At George’s final meeting he welcomed President Joyce Jeffries and her office
bearers from the recently formed Ladies Probus Club of Lilydale. Earlier in this chapter it
was mentioned that Stan Moser had been appointed the convenor to form a Ladies Club
in Lilydale. Joyce, widow of John, thanked George for his remarks. George presented a
comprehensive Annual President’s report. Treasurer, Harry Brennan, presented his first
financial report showing a credit balance of $240.01 George also referred to the death,
th
before he became President, of Harry Colqhoun on December 15 1989. He mentioned
the fact that Harry was responsible for introducing him to Probus and he was most
grateful to him for that and for the enjoyment he had had through his involvement in the
organization. In his letter to the author regarding the highlights of his year he wrote
(inter alia):

“We should always be mindful of contributions made by former officers and
members, as such contributions have made the Club’s passage through the years
comfortable and sound. So much so that interest survives in the Associations
today. People, who were once strangers, have, through the Club’s activities,
developed true and lasting friendships. However, when considering all members,