Page 7 - Friendships Through the Years

PREFACE.

t was with some hesitation that I agreed to write the history of the Probus Club of
Lilydale. However, as I became more involved in the research and then began typing
I the text nearly a year later, it became apparent to me how worthwhile the project was.
It also reinforced for me the social nature of the group: making friends, encouraging each
another to be involved, and having fun too.
The official literature that was before us when we were invited to join the Probus
Club, stated that: …Clubs are autonomo us, non-profit making and non-fund raising.
There was no compulsion to attend any specified number of meetings; and members,
ladies and guests are invited to participate in most of its meetings and outings and special
functions. It was this statement that provided the clue to the nature of the Probus Club.
Added to this (mentioned in Chapter Two) is what was said by Harry Box - a Foundation
member - and his son, Alan, of Aitken, Walker and Strachan, Solicitors, who did all the
necessary work for the club to become incorporated. When handing over the
Incorporation Certificate to the Club in May 1984, Harry said: “Here are the Rules and
Statement of Purpose. I hope we never have to open them again. We are a social club and
we mustn’t take ourselves too seriously.”
This publication would never have been completed without the assistance of
many people, whom I wish to thank: Firstly, there is my son, Ian and his wife, Lynne,
who gave me enormous help in many ways, including making their computer available to
me. There is my granddaughter, Katie, who helped in correcting the draft copy. Jack
Cockcroft, William Bennett, Martin Taylor, Bill Molyneux and Donald McLean gave me
their practical help. My thanks also go to the Past Presidents who responded to my
requests with their impressions, especially whilst in office, and some useful photos. Len
Buckman’s photographic and computer expertise was also very helpful. Additionally, a
number of his photos have been included in the book
Credit for a lot of the contents of Chapter One entitled: In the Beginning must go
to Ken Scott, Foundation Member of the Rotary Club of Lilydale Inc. He spent many
hours going through their old records, stored at the Lilydale Show grounds, to maintain
the accuracy of our story.
My thanks are also due to Derek Reeve-Cox of Mornington, who, much earlier
than the formation of the Lilydale club, was instrumental in forming the Probus Club of
Brigg, in England. He helped me greatly with his memories of the formation of our Club,
of which he was the Rotary Convenor.
Carl Adamson generously lent me his copies of the Club’s newsletters, dating
from the first issue, and shared with me some other helpful information on our Club. My
thanks also go to Pat Atkinson, of Sydney, Executive Secretary of the Probus Centre -
South Pacific, who provided me with the useful information that she researched.
In this context, I found the information contained in the Quarterly Probus News
very helpful, particularly articles by W.A. (Bill) Thornton, the then Honorary Treasurer
of the Probus Centre - South Pacific, and David Wills Chairman of the same Centre.
The main source of information for this history has been from the Club’s Minutes,
newsletters, my diaries and the memories of my fellow members. From these sources, I
set out to detail what has happened over an eighteen years period. As I said at the
beginning of this preface, the further I delved, the more involved I became, so I trust that