| Reports 2003 Second Half Year |
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Report of Meeting held on Monday July 7, 2003. We did not expect a great turn-up today on account of the public transport strike but we still had 24 faithfuls present. Thanks to all who made the extra effort! One person I noticed arrived by taxi. The disappointing presence was even more disappointing for the fact that a number of members had been looking forward to this speaker. And the speaker, audiologist Dr. Judith Boswell did not disappoint her audience with her knowledge of this subject, Tinnitus of the ears. A slide projector show was also included. It had most members spellbound. Because of this very important subject, dear to a lot of our members because of the very noisy environment we used to work in, we may like to see her back in the future. Anyone who would like to contact her directly can ring toll free 1300 789 988, or e-mail her on tinnitussa@chariot.net.au. Alternately you can look over their website on www.tinnitussa.org Highly recommended. Because our registrar was missing today we had no over-80 birthday announcements. Lots of catching-up to do next meeting which is on July 21 when Len Firth, radio announcer for Life FM will be our speaker. See you then. Back Report of Meeting held on Monday July 21, 2003. Another meeting went off without a hitch with 33 persons turning up. And the Speaker for the day, Len Firth, well, you have to hear him speak to believe what he is capable off. I have never heard a speaker talk with that much conviction about his subject and yet he did not really had a subject. As he himself called it “Weird”. And that is an understatement. A lot of fun, a lot of jokes, and all interwoven with the spreading of the word of God without touching on any religious denomination in particular. And that seems to be his main aim in life. And the conviction he speaks with is something beyond believes. And yet his jokes are so funny he had his audience in tears with laughter. Really weird. Really bizarre. And yet understandably clear in his message. On a sad note we lost one of our members. Mick Barbulovic, formerly a Clerk, passed away at the age of 92. A minutes silence was observed for the departed member. Back Report of Meeting held on Monday August 4, 2003. The weeks seem to fly by very quickly. No sooner did we have a meeting and the next one is already here. However, 32 persons turned up again this time to listen to our speaker for the day, Gary Mutton from AGL Utilities made a return visit, and talked about the various ways of saving energy at home. And there are literally dozens of ways when they are pointed out to you. The death was also recorded of Merle Newman, formerly a typiste at Islington, at the age of 78. A minute’s silence was observed for the departed member. Back Report of Luncheon at Sky City on Friday August 8, 2003. 33 persons took part in this very enjoyable lunch. We again, as on the last occasion of visiting the Sky City Casino, had a room all to our selves. And much to everyone’s surprise, Norma also turned up, in a wheelchair and accompanied by her daughter. Nice to see her making so much progress in such a short time. Back Report of Meeting held on Monday August 19, 2003. Another very cold day, but 33 very faithful members and spouses turned up today to hear Dr. Judith Boswell talk about her favourite subject “Hearing and its role in our lives”. And she did not disappoint anyone either because of her extensive knowledge of this rather complicated subject. Many questions were asked and answered very satisfactorily. I wish every speaker we have would display this kind of knowledge. Well-done Judith! The speaker for the next meeting on September 1 has been changed because the Malvern Carers Network has a shortage of staff and is unable to supply a speaker to us. I have managed to obtain an alternative by Carers-SA who will have Maggie Trainor coming to address our meeting. All welcome as usual. The more the merrier. Back Report of Meeting held on Monday September 1, 2003. Probably because of the sneezing season plus the fact that it is Royal Show week we had only 28 persons in attendance. And because our registrar was one of those reported in sick we had no list of our over-80 birthdays. However our speaker, Maggie Trainor of Carers-SA, was present and brought along one of the carers who gave an overview of her life as a carer. Maggie gave an insight in the doings of the Carers-SA network. Facts are that over 216.000 carers in South Australia provide care for their Parents, Partners, Children and Friends who have a disability, is frail or aged, or who has a chronic mental or physical illness. That contribution is estimated to be worth $2 billion per year. No mean feat considering it is mostly done without any payment. Back Report of Meeting held on Monday September 15, 2003. Another day, another meeting and on a very cold day at that, we had 31 persons turn up. And the speaker for the day, Jenny Callander, did not disappoint her audience with a very interesting demonstration of the various devices available for the hard of hearing. And after spending our working life in a very noisy environment this is affecting nearly all of us. This demonstration included assistive listening devices for television and radio as well as vibrating doorbells and alarms plus telephone and communications add-ons. More than I ever imagined being available. Many questions were answered as well. A job well done. Free consultations, assessments and counselling, including referrals to health professionals, are available at Hearing Solutions, 251 Morphett Street in Adelaide. Phone 82038394 or email: hearing@guidedogs.org.au Back Report of Day-Tour held on Friday September 19, 2003. With 22 persons on board we left right on 9.00 am from the Festival Theatre and, after picking up 2 more along the Main North Road, proceeded to the St. Kilda Tram museum. After consuming our morning cup of coffee/tea we took a guided tour of the very extensive display of beautifully restored trams, all in working order. Alas, because of the insurance wrangle, we could not take a trip on any of them. We were however informed that they would be back on track in about 2 weeks time. But that did not help us out of course. We left the complex at 11.30 am and took a drive to the Willaston Hotel which served us with an excellent lunch. With complementary soup (2 varieties) and free, help yourself soft serve it proved to be a 3-course affair. Several comments were made about the quality of the food and the service. Left the hotel at 1.15 pm and went to pick up Marleen Rogers at the Visitor Information Centre who gave us a very extended tour of historic Gawler. Having lived in Gawler all her life she has a broad knowledge off Gawler and its many historic buildings. Like the fact Gawler has 10 Churches and 10 Hotels. Most of us only ever go through the main (Murray) street and believe that is Gawler. Returned her to the Centre by 2.30 pm and paid a visit to the Vadoulis Garden Centre on Main North Road at Gawler. Some of our keen gardeners brought plants of all description. We then returned to Adelaide via the Main North Road arriving at the Festival Theatre by 4.15 pm. A day well enjoyed by all. Back Report of Meeting held on Monday September 29, 2003. Another day, another meeting and we had 32 faithfuls present this time. Our guest speaker for the day, Vern Aberle of Outreach Therapy, explained all about the “River of Life” which of course is our blood circulation and its associated systems. Very interesting subject and lots of facts were given. Such as, one drop of blood takes only 30 seconds to go through your whole system. Pleased to say that everyone who booked on our Kangaroo Island tour has paid in full on time. Sadly two of our members have gone to higher pastures. They are: Trevor M. Norton, formerly Depot Superintendent, Gawler, at the age of 53 and Mrs. Dawn Speck, wife of the late C. Speck. May they rest in peace. A minute’s silence was held for the departed members. Back Report of Meeting held on Monday October 13, 2003. On a glorious sunny spring day we had a disappointing 26 members turn up for our meeting. The speaker for the day, Pat Lough of Alzheimer’s SA, gave a very interesting insight in the subject of Dementia. It affects many of the elderly including some of our members. Help sheets are available on the Internet at www.alzheimers.org.au. Or you can email them at alzsa@alzheimerssa.asn.au Two of our members have gone to the great beyond. Bob Bird, formerly STA Instructor, at the age of 69, and Bill Farquhar, formerly Train Waiter, just 2 weeks short of 83. A minute’s silence was observed for the departed members. There will be no meeting until November 10 on account of us going to Kangaroo Island. Back Report of Kangaroo Island Tour on the Tour Report Page. Report of Meeting held on Monday November 10, 2003. On this, the second last meeting for the year, we had the second highest attendance for the year with 37 persons turning up. Also very surprising, we had two new members join our Club. However, we lost one of our older ones in Arthur Arney, who passed away, aged 92. He is listed as a fitter but no other details are recorded. A minute’s silence was observed for the departed member. The speaker for the day, Steve Bennett of James Place Cameras, gave a very capable demonstration of the latest in cameras, especially digitals, in which he specialises. For further information on this subject go to www.jamesplacecameras.com.au and, starting next month, they will do your print jobs faster with the introduction of a new machine. Next meeting payments are due for our yearly Christmas luncheon, this year at the Adelaide Pavilion. Back Report of Meeting held on Monday November 24, 2003. On this, the last meeting for the year, we had 34 persons turning up. Because there was no speaker today on account of the booked speaker being on long service leave and therefore not available we held some general discussions, which filled most of the afternoon. And the members had some time to chat with fellow members. It was decided that next years extended tour should go to Dubbo if I can arrange it satisfactorily. The program for the first half of 2004 was introduced to the members and is available on this site at the program 2004 first half page. One of our members gave some very funny incidents that happened to him while on the Murray Lands as a guard. We also said goodbye to Bill Crowe, formerly Metrology Inspector at Islington, who passed away aged 85. And also to Joan Richards, who was formerly an Office Cleaner at the Islington workshops. We still have plenty of seats available for our Christmas luncheon held at the Adelaide Pavilion on Friday December 12 at 12 noon. Please let me know in advance if you would like to join in so we can cater for everyone. For those not attending, I wish them a very Merry Christmas and all the complements of the season. See you on Monday February 9, 2004. Back Report of Christmas Lunch, Friday December 12, 2003. This has certainly been the Christmas Lunch that will go down in memory for a long time. Despite falling membership because of advancing age of our members, 45 of our regulars attended this luncheon at the Adelaide Pavilion. The food was exquisite, the service excellent and the atmosphere very happy. The pumpkin soup, always a favourite, was excellent. The barramundi was cooked to such perfection that no further chewing was necessary. It just melted in your mouth. The turkey was also par excellence with all the trimmings. The Christmas pudding dessert also very tasty, served complete with custard, cream and ice cream. My most sincere congratulations to Frank, his Chef and all the staff involved in this happy occasion. Highly recommended! I have previously dined there privately with much success and my wife and I are already planning a further private visit there in the coming year. To contact the Adelaide Pavilion go to this address contact@adelaidepavilion.com.au or phone 8212 7455. We held a raffle of numerous donated prizes which was also very popular with, besides the free tickets given on entrance, a further 100 tickets sold resulting in a good return for Club finances. This is partly aiding in offsetting the cost of the afternoons drinks. Our Club, and that perhaps is also a reason for so much happiness, this year provided them out of Club funds. We sang Happy Birthday to Norma McLean who is celebrating her 80th birthday next week. And lastly I would like to wish everyone the complements of the season and hope to see you all in the New Year on Monday February 9, 2004 at 2.00 pm. Back |
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