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2005 Program Second Half

2005 Reports Second Half

2005 Program First Half

2005 Reports First Half

2004 Program Second Half

2004 Reports Second Half

2005 Secretaries Report

2005 Tour Grampians

2004 Tour Dubbo

2004 Tour Dobbo Report

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Reports 2005 First Half Year

Report of A.G.M. held on Monday February 7, 2005.
     At this, the first meeting for 2005 we had 27 persons present to hear reports from the Secretary, a full account of which can be seen and downloaded from the Secretaries report 2005 page. This was followed by a financial report from our Treasurer. And as expected we are still financially above water. The retiring President then thanked everyone for his or her support during the past year and vacated the Chair. Our Patron, Mr. Ron Fitch then welcomed and installed the incoming President who then gave a welcoming speech outlining the 73 Presidents we have had over the past 73 years of our Club. A Committee Member then spoke about the long tenure of our Patron in his position as Patron. Discussions were held about our next Christmas luncheon and the upcoming extended tour to the Grampians. We had 5 persons passing away from this world since our last meeting. Jack O’Brien, formerly Train Examiner in Adelaide, aged 88. Bruce Edwards, formerly Loader at Islington, 95. Jim Leo, formerly a Manager at Broken Hill, 87. Erwin Chlebeck, formerly a Fitter at Islington, 80. And Phill Gerlach, wife of Len Gerlach also deceased, 88. A minute’s silence was observed for the departed members.
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Report of Meeting held on Monday February 21, 2005.
     When I left home to go to our meeting, I went with a feeling of despair because I had just found out that we would not have a speaker for today because of a mix up of records in the office of the appointed speaker. That on top of the death of our most loved former President, former Treasurer and former Secretary Ivan Botting at the age of 79 after a prolonged struggle with asbestosis. His funeral was on this same morning and was attended by at least 12 of our members, possibly more. However, just as we were about to start the meeting, in walked Vivienne Tomlinson, Education Project Officer from the Arthritis Foundation, who was in the neighbourhood and thought she would drop in to say Hello. Well, after I had explained our predicament she very quickly took up the challenge to make an impromptu speech. And that she did. Judging by the number of questions asked by the audience of 34 she did a very good job. One never realises that we have so many different forms of Arthritis, numbering in the hundreds. And the medications available for Arthritis are just as numerous. What works for one does not always work for another and visa versa. We are very thankful for her efforts. To read more about Arthritis visit www.arthritissa.org.au    
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Report of Meeting held on Monday March 7, 2005.
     This was a very satisfying Meeting with 32 persons turning up to hear Brian Duffy, Operations Director of Great Southern Rail. And what a speaker he was. With the aid of a PowerPoint display he kept his audience spellbound so much we went into overtime, him not finishing until after 3.30 pm. Many questions were raised also. I for one did not realise that G.S.R. is actually a subsidiary of Serco. Now, most people connect Serco with busses not with G.S.R. And in the 6.5 years of its operation they have pulled this part of our Railway out of the red into a profitable business. May questions were asked about our entitlements as Retired Railway workers but because it is now running as a business they have no obligations to subsidise retirees. This is much to our regret but unavoidable. The rolling stock on these passenger trains is fast going past their use-by date. The replacements cost is astronomical with about 1.5 Million Dollars per coach. Just consider the I.P has been running since 1970, the Ghan since 1929 and the good old Overland since 1887. These coaches must have travelled several times around the world. We also reported the death of Venusto Macolino, formerly a painter in Mile End, who passed away 8-3-2004. We somehow missed his death notice last year.
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Report of Day-Tour to Waikerie Friday March 11, 2005.
     After waiting for a latecomer who got delayed on account of his taxi being delayed we left the Festival Theatre at 9.05 am with 36 persons on board. Travelled via the Main North Road and Gawler by-pass to Nuriootpa to enjoy a morning cup of Coffee/Tea in the park alongside RX 217 who is permanently parked there. Proceeded through Truro and Blanchetown to Waikerie and boarded the “River Murray Queen” by 12 noon to partake in a 2-course lunch consisting of a choice of roast pork and vegies or grilled fish with chips plus a dessert of freshly cut fruit salad and ice cream. This dining room is beautifully laid out. Left the “Queen” at 2.00 pm to travel to Blanchetown were the coach and its driver where fully examined by a police roadblock. No problems were detected as was expected. Travelled via Truro and the Gawler by-pass to Adelaide arriving there by 4.45 pm. For those of us who normally travel home by suburban railcar, including myself, that was not the end of the day. The traindrivers had called a snap strike and all trains were cancelled. Luckily I was able to catch a bus going my destination just across the road but others were not so lucky.
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Report of Meeting held on Monday March 21, 2005.
     This was a very ordinary meeting with 29 persons turning up today. The speaker for the day, Lyn from “Bagged promotions”, was in a very happy mood as she was showing us the range of locally home made chocolates she had brought with her. They, as well as Tip Top sliced bread and hot cross buns, were all for sale. And when the time came for the sale to take place all of our chocoholics lined up by the table with their moneys and she went home with very little left. An afternoon well done!    
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Report of Meeting held on Monday April 4, 2005.
     With 27 persons present we welcomed the return visit of always-popular Pharmacist Alan Christie. And what a presentation did he give. The knowledge he has of his subject is astounding. And his audience asked that many questions that we again run into overtime. And, apart from the few who had commitments, no one seemed to mind. A large number of handouts were also presented and, as usual, they also proved to be popular. A job well done and we hope to see him back again in the near future.
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Report of Meeting held on Monday April 18, 2005.
     With 26 persons present we welcomed the speaker for the day, Gary Mutton of AGL Utilities. With the aid of a excellently laid out PowerPoint display he showed us everything there is to know about renewable Solar and Wind Energy. He has an extensive knowledge of everything connected with electricity. He is to be recommended for his power of speech. This very complicated job was done with the expertise of a professional.    
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Report of Meeting held on Monday May 2, 2005.
     With 25 persons present we welcomed the speaker for the day, Julie Black, from the Royal District Nursing Service who, with the assistance of an excellent PowerPoint display, gave us an insight into the operation of this service. It was first opened in 1894 and has since made about 22 Million home visits. Today it is operated from 4 branches with around 80 volunteers and a fleet of 200 vehicles travelling about 3.75 million Kilometers per year. It operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and 365 days per year. With no government assistance it is totally self-funded through fundraisers and donations. For further information ring 1300 364 264 or see their website at www.rdns.net.au  
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Report of Day-Tour held on Friday May 20, 2005.
      This was one the more successful Day-Tours with 38 persons taking part. We don’t often get that many participants. Travelling via the Main North Road, the Gawler by-pass, Roseworthy and Owen we arrived in Balaklava by 10.40 for our morning tea/coffee and comfort break. Then proceeded to the Main North Highway and travelled via Red Hill to Crystal Brook were we had our lunch at the Royal Hotel by 12.30. An excellent lunch it was enjoyed by all. After a walk around this old town exploring some of the very old shops we left Crystal Brook at 2.30 and went back via the Main North Highway to Red Hill for a browse around this township. Then Via Snowtown and Port Wakefield back to Adelaide arriving at the Festival Theatre at 5.30. A day well spent and enjoyed by all.
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Report of Meeting held on Monday June 6, 2005.
     
Despite it being a gloriously sunny day with a temperature of 22 degrees only a disappointing 20 persons turned up today. No speaker was scheduled for today as we are having a chat session with our members. Many books and magazines were brought by in by members for members to browse and to give away for those who had an interest. Many old photographs also turned up and they are always of interest. On a pleasing note we had no deaths to report. Happy Birthday was sung to a member who turned 80 today and still came to the meeting. That is faithfulness for you.
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Report of Meeting held on Monday June 20, 2005.
     
It was a very dismal day with almost continuous rain and I therefore do not blame anyone for not turning up. But much to our surprise we still had 22 members in attendance to hear Jenny Callendar from the Guide Dogs for the Blind talk about and demonstrate to us some of the various devices now available for the hearing impaired. And every time we see these they are getting more and more sophisticated. This is not the first time we have listened to Jenny and her talks are always interesting. Many questions came from her audience. Well-done Jenny!
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Morning tea at Nuriootpa
Lunch on the Queen
Lunch on the Queen
Lunch on the Queen
Lunch on the Queen
Lunch on the Queen
Lunch on the Queen
The Murray River Queen at Waikerie
Morning Tea at Balaklava
Crystal Brook Yard looking east towards Gladstone
Crystal Brook Yard looking towards Port Pirie