| Reports 2007 First Half Year |
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Report of AGM held on February 5, 2007 It was a very hot day with a temperature in the high thirties and we still had 27 very faithful members turn up for our Annual General Meeting. Even our 96-year-old Patron put in an appearance. The most important item of news was that this would be the last meeting in this venue as we have been refused entrée after today. The Secretary in consultation with the President has booked us a new venue situated at 171 Sturt Street in Adelaide. Directions were given as to how to get there by various bus services. The Secretary outlined the facility in his Annual Report. The President and Treasurer also gave their Annual reports. As there was no need for the Patron to install a new Committee this year (The old Committee staying on) he spoke a few words on the importance of acquiring new Members. Three Members passed away during our Christmas break. On January 4th, Jean Trout, formerly in the Canteen at Islington, aged 91. In addition, on the 5th January Ron Markham, formerly Clerk aged 90. Lastly, on 29th January Doug Dixon, formerly a Fitter at the Diesel Depot aged 79. A minute’s silence was held for the departed members. Back Report of Meeting held on February 19, 2007 Our Speaker of the day, Allan Killmier, of the Aviation Museum had an audience of 31 persons on this, the first meeting in our new Venue. It proved to be very successful with the only complaint the lack of a microphone. This is much needed with soft-spoken persons. It will be looked into for future reference. In addition, as it was another hot day the attendance was surprisingly good. Established in 1984 and entirely operated by volunteers is has a display of various historic planes all under one roof including a Navy Westland Wessex helicopter, a wartime Spitfire and a Douglas Dakota. Situated in Lipson Street, Port Adelaide it is open 7-days per week 10.30 am – 4.30 pm. More Information at www.saam.org.au. Back Report of Meeting held on March 5, 2007 As the advised speaker for the day was not available today we brought forward our Member John Morcom, retired Train Controller, who talked about the many services once running on the Murray Bridge Division. Indeed some of the lines operating in the early days of our Railways have not even been heard of by today’s generation. Moreover, as nearly all of them were operated from the Tailem Bend Depot one must realise how busy a Depot it was at that time. In addition, as is usual when the speaker is about Railway matters the turn-up was extremely good with 35 persons present. A job well done! Back Report of Meeting held on March 19, 2007 Again, we managed to attract 33 persons to hear Des Egan, Manager of the National Rail Museum at Port Adelaide talk about the various objects and aspirations of the Museum. Many projects are still on the wish list as it all comes down to the availability of money. An incredible 34 original full size locomotives, both steam and diesel, are on display most under cover. A further 7 petrol/diesel Railcars are also on display plus a large variety passenger and freight rolling stock. For anyone who has never been there it is well worth the visit. It is a not-for-profit organization and all entrée fees are used for further projects. Visit it in Lipson Street Port Adelaide or see it on line at www.natrailmuseum.org.au Back Report of Day Tour on March 23, 2007 With 29 persons on board we departed at 9.00 am. A bit later than expected as the coach was held up by busy traffic conditions. A further 2 pick-ups along the way makes for a very satisfying 31 travellers. We stopped at Pt. Wakefield for a comfort stop and a morning cup of tea/coffee. The weather was brilliant but the countryside very dry. We stopped at Ardrossan for a 45-minute browse through the Township. Proceeded to Port Vincent arriving at the Ventnor Hotel at 12.30 pm. No sooner were we seated overlooking the Ocean the rain started. That was a very enjoyable sight not having seen rain for so many weeks. Moreover, it rained and on occasions poured all the way home to Adelaide. Lunch was well organised and presented by the management of the Hotel. The dining room is massive for such a small township. Left Pt. Vincent at 2.00 pm and passing through Pt. Wakefield stopped at the local fresh fish shop. Many purchases were made. Arrived back in the City at 4.30 pm. Back Report of Meeting held on April 2, 2007 The Speaker for the day, Mike Smalley, from Victim Support Service Inc. had an audience of 27 persons. The Victim Support Service is a Community based, not-for-profit organisation in South Australia. Qualified professional staff provides a comprehensive range of services for people who have suffered because of a criminal offence. It also has a Court Companion Service, which supplies support and information for victims and witnesses for the prosecution when they are required to attend court. For more information go to their website at www.victimsa.org. Back Report of Meeting held on April 16, 2007 Francine Conner, Marketing Manager for the Adelaide Showgrounds gave a most interesting talk about the background of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society. The Adelaide Show is the largest Community event in this State held every year in September. The showgrounds also hosts in excess of 100 events every year including the Sunday Mail Home Show, Caravan and Camping Show and the Adelaide Motor Show to name just a few. For more information visit www.adelaideshowgrounds.com.au She had an audience of 28 persons. The tragic death of our member Bronia Fluck through a road accident was remembered. Back Report of Meeting held on April 30, 2007 Our Speaker for the day, Don Thorpe, of the SA Maritime Museum was a very knowledgeable person regarding the history of Port Adelaide. He spoke at length about the rise and fall and the subsequent resurrection of the historic Port, all done in a very amusing and witty manner. He had his audience of 22 persons in laughter many times during the afternoon. For information about the Museum go to www.history.sa.gov.au Back Report of Meeting held on May 14, 2007 Always popular John Evans of SA Tourism was our speaker for the day with an audience of 29 persons present. His topic, the 80th Anniversary of the introduction of train order working, was accompanied by an amazing PowerPoint display of many dozens of historic Train orders some dating back to the beginning in 1926. Some photographs of Train Controllers at their workstation in the Train control room were also displayed. As the material in this topic was very extensive, it was decided to do it in two parts and we are already looking forward to the second half next fortnight. Many thanks for a job well done John! Back Report of Meeting held on May 28, 2007 John Evans of SA Tourism again was our speaker for the day when he presented the second half of his presentation on the 80th anniversary of the introduction of train order working. With 37 persons present it must have been a very popular presentation as well as this was the highest turn-up of members since August 2006. The huge variety of train orders in his possession is astronomical. Even some who were written on scraps of paper as no proper order book was available. Another job well done by John. Back Report of Day-Tour held on June 1, 2007 For some unknown reason we had the largest number of travellers on this tour since we had 39 in August 2004. This time, 40 took part in a very pleasant journey to Balaklava via Freeling. In Freeling, we stopped at the Gungellan Hotel, famous from the TV show McLeod’s Daughters. We travelled then via Hamley Bridge and Owen to Balaklava were we had a very satisfying lunch at the Royal Hotel. Browsed through some of the local shops until 2.00 pm. Then went via Mallala to Two Wells were we stopped at the Historic Wells the township is named after. Then travelled back to Adelaide via Virginia arriving at the Festival Theatre at 4.00 pm. Photos from top the Gungullan Hotel in Freeling famous from the TV show McLeod's Daughters Freeling Railway Station Balaklava Railway Station now very derelict. Bottom two are the Historic wells at the Two Wells Township. Back Report of Meeting held on June 18, 2007 Christine Howard from the Commonwealth Bank made a return visit to today’s meeting with 25 persons present. As is usual with her, she had everyone laughing almost the entire meeting because of her extremely witty way of presenting her subject. She gave some very interesting examples of the way ATM’s can be defrauded when using Credit Cards and some hints as to how to avoid this practise. Moreover, through some self-inviting we will be seeing her back again next year. We are already looking forward to her return. Back |
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