Melbourne Cup Function at the Toongabbie Sports & Bowling Club was another huge success, with 34 of our members attending. The Seafood Buffet was spectacular.
Shirley Jacoby, Gwen Tomlin, Beryl & Bob Williams waiting to be called up to the buffet
Only a small section of the Seafood Buffet
Sandra & Peter Cotton & Sylvia Funk
Rhonda Bensley
MANLY FERRY TRIP – The September ferry trip had 11 of our members enjoy what turned out to be a lovely day. Lunch at the Ivanhoe Hotel was very nice.
Lunch at the Ivanhoe Hotel, Manly
WANGARATTA, BEECHWORTH & BRIGHT COACH TRIP (Sept 23rd to 28th) – What a great trip we all had in Wangaratta. I really should say “What happens on Tour stays on Tour, but I won’t”. There were 43 of us – 26 from our club, 4 from St. Marys Probus, 1 from Stanhope Gardens Probus, and 12 members from Goulburn Friendship Club joined the coach. They were all strangers to us on the trip down, but all good friends on the trip home. It was my first visit to Wangaratta and it was a bigger town then I thought it would be. The accommodation was lovely and our guided tour of the town was great. Over the next couple of days, we had wine tastings, cheese tastings, a visit to a deer and goat farm, and a boat ride on Lake Mulwala and lots of other places of interest. Then of course all the lovely meals (which I didn’t have to cook) and jam and cream scones – twice – with some extra cream cakes in Beechworth and Bright – wow! (“well we were only supporting the local bakery weren’t we – well that was my excuse.”)
At the Court House in Beechworth I discovered we had some “budding actors” amongst us (Hollywood wants to look out!). Then all too quickly it was time to head home, after a great trip.
There are too many highlights to mention, like Katie our guide in Bright and Barry our Driver who was great and very helpful. And lastly my fellow travellers, ä big “thank you” for supporting this tour, you really made the trip so enjoyable. What a great bunch of people you all are. Hope to see you on the next trip.
Thank you, Elaine
Thursday August 23rd, we had our coach trip to the “Museum of Fire” at Penrith. This turned out to be very informative & our tour guide was the Museum’s CEO who is still a fire fighter and volunteers his time at the museum. He was very entertaining & a wealth of knowledge about all things fire & rescue. (remember it’s triple zero NOT triple O when calling for help). We had morning tea at the Nepean River, not far from where the Nepean Bell leaves on her river cruises. Lunch was a buffet at Penrith RSL Club, very nice, but way too much food!
Morning Tea at Nepean River, on way to Museum of Fire
Christmas in July at The Carrington Hotel was a huge success, weather perfect and not too cold. What an interesting, beautiful, historic place. Built in 1889, they had many old photo’s from the past displayed around the walls. All 40 who went enjoyed the 4 course Yulefest meal with coffee as afters.
Peter & Sandra Cotton, Rhonda Bensley, Ann Galvin & Marj Freeman
Ellie Riad enjoying the mulled wine
Jean Hill in between Laurel & Hardy, part of the Carrington's decor
Christmas in July at the Carrington, Katoomba
At the 31st May Luncheon to Lily’s we had 28 members enjoy the food and friendship.
Photo show Joan Birtles & Margaret Clark.
Robert Donnelly, his friend Lorna and John Donnelly at Lily’s
Our train trip on 24th May to Woy Woy with lunch at the Old Woy Woy Pub was very enjoyable, and the sun held out for us. About 25 members went.
Ron & Margaret McConville, Doreen Tanks, Jenny Hamersma, Carol Smith, Lee Molloy are at the front of the picture, others at the back, I apologise but cannot clearly see who they are.
The Picnic/BBQ held on Thursday 26th April, at ‘Wren’ Reserve, Nurragingy, Doonside was a huge success. Thank you to all who helped buy and put together the food, the cooks, the games organisers, etc. Also, Mel & Joyce who went early to secure our spot! And of course, everyone that came making this a day so enjoyable & memorable. The cream buns were to die for and the Thong Throwing contest hilarious.
Les Welch, a cheeky Ron McConville and John Donnelly
"Grumpy" Bob Williams & Jim Birtles
Carol Smith in action at the BBQ - Let the Games begin!
Thursday 19th April, we celebrated our 19th Birthday luncheon and Changeover Meeting at the Blacktown Workers Club’s Marana Room. Once again, the meal was very enjoyable and our birthday cake made by Joyce Taylor was delicious.
Les Welch passing on the “chain of command” to President Mel Gray, with Jenny Hamersma looking on
Mel Gray giving his acceptance speech
Elaine Birtles (our Tours & Entertainment organiser) at the Changeover Luncheon
Phyllis Corfield (our Raffle Officer) at the Changeover Luncheon
Ken and Marj Freeman Ken was our MC at the Changeover Luncheon
Shirley Green & Harriet Hyde enjoying the luncheon
AVIATION HISTORY - In March 34 members & friends from the Prospect Probus club enjoyed looking over the Albion Park Historical Aircraft Restoration Society’s (HARS) facility. What an interesting, informative day this turned out to be. We found out that 60% of the aircraft on display still fly and that the Albion Park Airport is fully functional with 4 commercial flights a day.
The HARS is run by a large group of volunteers. We saw a group of 5 members working on the replica “Southern Cross” restoration, which is a huge undertaking that has already taken many years.
QANTAS 747-438 - We looked over the “City of Canberra” retired QANTAS Boeing 747-438 and many of us got to sit in a Business Class seat for the first time!
After looking over the Museum, we headed back to our coach and onto lunch at the Illawarra Master Builder’s Club.
The “Fun Boat” was another successful outing. We had 32 members enjoy the harbour, trivia & bingo. One of our teams the ‘Av-a-chats’ won 1st prize in the trivia, which was a huge surprise especially to them!
And Sharron Seamark had a bingo win.
Les & Pat Welch, Sharron Seamark, Chris & Rose Toman
The ‘Av-a-chats’ Carol Smith, Gwen Tomlin, Beryl & Bob Williams (and Jan Channell who’s taking the photo)
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