North Ringwood Senior Citizens Club
125A Warrandyte Road, North Ringwood, Vic 3134
News - from Keith, the President
15 April 2025
G’day All
I have some sad news today as one of our long term members passed away on Sunday. This was Janice Ashmore. Now there is a nice part to her story. Janice was one of our dancers and 10 years ago she met Laury Millard at our Thursday dance. They had never met before, but, they became a couple quite quickly. So, for the last 10 years they had some pleasant times together.
Funeral details will be in the papers after Thursday. If you can’t find them, give me a ring after Thursday and I’ll find them.
Regards Keith
14 April 2025
G’day All
Well, Dianne and I have settled down after our big bus trip, so it’s time for our next adventure!!
Noel Pearson will be with us on 10th May. He sings all the favourites from the 50’s to the 70’s. So, come along and sing with him, or dance – I’ll make sure there’s room to dance if you want to. See the activities page for the details.
Regards Keith
10 April 2025
G’day All
Well, we all seem to be getting in to the hall ok at present. The walkway between the back of our building and the Kindergarten, and around to the front door is quite clear and ok to walk on. We were at the dance today, and the side door was opened to let people in. That’s a really good idea when the weather is fine, but if it’s raining, PLEASE DON’T OPEN THOSE DOORS TO LET PEOPLE IN OR OUT. The rain coming in will play havoc with our parquetry floor It could lift the small pieces of timber and destroy the surface. So, just bear with the weather – use your umbrellas for the walk around to the front door.
We are working with Council to get access through the Historical Society entrance. This will shorten the walk in the rain. I’ll let everyone know as soon as this is in place. I’ve been told that the works will take about six weeks to complete.
Regards Keith
09 April 2025
G’day All
There are three days during the year when the Club is closed. This year two of them fall within a week of each other.
We have two Fridays coming up where our activities will be stopped.
Good Friday is on 18th April. The Club will be closed all day.
Anzac Day is on the following Friday 25th April. The Club will be closed until 1pm.
If the Exercise Class wants to operate after that time on Anzac Day, that’s ok – it’s your choice. There will be no Walk this month, either, due to these restrictions.
Just relax, enjoy some time off and be ready for the following week.
Regards Keith
08 April 2025
Well!!! What a day we had yesterday!!
We had 80 members on our Around The Bay bus trip. I would like to thank everyone who came for being on time, all jumping in and helping with the morning tea, and being patient when things went a little off plan. The way you all co-operated makes it so much easier to run a large event. So, thank you all!! Now, I did mention “Off Plan” didn’t I?
That’s because our small bus broke down!! Leaving our morning tea spot we had 54 happy travelers booming along to Sorrento, and 26 not so happy travelers stuck in a bus that wouldn’t go! We also had just 30 minutes to get on the ferry, and the second bus was stuck 15 minutes away. Fortunately, our bus driver – Rob – is a quick thinker. As soon as we arrived at the Ferry Terminal, he arranged to off-load his passengers, whilst he drove back to rescue the second lot. We did hope he might have returned in time for the Ferry, but time beat him. So he organized the bus onto the next Ferry, an hour later. Meanwhile the Ferry people shepherded us lost lambs onto the Ferry. We had a very pleasant ride over to Queenscliff – it’s a really nice trip. (The people on the second Ferry actually had a pod of dolphins accompany then, so that eased the pain a little).
Anyway, our bus company worked some magic of their own they had a local bus company pick up the first group and delivered them to our lunch spot at The Gateway Hotel in Corio. Lunch was a smorgasbord, and it was very good. They also sent a second bus from Healesville and it arrived in good time to take the second group home. The second group caught up with us at the hotel, so, although some of our timings were a little skew whiff, we all arrived back at the Mullum Mullum Reserve right on 4.30pm.
Now Dianne and I were a little busy during all this so we didn’t get any photos, Sorry Cliff!! If any of you do have some photos you would like to share please let me know, and I’ll organize to get them to Cliff to put on our web site.
Regards Keith
07 April 2025
G’day All
The car park in front of the Club is now being done, and the front entrance has been blocked off.
I had a chat to the very nice man in charge of the workers and he has agreed to make a walk way from the Historical Society entrance to our front door. This is on the opposite side to the doors that open into our hall.
This means that you have to walk around the back of the building. So, you park on the side, then you walk between our building and the kindergarten. Keep walking around and head back towards the front. There you will see a walk way which will let you get to the front door.
Regards Keith
06 April 2025
G’day All
This is a reminder notice for our 80 members going on our bus trip tomorrow. You know that’s 25% of our membership – What a great result!
Now, I did order sunshine and blue skies for tomorrow, but, just in case my instructions got lost in the ICLOUD, and it’s raining when you get to the Mullum Mullum Reserve, just stay in your cars until the buses come. Give us a couple of minutes to organize with the drivers, then get out of your cars and go straight to your bus and board it. Don’t wait to have your name checked – we will do that on the bus. – PLEASE ENSURE YOU KNOW WHICH BUS YOU ARE TO BOARD. I will attach the lists again here for you to remind yourselves. And I will attach the map. Mullum Mullum Reserve is just 700 metres from the Club, Down Strathalbyn Rd, turn left at the bottom and drive 100 metres to the Entrance to the Reserve.
Please do be at the Reserve No Later Than 8.15am as it will take us a little time to get you all settled, and we need to get away at 8.30am
Well, the buses are booked, the ferry is booked, and the lunch is booked – don’t forget that lunch is a Smorgasbord, so when you find a seat you just go and help yourselves – it will be a great day.
If you are unsure of anything, give Dianne on 041144854, or myself on 0412763468 a call today. It’s best to ask now than to be unsure tomorrow.
Regards Keith
05 April 2025
G’day All
I have two items this morning.
The front door to our Club has just been blocked off by the people doing the car park. First people to be affected are our dancers tonight. You will have to enter by the side door direct into the hall. There will be a guide to show you where to go. I have no idea at this stage about activities from Monday on, as the workers will be back. I’ll let you know later.
We have had one cancellation for our bus trip on Monday, so, if anyone wants to come please give Dianne a call straight away.
Regards Keith
01 April 2025
G’day All
We’ve had a couple of late enquiries for the bus trip next Monday. Now, if you check the passenger lists I sent out this morning you will see there is a couple of seats vacant. However, there are other considerations that you need to take into account. We have had to confirm numbers with the ferry service, and with the hotel for lunch. Therefore we will need to place these late requests on a wait list.
Regards Keith
01 April 2025
G’day All
We have some lanyards with tags in the hall way if anyone wishes to take one.
Regards Keith
25 March 2025
G’day All
Sadly, one of our long serving members has passed away. Laurie Millard has been a member for the last 11 years. His funeral details are-
Mt Evelyn Presbyterian Church – Birmingham Rd Mt Evelyn
1pm on Wednesday 2nd April.
Regards Keith
21 March 2025
G’day All
The biggest bus trip in the WORLD is taking shape – it does seem that way at the moment!! The buses are booked, the Ferry is booked – all we have to do is get to Sorrento on time!, and the meal is booked. We have had a couple of cancellations so, if anyone else is interested in going, please call Dianne on 0411446854 to book in – you’ll have to do it in the next couple of days. I’ll send out a passenger list for each bus and a map showing where our pick up point will be to the people who have their name down. Don’t forget, you need to pay by next Thursday the 27th at the latest.
Regards Keith
18 March 2025
G’day All
I don’t believe this – OUR SECOND BUS IS ALMOST FULL!! (it’s not quite as big as the first one, but, we’ve never had this many go on a bus trip before. It’s terrific!!
We have just four spots left, then we will have a waiting list again. We are NOT getting a third bus! Due to our parking restrictions at the moment we will be leaving from the Mullum Mullum Reserve. It’s less than a kilometer from the Club. I will send out a map later on.
Regards Keith
17 March 2025
WE CAN TAKE MORE PEOPLE ON OUR AROUND THE BAY BUS TRIP. We have had a huge response for THIS trip. Although we are hiring a 57 seat bus, we have too many people wanting to go. SO, THE COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED TO HIRE AN EXTRA BUS!!!
AND WE CAN TAKE MORE PEOPLE!!!! All the people on the waiting list can now put their money in the white box.
So put your names on the list this week, and put your payment in the white box. If you have any queries, call Dianne on 0411446854.
Regards Keith
14 March 2025
G’day All
We’ve just checked the notice board and find that our around the bay bus trip is fully booked, with 57 names!! We will have a waiting list go up on the board on Saturday night for any of you who may be able to go at short notice.
We do have one small problem at the moment. We have an envelope with $35 in it but NO NAME, so we have no idea who it’s from. If you think it may be yours, please call Dianne on 0411 446 854.
Regards Keith
11 March 2025
G’day All
Our next bus trip is on the way – it’s an “Around The Bay” trip. Down to Sorrento – across the Bay on the ferry – Lunch in Corio- then home. It will be on Monday 7th April. There’s a list up on the board. Do note that we will probably leave from the Mullum Mullum Reserve which is very close to the Club. I’ll give you details about that later on.
Regards Keith
08 March 2025
G’day All
Today sixty six of us thoroughly enjoyed our Entertainment Afternoon with Stephanie and Mark Renouf. Steph plays a grand piano – they bring it with them. I won’t tell you how they do that, you’ll just have to come along next time they’re at the Club and watch – it’s amazing!!. Mark plays a bass. They are both top musicians, but, together they sing and play a fantastic variety of numbers. We went from Rock n Roll, to love songs, to musicals, to honky tonk – a huge variety!! It was a great day. I have to thank Dianne and Joan for preparing all the afternoon teas. It’s a lot of work goes into them – Dianne plans to make the best use of your $5 entry fee. That $5 pays for the afternoon tea, whilst the Club pays for the entertainers – just another way of getting money back to our members.
Regards Keith
06 March 2025
G’day All
The booking for The Renoufs on Saturday is now closed – unless you call Dianne on 0411446854 to book. We won’t be back at the Club until Saturday morning so we won’t see anything that goes into the White Box.
Here’s a request from the bosses (that’s MY Bossess – Dianne!) When you book for an event would you PLEASE PUT YOUR NAMES ON THE LIST AS WELL AS PUTTING YOUR MONEY IN THE BOX. It makes it so much easier when we’re sitting at the kitchen table trying to figure out who is going and who has actually paid.
Regards Keith
01 March 2025
G’day All
You have just 5 more days to get your names and money down for The Renoufs. They will be with us next Saturday the 8th March. We have about 50 names so far, so we have room for more. Next Thursday is the cut off date.
Regards Keith
23 February 2025
G’day All
Do you realize that it’s only 13 SLEEPS until The Renoufs perform at the Club! Do get your money in soon as it would be a shame to miss out on listening and singing with this terrific duo.
Saturday 8th March is the day and Thursday 6th March is the last day you can book. Don’t forget they start a bit later than usual so get to the Club around 1.30pm and they will start at 2pm. I don’t think there will be any parking problems on that day as neither the kindergarten, nor EPR will be there.
Regards Keith
20 February 2025
G’day All
It seems my note about plastic bags as against envelopes must have been a little unclear. So, here I go again. The only people to use the plastic bags should be the ones banking the money for each of our activities. A lot of coins in an envelope tends to break the envelope apart by the time our Treasurer gets it. Everyone who is paying to attend something like a bus trip, or an entertainment afternoon, do please continue to use envelopes as they don’t break apart when there is not much in them. If you all follow these rules, then our Treasurer and my Bossess will both be very happy!!
Regards Keith
17 February 2025
G’day All
This is a note to our lovely members who put the money from each activity into our white box. Our Treasurer would really prefer you to put the money into a plastic sealable bag instead of using envelopes. Envelopes do tear really easily and when you have to balance 20 or 30 of them at a time it does become quite difficult at times. There are sealable bags and small paper notices just at the same spot as the envelopes. So please do use them, and not the envelopes.
Regards Keith
13 February 2025
G’day All
Now the excitement of our bus trip has gone down, it’s time for our next adventure (well – entertainment!).
On Saturday the 8th March MARK AND STEPHANIE RENOUF ARE BACK!
This is their third year in a row with us, and they are terrific. Get your names down and money in our white box.
PLEASE DO NOTE THE LATER TIME! – THEY WILL BEGIN AT 2PM.
Regards Keith
10 February 2025
G’day All
Well, 39 of us had an absolutely marvelous day today. Gumbaya Park looked after us so well!!
We had a Devonshire Tea as soon as we arrived – with as many scones as we wanted and lots of jam and cream. We could watch the koalas in their habitat as we ate. There is a floor to ceiling glass wall between them and us.
When we had finished the staff brought in a couple of dingos , some different types of lizards, and a diamond python to show us – they weren’t in cages so we could get close up to them. You know pythons have very big eyes when you’re just a couple of inches away from them!!. Then we had some time to walk around their wild life enclosures. They have a really good variety of animals – I think they are all Australian, and the enclosures are huge. They have albino kangaroos goats, sheep, and all sorts of others.
We went back to the same room for lunch. This was chicken, or fish, with chips and salad, and – once again – it was well presented and quite large. Then we were taken to the Free-flight bird show. They had about 6 different birds. The presenter was very entertaining, and very knowledgeable. The birds were interesting, but the hit of the day was one parrot who actually sang about six words of “How much is that doggie in the window” Fair dinkum, I think it was real - I don’t think the Presenter did it.
What a day!!
I don’t usually go on about our bus trips, but this one was so out of the ordinary I just wanted to share it with you. As well as the Wildlife Section they have a huge water section and rides area. Dianne wouldn’t let me go on the Water Slide (Thank Goodness)! We had a great time.
Regards Keith
29 January 2025
G’day All
We’re heading off to a wedding at Moama tomorrow. We will be away for a few days, so I decided I should give you all a reminder about our bus trip to Gumbaya Park on Monday 10th Feb (that’s next Monday week!). You get a Devonshire morning tea, visit the animals, nice lunch, and the free flight bird show – all with great company! You’ve got until next Monday to put your names down. So come with us and have a nice day out. We‘ll leave the Club at 9.30am and will return around 3.30pm. Your $35 covers everything for the day.
Regards Keith
27 January 2025
Now, a little house keeping problem. Many of us use the library chairs and tables for morning and afternoon tea. That’s all fine, but some of you are not cleaning up if you make a mess. Please do clean the tables and chairs if you dirty them. We all have to use them and it’s not pleasant to have to clean up before we can use them.
Regards Keith
23 January 2025
G’day All
Our cleaners are going to do a “DEEP CLEAN” of our hall on this Saturday 25th Jan. So the hall will be closed for the day. There is nothing scheduled, but I just wanted to make sure that every room will be available for the cleaners all day. I wonder what “DEEP CLEAN” means?
Regards Keith
20 January 2025
G’day All
Now, for our next activity, we have a bus trip to Gumbaya Park Tynong North. It sounds like the end of the earth, but, it’s actually only an hour away. We will have a full day there. We will leave the Club at about 9.30am to arrive at 10.45am for a Devonshire Tea, then a look around the wildlife area, followed by a lunch of fish and chips, or chicken tenders and chips. Watch the Free Flight Bird Show, then home to Ringwood by 3.30pm.
All this for $35. We’ll have a flyer up on the board this Thursday coming. Meanwhile check out the flyer here.
I hope it’s OK because it’s a JPG file, and I have no idea how to turn that into a PDF file.
Regards Keith
G’day All
We had our Manhattan luncheon today with 83 members enjoying a really good smorgasbord. It was heavily discounted by the Club, so it was cheap, and, it was a very social day. I think we had tables from almost every Club activity. Lots of chatting and laughter, and no one was in a hurry to leave – and the food was good! Watch for our next activity in a few weeks time.
Regards Keith
18 January 2025
G’day All
One of our members – John Baird – is starting up a creative writing class through Maroondah Council. It seems like a good idea to me. I believe everyone has an interesting story to tell – I love hearing about other peoples life experiences. So, if you wish, contact John. I've pasted a copy of his email to me below.
Regards Keith
Hi all (this is from John)
I am a volunteer with Maroondah city Council and as from 5 February I will be facilitating a creative writing group the subject being write your life story.
When an elderly person dies a library burns down.
You can take a lifetime of knowledge and experiences with you
Or
You can record all of this and provide a memory for future generations.
Contact
Maroondah@maroondah.vic.gov.au
1300–8 8–2 2–33
9298–4598
John Baird
0481-123–456
14 January 2025
G’day All
Dianne is figuring out some bus trips, and she needs some information from you, concerning a possible trip to the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine. This trip would include an underground tour as well as seeing all the various buildings above ground.
Now the Underground Tour involves a walk down into the mine, and out, of approximately 275 metres. It is a fairly steep incline. Dianne's question is – how many people would do the Underground Tour if we went there on a bus trip.
This is not a firm booking request. It’s only to give us an idea as to whether the trip would be feasible, or not. Would you please send an answer quickly as we have to book a fair way in advance if we decide to go ahead with this trip.
Regards Keith
Ooooh!! My head is so sore!! Dianne just hit me with her handbag because I didn’t make the e-mail about the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine clear enough. I thought she only wanted to know about the Underground Tour, but NO!! she would like to know if there would be any interest in just visiting the museum and buildings above ground as well. Do answer quickly!!
Regards Keith
04 January 2025
G’day All
After the stress and good times of the last two weeks it’s time now to think ahead. Think about the Manhattan Smorgasbord lunch on 20th January. We’ve advertised it as a Seafood Smorgasbord, because that sounds pretty good!. Actually, it’s the normal Manhattan Smorgasbord which has all kinds of good food, as well as some sea food items. I’m not all that fussed with seafood, but there are stacks of other good things that I’ll be trying. So check out the attached flyer. If you have a query, call Dianne on 0411446854.
Regards Keith
01 January 2025
G’day All
Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you all had a nice night last night, and I wish you an enjoyable, and safe 2025.
Dianne and I had a really nice night last night at our Club New Years Eve dance. There were about 60 happy people and Judy and Herb did a super job of making it a fun night. Cliff has already put the photos on our web site. Now, if you’re like me and can never remember web site addresses, just type in North Ringwood Seniors. The web site will show up and you click on it. All the photos are in “The Gallery”.
Thursday dances start back tomorrow – 2nd January, and there is a dance on this Saturday – 4th January. All our other activities are starting up again over the next week or so. I’ll send you out a reminder about the Manhattan Smorgasbord in a day or so.
Regards Keith
29 December 2024
G’day All
Happy New Year to everyone of you.
We have found one of the exit doors at the side of the hall open twice during the last week or two. If you open it, please remember to lock it before you leave.
Now, Three things for our Saturday Night dancers:–
Please note that Dennis Walton is now taking the bookings for the Saturday Night dances. His number is 0448 772 327. If you book yourself for a dance, then you decide not to come, please call Dennis to tell him. It really makes it difficult to run the dance if you don’t bother telling anyone what you’re doing.
For the New Years Eve dance this Tuesday, would you all please bring a PAPER PLATE with some food to share with everyone else. The paper plate means we don’t have to worry about washing and returning them.
This dance starts at 8pm NOT the usual 7.30pm so just relax at home for another half hour before you start out.
Regards Keith
19 December 2024
G’day All
This is for our Pool, Snooker, and Billiards players.
The really good news is that your room is being painted right now! So, it will be lovely and fresh looking.
The not so good news is that the painters won’t be finished until mid-morning tomorrow (Friday). So, NO Play tomorrow morning, but the painters have told me the walls will be dry by Midday approximately, so you can play after, say 12.30pm.
Regards Keith
G’day All
This is a notice to all our Thursday dancers. There will be NO DANCE NEXT THURSDAY THE 26th. That’s Boxing Day, So you can all stay home and rest after Christmas Day!!
Dancing will be back to normal on the following week.
Regards Keith
11 December 2024
G’day All
Well that was our Christmas lunch. Next up is a smorgasbord lunch at the Manhattan in January. I’ve sent it out early as we all get a bit wrapped up in Christmas happenings, so hopefully you will remember this. Oh Don’t Worry, I’ll Remind you again later!
Regards Keith
10 December 2024
G’day All
Yesterday 98 of us had a really good Christmas Luncheon at the Dorset Gardens Hotel. The food was good (I thought so anyway!), the function was well organized, and our singer/entertainer – Rick Charles was terrific. It was a top day. I have to thank Dianne for the many hours and tremendous effort she put in to make the function run so well. Hopefully more of our members will get the idea that these lunches are pretty good, and will come to ones in the future. Cliff has lots of photos on our website. Go and have a look.
Regards Keith
04 December 2024
G’day All
Well, isn’t it interesting how everything changes – it reminds me of the Melbourne weather!! You might remember that a couple of weeks ago, I announced that the club would close on Boxing Day due to a major clean being done. That has changed, the deep clean won’t happen until some time in January!! I don’t have any dates at present, but I will let you know as soon as I find lout. When it does happen the club will have to close for two days as they are going to steam clean our carpets, so they will need time to dry out. So, the Club won’t close on Boxing Day after all. I think I’ll go and have a cup of tea, a Bex, and a good lie down!!.
Regards Keith
27 November 2024
G’day All
Just had a bit of good news – I’ve just learned that our club house is going to have a DEEP CLEAN!! And the carpets are going to be steam cleaned. At this stage they are going to do it on Boxing Day.
This means that Thursday 26th December the Club will be closed to all activities.
Regards Keith
25 November 2024
G’day All
Our Christmas Luncheon is filling up fast. You have just one more week to get your names on the list and your money in the white box – next Monday – 2nd December - is the cut off date. If you want to sit with anyone specific, please email Dianne on dikeith234@bigpond.com, or put your list in the white box. Thank you to the people who have already given their lists to Dianne.
19 November 2024
G’day All
This is for our Saturday night dancers.
Gwen has told me that the Christmas dance on 21st December is booked out.
The New Years Eve dance is still open, but Gwen will close it in three day’s time, on 22nd November.
Regards Keith
15 November 2024
G’day All
Our lanyards and i/d cards are now ready to go. We have lanyards with cards attached, and we also have some individual cards without a lanyard. They are in a box in our Conference room. To find the Conference room, you turn right into the passage just past the men's toilet, and it is the furthest door on the right. Please take one of the two if you wish.
There is a space on the cards for an emergency contact name and number and urgent medical information. This could be something like Anaphlyaxis – that’s an intense allergic reaction. You would usually have an Epipen with you at all times so that would be the immediate thing to look for if you have collapsed.
Anyway, do make use of the lanyards and cards, they could be a lifesaver for you.
Regards Keith
14 November 2024
G’DAY All
LAST CALL FOR THE BUS TRIP TO THE QUEENSCLIFF FORT.
The Fort has organized two tours for us –
A full tour, and a smaller, easier tour for those who would prefer easier walking. Both tours will be full of interest and you can take your pick which one you want to do when you get there.
As the Fort is still a military establishment you will need to provide photo ID at the entrance. So please bring your best photo!
We are having lunch at the Queenscliff Bowls Club which is next door to the Fort. They will provide whatever we want from their lunch menu. It’s attached for you to choose from. Please call Dianne over the next two days with your choice so we can have the meals ready for us when we get to the Club. 0411 446 854.
Regards Keith
06 November 2024
G’day All
Here’s a small news letter to keep you up to date.
I did forget to put one thing in it so, you may have seen the new small tables we have now. I need to thank Herb Doekes and Judy Doekes-Pitt for purchasing them whilst Dianne and I were away, and Stephen Bailey for modifying our trolley to fit them.
PRESIDENTS REPORT
It’s been a fairly interesting time since our last one in June..
Our numbers are still about the same as last year (Dianne told me that was her part of the news so I’m not allowed to say any more)! Apparently, a few clubs around the area are struggling – fortunately that’s not the same for us. Our Club is thriving.
Our Council does work in mysterious ways! You might remember that they advised that the transformation of the flood basin next to the club would start at the far end, and finally work around to our car park. Well, you may have noticed that some trees were planted, then another council section dug them up again to put a new booster system in to support the new fire hydrants. However, everything appears to be back in place for now. Two new fire hydrants have been installed, one near us, and one near the kindergarten – hopefully, we’ll never seen them used.
The saga of our leaking roof is still continuing, although some leaks have been located and fixed.
A good bit of news now. Council has commenced the extra storage room and our covered in verandah. The good news is that, because of the long delay in approving it, the Club is not required to put any money towards the extensions, so our finances have improved. We will do our best to give some back to everyone in various ways.
One of the ways we can do this is to give a large discount on our Christmas Lunch. It’s on Monday 9th December at Dorset Gardens Hotel, Dorset Rd Croydon. Last year we charged $22 per head. This year we have dropped that down to $20, even though the hotel charge has increased.
Be there by 11.30 am for a midday meal. We have Rick Charles entertaining us again. This will be his third year with us. So get ready to dance or sing along with him. A list will go up on the notice board soon.
At the last AGM it was decided to provide lanyards with cards to every member who wanted one. The cards are to be filled in by yourselves with any information you think may be helpful in an emergency. This could be any medical problems, your doctors name and phone number, your emergency contact name and phone number.
Our sub-committee has finalized the purchase of these, and Stephen Bailey is in the process of getting them to our various activities. I think the idea of having this type of information close handy in an emergency is an excellent one, so do make use of the lanyards and cards. Keep in mind that the lanyard and card system is entirely voluntary and no one is compelled to wear them.
MEMBERSHIP
We currently have 340 financial members, we still have a few who haven’t paid, but they have let me know (either away, or recovering from illness) I appreciate being told so I don’t keep ringing or emailing people. We have had 18 new members since June and I hope that they are all enjoying what the club has to offer. To all the members who are unwell I wish you a speedy recovery. It seems to have been a bad year for a lot of our members, with sickness, operations and unfortunately some passing away, our thoughts are with you all.
ACTIVITIES
We are having the last bus trip for the year on Monday 18th Nov. We are going to have a guided tour of Fort Queenscliff, there will be a short tour for those that have mobility issues (walker frames are suitable for this) and a longer tour for those that want to do it. Lunch will be at Queenscliff Bowls Club. Stopping for morning and afternoon tea on the way. Cost is $35 each, names and money in ASAP. Ring Dianne with any queries 0411446854. PLEASE NOTE. THIS IS AN 8.30AM BUS DEPARTURE, Home about 4.30pm. Please arrive at club no later than 8.15am
We will have another bus trip in Feb date and place to be decided. Keep your eye on the notice board for details in the New Year.
Our Xmas lunch at Dorset Gardens is on Mon 9th Dec Please put your names on the list in passage, Money in an envelope with your name on it in white box before Mon 5th Dec. The tables seat 10 people, if you have friends you would like to be seated with please write them on an envelope or email the names to Keith.
A lunch at the Manhattan will be organized for Jan, price and date to be finalized. Watch the notice board for details.
Dancers please note that bookings for Xmas Dance and New Years Eve dances will be taken by ringing Gwen on 0429085554 on 17th Nov. At both these dances you are requested to bring a small plate of supper to share with everyone. Please remember that all Saturday night dances you need to book in for, also if you have booked and can’t go please notify Gwen. Correct entry money at all dances would be appreciated. Large notes are just too hard to change.
The club does not have a specified close down time over Xmas with the exception of Xmas Day, and New Years Day. The club will not open on those 2 days. It is up to each activity if they have a break or not on the other days.
So far this is the information we have received:-
Bowls Last Day 17th Dec Back on 7th Jan
Cards Last Day 17th Dec Back on 14th Jan
Craft Last Day 21st Nov Back Wed 19th Feb
Cycling. Contact David Dancing
Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday dances are not stopping.
Exercise Will close between Xmas and New year, re start Frid 3rd Jan
Mahjong Will remain open except Xmas Day and New Years Day
Pa-tuan-Chin Last Day 17th Dec, Back on 14th Jan
Pool Snooker will remain open except Xmas Day and New Years Day
Table Tennis will remain open, except Xmas Day and New Years Day
Walking Last Day 20th Dec Back on 21st Feb
30 October 2024
G’day All
I’ve just been talking to the people at the Queenscliff Fort. There are several options for the tour. Apart from the main one which takes in all the Fort, there will be a smaller one as well. So if you’re unsure about doing the whole tour, there will be a good alternative, and you will see a good deal of the Fort anyway.
Regards Keith
29 October 2024
G’day All
For those of you who get your hair cut at the club, our hair cutter is unwell. So, she won’t be there this Friday but will visit on the following Friday – 8th November.
Regards Keith
28 October 2024
G’day All
Our next bus trip is just three weeks away. We’re going on a guided tour of the Fort at Queenscliff. It has a really interesting history and has been kept just as it was when it was first built in the 1880’s . It was built to protect Melbourne from and invasion by the Russians! This was just after the Crimean War between England and Russia, and every British colony was afraid that the Russians would attack them. Now, you will have to get up a little earlier as the bus will leave at 8:30am, and return about 4 – 4:30pm. Do, also, keep in mind that the guided tour takes about 1¼ hours and involves a bit of walking and standing. Then we will give you a nice lunch and you can relax on the bus coming home.
Regards Keith
24 October 2024
G’day All
There will be a little disruption to our members over the next couple of weeks as our extensions have begun. At the moment a new exit door is being put into the pool room.
And some better news – some of the roof leaks have been located. They are being fixed today, so the table tennis players, and Exercise group may have to shift around a little to help the workers. But, I’m sure you’ll agree with me that it will be worth it.
Regards Keith
20 October 2024
G’day All
Well, seeing that we’re back to normal (roofing leaks and all!!) Don’t forget Col Perkins entertainment next Saturday. We have about 70 going at the moment so we can fit in up to another 20.
Names and money must be in the white box by Thursday at the latest so we can organize the afternoon tea.
Regards Keith
17 October 2024
G’day All
The new fire hydrant is in, and the trenches have been filled, and water will be back on tomorrow. So, Friday is back to normal use.
Regards Keith
10 October 2024
G’day All
I have some good news for everyone. We applied to Council about 5 years ago to get an extra storeroom and a covered verandah for our Club. It has finally been approved by the Council, and we have been assured that work will commence shortly – we don’t quite know what that means as yet.
But it will help with our present storage problems, and will give us an extra space for social activities. We will have to share this space with EPR – our neighbours - but I think this will be very acceptable.
Acceptance of this request has meant the Council had to install a new fire hydrant between us and the kindergarten down the back. That’s why we have to close next week for four days. But, I’m sure the new facilities will be a great help to us.
I will keep you informed as matters progress.
Regards Keith
06 October 2024
G’day All
The date that Gwen wants the booking for the Christmas and New Years Eve dances is Sunday 17th November.
05 October 2024
Hi All
This is Cliff, the Website Manager.
Dianne and Keith are back! You can follow their travels here: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4.
02 October 2024
G’day All
You know this morning I reminded you that next week would be a free week, well that was the good news. This next item is the bad news.
There are extensive operations going on around the Club. One of them is to bring a Fire Brigade water point into the club grounds. This is a great thing for the safety of us, and EPR, and the Kindergarten out the back of us. Up until now our safety water points have been on the other side of Warrandyte Road. This will give us much faster protection if a problem happens.
However, we do have to suffer a little to get this. The Council have just this minute advised me that the Club will need to close from Monday 14th October until Thursday 17th October inclusive so this work can be done.
So, we will be shut for those four days. Do please note this and do please inform all your people who do not have internet access. We will contact as many of these by phone as we can, but we do need your help as well. So, all our activities will be back to normal on Friday 18th October.
Regards Keith
02 October 2024
G’day All
Don’t forget our Seniors Week is next week from Monday 7th October until Sunday 13th October, inclusive. All our activities during that period are free.
Regards Keith
23 September 2024
G’day All
We’ve just found out that you Victorians have a Public Holiday on Friday for the Grand Final. Well, seeing there are no Victorian teams in it I don’t care!!! Anyway it’s all up to your individual choices whether you continue on that day or not. I do know that the Exercise Class will be running. So table tennis and Pool can decide what they want to do. We’ve been stuck in an hour long traffic jam on the Pacific Highway outside of Newcastle today, so we have a few frayed nerves to calm today.
Regards Keith
22 September 2024
G’day All
We have our next entertainment afternoon coming up on Saturday 26th October. It's Col Perkins. Names on the list in the hallway please, and $5 in the white box. We’re still away, but heading for home.
Regards Keith
23 July 2024
G’day All
Forty of us had a lovely day yesterday on our bus trip to The Dolphin Research Institute (DRI) at Hastings, then, to lunch at Rosebud RSL. Now the DRI is an indoors lecture with videos and photos in a theatrette. It was fascinating (it was also warmer than when we were standing on the Hastings foreshore having our Morning Tea!!).The lecturer was the Executive Director of the DRI. He was funny, informative and absolutely loved his subject. It went for an hour and a quarter and we heard so much about what goes on in Port Phillip and Westernport Bays. Did you know that we have all kinds of dolphins, up to, and including killer whales, who live in these bays? I didn’t. I’ve sent photos to Cliff, so they should be up on our web site soon.
The lunch was really nice, and served promptly – we always get good comments when we use this venue. Our bus driver was excellent. So, all in all, it was another beaut day. The next one will be in November after Dianne and I come home from our next caravan trip.
Regards Keith
19 July 2024
G’day All
We had an accident at the Club at the dance yesterday. One of our lady members fell and injured her leg and her face. I would just like to go through some of the events around this. 000 was called immediately and, as the member was breathing, the operator advised how to put her into the recovery position, so she was reasonably comfortable. Now, although she was breathing, she was unresponsive for a while so wasn’t talking. Fortunately, everyone at the dance had their surnames recorded, so, it was a simple matter to check her last name then go to our card system next to the defibrillator, and retrieve her card. Unfortunately, though, the member had not put any details at all on the card so it was of no use. Her phone was then retrieved from her handbag and her daughter's phone number was found, and she was contacted. There was a delay with the ambulance arriving so she was on the floor for about 30 minutes and became quite cold. The ambulance officers treated her well and took her to hospital as a precaution.
There are some lessons out of this event.
000 was called immediately which is excellent.
Our members Surname was known so the card system was able to be used. There was no information on the card.
Her phone was retrieved from her handbag. Now this is obviously a happening of good intent, but the privacy laws are a little grey here. I would recommend that at least two people search any handbag, and at least two people access information on any phone to minimize any unfortunate repercussions later.
The member was cold when the ambulance finally arrived. The Club does have thermal blankets in the kitchen, but, obviously not publicized well enough. They are in a cupboard under the kitchen bench next to the cups. I will put a sign on the cupboard door.
I do suggest that the people who only sign their Christian names in the attendance book are not doing themselves any favours as, without your surname, we can’t access your card details.
For those members who opt to use our lanyard (when we activate it) and card system, this may help in this regard if you are wearing the lanyard at the time of an incident.
Regards Keith
17 July 2024
G’day All
I thought I would let you know what happened at the AGM about providing cards, with lanyards attached, to our members. The AGM voted for this to go ahead. It will be strictly voluntary, with no requirement to wear them if you don’t want to. It will take us a few months to get the details worked out – we have a sub-committee working out the details. They should have some suggestions when Dianne and I return from our caravanning trip. So I’ll let you know in November how things stand with this.
Also, one of our new committee members – Dieter Staebner – wonders if any of our members are interested in forming a Chess group. Timings and place will be decided upon if there is any interest shown. You can contact him on 0438 632 866. Please SMS him as he is deaf and uses a typing system for his calls – it actually works quite well.
Regards Keith
11 July 2024
G’day All
Last chance to put your name down for the bus trip to Hastings on Monday22nd July. Payment is due by next Monday – the 15th, but you can sneak a couple of days more as we will check our white box next Thursday the 18th.
Regards Keith
08 July 2024
G’day All
We’ve just concluded our AGM at the Dorset Garden Hotel. They looked after us very well, as usual.
Your Committee for the next year is as follows-
President - Keith Bunnett
Vice-President - Paul Symes
Secretary - Dianne Bunnett
Treasurer - David Lovett
Committee - Judy Doekes-Pitt, Herb Doekes, June Mellet, Stephen Bailey, Mary Yaksich, Dieter Staebner, Barry MacFarlane.
Regards Keith
03 July 2024
G’day All
I just want to clarify our bus trip visit to The Dolphin Research Centre on 22nd July. It is a lecture by one of the researchers with videos. They record and care for all the many dolphins in the Bay, so they show how they are doing this. But they do not keep any dolphins in captivity so there are no live dolphins to see.
Regards Keith