penn west news and views · penn west news and views no. 184, dec 2018 penn west news and views the...

Penn West News and Views No. 184, Dec 2018

Penn West News and Views The Newsletter of the Combined Probus Club of West Pennant Hills

President’s Message

Eric and I have just arrived home after spending time in the Hunter Valley with the Caravan and Cabin Group Judging by the noise and laughter everyone had as great a time as Eric and I did. Good food and wine and visits to many interesting places especially one of the wineries which was most entertaining.

Many thanks to Margaret and Colin.

Also earlier in the month Eric and I spent 2 great days in Terrigal with the Bowlers again lots of noise and laughter, thank you to Carol and Bob for organising the Bowlers Getaway.

We are fortunate to have such a great club. It is hard being retired and having all this fun.

Remember our Australia Day Sausage Sizzle, please put it in your diaries, it is always a good afternoon and evening.

Where has this year gone, it is hard to believe it is Christmas in a few weeks, maybe you are all more organised than I am and have done your Christmas shopping.

If that is the case perhaps you can give me some ideas.

In the next few weeks there will be a number of Christmas Functions including our December Meeting where I am sure I will catch up with most of you.

If I do not meet up with you and even if I do I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and wish you and your families A Healthy, Happy and Safe Christmas and

New Year. ColleenFor contributions, contact Bob Dickerson at: [email protected] or ph:9634 7108 or 0419 991 623 Page ! 1

What’s Happening in the coming months

Dec 6 Walkers Christmas Lunch - Sedici, David Rd, Castle Hill

Dec 11 Christmas Lunch - Allegro, Kenthurst.

Jan 17 2019Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

May 8 2019 Saturday Night Fever

Incorporation Number 9880412 Accreditation Number 2217 Registration Number 56900 Foundation Meeting 3rd June 2003 Incorporated 8th September 2003 “Probus for Fun and Friends” Club Website: www.probuswph.org.au

http://www.probuswph.org.au

http://www.probuswph.org.au


MEETING – Tuesday 4th December - 9.45 am - at West Pennant Hills Valley Community Centre.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

ROSTERS (Di Cox-Taylor) HALL

KITCHEN

Members rostered for setting up the hall or morning tea duties, are requested to find their own replacement if they are unable to perform these duties. Please note that those on roster are required to start no later than 9:00am. Duties

include restoring the hall and kitchen to their original condition. Kitchen ladies please arrive at 9am to have the procedure and various tasks explained including the clean up. If you feel that you are medically or physically incapable of helping with the hall setup or kitchen duties, please let the Welfare Officer (Di Cox-Taylor - [email protected]) know so that your name can be removed from the list.

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GUEST SPEAKERS (Pam Crabb)

December January February

Lawrie Hayes Graham Osborn Terry Stinson

John Koens Russ Riddell David Taylor

Graham Laughton Bob Smeallie Brian Wild

For contributions, contact Bob Dickerson at: [email protected] or ph:9634 7108 or 0419 991 623 Page ! 2

December 2018 Keith Highfield Another Reminiscence

January 2019 Various The Bards of WPH Probus

February 2019 Graham Wilcox The Federation of Australia

December January February

Janet Hayes Ann Osborn Patricia Smith

Anita Koens Pam Riddell Barbara Taylor

Mary Laughton Michelle Smeallie Ros Ward

mailto:[email protected]?subject=


Membership Matters (Marjorie Seaton) No report this month.

Janet Hayes is standing in for Marjorie. [email protected]

Responsibilities of Members

Meeting Attendance. Please remember that all members are required to attend at least 50% of meetings in the Probus year.

Meeting Absence. Thank you to all those who have sent apologies to me for this month’s meeting. Please contact me if you are aware that you will be/have been absent for unavoidable reasons [i.e. medical, travel, care-giver etc.] for 2 or more consecutive meetings. You can be granted 'Leave of Absence'. This means that your 50% attendance requirement at monthly meetings will NOT be adversely affected by those absences.

Keep in Touch. Please let me know if you change your address, email, telephones, or emergency contact details.

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Welfare (Di Cox-Taylor)

John Hayes is progressing well following his surgery and is now in Mt Wilga for rehab.

A Get Well card was sent to John from all his Probus Friends.

Enjoy the lovely spring weather.

Go safely and keep active.

Di Cox-Taylor


Change of date for the January 2019 Meeting.

As we are unable to use the West Pennant Hills Community Centre on the first Tuesday in January, the January meeting will now be held on the second Tuesday in January, that is Tuesday 8th January 2019.

Barbara Shannon (Secretary)


Money Matters - From the Treasurer (Shirley Norton)

We are approaching the busy Season and many of you will be absent from the December Activities as you travel to be with Family and Friends. To those people please travel safely and enjoy the festivities.

To all Members and their Families I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

All Members wishing to attend Activities and wanting to pay, please come prepared with your registration form, a copy of which is at the end of this Newsletter.

Members and those on the waiting list there are three methods of payment

•Paying at the meeting by cash or cheque

•Posting a cheque to the Treasurer at 22 Mary Street, Hunters Hill 2110

•Electronic Funds Transfer to The Combined Probus Club of WPH BSB: 012-129 Account Number 280982191 Please remember to put your name on the EFT

Shirley Norton Tel: 98164843 Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 0417024836

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Outings (Maris Wild)

There are no further outings this year.

Maris ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Trips Away (Wal Dover) See October Newsletter for details of the proposed next Trip Away.

OR

Click on the link below:

http://www.probuswph.org.au/resources/2019-Macksville-Trip-Away.pdf

Wal Dover


• Why don’t I have any tattoos? For the same reason you don’t put bumper stickers on a Ferrari.

• Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shovelling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.probuswph.org.au/resources/2019-Macksville-Trip-Away.pdf


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Special Events (Margot Simons)

Our Christmas Lunch will be held on 11th December. See poster below for details.

Margot

This is a photo taken at the 2018 Melbourne Cup Luncheon. (courtesy of John Koens)

To see other photos of this event, click on the website link below:

Link to the 2018 Melbourne Cup Luncheon - Photos


Final Date for Payment: 20th November

http://www.probuswph.org.au/page11/page42/photos-18/index.html

http://www.probuswph.org.au/page11/page42/photos-18/index.html


Reports Monday Mah Jong (Maris Wild) 22nd October:

Mary Bohman came first with 7,700 after coming third in the previous fortnight’s game, then Margaret Goddard had a great day with 5,900 and Lyn Tidbury was third with 3,500.

12th November:

Lynne Horne is climbing up the ranks again with 14,000 (will it be enough to retain the dragon?), Joan Ellem was second with a good score of 9,600 and Mary Bohman, who has had good scores all the way through the year, came third with 4,000.

Maris

Thursday Mah Jong (Terri & Bob Williams) The month of November saw some very high scores. At our first meeting Colin Brown's 16,400 won the day with Gwen Baker's 15,800 not far behind. Two great scores. Next best was Bob Williams' rather pitiful 2500.

At our second outing Graham (Typhoon) Simons appeared above the horizon after a long absence wreaking havoc and destruction on his hapless playing partners with his 14,800 points. Next best was Alison Guthrie's 11,800 and Eric Woodhead's 10,600. All fine scores.

It was good to see such a large number of players (24) for our last game in 2018.

We resume play on 3 January 2019, when we commence proceedings with the presentation of our Grand Celestial Dragon.

The year 2018 was another successful one for our Mah Jong group. We had a lot of fun and are much more comfortable and relaxed in our new venue the Log Room. We thank all our players for making this so, and wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a bright and healthy New Year.

Bob and Terri Williams ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Walking Group (Eric Woodhead and Lawrie Hayes)

No walk in December. Too hot and too busy.

Don’t forget our Walkers Christmas Lunch. Details are:

Venue: Sedici Shop 11, 83 David Road, Castle Hill at 12noon on Thursday 6th December

We have yet to finalise the menu.

Price $36 p.p. to be paid to Shirley before 28th November (BYO wine).

Eric [email protected] 0411 731 663




This is a photo taken at last months Maroubra to Clovelly Walk. (courtesy of Lawrie Hayes)

To see other photos of this walk, click on the website link below:

Link to the Maroubra to Clovelly Walk - Photos

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Theatre Group (Lynette Hope and Sandra McGuiness)

We may have the tickets for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in time for the December meeting and if so we will distribute them at the meeting. If not we will be in touch and arrange to drop them off to your home as soon as we receive them.

Our next show will be Saturday Night Fever on Wednesday 8 May 2019 at 1 pm- more details in the New Year.

Lynette and Sandra.

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Movie Group (Hilda Somerfield) I hope you were able to see one of the movies on offer this month. I did manage to see Bohemian Rhapsody and really enjoyed it. Here are some Critic reviews which are always interesting.

Movie 1: Bohemian Rhapsody

I hope you were able to see this movie because I loved it and thought it was brilliant. I did not know much about Freddie Mercury and ‘Queen’, but certainly did know their music and loved it.

Critic reviews:

The music sequences in this drama (especially the Live Aid performance and the recording of the title song) are electrifying, and Malek is magnetic, but overall the movie is slavishly by-the-numbers. Jeffrey M. Anderson - Common Sense Media

Like Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody is three parts good but not terribly exciting, and one part absolute joyful, fabulous entertainment that makes you forget everything else around it. Olly Richards-Empire

Bohemian Rhapsody winds up being giddily entertaining, first as an exercise in so-bad-it’s-funny kitsch, ultimately as something far more meaningful and thrilling. Ann Hornaday - Washington Post


http://www.probuswph.org.au/page11/photos-21/index.html


https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/bohemian-rhapsody

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/bohemian-rhapsody/review/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/bohemian-rhapsody-is-a-bad-movie-but-boy-is-it-entertaining/2018/10/30/45d4607a-d7d5-11e8-83a2-d1c3da28d6b6_story.html?tid=kp_google


Movie 2: The Old Man & The Gun

I have not yet seen this movie but have heard good things about it. Apparently it is the last movie that Robert Redford intends to make before retirement. I have always enjoyed his films so will make sure I catch it before it finishes.

Critic reviews:

The Old Man & the Gun lingers lazily. It waits for its leathered hero to smile his warm smile while robbing yet another bank. Bob Hoose - Plugged In

And whether it's really his final bow or not, Redford gives a virtuoso performance that feels like a valedictory. You want to salute him. Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

David Lowery’s tale of an elderly bank robber coming up on the end of his career is pleasurably leisurely. Joe Morgenstern - Wall Street Journal

Hilda

The Metropolitan Opera HD Live (2018 Season) - No report this month.

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Murphy and his mate go into a pastry shop.

His mate whisks three cakes into his pocket with lightning speed. The baker doesn't even notice.

His mate then says to Murphy, "You see how clever I am? You can never beat that!”

Murphy says to his mate, "Watch dis, any Paddy is smarter din you, and I'll prove it to ya."

He says to the baker, "Gimme a cake, I'll show ya a magic trick!" The baker gives him the cake, which he promptly eats.

Then he says to the baker, "Gimme a nudder cake for me magic trick." The baker is getting suspicious, but he gives it to him. He eats this one too.

Then he says again, "Gimme one more cake..." The baker is getting angry now, but gives him one anyway. He eats this one too.

Now the baker is really mad, and he yells, "OK... And now where is your famous magic trick?

Murphy says...." Now look in me mates pocket!"

https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/old-man-and-the-gun-2018/

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/old-man-and-the-gun-movie-review-729548/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-old-man-the-gun-review-brightening-the-sunset-years-1538079742


Book Clubs (Brian Wild and Fran Kirby)

No report this month.

Brian

The Second Friday Bookclub

Our November book was The Washerwoman's Dream by Hilarie Lindsay.

This epic story of resolute survival and remarkable experiences in Australia and the Middle East has been reconstructed from meticulous research into the memoirs, newspaper articles, short stories, letters and 14 unpublished novels of Winifred Steger. This could almost be a work of fantastic fiction and a brief summary is beyond me, so here's an extract from the Australian Dictionary of Biography which shows the remarkable nature of her life.

Jane Winifred Steger (1882-1981) was born in London, She had only two years of schooling before migrating to Australia in about 1890 with her father. Her mother apparently walked off the ship before it sailed. Father and daughter suffered severe hardship trying to make a living on a prickly-pear infested land grant block on the Darling Downs, Queensland. So at an early age Winifred was sent to work as a nursemaid for sixpence a week; she then had a succession of poorly paid jobs as a skivvy in a brothel, nursemaid and domestic worker.

At 16 Winifred became pregnant to Charles Steger, an itinerant shearer; they married and had four children. Ten years later she left the violent marriage, without her children. She worked as a barmaid in western Queensland hotels for seven years, and then formed a relationship with an Indian Muslim hawker. They had three children and lived a nomadic life before settling at Oodnadatta, South Australia, where they ran a camel train delivering goods to outback stations. She adopted the Islamic religion and they lived in "Ghantown".

After Ali died, Steger supported herself and her children as a washerwoman. She then married another Indian hawker and they went on the Haj to Mecca, via India, and she claimed to have met Mahatma Ghandi and King Ibn S'aud of Arabia.. She stayed in Bombay (Mumbai) at the palace of the Khalifat, the supreme Muslim body in India, which appointed her secretary of the Khalifat in Australasia, with the task of ensuring that the children of Muslim cameleers adhered to Islam. Back in Oodnadatta, using the pseudonym Bebe Zatoon, she wrote a series of articles published in The Observer in 1928-29.

Winifred separated from her husband and was then invited to become governess to the royal family of Afghanistan, as the only Australian/Muslim woman, and a Hadjana. By the time she arrived in India, with her three youngest children, the royal family had been overthrown. She travelled with a medical team to the Afghanistan border to locate the king and queen and escorted Queen Souriya back to Bombay. On her return to South Australia in 1929, the Register published her 'reliable first-hand impression' of the events.

Returning to Oodnadatta, as "Winifred the Washerwoman" she wrote weekly newspaper serials. During World War II she ran a mess for miners at Tennant Creek, Northern Territory. She moved to Alice Springs, where she managed a poultry farm. In 1952 her first husband (who had refused to divorce her) died. She'd had no contact with the Steger family or her first four children since 1909 until her eldest son came to Alice Springs to break the news.



Moving to the Clare Valley in South Australia, Steger wrote fourteen unpublished novels based on her life in the outback. In the sixties, some were serialised in local papers, and in 1969 Angus and Robertson published her "autobiography", Always Bells: Life with Ali. She continued writing into her late nineties. She celebrated her one-hundredth birthday with much fanfare, including a message from the Queen, three years before the actual centenary. Survived by her seven children, she died in1981 at Campbelltown, Adelaide, and was buried in Enfield cemetery.

This book covers Winifred's life until her partial reconciliation with her children in the late 1960s. It is indeed a remarkable and in some areas "incredible". story. Barry Cook led a lively discussion. Most of the group found it enthralling, describing a level of resilience, hard physical work, emotional and physical isolation, and personal strength and inventiveness in the face of deprivation, poverty and sorrow that's hard to imagine today. And as an evocation of the hardscrabble, grim and physically demanding and emotionally daunting life of a settler, it's incomparable. There were a few quibbles from some, but it's a remarkable story of an unknown woman. It certainly provided much meat for recollection and discussion.

Our next meeting is Friday December 14, discussing One Child by Mei Fong, followed by a Christmas lunch.

New members are still very welcome. Contact Fran Kirby on 0414 239 036 or at [email protected].

Fran Kirby ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………


For those who remember Phyllis Diller here are a few of her Phyllis Dillerisms:

• Whatever you may look like, marry a man your own age. As your beauty fades, so will his eyesight.

• The reason the golf pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing.

• Tranquillisers work only if you follow the advice on the bottle - keep away from children.

• My photographs don't do me justice -they just look like me.

• Burt Reynolds once asked me out. I was in his room.

• We spend the first twelve months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next twelve years telling them to sit down and shut up.

• Any time three New Yorkers get into a cab without an argument, a bank has just been robbed.

• You know you're old if they have discontinued your blood type.

• What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.

• Most children threaten at times to run away from home. This is the only thing that keeps some parents going.



Bowling Along (Carol and Bob Dunning) ANNUAL BOWLING AWAY TRIP 2018

This year we decided to ask our Golf Group to combine with us on our yearly trip again.

We were delighted that President Colleen and husband Eric attended to support our activities.

We decided on staying at The Clan at Terrigal for the nights of 1st and 2nd November. The Breakers Club at nearby Wamberal has facilities for playing both lawn bowls and golf.

We arrived in time to have lunch at the club on Thursday before our golfers took themselves off for a game of golf while the bowlers enjoyed a friendly game of bowls. We had a few Members who had never played bowls before and wished to give it a try. We hope that we have found a few more regular players.

We then stayed on at the Breakers Club for dinner.

After a sumptuous breakfast at the Clan the following morning, the golfers departed for another game of golf and the bowlers drove to The Bateau Bay Bowling Club where they enjoyed a friendly game of bowls against bowlers from The Entrance Probus Club.

As usual, our teams did not fare very well, but the team headed by John Koens and very well supported by Bob Crabb, Joan Heuston and Bev Bonomi had an excellent win against their opponents.

After having lunch at the Club, we returned to The Clan although there was a bit of much needed and therapeutic shopping done by some of the ladies.

Happy Hour started at 4pm. As it was a reasonably warm day, our pre-arranged place was a little too warm so some of our helpful men re-arranged the tables and chairs to a slightly cooler position.

Following our usual drinks, finger food and chats, we wandered into the dining room at The Clan for dinner.

Due to the smaller number of people attending, we were not able to have the Conference Room which would have been supplied with music and a microphone. We were only able to use the main dining room but were all seated in the same area. Fortunately there was only a handful of other customers at the time so we had plenty of space to mix and move around in.

The food was excellent and so was the company.

After another fantastic breakfast the following morning, we departed for home.

Many thanks to all those who attended and helped make it a wonderful few days away.

This is a photo taken at the 2018 Bowlers Away Trip to Terrigal. (courtesy of Carol Dunning)


Link to the Terrigal Bowlers Getaway - Photos





Golf Group (Lawrie Hayes, Michael Hope, Bob Smealie and Howard Thackray)

Our last outing was at the North Turramurra Golf course overlooking the beautiful Cowan creek valley. Twelve players (8 men and 4 ladies) enjoyed near perfect conditions throughout the morning. Lunch was at the Greengate Hotel in Killara . We were joined by Howard and Ruth Thackray and Michael and Lynnette Hope. It is good to see Michael out and about after his recent surgery.

The men’s group 1 (team Hayes, Goddard, Vermeer and Pigdeon) won the day at 7 over followed by group 2 (team Smealie, Simons, Hoopman and Dover) at 13 over. The ladies (Margot Simons. Michelle Smealie, Shirley Norton and Marg Goddard) played the front nine and finished 3 over.

We are considering changing some of our venues due to the lack of luncheon at some of them. Maybe North Ryde, Gordon, and Muirfield on a Wednesday could be the new venues. Have a think about it and lets discuss at the December meeting.

Here’s to hitting it straighter and further.

Lawrie Hayes [email protected] 0417 210 108

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Caravan, Camping and Cabin Group (Colin Brown) Report on the Hunter Valley Trip (19 Nov – 23 Nov 2018)

Another successful trip with 31 Probians attending plus our Mascot “BENJI”.

The weather was a bit windy and dusty but that did not stop us from having fun.

The lunch at the Cypress Lakes Resort was enjoyed by all. The venue was excellent with very nice surroundings.

The tour of the Maitland Gaol was very informative including a visit to the cell once occupied by Ivan Milat. Our guide was a retired Prison Officer how had worked at the gaol for 20 years.

The Xmas lights at the Hunter Valley Gardens were well worth the trip.

We visited several wineries tasting a selection of wines. The Highlight being the visit to Drayton’s where we were entertained by Daniel. He was a great ambassador for Draytons which resulted in numerous purchases and lead to very HAPPY hours followed by BBQ’s.

Mavis Todd entertained us at the THAi Banquet with a very humorous story about a dog.

Several photos have been posted on the Probus Gallery. See below.

We trust that everyone had a good time and look forward to seeing you on our next trip.

Colin and Margaret




This is a photo taken at the Hunter Valley Caravan and Cabin Trip Nov 2018 (courtesy of Colin Brown)


Link to the Caravanners Hunter Valley Trip - Photos


1. The meaning of opaque is unclear.

2. I wasn’t going to get a brain transplant but then I changed my mind.

3. Have you ever tried to eat a clock? It’s very time consuming.

4. A man tried to assault me with milk, cream and butter. How dairy!

5. I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I can’t put it down.

6. If there was someone selling marijuana in our neighbourhood, weed know about it

7. It’s a lengthy article about ancient Japanese sword fighters but I can Sumurais it for you.

8. The other day I held the door open for a clown. I thought it was a nice jester.

9. Need an ark to save two of every animal? I Noah guy.

10. Alternative facts are aversion of the truth.

11. I used to have a fear of hurdles, but I got over it.

12. Atheism is a non-prophet organisation.

13. Did you know they won’t be making yardsticks any longer?

14. I used to be allergic to soap but I’m clean now.

15. The patron saint of poverty is St. Nickeless.

16. What did the man say when the bridge fell on him? This suspension is killing me.

17. Do you have weight loss mantras? Fat chants!

18. My tailor is happy to make a new pair of pants for me. Or sew it seams.




Regular Activities

Members Meeting 1st Tuesday of Month 9:45 am West Pennant Hills Community Centre

Book Club Every 6 Weeks Members Home

The 2nd Friday Book Club

The 2nd Friday in the month

10.00 am Members Home

Book Exchange At the Members Meeting

Bridge Club 1st and 3rd Wednesday

1:30 pm Dural Country Club

Caravan Camping and Cabin Club

Two or three times a year

See Notice Various

Dinner Club January, March, July, September, November

See Notice Various

Golf Club 3rd Monday See Notice Various

Lawn Bowls 1st and 3rd Friday 9:15 am Castle Hill Bowling Club

Mah Jong {Monday} 2nd & 4th Monday 1:15 pm Dural Country Club

Mah Jong {Thursday} 1st and 3rd Thursday 1:15 pm Dural Country Club

Movie Club 3rd Tuesday See Notice See Notice

Theatre Group As per theatre schedules

See Notice Various Theatres

Walking Club 2nd Tuesday Various Various


Risk Management MUST READ

Members must consider their personal capabilities before undertaking any activities with the Club. This includes both housekeeping duties and organised activities such as clubs, groups, trips or walks. It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that they are physically capable of undertaking a particular activity. In particular, please advise the Welfare Officer (Di Cox-Taylor) if you feel that your medical condition precludes you from helping in the hall set up and kitchen rosters.

penn west news and views · penn west news and views no. 184, dec 2018 penn west news and views the...

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