Penn West News and Views - probuswph.org.au · Penn West News and Views No. 174, Feb 2018 Penn West News and Views ... (only second time in three years) with 9,500. Nanette D’Arcy

Penn West News and Views No. 174, Feb 2018

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

President’s Message Very little to report for the past month what with all the holidays associated with Christmas and the New Year.

The main activity for January is our Australia Day (January 26th) BBQ commencing at 5pm at the Community Centre. At the time of writing a real Australian summer is with us and temperatures are into the late 30's and early 40's. A bit testing for some. I trust that our OZ BBQ function is not visited by one of those days.

Member Keith Highfield who had global experience over many years within the Maritime world gave us a look at what transpired when ships he was on as a Chief Engineer arrived in port from a country that had Cholera outbreaks.

Keith, as our January Guest Speaker spoke of the way "testing" was carried out in the 1950's on all crew members to ensure no one carried the germ.

Inserted was a glass rod into the bowl and then tests carried out on what was found in the rod. Not an easy subject to discuss but Cholera is so fast spreading and so deadly that it had to be prevented from entering clean regions by any means possible. Thankfully a vaccination today has done away with that uncomfortable glass rod test.

Thanks Keith and we look forward to a few more of your stories in 2018.

Please note in your Diaries. Tuesday April 3rd, The Epping Club the Presidents Change Over Lunch. More later.

Members - We are back to the first Tuesday of the month for our meetings. The second Tuesday this month was only a "one off" due to the holiday period. David

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

What’s Happening in the coming months

Feb 14 Valentine’s Day Banquet - Oakhill Oriental

Feb 18 A Day Trip on the Harbour

Feb 27 NSW Mounted Police Tour - Redfern

Mar 11-17 Lakes Entrance and High Country Tour

April 3 Changeover Lunch - The Epping Club

April 5 or 6 Premier’s Gala Concert

April 11 Mama Mia (possibly)

Oct 9 - 12 Walkers Getaway - Shellharbour.

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 6th February - 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)

February March April

John Koens Rudy Liedermann No Meeting

Mike Kirby Graham Osborn Changeover

Graham Laughton Russ Riddell Lunch


February 2018 Robert EalesThe Compassionate English woman - The Boer War

March 2018 The Cumberland State Forest Civic Trust

April 2018 No Guest Speaker Changeover Lunch

February March April

Anita Koens Eva Liedermann No Meeting

Fran Kirby Ann Osborn Changeover

Mary Laughton Pam Riddell Lunch

mailto:[email protected]?subject=


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Membership Matters (Marjorie Seaton)

Over the past two months two of our foundation members resigned: Barrie Steddy and Kaye Alcorn. We thank them for their contribution to the club and wish them all the best in the future.

This month we welcome a new member, Geoff Childs, to our club. Please make him welcome over morning tea.

Responsibilities of Members

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.

Membership Officer

Marjorie at [email protected]


All Members Please Note.

At the AGM in March all Committee positions will be declared vacant except for President, which under club rules is automatically offered to the outgoing Vice-President. Nomination forms for the Committee for the new Probus year will be available from the Secretary at the February meeting. Nominations for positions on the 2018/2019 Committee close at the end of business at the February meeting, therefore if you feel you can contribute please consider nominating for a position on the Committee.

Barbara Shannon (Secretary)

Some things are just better left unsaid. and I usually realise it right after I have said them.

mailto:[email protected]


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Welfare (Di Cox-Taylor)

There are no welfare issues to report this month.

Please let me know of anyone who is ill or in need of assistance.

Go safely and keep active.

Di Cox-Taylor ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Money Matters - From the Treasurer (Shirley Norton)

I would like to remind everyone that paying for functions at the desk requires a function registration notice to be completed. The Desk gets very busy at times and filling in the registration at the desk ties the Ladies up and they are unable to serve everyone.

So it would be greatly appreciated if you came prepared or at least take the registration away to be completed.

Members and those on the waiting list there are three methods of payment for Outings and Membership Subscriptions.

• Paying at the meeting by cheque or cash.

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

• Electronic Funds Transfer to Combined Probus of WPH . BSB 012-129

ACCOUNT NUMBER 280982191

Please remember to put your name on the EFT

Shirley Norton Tel: 9816 4843 Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0417 024 836

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Trips Away (Wal Dover)

7 DAY LAKES ENTRANCE & HIGH COUNTRY TOUR (SUN) 11/3/18 – 17/3/18 (SAT)

The Lakes Entrance tour will leave from the West Pennant Hills Community Centre on Sunday 11/3/18 at 7.00 AM.

There are 19 starters consisting of 14 from WPH Probus club and 5 others the tour company has included from around the Pymble area

(Probably Probus members also)

Hopkinsons have held the cost at $1,235.00 per person (twin share) but unfortunately have to charge an additional $315.00 single supplement (total $1550.0)

Full payment is required by 5TH FEBRUARY 2018 and is to be made by bank transfer to …….



National Australia Bank Name : Hopkinsons BSB : 082762 A/C : 73321 1948 Please enter your Surname in the “Description Field”.

There may be others whose circumstances have changed and would now like to go or who missed the original advertisement. The tour company has left the bookings open for another week or so.

Any enquiries please call me.

A summary of tour inclusions as follows:

Tour Inclusions • 6 night’s motel accommodation • Luxury Coach Travel • 6 cooked motel breakfasts • 6 motel dinners • 3 included lunches – see below • Guided tour of Eden including a visit to the Killer Whale Museum. • Lunch at the Historic Marlo Hotel, Marlo • Talk and afternoon tea at the Orbost Exhibition Centre, Orbost • Visit, lunch and wine tasting at Wyanga Park Winery, Lakes Entrance • One way cruise from winery to Lakes Entrance • Guided tour of Bairnsdale and visit to St Mary’s Church • Self-guided tour at Nyerimerlang Park, Lakes Entrance • Lunch at Dinner Plain Hotel, Dinner Plain • Guided tour of Bright • Guided tour of Beechworth and entry to the Burke Museum • Guided tour of the Courthouse including talk on Ned Kelly history, Beechworth • Entry to Kelly Vault, Beechworth • Entry to the Cultural Precinct, Beechworth

Suggested Accommodation • Coachman’s Rest Motor Inn, Eden • The Esplanade Hotel, Lakes Entrance • Ovens Valley Motor Inn, Beechworth

Tour Cost (GST inclusive) $1,235.00 per person twin share $315.00 single supplement.

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OVERSEAS TRIP

16 Night Great Wall Tour and Japan Cruise 9/9/18 – 23/9/18

This trip has been cancelled. Watch this space for other options in the future.

Wal Dover 0407 208 415.

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Outings (Maris Wild

February

Exclusive Day Trip on the Harbour Date: Sunday, 18th February - The submarine attack on Sydney Harbour Cost: $85 Time: 11.00 a.m. Address: Casino Wharf Payment: ASAP Peter Gross is the author of ‘A Very Rude Awakening: The night the Japanese midget subs came to Sydney’. He will be providing the commentary on the tour. Coffee and tea on boarding and lunch included. There will be a cash bar. I have checked with the organiser and as of Tuesday, 23rd January there are 5 places left so if any late comers would like to come they need to pay as quickly as possible.

NSW Mounted Police Tour Date: Tuesday, 27th February Cost: Free Time: 11.00 a.m. Address: 7 Baptist Street, Redfern (opposite Surry Hills Shopping Centre and close to Moore Park) Bookings: There is a limit of 20 per session and that has been overbooked.

I have made another booking for both the 10.00 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. session but that will not be until Tuesday, 29th May.

There is a list on the table with the names for the February tour and another for 29th May, with columns for the two different times.

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

Special Events (Margo Simons) Don’t forget the Changeover Luncheon on the 3rd April. See flyer below.

This is a photo taken of the Australia Day celebration at the Clubhouse. (courtesy of Carol Dunning)

To see a larger version of this photo and others, click on the website link below:

Link to Australia Day celebration - Photos


http://www.probuswph.org.au/page11/page42/photos-7/index.html




Reports Monday Mah Jong (Maris Wild)

22nd January - still a few on holidays or child-minding duties but we had three tables and of course, a few laughs.

Maris Wild came first (only second time in three years) with 9,500. Nanette D’Arcy was second with 5,500 and Angela Crowe had 3,500.

Maris

Thursday Mah Jong (Terri & Bob Williams) On 4 January we had our presentation, our 25th, covering the previous 6 month's play. The winner of the Celestial Dragon with a score of 35,500 was Gwen Baker; it was her second win. Judith Reidy was second with 25,600, Ann Turner third with 19,300 and Bob Crabb fourth with 17,300. Bob also won the Hosking Walking Stick. Congratulations all.

Ann Turner led the way at our first game in 2018 with 12,400 points. Julia Sinclair was second with 10,000 and Barbara Taylor third with 7000.

On 18 January Judith Reidy won the day with 14,000, Alison Guthrie had 9000 and Terri Williams 6800. Well done everybody.

Bob and Terri Williams

Colin Brown, the previous Dragon winner,

presenting the Dragon to Gwen Baker

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Arguing with a woman is like reading the Software Licence Agreement.

In the end you have to ignore everything and click “I Agree”.


Walking Group (Eric Woodhead)

Tuesday 13th February, 2018 - Rydalmere to MedRock

Meet at John Street Wharf, Rydalmere by 10am for a ~5k walk alongside the Parramatta River to Meadowbank

Don’t forget to bring your Opal card for the return trip.

Lunch at the new MedRock Bar & Grill (where Stonebar used to be)

$12 Lunch Specials plus a wide range of reasonable priced “everything” you’d like to eat.

Return via Rivercat at 2pm or 3pm, or walk up to Victoria Road for the M52 bus back to Johns Street.

Interest Form & full details at the February meeting.

Contact:- Lawrie Hayes Ph: 9980 9917 Mobile: 0417 210 108

Tuesday - Friday 9th – 12th October, 2018 Walkers Get Away Shellharbour

The motel is holding our reservation for 3 nights for the 22 rooms at The Shellharbour Motel.

Arrive in afternoon of Tuesday 9th October & depart on Friday morning 12th October

Make a note in your diaries. Room rates are slightly higher than last year.

Further details in due course.

The Managers, Jackie & Wayne, have said - “We look forward to welcoming your lovely group back again”.

Eric Woodhead 9894 1663 0411 731 663


A couple had been married for many years. Whenever there was a confrontation, you could hear them yelling at each other. The old man would shout: "When I die, I’ll dig my way up out of the grave and come back to haunt you for the rest of your life!" The old man liked the fact that everyone was scared of him. But then he died.

After the funeral, a neighbour asked the old man’s widow if she was afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out of the grave and haunt her for the rest of her life?" “No”, she replied " Let him dig. I had him buried upside down... and I know he won't ask for directions.”


Theatre Group (Lee Freeman and Lynette Hope) No report this month.

Lee Freeman (9871 3293 or 0402137744) and Lynette Hope

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Movie Group (Hilda Somerfield)

We have started our year with some really good movies. Hope you were able to see one of the movies on offer this month.

Movie 1: Darkest Hour

We really enjoyed this movie and Gary Oldman gives a terrific performance as Winston Churchill. I felt I was watching the real Winston Churchill so I hope there is an Oscar for this Actor...well deserved. Here are some reviews I have read.

Critic reviews

Churchill’s darkest hour is Gary Oldman’s finest. Gripping, touching, amusing and enlightening, his performance is the prime reason this film must be seen — but not the only one. Empire

Balances the great orator's public triumphs with more vulnerable private moments of self-doubt, elevating the inner workings of British government into a compelling piece of populist entertainment. Variety

Joe Wright's drama features a transformative turn by the excellent Gary Oldman as Churchill; unfortunately, the limited-scope biopic doesn't have much more in its arsenal than that. Common Sense Media

Movie 2: The Post

This is another excellent movie and certainly one to put on your ‘to see’ list. The main characters are played by Tom Hanks and Merryl Streep who are so good in this film. It is so interesting and frustrating to hear about the history of what the Government of the day was doing during the 1960’s and the Vietnam War.

Critic reviews

Streep and Hanks shine in Spielberg's timely defense of the press and its freedom to expose corruption -- even when it implicates or embarrasses those in political power. Common Sense Media

Throttles along in a pleasurably bustling, down-to-the-timely-minute way. Variety

It’s a great story told well, for the most part, and exceptionally well through Meryl Streep’s Katharine Graham, the Post’s publisher. Wall Street Journal

Hilda


https://www.empireonline.com/movies/darkest-hour-2/review/

http://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/darkest-hour-review-gary-oldman-1202545711/

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/darkest-hour

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/darkest-hour

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-post

http://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/the-post-review-tom-hanks-meryl-streep-1202631640/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-post-review-vibrant-vital-and-essential-1513640149


Book Club (Brian Wild and Fran Kirby)

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This novel is set in France during the German occupation in World War 2, and focusses heavily on the role played by women during the conflict. Although fictional, it draws on the experiences of some real individuals.

Vianne and Isabelle Rossignol are sisters who are initially estranged from each other. Vianne is a schoolteacher in the south of France, whose husband is captured by the Germans early in the war. She faces difficulties in feeding herself and her daughter on the meagre rations allowed, and is forced to accept billeting of Wehrmacht and SS officers in her house. Her problems increase when her close friend, who is Jewish, is arrested and sent to a concentration camp. At great risk to herself and her daughter, Vianne takes steps to rescue several Jewish children by placing them in an orphanage, and she also adopts the child of her Jewish friend.

Isabelle is more impetuous than her sister, and is determined from the outset to do what she can to oppose the German occupation. After briefly joining her sister and distributing anti-Nazi propaganda she returns to Paris and develops a resistance cell which assists downed airmen to escape to Spain for later repatriation. She is given the code name ‘Nightingale’ and is actively hunted by the Nazis, who eventually succeed in capturing her. However, they do not realise her importance to the network and rather than executing her she is sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp.

The physical trials endured by Isabelle during the resistance efforts, and later in the concentration camp are described in great detail, as are the dilemmas faced by Vianne, and her abuse by an SS officer during the occupation.

The novel concludes with details of a reunion of resistance workers held in Paris many years later. Some surprising details of the story are revealed there.

The group thoroughly enjoyed this novel and awarded it an average score of 9/10.

Brian

The Second Friday Bookclub will have its first meeting at 10am on Friday February 8, at Fran Kirby's home (218 Excelsior Avenue Castle Hill).

We'll be discussing “All The Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr.

Anyone wanting to join us should ring Fran on 0414239036.

Fran ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Bowling Along (Carol and Bob Dunning)

No report this month. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Caravan, Camping and Cabin Group (Colin Brown)

No report this month



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

Next outing is on 19th February, 2018 at the North Turramurra Golf Course

North Turramurra Golf course. “forget the golf and enjoy the view”.

Lawrie Hayes [email protected] 0417 210 108

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(Dinner Club) (Eric Woodhead)

Wednesday 14th February, 2018 - A Valentine’s Day Banquet Oakhill Oriental Shop 8, Oakhill Village, David Road, Castle Hill (next to Sedici) Celebrate Valentine’s Day, all welcome, with or without a “Valentine” 6pm for a sumptuous Chinese Banquet $25 p.p. BYO drinks – no charge Pay on line to Shirley or at the February meeting We are limited to 40 “diners” – First In Best Dressed

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A boy breaks an old vase at a rich uncle‘s house. The uncle gets extremely angry and yells: “Do you even know how old that vase was? It was from the 17th century!”

The boy sagged in relief: “Oh, thank goodness. It wasn’t new.”

mailto:[email protected]


Guess who is having their 60th Wedding Anniversary this month?

(For the answer - Turn page upside down)


Joan and Stan Ellem

A SPANISH Teacher was explaining to her class that in Spanish, unlike English, nouns are designated as either masculine or feminine. "House for instance, is feminine: "la casa." "Pencil," however, is masculine "el lapiz."

A student asked, "What gender is 'computer'?"

Instead of giving the answer, the teacher split the class into two groups, male and female, and asked them to decide for themselves whether "computer" should be a masculine or a feminine noun.. Each group was asked to give four reasons for its recommendation.

The men's group decided that "computer" should definitely be of the feminine gender ("la computadora"), because:

• No one but their creator understands their internal logic • The native language they use to communicate with other computers is

incomprehensible to everyone else; • Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for possible later

retrieval; • As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your pay

check on accessories for it.

The women's group, however, concluded that computers should be Masculine ("el computador"), because:

• In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on • They have a lot of data but still can't think for themselves; • They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the

problem; • As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had waited a little longer, you

could have gotten a better model.


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.



Documents

Penn West News and Views - probuswph.org.au · Penn West News and Views No. 174, Feb 2018 Penn West News and Views ... (only second time in three years) with 9,500. Nanette D’Arcy