A  REFLECTION The 12 weeks of Term 2 came and went very quickly. We hope everybody has made the most of their individual social lives during this time. We are not here for practice and we only get one chance, LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL. 

AROUND THE BAY Term two got off to a spectacular start with over 120 members and friends traveling around the bay and enjoying each others company on a glorious sunny day. Everybody was able to relax while thoroughly enjoying the scenery and shopping in both Queenscliff and Sorrento. A forty five minute stop at Rippleside Park for morning tea with the scrumptious Cottage Cakes once again proving popular with everybody and ensuring the day got off to a flying start.On to Queenscliff for lunch, preceded by some shopping which I am sure substantially enhanced the local economy. A very pleasant stop in Queenscliff was enjoyed by everybody especially Glenys who accepted an unexpected marriage proposal and an exquisite engagement ring from Anthony Pearse,Coach (67)CONGRATULATIONS TO GLENYS AND ANTHONY.       

DID YOU KNOW?                                                    

The highest recorded temperature in Australia came at Cloncurry, Qld, in 1889, with the mercury reaching a blood boiling 54 degrees Celsius. Charlotte Pass, NSW, holds the record for the lowest recorded temperature with minus 23degrees in 1994.  MIDDLE AGE OLD AGE ISN’T SO BAD WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE. A DIPLOMAT IS A MAN WHO REMEMBERS A WOMAN’S BIRTHDAY BUT NEVER REMEMBERS HER AGE.

MARYSVILLE TRIP  9 AM and we were off to Marysville with Frank Galley as our Coach Driver. Our first stop was the very delightful Fernshaw Park for our traditional morning tea of cottage cakes to fill the hole until lunch. There is no doubt our experienced drivers know where to find great parks for our short stops. On to Marysville where Mother Nature and the organizers had conspired to provide the group with the spectacular trees and leaves, resplendent in their autumn colors. With the sun shining we were treated to a truly brilliant display.  On arrival in Marysville we went direct to Brunos art and sculpture garden where we were given a very informative talk on his works. We then thoroughly enjoyed about an hour of leisure and relaxing, while walking through the garden prior to going back into town for lunch at a diverse range of eating houses.  Of course this was followed by the obligatory browsing and shopping.Back on the coach around 2.30pm and once again Frank found us another fantastic spot for afternoon tea at Maroondah Dam, where we experienced an incredible range of colorful bird life against a background of brilliant autumn colors. Following a wonderful relaxing day we arrived back at the depot around 5pm. Thank you again Frank and Barbara for a very special day. 

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE THE VENTRILOQUIST   with his dummy on his knee, started going through his usual dumb jokes, when a blond in the second row stood on her chair and started shouting;” I’ve heard enough of your stupid blond jokes,” she screamed. “What makes you think you can stereotype women in that way? What does the color of a person’s hair have to do with her as a human being? It’s people like you who keep women like me from being respected at work and in the community and from reaching our full potential as people. It’s all because you and your kind continue to perpetuate discrimination against not only blonds but women in general and, all in the name of humor.  The embarrassed ventriloquist began to apologise, whereupon the blond yelled, “

You stay out of this. I‘m talking to that little !!!!!!!!!!!  on your lap.

SOCIAL CLUB  MANAGEMENT The committee at its May meeting addressed the matter of recurrent costs in light of the heavy cost increases for the drink machine condiments in the last 12 months.  Our suppliers have indicated that further increases are inevitable; however the committee will ensure they minimize any purchase price increases by shopping around. We do not anticipate any further increases to users of the hot and cold drink machines in the next club year. The price of items in the machines have not risen while the cost to purchase those same products have risen significantly in the three year life of this committee, and I have no doubt over the last ten years.                       

(WHILST ACKNOWLEDGING THE % INCREASES, WE BELIEVE THEY ARE WARRANTED TO ENSURE MEMBERS FUNDS ARE MANAGED IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER. THE PROFITS ARE RETURNED TO MEMBERS IN THE FORM OF FREE AND SUBSIDISED SOCIAL EVENTS. ) 

MEMBERSHIP COSTS A review of membership costs has resulted in the committee deciding to increase membership fees; however, they have been kept to a minimum. The committee believe that we all get very good value for our fees and a lot more than comparable social clubs. (THESE NEW MEMBERSHIP FEES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE 2008/09 SOCIAL CLUB YEAR).

 SPECIAL NOTE :--  FROM THE START OF THE 2008/09 SOCIAL CLUB YEAR PRO RATA MEMBERSHIP WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE.       The committee believes that these very modest increases will ensure members will continue to enjoy the high standard of both free and subsidized social events as well as ensuring we pull our weight financially.

VENDING MACHINES Our club is very lucky to have access to, and use of the drink machines and the resultant profits. We are also given access to the extremely comfortable Coaches for our outings, all of these resources belong to Crown Coaches. We are also very fortunate to have our Company Directors, Vic and Julie as our Patrons. In addition, JULIE’S very thorough management of the club finances as our treasurer certainly indicates her commitment to our club. VIC’S hands on involvement as a driver for our outings, the repairs to our equipment together with the generous access to office supplies certainly encourages and fully supports us in our social activities.

“THANK YOU”  VIC and JULIE.  SOCIAL CLUB ANNUAL ELECTIONS NOMINATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM OUR SECRETARY SUE, JULIE IN THE FRONT OFFICE AND ALSO ON THE SOCIAL CLUB NOTICE BOARDS FROM THE 21ST OF JULY. ALL POSITIONS WILL BE DECLARED VACANT AND MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO APPLYING FOR THE FOUR (4) EXECUTIVE POSITIONS AND THE EIGHT (8) GENERAL COMMITTEE POSITIONS. ALTHOUGH THE CONSTITUTION ALLOWS FOR TWELVE POSITIONS WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING WITH A COMMITTEE OF TEN (10).  LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ALL THESE POSITIONS ARE FILLED TO ENSURE PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED ON THE COMMITTEE TO PREPARE THEM TO TAKE FUTURE LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN OUR CLUB. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF OUR VICE PRESIDENT ANDREW, WHO WILL NOT BE RE-NOMINATING AND OUR SECRETARY SUE WHO, HAVING LEFT THE EMPLOY OF CROWN COACHES IS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR EXECUTIVE POSITIONS. (SUE HAS INDICATED THAT SHE WILL NOMINATE FOR A GENERAL COMMITTEE POSITION) ALL OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL RE-NOMINATE FOR A POSITION.  IF YOU ARE A POSITIVE, HIGHLY MOTIVATED TEAM PLAYER WITH LOTS OF ENERGY, AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR CLUB GROW, GRAB A NOMINATION FORM, FILL IT IN AND PLACE IT IN THE RED BOX IN THE MEAL ROOM BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE ON THE 23RD OF AUGUST 2008.

Quotable Quotes “If you take responsibility for yourself you will develop a hunger to accomplish your dreams.”------      Les Brown. “He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, while he who has one enemy shall meet him everywhere”------ Ralph Waldo.  

FOOTBALL TIPPING Well ! after 13 rounds we have a clearer picture of the top 12 knowledgeable tipsters. Up to round five we were starting to sort ourselves out without any real form to call on. Well, what’s new, I hear you say, who can work out which team is going to turn up switched on to play, certainly not me, I was 10 behind after Round 9 and I am now 12 behind. At the half way mark of the season Vince Lowden had 69 correct tips at an incredible average of 6.27 per week. I know a couple of coaches who would like to talk to Vince.Two back on 67 was Steven Rooney ( who is a resident from Fitzroy Crossing in  Western Australia ) with Nick Poulton. A further 2 back on 65 was Nellie Wilks with Ian Poulton a further 2 back on 63. At the start of the school holidays (Round 13) the top twelve tipsters were: VINCE LOWDEN 80, STEVE ROONEY 78, NICK POULTON 76, KATHY PARTRIDGE 75, DI BARNETT & BOB CHIRON 74, IAN POULTON 73, JULIE HAOUST & RAY FRASER 72, INESE CHIRON, PETER DEAN, & STEVE CARMICHAEL 71.     WITH A FEW PB’S I MIGHT CATCH THEM UP FROM MY  66 

Good luck everybody in the 2nd half of the year. 

SOME TRIVIA QUESTIONS 1. In financial terms, what is the IMF?          2. When was the Panama Canal opened? 3. What is West Australia Floral Emblem?   4. Who won last years AFL Grand Final? 5. What are the two winning numbers made with dice in craps? 6. In golf, what is the term for two over par? 7. Who have Carlton beaten twice this year?

ANSWERS WILL BE ON THE NOTICE BOARD.

 FUTURE EVENTS 

20th JULY CHRISTMAS IN JULY.

We are off to the GRAND RIDGE BREWERY in MIRBOO NORTH. (THIS SOCIAL IS FULLYBOOKED OUT AS THE RESTAURANT COULD ONLY SEAT 100 PEOPLE) 30TH AUGUST Our “Annual General Meeting” and Dinner Dance in the    Cost  $20 FINE DINING ROOM at the SKY HIGH RESTAURANT.MEMBERS  If the weather is kind to us on the night the spectacular lights of Melbourne and surrounds will certainly enhance our visit to MT. DANDENONG NON MEMBERS     Non Members are certainly welcome to join us for this threeCost $60 course fine dining experience, music and dancing.  SEPTEMBER.  The committee have not made a decision on an event for this month. As soon as a decision is made we will let everybody know. The RAAF Museum could be a possibility in September. 

25TH OCTOBER

Our Annual Shopping Tour with a meal included has Cost  $35 MEMBER been arranged. More details will be posted on the notice $45  NON MEMBERS board and the Company Web Site closer to the date. 1ST NOVEMBER A MYSTERY TRIP  on the Saturday and Sunday of the Melbourne Cup Weekend. This particular time has been chosen to ensure we access a particular event on the Saturday and a special location for a lunch on the Sunday. At the time of writing the total cost is not available however, the sub-committee has been asked to keep the total cost at or below $150. More details in the next newsletter.

30TH NOVEMBER

The Christmas Break Up.  This year we are returning to FREE TO MEMBERSAT the Toboggan Park  (recently renamed) FUN FIELDS, at Whittlesea.  Again, further details will be in the next newsletter and on the company web site CALLING FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST  A SNOW TRIP We have set aside the first week in August for a trip to the snow.  MT BAW BAW has been nominated as the destination however, snow conditions will ultimatelydetermine where we go. (A LIST IS IN THE MEAL ROOM OR RING MICHAEL.

SOME PROPOSED EVENTS THE BROADWAY MUSICAL “WICKED” THE UNTOLD STORY OFTHE WITCHES OF OZ  (Possibly in January 2009, just before we come back to work in the New Year.) MELBOURNE HAUNTED TOURS,   RAAF MUSEUM POINT COOK, ,  NATIONAL SPORTS MUSEUM If members have any thoughts on an outing for the club to explore please let a committee member know or put the suggestion in the red box in the meal room, your input is very much appreciated. TITANIC THEATRE RESTAURANT Fully booked three weeks in advance we were certainly not disappointed. What can I say! An absolutely fantastic night made even more enjoyable by the incredible organising skills of Barbara Rooney and Barbara Moffat. Everybody who put their name on the list had been accommodated as Barbara Rooney kept in touch with the Restaurant management to update our requirements and secure additional berths. From the time the event was advertised Barbara Moffat was kept extremely busy collecting money, establishing a waiting list and satisfying everybody who wanted to board the TITANIC. Arriving at the depot Barbara’s organising skills were very evident as we boarded our designated coaches and then again at the Restaurant where we were able to go straight to our pre arranged tables. A fantastic effort Barb & Barb, thank you from everybody who attended.  Member co-operation with the organisers is very much encouraged and most appreciated. Our Coach Captains Bob McDonald and Ken Longford made sure we arrived at the ship in perfect time for boarding. Down into the bowels of the safest unsinkable ship in the world, via a lift, we were promptly served our three course meal (not bad for third or steerage class) and soon after an extremely energetic passenger interactive floor show was underway. (I think we had a few would be actors and dancers in our midst!) The level of energy was incredible throughout the entire evening and one could be forgiven for thinking the passengers had not seen each other for months. The evening culminated with an hours spontaneous dancing in the aisles. Back on the coaches around 11pm we were transported safely back to the depot thankful in the knowledge we were part of the small % of passengers in steerage who survived the sinking of the TITANIC.THANK YOU TO THE ORGANISERS AND OUR COACH CAPTAINS FOR WHAT COULD ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS AN INCREDIBLY WELL ORGANISED, ENERGETIC, INTERACTIVE SOCIAL EVENT.

OUR CONSTITUTION- PROPOSED CHANGES/ADDITIONSOur constitution is based on the ModelRules issued by CONSUMER AFFAIRS VICTORIA.  Member input was sought at the four meetings held during June and July. Member input is again being canvassed prior to presentation for adoption at our AGM in AUGUST.  Modifications and additions designed to meet our clubs particular needs have been included in the DRAFT CONSTITUTION that will again be available on the Notice Board from early JULY. The attention of all members is drawn to the proposed additions, in particular Section 6, where Full Membership has been defined and where provision for Associate Membership has also been made and defined.   Following adoption at our AGM it will be submitted to Consumer Affairs for ratification.  

ANY QUERIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO EITHER RAY FRASER BUS 2 OR MICHAEL ELKINS BUS 45.

SOME MORE HUMOUR 9 MONTHS LATER Jack decided to go skiing with his buddy, Bob. So they loaded up Jack’s minivan and headed north. After driving for a few hours, they got caught in a terrible storm so they pulled into a nearby farm and asked the attractive lady who answered the door if they could spend the night.“I realize it’s terrible weather out there and I have this huge house all to myself, but I’m recently widowed,” she explained. “I’m afraid the neighbors will talk if I let you stay in my house.” “Don’t worry,” Jack said.” We’ll be happy to sleep in the barn. And if the weather breaks, we’ll be gone at first light.” The lady agreed, and the two men found their way to the barn and settled in for the night. Come morning, the weather had cleared and they got on their way. They enjoyed a great weekend of skiing.But 9 months later, Jack got an un expected letter from an attorney. It took him a few minutes to figure it out, but he finally determined that it was from the attorney of that attractive widow he had met on the ski weekend.He dropped in on his friend Bob and asked, “Bob, do you remember that good- looking widow from the farm we stayed at on our ski holiday up north about 9 months ago? “Yes, I do.” Said Bob. “Did you, er, happen to get up in the middle of the night, go up to the house and pay her a visit?”. “Well, um, yes,” Bob said, a little embarrassed about being found out, “I have to admit that I did.”“And did you happen to give her my name instead of telling her your name?” Bob’s face turned beet red and he said, “Yeah, look, I’m sorry, buddy. I’m afraid I did.Why do you ask?” “She just died and left me everything.” (AND YOU THOUGHT THE ENDING WOULD BE DIFFERENT, DIDN’T YOU?NOW KEEP THAT SMILE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.)