The night started young with a few groups partaking in pre dinner parties. The night started off with the Annual General Meeting. Our patrons Vic and Julie were presented with rather large memberships cards and presentations were made to the outgoing committee. Thank you to the outgoing committee for their commitment to the Social Club in organizing outings and functions. Those committee members who chose not to return this year are as follows Pauline Dower, Barbara Moffat, Barbara Rooney, Inese Chiron, Ken Longford, Julie Haoust and Sue Lowe.

Under the skilful hand of Victor Haoust the committee elections were swiftly dealt with and the newly elected committee for 2009/2010 was elected, uncontested as follows:

Executive Committee:

Brian Woodward - President

Trish Daley - Vice President

Terri Williams - Secretary

Kristina Govic - Treasurer

Committee Members:

John Ashton, Kylie Foulger, Michelle Goder, Graeme Green, Rod Smith, Emma Williams.

The food and entertainment was plentiful and it was great to see that everyone got up to dance and let their hair down, there was an incident on the dance floor at one stage where Rod Smith and Sandy Bell got into a bit of a tangle, and the antics that was going on at some of the tables certainly drew some attention - which table?????????

Ben Nazemainpour gave us his rendition of "What About Me" and John Abadjian was blown away with his raffle prize.

For those people who stayed the night at the Beau Monde there was a Pyjama party, which was also very entertaining and all that could be said is that if anyone is planning a party in the future, please keep the helium balloons away from Annie Angus.

Thank you to –

* Pauline Dower and Terri Williams for finding the venue and organizing a great AGM - well done.

* To Brian and Janelle Woodward for organizing the lovely flowers and wine for the outgoing Committee Members.

* To Geoff Roberts and his band for the entertainment for the evening.

* To those who donated some goodies for door prizes, Ken Longford and Robyn Petherbridge.

* Finally a big thankyou to Ken Longford for his exceptional MC skills. Ken kept the evening rolling smoothly ensuring raffles and things in general went off without a hassle.

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET TRIP – FRIDAY 11.9.2009

The day dawned very warm but windy, 10 adults and 1 child (who I might add was very well behaved) set off to buy, eat or just explore. After a few quick games of BINGO, and believe it or not even the driver joined in, After nearly two hours of everyone doing their own thing all members alighted the bus for the return trip home.

Next market day – 19 November 2009 – South Melbourne Market.

ANNUAL SHOPPING TOUR – SATURDAY 31.10.2009

At 7.45am sharp, 30 females, 1 brave male, Graeme Green our driver and our hostess boarded our coach for a jam filled day of shopping. First stop was in Mulgrave at Toy Networx. There are going to be some very lucky children at Christmas this year judging by the toys that were purchased. Morning tea was some yummy biscuits and a hot cuppa and then it was straight back into finding bargains.

Lunch was a lovely and relaxed two course meal with bubbly and another cuppa for those who wished. Many of us full to the brim groaned our way back to the coach. However, the full feeling didn’t last long as there were more bargains to be had. Linen, toys and shoes seemed to be the popular items although there was one committee member seen to be carrying an eski full of chocolate.

A big thankyou to Graeme Green for his exceptional driving skills, including getting out of one very tight spot, with the assistance of Emma Williams and Kristina Govic. How does Kristina stop traffic, on a Saturday afternoon, on a busy street in Richmond?????

The free seat was raffled and won by Mary, Graeme’s mother-in-law. Most venues gave generous raffle prizes and these were raffled off on the way home. After 13 outlets, lunch and bargain hunting we all returned home, very tired, purses poorer for the adventure but glad for the bargains and the coach groaning under all the purchases. There was no room in the bins underneath and every spare seat was jammed full of shopping.

Thanks to all our shoppers and hope to see you again next year.

THE DINNER GROUP.

August saw an African restaurant in Dandenong as the venue.

September saw 20 diners converge on Café OGGI in East Burwood for a night of fine wine, great food and sparkling company. Many diners chose oysters natural with dipping sauces while those not so game opted for Oysters Kilpatrick. Pizzas, pasta, loin of lamb were just some of the main courses consumed.

The company was terrific and well worth the trip out after a long hard week. Great way to wind down ready for the weekend.

October saw a visit to Delhi Moguls, Indian Cuisine located in Pinewood Shopping Centre.

We welcome the attendance of anyone, just pop your name and contact phone number on the listings posted in the meal room or contact JOHN ASHTON, Coach 69.

Congratulations John for this bright and popular idea – and for organizing the bookings.

FOOTY TIPPING 2009.

And the winners were…………………………..

Anton Balch with 125 points

Bill D’Aliosio also with 125 points

Barbara Moffat with 124 points.

Congratulations to our top tippers.

MONTHLY DRAW WINNERS

SEPTEMBER - Sylvia Brown.

OCTOBER - Pam Clapham.

NOVEMBER - Mario Bouton

Congratulations to all our winners.

FOR YOUR DIARIES

NOVEMBER 2009

13/11/2009 - The Dinner Group – "An An ", Vietnamese Restaurant. 80 Kingsway, Glen Waverley.

From 6.30pm onwards. BYO Wine only. Contact John Ashton.

19/11/2009 - South Melbourne Market Trip.

Departs Nunawading depot at 10.15am and returns approx 1.00pm. $5-00 per head payable upon boarding. Contact Kristina Govic or Trish Daley.

29/11/2009 - Annual Children’s’ Christmas Party – Funfields, Whittlesea.

FREE to members. Non members $35 per person or $100 per family of 2 adults and 2 children aged from birth to 16 years. Coach will depart from the depot at 9.00am for travel to Whittlesea. Entrance to the park is from 11.00am for those wishing to travel by car. BYO drinks and nibblies. A spit roast with salads l will be served at 12.30pm. Lots of activities for children of all ages and a visit from Santa. A small gift will be presented by Santa to all children aged birth to 16 years but they must be registered on membership forms. Please provide names, sex and ages of all children attending to Trish Daley or Terri Williams by no later than Tuesday 17/11/2009.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS EVENT IS STRICTLY THURSDAY 12.11.09.

DECEMBER 2009

2/12/2009 – Laguna Biscuits, Nunawading.

$2 donation for bus travel. Bus will depart from the depot at 10.15am. This outlet has biscuits, cakes and frozen yummies. Has also a range of Christmas goodies. This trip will see a tasting of some of their yummy produce. Any purchases over $30 will attract a 15% discount, and under $30 will attract at 10%discount.

9/12/2009 - Cadburys, Ringwood.

Limited to 24 adults only. $5-00 members, $10 non-members, payable upon booking. Departs Nunawading depot at 11.15am for an 11.45am start at Cadburys. Places issued on a first come, first pay basis. Please contact - Emma Williams or Trish Daley.

11/12/2009 - The Dinner Group – The Cuckoo, Olinda.

$45 per head. From 7.00pm onwards. Bus will be available at $5 per head return trip. $45 includes meal and floorshow, just need to purchase your own drinks on the night. When RSVPing please indicate whether you wish to travel by bus or car.

Contact John Ashton .

Crown Coaches Social Club events are listed in our Events Calendar, click here.

One our newest members Jean Aldridge has kindly given us the recipe for Chicken Korma. Adil and Renee have contributed with a couscous recipe and Mark Gotsalks has kindly sourced some suitable wines.

CHICKEN KORMA (SERVES 4).

1 kg boneless skinless chicken thigh fillets

3 onions

3 tbps olive oil

2 fresh green chilies (just slit in the centre, keep whole)

1 tbps ground cumin

1 tbps ground coriander

½ tsp ground turmeric

½ tsp ground fresh ginger

½ fenugveek seeds

1, 400 ml coconut milk or 1 ¼ cups yogurt

2 cardamoms, crushed

Salt to taste.

Cut the chicken into 1 inch pieces. Thinly slice 2 of the onions. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the chillies, the sliced onions and fry until brown.

Chop the remaining onion and add it to the pan with all the spices, except the cardamoms. Continue to fry until the spices lighten in colour. Add the chicken pieces, cardamoms. Add half of the coconut milk and simmer until chicken is cooked. Add a little water if necessary and salt to taste. When chicken is fully cooked add remaining coconut milk.

Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with rice. Good luck in your cooking – Jean Aldridge.

COUCOUS

2 lbs couscous

6 oz butter

1 glass oil

1 tbsp salt

1 pint water

Wash and drain the couscous grain. Spread the grain on a large dish by hand, to separate the grain then place in the steamer. Place the steamer over its pan, or bottom of the steamer which you fill according to your recipe. Seal the two utensils together with a narrow strip of material dipped in a flour and water paste, to prevent any steam escaping. Cook uncovered until the steams rises. Pour the couscous into a large dish. Sprinkle it gradually with the oil and then the water, stirring gently to separate the grains which may have stuck together.

Wait until the water has been completely absorbed before placing the couscous in the steamer for a second cooking. When the steam rises through it again. Pour the couscous into the serving dish, salt it and dot with butter, stirring gently so that the grains remain quite separate.

Before serving ensure that each grain is separate from others and soak it in a ladleful of the sauce before serving.

WINES TO SERVE

You may like to serve the following wines:

Gapsted Dolcetto and Syriah - Cost $14 (Red – Mansfield)

La Plancheliera Cabernet D’Angjov - Cost $10 (Rose – France)

Castello Del Poggio Moscato D’Asti - Cost $12 – (Italy).

JUST FOR LAUGHS

Two cigarettes are sitting in an ashtray. One turns to the other and asks "Hey does my butt look big in this?"

On the countdown to Christmas………Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses!

QUOTES ON TECHNOLOGY

"I don’t believe in email. I ‘m an old fashioned girl. I prefer calling and hanging up."

Sarah Jessica Parker – Sex in the City.

"Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps it brain."

J K Rowling

"A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kickboxing."

Emo Philips.