1

Mandurah Island Probus Club Inc BULLETIN

July 2013 Volume 4. Issue No. 4 Editor: Enid Holt

Email: editor@mipc.org.au

PO BOX 256 Mandurah 6210

Email: secretary@mipc.org.au

www.mipc.org.au

Monthly Meetings: 4th Wednesday of Month

Halls Head Bowling & Recreation Club

3 Sticks Boulevard Erskine 6210

General Meeting

Wednesday 24th July 2013 9.30am for 10.00am

Next Committee Meeting

Wednesday 21st August 2013 at 09.30am

If you are unable to attend a meeting, please ensure you

contact Phil Lewis 95820809 (repeat your name

clearly if leaving a message on the answering machine)

or by email: apology@mipc.org.au.

This is very important

for catering purposes and is also an insurance

requirement.

Convenors: Walking Group Derek Shadbolt Cycling Group Jeff Holt Book Club Rosemary Ledder The Islanders Singing Group - Pauline Beamond Mahjong Group Diana Whelan Coffee Club Pat Hyde Book Exchange Derek Shadbolt

Office Bearers 2013-2014 President/Publicity Joy Shadbolt Vice President/Liaison Grant Draper Secretary Cheryl Krokosz Treasurer/Public Officer & Assets Harvey Randell Management Committee: Membership & Welfare Phil Lewis Outings & Tours Rosemary Ledder Guest Speakers Lynda Ford Bulletin Enid Holt Hospitality Elisabeth Enz Webmaster Erwin Enz Officers’ Assistants Keith Byers & Don Keene Ex Officio Immediate Past President Peter Kimber Appointed Officers: Auditor Mike Smith Historian Val Green Lucky Draw John Ledder/Ross Retallick/ Betty Curtin/David Johnson

Photographer Jeff Holt Morning Teas Assistant Marie-Claire Baker Membership Assistants Dorothy Lewis/Maureen Randell/

Rae Lothian /Pat Hyde Outings Assistants Marijke Golding/Lauraine Mahnkoph/Margaret Brimblecombe Events Team Paul Jacklin/Derek Shadbolt/ Janet Webb

2

CLUB PROGRAM FOR JULY 2013

HOSTS Dot Brewer and Kingsley Bremner

MORNING TEA PROVIDERS

Lauraine Mahnkoph, Lyn Draper, Maureen Randell

MORNING TEA HELPERS Valerie Taylor, Wilmar Gunnis, Jan Webb

GUEST SPEAKERS

24th July 2013 Len Rathman—Seniors Card—the benefits of the

card and how to use it.

28th August 2013 Glen Mitchell—Hilarious stories of 4 Olympic

Games and some serious stuff as well.

Happy Birthdays

for August

JUNE GENERAL MEETING

Coles/Myer Vouchers were won by Iain Grassick (Guest) ($50),

and Dorothy Lewis ($25)

WELFARE A speedy recovery to John James follow-ing his operation, and to all members who have been on the sick list.

Beryl Taylor Colin Gilbert Margaret Brimblecombe Diane Gilbert Joan Perkins Kaye Sewell Yvonne Richards David Johnson Rowena Gorringe Susan Henning

Clive Hamilton was inducted as a new Member.

There were two of our younger members enjoying birthdays ending in a “0” - Elisabeth Enz and Karin Igel. Elisabeth was present to receive the customary gift from Membership Officer Phil Lewis. Phil, it is nice to see you on your feet, albeit with the help of crutches.

GUEST SPEAKER

Jeannie Bartlett, Community Liaison Officer, Ronald McDonald House got lost along the way and Don Keene and Harvey Randell entertained us with snip-pets of times past until she arrived.

Jeannie’s talk was well worth waiting for, and she gave an emo-tional and heart warming presentation of life at Ronald McDonald House and the fundraising for the new house to be built next to the new children’s hospital.

Lucky Door Prizes

3

From the President’s Desk

I recently attended a lunch in Perth organised by the Probus Association of WA for new Club Presidents. I was accompanied on the train journey up to Perth by Meg Pickering, the President of Mandurah Combined Probus Club and, having both been born and raised in the UK around the same time, we had quite a bit in common and enjoyed each other’s company. We talked so much we hardly noticed the journey!

The lunch meeting was an opportunity to meet other new Presidents and exchange ideas and discuss the way we run our Clubs. I am pleased to report that MIPC is probably one of the most progressive Clubs and, as we are only just into our 5th year, we do not have the problems some of the more established Clubs are facing with declining membership. However, we must not become complacent and should al-ways be seeking new “active” members.

The Speaker at the New Presidents lunch was Carole Macey of the Victim Support Service which comes under the State Government Department of the Attorney General and which has been in operation for 20 years. As we all know, there are no “rights” for victims – only for offenders – so this is a much needed service. Outside Perth, there are services in 13 Regional Centres, one of which is here in Peel.

It was a most interesting talk about the Service, and some facts I learned were that 50% of cases are to do with domestic violence and, NO, the largest percentage of victims of crime are not as you would expect, the elderly or children, but young males 18 to 25 years of age.

The Service could not operate without the 43 volunteers who are recruited under the Volunteer Program. These volunteers are assigned to a particular victim, giving support and accompanying them to court. They keep track of where the case is up to and advise the victim accordingly. They give them support by helping to prepare them for court – giving evidence, rates as high as public speaking, as being one of the most traumatic things most people have to go through. Training is provided to become a volunteer but no special qualifications are required – just an open mind, the ability to listen and a high amount of tolerance.

As I said, a much needed service but one which I hope none of our members will ever have to call on for sup-port.

Before signing off, on behalf of the Members of our Club, I would like to send best wishes to those members who are unwell at present and to those who are recovering from, or are about to have surgical procedures. We all look forward to seeing you back in the best of health and spirits before too long.

Joy ShadboltJoy ShadboltJoy ShadboltJoy Shadbolt President

Visit from Surfcoast Probus

Karl Jacklin (President of the Probus Club of the Surf Coast in Anglesea,Victoria) and his wife Barbara, were in Mandurah for a week in early June staying with his brother Paul and his wife Delwynn. There was a good exchange of ideas during the Tues-day and Thursday morning walks with the Walking Group. On the Thursday, Karl told the Group over morning tea that he was impressed with the warm welcome they had both received, and the vibrancy of the Walking Group. Karl also said that he would take back some good ideas that came to light during the two walks.

The Probus Club of the Surf Coast was formed in late 1994 and has around 100 Members who meet at the local golf club. There are still 8 active Foundation Members in their Club after 18 years. The other Anglesea Probus Club folded about two years ago after 21 years with members unwilling to fill committee positions.

Paul Jacklin Karl with Grant Draper, Vice President

4

OUTING TO GARDEN ISLAND — Monday 24th June 2013

Our first stop was the checkpoint at the start of the causeway to Garden Island, to get clearance for our visit and to pick up

our volunteer guide, John. As we drove across the impressive 4.3 km causeway and bridge (40 years old this year), John introduced himself and out-lined what we would be doing.

John is an ex-Naval en-gineer. Knowledgeable, informative, enthusias-tic and with a wry sense of humour, he was the perfect guide.

After a short drive we reached Rimau Rise and the Memorial to the Services Reconnaissance Department, which was formed to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance behind Japanese lines during WWII. It was also known as the ‘Z Special Unit.’ The most success-ful operation used folding canoes launched from a captured fishing boat, the Krait, and managed to sink 7 ships in Singapore. The Japa-nese never realised how this happened, and thought it was the work of Chinese saboteurs. They took severe reprisals against the Chinese community in Singapore. Included among the names of the brave men listed on the memorial were those of Dutch and Portuguese ci-vilians from Indonesia and East Timor.

Next was a drive around some of the training facilities, which house mock-ups of the Navy’s ships and submarines. Recruits undergo rig-orous training on these before they are deployed on the real thing.

(The advantage is that they don’t sink if things go wrong.) We also saw the underwater escape facility, which houses a 20 metre column of water, and is the only one in the Southern hemisphere. Everyone does a 2 week course, which must be renewed every 3 years. John explained that this training is equally rigorous – you get put in at the bottom, and if you are alive at the top, you pass!

We then visited the Cliff Head historical site, where we saw the remains of an old well, the only remaining evidence of Governor Stirling’s first settlement. The first settlement of 450 people was called Sulphur Town, named after one of the first ships, and was in use from 2 June 1829 until 18 August 1829, when the colony moved to Perth. However, Garden Island remained important, because Sulphur Bay and Careening Bay were used for anchor-age and the transport of cargo until Fremantle harbour was fin-ished in 1897.

John also told us about the natural history of the island, its geol-ogy, flora and fauna. During the last ice-age the coastline was many kilometers further west, and Rottnest, Carnac, Garden and Penguin Islands were part of a huge wind-blown dune system. When the sea level rose, separate ecologies developed – so there are quokkas on Rottnest and tammar wallabies on Garden Is-land. Evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the dunes has been found dating from over 7,000 years ago, but none since the Is-land was formed.

Some members still remember visiting the Island for holidays, and staying in wooden shacks that were built there. These were demolished when the Island became the Naval Base.

Mike Smith

5

FROM THE BULLETIN BUNKER

In this issue the Club Outing to Garden Island is featured. Also, as promised, we have the article from Val Taylor on Norfolk Island. Did you see the excellent program on ABC1 recently on this remote island? It was very interesting.

Rosemary and John Ledder have recently returned from a European holiday, and have provided a lovely account of part of their memorable trip to the Nor-mandy Beaches. It’s time for another caption competition—what are these two Members up to?

Email, or give me your caption at the August General Meeting. A prize awaits for the winning caption which will be revealed at the September General Meeting.

Rosemary Ledder

OUTINGS UPDATE AUGUST: Thursday 22nd - 2pm – 4pm Due to lack of interest from members the Train Trip to Bunbury scheduled for this day has been cancelled. Instead we will have an AFTERNOON HIGH TEA Venue: ARTIZAN Restaurant, The Boardwalk Ormsby Terrace. Mandurah. Cost: $20 per head. SEPTEMBER: Friday 13th - 7pm Yogi Contemporary Indian Restaurant 115 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah Please confirm attendance by 28th August General Meeting. OCTOBER: Monday 14th - 10am – 3pm Venue: Araluen Gardens includes lunch Cost: $50 per head

Menu: 3 course lunch consisting of: Soup Roast Beef Dessert - Tea and coffee

Please confirm attendance and pay by 25th September General Meeting. NOVEMBER: Friday 22 nd - 4.30pm until sunset Venue: Seascapes—park at end of Seascapes Boulevard overlooking the beach SUNDOWNER BYO Drinks Fish & Chips and Tea & Coffee available – cost to be advised.

Enid Holt

Paul Jacklin & Mike Smith hamming it up!

6

ISLAND TREASURE In April Joe and I had a fantastic holiday on a Norfolk Island Tour with members from two local Probus Clubs, organized by Shirley Lloyd from the Mandurah Probus Club. You arrive at this tiny speck in the ocean (1400km ESE and 2 hours from Brisbane), landing on what looks more like a golf course and a club house, than an airport and terminal. With one gulp of the pristine champagne air and surrounded by a greenness one can only dream about in WA, you are instantly trans-ported into tropical island holiday mode. In spite of its size – 5km by 8km –there is plenty to see and do, from fishing, golf, bowls and duty free shopping, and on the way meet many of the locals who must be the most relaxed and friendly folk on the planet. Its intriguing history as a penal colony, followed by settlement by the Pitcairn Islanders – who themselves were interesting due to their role in the mutiny on the Bounty and subsequent life on Pitcairn – gives Nor-folk a very colourful flavour. The Sound and Light Show around the ruins of the convict settlement takes one through the horrifying decades of Norfolk’s convict era, and is very dramatic and moving. Details of the appallingly brutal treatment of convicts were very harrowing, as was the cemetery tour. We discovered many facts about Norfolk Island. Because of insufficient space for farms, cows roam freely over the island, apart from the main street and “town,” so that one speedily learns to dodge cowpats; the bovine presence keeps the speed limit down to 50km. Feral chickens run about everywhere, secure in the fact they are inedible. Most cars are second hand imports from Japan and run till they drop, when they are stripped of spare parts, drained of oil, burnt, and then tipped over a cliff into the sea. With a tourism-driven economy affected by the GFC, most Islanders have three or four jobs to make ends meet. There is a Norfolk language, a quaint blend of 19th century English and Tahitian, which is spoken in school and at home among descendants of the first arrivals. With over 70 specialty shops there is plenty of retail therapy to counteract sightseeing. European imports of clothing, shoes, jewellery etc. are all duty free and in Aussie dollars.

The Night of a Convict and dinner, hosted by the “Commandant”, and ably assisted by Private Parts and Private Lessons (you get the idea!) with guests attired in convict gear -outfits supplied - was a great night. A different ver-sion of Pass the Parcel had all the lady convicts passing several hats, and a ball and chain, clockwise, and an extremely large and heavy rolling pin passing between the knees in the other direction: hard enough to do without laughing so much. You haven’t seen a proper Norfolk Island pine till you have been to Nor-folk: growing naturally en masse they look sensational. By comparison, the miserable looking Mandurah specimens just don’t cut it. There are a couple of other trees of interest – two banyans planted for stock shelter during bad weather. One covers half an acre and we had a chance to explore it, the other covers one acre and is at the airport. From a distance it looks like a small wood! I will always treasure the unforgettable uniqueness of this picturesque and unspoilt island.

Valerie Taylor

7

LEDDERS ON LEAVE

In September 2012 I sat down at the computer to plan / organise our holiday to the UK, France & Italy for May 2013. Our main aim was to spend time with my brother for his 86th birthday, visit the Normandy Beaches, Paris, Rome and Tuscany, and whilst in Italy ensure we visited Lake Albano where John rowed in the 1960 Olympics.

As the saying goes “It’s wonderful when a plan comes together”, because our trip turned out to be one of the best that John & I have ever taken…who needs a travel agent when you can do it all from the comfort of your own home at a far more reasonable cost.

I must say we were extremely lucky with the weather throughout our trip having only 5 days wet out of 32 and England was no exception turning on the sunshine for us. It would take up far too much room to tell you all about our adventures, so this time l will just share with you our visit to the Normandy Beaches.

We travelled by car with John’s cousins to Normandy, crossing over the channel on the shuttle train from Folkstone to Calais. On our journey down to Bayeux which was to be our base for the next 5 days, we stopped off at Amiens to visit the Australian National Memorial at Villers Bretonneux which is a memorial to The Australian Imperial Force in France and Flanders 1914 – 1918 and of Eleven Thousand who fell in France and have no known grave.

Villers Bretonneux Bayeux Cathedral

Whilst staying in Bayeux we visited Omaha, Juno and Sword Beaches. Those of you who have seen the movie “The Longest Day” will be familiar with this…on the 5th & 6th June 1944 the 82nd American Airborne Troops landed in France and one parachutist remained entangled on the spire of Saintė Mere Ėglise (church) during the night. The town still honours those who came to liberate them, and as you can see, a model parachutist is suspended from the bell tower of the church in memory of John Steele who was played by Red Buttons in the movie. To land the 14,000 parachutists, 900 drops were required and there were 2,500 casualties. Overall the mission was considered a success!!

Saintė Mere Ėglise John Steele Omaha Beach Omaha Cemetery

Our holiday was certainly full of fun and laughter, but this segment was very emotional…”Lest we forget” By the way, Bayeux is a beautiful Cathedral town and home of the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Battle of Hasting in 1066 - the tapestry was completed in 1077 and is 70 metres in length.

Rosemary Ledder

8

COFFEE CLUB

Next Coffee Club is on Sunday 28th July 2013.

Jeff Holt

MAHJONG

1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month Venue: Waratah Christian Community Church Hall, 748 Old Coast Rd, Wannanup.

Please come at 12.45 to help set-up and register so that we can commence play at 1pm. Cost per player is $3 to cover room hire and re-freshments. If you have a Mahjong set/racks, please bring them along. Learners are welcome, please contact me if you have not registered before. Diana Whelan Convenor

CYCLING ITINERARY—AUGUST 2013 The Cycling Group meet every Monday at 8.00 am NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME 5th August - Meet at Doddi’s Beach, ride to Falcon Bay, return to the Dome - hilly 12th August - Meet at Muffin Break, Halls Head - ride to Pleasant Grove and return - flat. 19th August - Meet at Ninos, ride to Madora Bay and return - mild hills 26th August - Meet at Muffin Break, Halls Head - ride to Mariners Cove and return - flat

MIPC WALKING GROUP – ITINERARY FOR MONTH OF JULY/AU GUST 2013 Meet at 8am. BYO chairs and refreshments. Tuesday 23rd July – Special Walk, Waikiki (Note: Previously scheduled walk at Mandurah Quay CANCELLED) Depart Mandurah train station 9.02am and by bus from Warnbro Station to Waikiki Beach. Walk – Waikiki Beach to Penguin Point – 3.0kms; Penguin Point to Shoalwater Bay – 2.2kms; Total return – 10.4kms. Thursday 25th & Tuesday 30th July & Thursday 1st August – Mandurah Meet in car park opposite Murphy’s Tavern, Mandurah Terrace. Tuesday 6th & Thursday 8th August – Seascapes Meet in car parking bays at the end of Seascapes Boulevard (turn to the left). Tuesday 13th & Thursday 15th August – Halls Head Meet at junction of Leeward Ent. & Syrenka Turn (Off Old Coast Road at roundabout opposite McLarty Road). Parking bays and vacant block available. Tuesday 20th & Thursday 22nd August – Halls Head Meet in car park at Henry Sutton Grove Park, end of Leighton Road, Halls Head.

Derek Shadbolt

Pam Hyde

All members are welcome to attend this relaxed gathering being held on the Sunday, following the General Meeting. Venue: ArtiZan (was the Stage Door Restaurant), next to the Performing Arts Centre. Time: 10 am.

9

THE ISLANDERS—SINGING GROUP

The Singing Group are practising hard to perform at the September Luncheon Meeting - (we agree we need to!)

If you are interested in joining this fun group please contact Pauline Beamond.

OPEN INVITATION

TO THE COMMUNITY

The Minister for Police; Road Safety; Small Business;

Women’s Interest’s, Hon Liza Harvey MLA and the

Commissioner of Police Karl O’Callaghan APM will

host a community forum to discuss local crime issues

and the State’s approach to frontline policing in

Western Australia.

Don’t miss the opportunity to raise your views on

crime, traffic and other policing issues with senior

police officers.

AC-CENT SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE

41 Ormsby Terrace

MANDURAH

Thursday 1 August 2013

6.30pm to 8.30pm

Members may be interested in this Official Community Forum

We are still seeking 3 more members for our Club (Male or Female) please give it some consideration. Rosemary Ledder

BOOK EXCHANGE

As always, we are very grateful for all the donations of books we receive so please keep them coming. If you only have one or two books you think you will never read again, some regular reader in our Club may appreciate them so bring them along to the next General Meeting.

Derek Shadbolt

10

Private and confidential for Probus use only. Photocopying by courtesy of the Hon. Dr Kim Hames MLA

To commemorate her birthday , actress/vocalist, Jul ie Andrews made a special appearance at

Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall. One of the musi cal numbers she performed was 'My Favourite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used:

(Sing It!)

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting, Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,

Bundles of magazines tied up in string, These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillac's and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses, Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses, Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,

These are a few of my favourite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak, When the knees go bad,

I simply remember my favourite things, And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,

No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions, Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring ,

These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinning, Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinning, And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,

When we remember our favourite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break, When the eyes grow dim,

Then I remember the great life I've had, And then I don't feel so bad.

>>>>>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>> (Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the c rowd that lasted over four minutes and

repeated encores.)

An old Woman was asked “At your ripe age, what would you prefer to get: Parkinsons or Alzheimers?”

The wise one answered. “Definitely Parkinsons—Better to spill half my wine than to forget where I keep the bottle”.

And so say all of us !!

Thanks Harvey

Thanks Phil