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MIPC BULLETIN

Mandurah Island Probus Club Inc

January 2012 Volume 2.

Issue No. 9

Editor: Jessie Scott Email:

editor@mipc.org.au

Office Bearers: President Rosemary Ledder Vice President Peter Kimber Secretary Joy Shadbolt Treasurer/Public Officer Mike Smith Management Committee: Membership & Welfare Margaret Brimblecombe Outings & Tours Greta Winters Guest Speakers Liz Grant Webmaster Colin Gilbert Assets/Hospitality Grant Draper Appointed Officers: Auditor Peter Searle Book Exchange Derek Shadbolt Bulletin Jessie Scott Historians John Ledder & Val Green Hospitality Assistant Lyn Draper Immediate Past President John Ledder Lucky Draw Don Grant &Terry Rodd Membership Assistants Libby Davis & Pat Hyde Outings/Tours Assistant Robin Calligaro Photographer Ineke Searle Convenors: Book Club 1 Rosemary Ledder Book Club 2 Mike Smith Walking Group Derek Shadbolt Cycling Group Colin Pillings Singing Group Pauline Beamond

Hosts

Virginia DeWolfe Margaret Wheatley

Morning Tea Providers

Rosemary Ledder

Lauraine Mahnkoph Marijka Golding

Morning Tea Helpers

Elisabeth Enz Pat Pillings

Shirley Blaxell

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

Next General Meeting

Wednesday

25 January at 9.30 am

Next Committee Meeting

Wednesday 8 February

at 9.30 am

If you are unable to attend a

meeting, please ensure you

contact Margaret

on 9534 8810 or by email:

apology@mipc.org.au.

This is a very important

insurance requirement,

Thank you.

WELCOME to

Newly inducted Members Susan and Norman Henning

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GUEST SPEAKERS: January

Ellie Wilkie Presenting: ‘A Morning of Fun and Laughter’ Ellie’s lovely Manchester accent lends something special to her comic verse.

February

Dan Dowsett known as Dan, The Bee Man He will be bringing along lots of the sweet stuff aswell as a Power Point presentation.

March

No speaker this month due to the AGM and Lunch.

60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Norman and Norma Edward celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary – that’s 60 years - on the 19th January. Congratulations and best wishes to you both, from President Rosemary, the Committee and Members of Mandurah Island Probus Club.

One by one each year flew by, Since you both said "I do"...

60 years of memories, Shared by the two of you.

From big events and holidays To simple daily pleasures,

Some tearful times along life's way, Some joys that can't be measured... One by one each year now gone, But still they're yours forever...

Each and every memory Of sixty years together.

Happy Diamond Anniversary!

1 Dot Brewer 5 Di Whelan 6 Bob Newton 8 Don Keene 8 Virginia DeWolfe 11 Lorraine Hume 14 Pauline Beamond 18 Peter Green 21 John Krokosz 28 Harvey Randell

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OUTINGS AND TOURS…CATCHING UP

PICNIC IN THE PARK … FUN : FESTIVITY : HISTORY

Fun, festivity, and some local history were the mix for a successful outing to Pinjarra on Wednesday 16 November 2011 organised by some members in the MIPC Walking Group. A total of fifty-seven Probians enjoyed the day out, including seventeen members from the Combined Probus Club of Mandurah.

Pinjarra, 20km east of Mandurah, proved to be full of interesting history, whichever way one turned. Early in the day, members wandered around Pinjarra at their own leisure, enjoying for themselves, the beauty and history of this little gem of a town. Grant Draper provided an excellent commentary on the history and buildings during a stroll around Edenvale heritage precinct.

A walk to St John’s Anglican Church after morning tea in Edenvale Park, was a case in point. Building the church commenced in 1860 by settler-builder, Anthony Cornish – the church celebrated its 150 years in August this year. The church, said to be the fifth oldest in WA, was constructed of hand-made bricks and convicts completed internal woodwork at Fremantle. Its predecessor, a wattle and daub construction, erected nearby in 1847, went down the Murray River in one of its many floods.

Many know of the 8.7m high flood of 1945, as commemorated by a marker located on the outside wall of the church. A bigger flood of 9.2m exceeded this in 1863. Floodwaters went through windows of the church on one side and out the windows on the other. The flood was sufficiently severe to cause considerable damage around the township.

After a relaxing and chatty lunch, the games began. Teams, created by Phil Lewis, were given a colour tag and the Bocce and Rabbito began, that is, as soon as team members found each other. The highest combined score of the two games would take the prize, assuming everyone understood the rules on how to score! A competitive element was noted to have surfaced in a few members. First place went to Pink, second to Blue and third Orange – you can quietly enjoy the result knowing the team you were in.

When everyone was back sitting down quietly, Cheryl Krokosz announced the answers to the

“I Spy” game, which required members to identify the nature and location of buildings and ‘things’, Cheryl had photographed in Perth and at Pinjarra. First place was Pat Hyde, second Laurel James and third the Brimblecombes – they all settled for chocolates as a prize, rather than a one-way trip to Greece.

It was a first class idea to make it a combined Probus outing and President Rosemary concluded the day by thanking those members of Combined Probus Club of Mandurah for attending and all MIPC members involved in the organizing of a successful day out. Paul Jacklin

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‘THE ISLANDERS’ SINGING GROUP

Hullo, to all members. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and the New Year brings everything you would wish for yourselves.

The new singing group, which started very late last year, is up and running again and looking forward to entertaining you in 2012.

The Members put forward many names for this new group and the most popular was “The Islanders” which we have adopted. I'm pleased to report that this activity is a lot of healthy fun and a great social morning for all who participate. Rehearsals are held on Thursday mornings, starting at 9.30am at my home at 16 Peel Parade, Coodanup. Cost is $1 for tea and kitty..

It would be great to find a few soprano's who would like to join this very happy band, so if you can keep in reasonable tune with your favourite C.D or the radio, please give me a call on 08-9581 1417. Cheers! Pauline Beamond.

On 23rd November, 10 intrepid Probus cyclists set off from Dolphin Quay taking the coastal path to Madora Bay (one male on a lady’s pink bike).

The ride turned out to be more challenging than anticipated as we headed into a stiff, warm breeze coming south from Perth.

The toughest riders managed to get to the Madora Bay Tavern in about 45 minutes, others taking it a bit easier and stopping along the wayside in San Remo, however the upside was, we all sailed back almost effortlessly to Mandurah in top gear in about 15 to 20 minutes.

Once back in Dolphin Quay, we adjourned to D’lights Cafe for a well-earned cuppa and some social interaction.

Future cycle rides will be held on the 2nd Monday of each month commencing at 7.30 am….Colin Pillings

…AND THE PENNY FARTHING GROUP Is anyone under the weather?

We know Laurel James has been. Hope you are better now, Laurel

We also hope Lucy Chang has mended well after her shoulder

operation and that Graham Perkins’ procedure went well and that he is much better

as a result!

LUCKY DRAW WINNER NOVEMBER:

Was Bea Kimber

Congratulations, Bea!

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Almost one hundred percent of our Membership attended Roger’s Restaurant at Meadow Springs Golf Club for our Christmas lunch and what a great event it was: great food, great music and of course, great company.

Pumpkin soup served at table was followed by a buffet meal to satisfy all palates. The choice of desserts was above and beyond the call of diets and will power.

The donations of items for the raffle hampers exceeded all expectations and due to the hard work of Elisabeth Enz, Margaret Brimblecombe and Cheryl Krokosz, a huge selection of prizes were available from which to choose for the lucky winners: congratulations ladies, for a job well done.

Music and vocals were supplied by Gerry Gielingh and our wonderful, newly formed choir sang three Christmas carols under the direction of Pauline Beamond.

A thinly disguised Santa aka Allen Isaac, distributed goodwill and lollies to the tables.

Gerry’s music moved upbeat after lunch, enticing some members to shake a hip or two. If my body was anything to go by the next day, a few of us suffered as a consequence, but it was worth it.Jessie

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

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PROBUS WALKING GROUP REPORT “A Snake by any other name would sound more amusing and maybe less dangerous”. During a walk with 19 others on Thursday 3rd November along the foreshore at Seascapes, we saw a snake casually referred to as a Dugite. I was inspired to do a little research and now share my findings.

I was finally and definitely jolted into doing so by a remark by another unrelated walker with his wife and Bull Terrier, who informed me that the snake was on the track most mornings “Don’t worry,” I said jokingly “put your dog in after it.” He said “I would rather put you in after it.”

Many people in the walking group knew this snake by this name, but being a former Victorian, I hadn’t heard the Dugite term before and that is because it is endemic to this southern corner of WA only, but its distribution can stretch eastwards across to the SA Nullarbor border region.

The Dugite is a Brown Snake, one of eight species of Brown Snakes (Pseudonaja spp) within Australia. Of those Brown snakes, this is the only one on the WA mainland, thank goodness, because they are a nasty little (or should I say, sometimes big) critter and if they decide to be aggressive, which the literature states is between September and November, (that wasn’t good timing), coinciding with their breeding season.

On the bright side, they typically give a sign prior to striking They hiss and coil back in the typical S shape prior to releasing their accurate delivery – by then, your walking pace should have increased by a factor of three. I would have rather not read the word accurate!

The following: Courtesy Dept Pharmacology, University of Melbourne “The Dugite is otherwise referred to as the Spotted Brown Snake (Pseudonaja affinis) due to the

dark spots that may appear on the body. To complicate it further, the colour varies considerably from a light brown to a very dark brown. The distinguishing feature is the head being smaller than its shoulders.” (That is, if you are still around by then to make that identification inspection). “They can grow up to two meters in length. The distinguishing feature of this brown compared to other brown snakes is that it has a dark under belly.” (Again, not too many people have time to notice this feature other than scientific people working with a dead or comatose specimen on a laboratory bench.)

Now for an important feature: they are considered HIGHLY VENOMOUS, a point not to be treated too lightly as I now consider the passerby on our walk to have done, referring to this quite long snake. They have a large venom payload, too. Fortunately, they are not such an aggressive snake outside breeding season and often slither way if disturbed – thank goodness, I like that characteristic! One internet report actually referred to it as a ‘shy’ snake - mmm, not sure about that terminology. Native reptiles are protected under the WA Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 for their health, wellbeing and preservation to scare other people well into the future.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS: 1. Every endeavour has been made to accurately summarize technical information, but like any animal, variations occur. Treat all snakes with caution and keep a safe distance. Know how to treat a bite. It may be more dangerous if one is not so fit and well. 2. Now we are regularly covering a wide diversity of habitats, with the possibility we might encounter snakes on our walks, maybe the walking group should consider a refresher talk/discussion on how to best treat snake bite…..Paul Jacklin

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Control tower to Air Lingus : ‘What is your height and position?’ Captain Murphy to control : ‘Oi’m five feet six and sittin’ up the front.’

AUSTRALIA DAY EVENT

THURSDAY 26TH JANUARY 2012

64 NUTBUSH AVENUE FALCON 6010

(BYO chairs/picnic table – plenty of shade

available) Please wear something Australian.

11.00AM Arrival Fellowship & Friendship

Morning tea available (BYO cup)

12.30pm LUNCH (BYO EVERYTHING )

BBQ available

1.30pm LET THE GAMES BEGIN

PENNY FARTHING GROUP NEXT MEET

Monday 13 February Meeting at 7 am outside the Muffin Break Café, Halls Head Shopping Centre to enjoy another route along the Estuary. Colin Pillings

OUTINGS & TOURS

A VISIT IS PROPOSED TO SHEDLEY WINES, BRIDGETOWN from 21st to 24th March, to meet at the winery in the afternoon for a tasting session and enjoy a day of bottling the wine.

There are lots of hands-on tasks for groups including carton making, bottle filling, corking, heat shrink closure application, labelling filling and closing cartons. (and the best part, emptying of bottles!)

Other activities include vineyard & farm walks, bush and wildflower rambles, picnicking and canoeing on the dam or in nearby Blackwood River.

Transport & accommodation – your own arrangements ( See information sheet for details Please confirm your attendance at our Meeting 25th January…Rosemary

MIPC WALKING GROUP ITINERARY FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012

Tuesday 31st January/Thursday 2nd, Tuesday 7th & Thursday 9th February Mandurah Quay/Erskine Meet at 7.30am in car park at the end of Harbour Rt (1st turn right off Sirrocco Dr. after roundabout at end of Sticks Bvd) Tuesday 14th, Thursday 16th & Tuesday 21st February Estuary Drive, Dawesville Meet at 7.30am in car park opposite the Leprechaun Cafe Bring your own chairs and refreshments. Members welcome to join group for social refreshments after the walk at 8.30am – you do not have to walk. Thursday 23rd February – Special Walk – To be advised….Derek Shadbolt

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

KEEPING IN TOUCH

2012 is the Chinese Year of the (Water) Dragon, a year of hope for those optimistic and eager to make the most out of the worst. A progressive, fast-paced and exciting year awaits anyone able to stir up momentum and keep it going. The Dragon will not back down or be satisfied with anything less than first place. Innocent and somewhat naive, the Dragon will bolt headfirst into any potential opportunity that appears. There is no such thing as failure in the Dragon’s world, only a “try, try and try again” mentality that eventually finds victory.

Did you know that 2012 in Australia is The National Year of Reading? Apparently, just one book couldn't be found that describes what it means to be Australian.

• One book that tells the stories of the Indigenous people and captures the cultures and traditions of more recent arrivals.

• One book that takes the reader on a journey from the coast, through the great tracts of grazing land to the arid red centre.

• One book that someone in Broome can relate to as closely as someone in Adelaide.

So, the search began, not for one book, but for eight, that together paint a picture of the Australian people and the land that we live in. This was a chance to vote for the book that will go forward to represent your state or territory and will become part of the National Year of Reading collection.

(I wish I had known about this before as the voting ended on 6th January, I will certainly be looking out for the 8 books voted the best in painting a picture of Australia and its people.)

2012 is also The Australian Year of the Farmer, which celebrates the hard work of everyone involved in producing, processing, handling and selling products from 136,000 farms across the country. Australian farms and the industries that support them generate more than $405 billion each year, that's 27% of our GDP! It is about celebrating and enriching the connections between rural and urban Australia. We want you to take time out of your busy day to think about how farming affects your life. There's more to this agribusiness than meets the eye

What on earth does all of the above have to do with MIPC, well; with our “try, try, and try” again attitude, our optimism, hard work in producing a great club and making the most of every moment, we generate fun and friendship to enrich members lives.

We are all painting our own picture of being Australian.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY …..Rosemary

BOOK EXCHANGE Members who received new books for Christmas are advised that donations of their older books which they enjoyed reading will be very welcome. Spring clean your bookshelves and pass on any books in good condition and readable print. Thank you all for your support, either with donations or by using the exchange every month. Derek Shadbolt