Newsletter No. 26  - November 2018

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President's Report

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Tony Coote President

​Hi Fellow Members.

The silly season is upon us once again and we are beginning to wind down. But not before we celebrate Christmas WPH&D Probus style with our Christmas Lunch on 19th December. If you have not already signed up, please do. Already 50 members are locked in.
What a great time we had at the Melbourne Cup Lunch at The Galston Club. Fabulous food and great company. And nice to win a prize in the sweep! Well done Bev Davison for making the event happen!

Security of your personal information is very important. Please be extremely careful when emailing fellow members. If you are copying multiple members, please use the BCC function in email. The club’s list of member email addresses is confidential and not to be passed to other people or organisations without the approval of the committee. Your committee will generally refuse requests to access the email list.

Please give thought to taking on a committee position in the 2019/2020 year. The workload is not heavy and it’s a chance to really get involved and make the most of your club membership.  Please talk to Ian Roberts, or any of the committee members and we will help clarify the role and responsibilities.

Nominations close at the February Meeting in 2019

Position descriptions and nomination forms can be downloaded HERE.

To view Ian's presentation on the committee positions, please click HERE.

Come along and join in our activities. Enjoy Probus!

Tony

Secretarial

Correspondence In
  • Email received from PSPL re a Membership resources Pack.
        This has been forwarded to the Management Committee
  •  Any promotional material has been passed on to our
     Activities leader Glenda Coote.
Correspondence Out
Email forwarded to membership re fundraiser for The Sanctuary

Cathy Turner - Secretary

Details of the Probus Member Benefit Scheme are at: www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/members_offers_member_benefits_scheme
(click on link)

Treasurer

Treasurer’s Report - November 2018
 
General Account for October 2018
Opening Cash Balance 1-Oct-18                 $6,058.31
Total Deposits                                           $195.80    Member dues, Museum raffle
Payments                                                 $165.60    Meeting costs, Museum donation
Closing Cash Balance as at 31-Oct-18         $6,088.51
 
Activities Account for October 2018
Opening Cash Balance 1-Oct-18                 $7,623.07
Total Deposits                                           $3,931.00   various activities
Payments                                                -$6,671.60  Jersey Boys, Human Nature, Melb Cup
Closing Cash Balance as at 31-Oct-18         $4,882.47         
 
Activities as at 4-Nov-18:                            Receipts              Expense                 Balance     
Sydney Rowers Abbotsford                          $370.00              $0.00                     $370.00
Xmas Lunch                                               $3,120.00           $0.00                     $3,120.00
Parramatta Walk                                         $130.00              $0.00                     $130.00
Dining Enzios                                              $320.00             $320.00                  $0.00  Closed
Melbourne Cup                                            $1,260.00         -$1,265.00               $0.00  Closed
Tarzan SYMT                                               $416.00             $0.00                      $96.00
Human Nature                                            $5,040.00          $4,487.60                $552.40
Madame Tussauds                                       $168.00             $0.00                      $168.00
Jersey Boys                                                $3,370.00         -$3,287.00                $83.00  Closed
              
               Surplus                                                                                               $391.97
               Bank Balance:                                                                                     $5,192.47
 
There are no unpresented cheques, so bank balances equal cash balances.

Three activities closed since the last report. There was $83.00 over such that the surplus balance grew to $474.97

Bob Davison - Treasurer

6th November 2018

Membership

Please remember to notify the membership officers Lynne Henderson or Kim Nichols if you will be absent for an extended period of time, or if your personal details change.  

For any membership issues please contact Lynne or Kim or please email the Membership Officer at [email protected]

Lynne Henderson & Kim Nichols – Membership Officers

Guest Speaker - Natasha Knopf & Dilini Manthilaka - Age Related Macular Degeneration

Macular Disease Foundation Australia


Information Regarding Education Session

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia, affecting one in seven people over the age of 50 which increases to one in three over the age of 80. The Foundation works to reduce the incidence and impact of AMD in Australia with a strong focus on the prevention early detection and treatment of AMD. Raising awareness of the disease and its potential impacts has been, and continues to be, one of the key objectives of the Foundation. West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook Probus will have the opportunity to learn more about AMD, its symptoms, risk factors, treatment options and management, the importance of nutrition and lifestyle and low vision aids and technology. Information will be provided in the form of a seminar to help people living with AMD remain active, independent and participating in their local community.
 
Facilitators:

Natasha Knopf
Natasha Knopf is a recent graduate from UNSW, where she completed a Bachelor in Advanced Science majoring in Vision Science. She has worked at the Macular Disease Foundation since June assisting clients over the helpline, presenting at education sessions and sending out resources to health care professionals and patients, carers and families. Natasha is passionate about promoting practices that are beneficial to good eye health, as well as providing client support to find the right solution to each person that calls through the helpline.
 
Dilini Manthilaka
Dilini Manthilaka graduated with her Bachelor in Science majoring in Vision Science in 2015 from the University of New South Wales. She then graduated with a Master of Public Health from the University of Sydney in 2017. She has been working with MDFA for almost 5 months as an education officer, providing all the non-clinical support that a patient, family member or carer might require. Dilini also has previous experience working with volunteers at the Cancer Council NSW offering training and support.

Sue Hackett & Donna Fraser

Welfare

Being a member of our Probus Club fills a gap for us retirees. It gives us a sense of purpose and community. Please take advantage of your club and its activities. It’s a great opportunity to socialise, and getting out and about will make you feel good.

It is important, as members of Probus that we care for the welfare of one another. Anyone with information about an illness, bereavement, physical disability or hardship affecting a member please advise me, in order for me to make contact and offer companionship and support. I’m available any time for a chat or a coffee.
 
Please be assured that all information provided will remain completely confidential.
 
Terry Ridge is assisting with welfare. He is another point of contact and will be available if I am absent from the club.
 
Marilyn Savic – Welfare Officer

Lunch After the General Meeting Wednesday 28th November At 1 PM

I have made a reservation at Chorley's Cafe, (at the Cheltenham Club), 60/74  The Crescent, Cheltenham on Wednesday 28th November 1-1.30pm.

If you would like to join the group for lunch PLEASE, PLEASE let me know by 30th November if you will be attending.

I have not been to this cafe but I have heard very good reviews.


Glenda Coote
Activities and Events Coordinator

Important Notice – Attendance at Activities

As a matter of courtesy, please consider the Activity Organiser, and sign up and pay well in advance. It is very difficult for the organiser and the venue if most people have booked and paid well in advance, and a few people decide to turn up at the last minute. Restaurants and venues have often allocated tables, and squeezing extra people in is difficult. It also makes the job of accounting for the payments very confusing.

If you cannot attend a function that you have booked, please notify the Activity Organiser as early as possible so that the venue can be notified.  If you have already paid, your payment will be refunded if the venue agrees to accept the reduction in bookings. This is covered in detail in our Activity Refund Policy.

Because of several recent events, we are forced to change our policy. For pre-paid events, if your money is not in the Activities Account by the organiser’s due date, you will not be able to join the group at the venue.  You are of course free to make your own booking, but those who have paid in advance will have preference for seating, and if no space is available at the booked table you may have to sit separately.

Our Activity Organisers work hard to provide you with great activities. Please help make their job as easy as possible.

Photos From Meeting On Wednesday 28th November 2018

No photos were taken

Christmas Lunch

Christmas lunch will be on Wednesday 19th December at Entrata, starting at 12pm (see flyer below).

Please pay $60 per person by Friday 14th December into the activities account Ref: XMAS & Name


Melbourne Cup Lunch

Melbourne Cup

We celebrated Melbourne Cup at at The Galston Club with 22 people attending.

The venue was really good and decorated in the spirit of the day.  The buffet lunch was lovely and very plentiful.
There were sweeps, a door prize, a seat prize and best dressed competitions for the ladies and gentlemen. Members of our group won every prize on the day. 

A great day was had by all.

Bev Davison

Activities & Leaders

As a result of the sign-up sheets at the Foundation Meeting and expressions of interest on application forms we have set up numerous activities and interest groups.

Newsletter Copy Deadline

Please provide your contributions for the December Newsletter by Friday 14th December.

Please email to Glenda Coote for activities or direct to Andrew Little for other articles.

Alternatively place directly into Dropbox under WPHD Probus Activities / Activity Newsletter Contributions / Contributions – 2018 December
​
Click on activity to go straight there!
Activity Group    Leaders
Book Club Bev Davison
Bridge Glenys and Graeme Hendry
Cycling Bruce Bartle & Greg Holmes
Day Trips (Bus/Train/Ferry) Helen Games
Dining Out Douglas Lam, Glenda Coote
Gardening Sue Small, Lorenza Power
Golf Terry Ridge, Tony Coote
Investment Group Mike McLeod
Lawn Bowls Morrie Fitzpatrick
Mixed Social Group Kim Nicholls
Movies Sue Small and Lorenza Powyer
Opal Card Overnight Trips Max Henderson
Overseas Travel Looking For Leader
Photography Bain Shenstone
Ten Pin Bowling Douglas Matthews
Tennis Bob Davison
Theatre and Musicals Bruce Bartle
Travel within Australia Tony & Glenda Coote
Walking Group Bob Carritt
Wine & Cheese Julie Shenstone, Susan Antonjuk
 
Other groups where members have expressed interest include-
Investment Interior Decorating
Carpentry/Woodwork  
                              
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Our next meeting will be on 29th November at Cathy Turner’s home.  We have just read: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Sloot.  
 
The next book will be Growing Old Outrageously : A memoir of travel, food & friendship – Hilary Linstead.
 
We meet on Thursday evenings at eight weekly intervals at 7.30pm. Our future dates are 24th January, 21st March, 16th May, 11th July, 5th Sept, 31st Oct.
 

If anyone is interested in joining, please let me know.


Leader - Bev Davison
Back To Activities List
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The Bridge Group did not met last for the last couple of months, as Glenys and Graeme were away.

However, we are now back and are looking forward to our next get together on Tuesday 27th November. We hope everybody can come.

If there are any more members that have finished or having lessons, or are new to the Club, and would like to start playing, then please give us a call.




Leaders - Glenys and Graeme Hendry
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Cycling November 2018

We cancelled the November ride. A number of our members were away and the weather was not good. So we will re-schedule the Gosford – Woy Woy ride for February 2019.

We have had some great rides this year, and will have a break for the hot months.

See you in February.


Leaders - Bruce Bartle & Greg Holmes
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Day Trip Tuesday 20th November

Twenty - two Probus members took the  Rivercat from Meadowbank to Abbottsford on Tuesday 10th November.

Some chose to have a coffee at Sydney Rowing Club whilst the more energetic group took a stroll around the foreshore.

We had a wonderful lunch at The Watergrill and enjoyed magnificent water views and great conversation.

We enjoyed it so much that we have decided to make it an annual event.

Helen Games

Leaders - Helen Games, Glenda Coote
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Dining Out at Enzo’s Cucina Northmead 31st October 2018

There were only 10 of us. But we had a great night out at Enzo’s. Plenty of good Italian food and great company. Enzo’s is a little known jewel. We will certainly go back there again. We couldn’t believe how busy the restaurant was for a Wednesday night, but the service was excellent.





Leaders - Glenda Coote, Douglas Lam
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Over the last 2 months our Gardening Group members have met at Bunnings and heard interesting and helpful talks on:

In October  we had a representative from ‘Mr Fothergills’ (a Windsor based company) who offer a very extensive range of flowers, vegetables and herbs in packet seeds, seedlings and established plants, as well as garden gifts, kits and propagation products to inspire the home gardeners.  One of the interesting items we heard at the presentation was that Mr Fothergills will “happily replace seed packets if the expected number of seeds don’t propergate”.  At the end of the presentation we all received gifts from the lucky number draws ranging from packets of seeds to  punnets of seedlings, established herb plants; flowering bulbs; and a window ledge mini hothouse, as well as the complimentary plants from Bunnings.  As has become our regular routine, we then enjoyed our free cappuccino from the Café and had a good catch up chat while “testing” a garden furniture setting. 

This month a presenter from Sonters Ferns explained the intricate process they use for collecting the fern spores and from there propagating them to become the broad variety of ferns.  We were then all given a mini terrarium and built a fernery to bring home.  This was followed by our usual coffee and chat at the Bunning café. 
The December, Castle Hill Bunning Garden day will be on Thursday 13 December.  The December day is a Christmas party and everyone is asked to bring a plate to enjoy after the guest speakers presentation.

As well as our regular Bunnings days we are also planning a visit to The Secret Garden and Nursery, at Richmond
The garden is set on 5 acres in the grounds of Western Sydney University.  The New Secret Garden and Nursery features hundreds of species of plants including rarities and natives.

The nursery is reported to be one of the best stocked in the local area.  Following our visit to the garden, we plan to drive the short distance into Richmond for lunch. 

Please let Sue or Lorenza know if you’re interested in joining us on the day – and if you’re willing to drive to Richmond.

Date: 19 November - Monday

We’re planning to carpool, leaving from Heritage Park at 9.30am

Please let Sue or Lorenza know if you’d like to be added to the email list to be updated on gardening activities.
Leaders -  Sue Small, Lorenza Powyer
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Golf Group Riverside Oaks November 2nd 2018
 
Our November golf outing at Riverside Oaks was a great event with 10 players braving the heat. We started early and made the club around midday for group lunch of heathy food and plenty of cheesy garlic bread to start. The group played well with a golf ball going to players for special achievements:

Nearest the pin on the 11th hole went David Turner Group 1, Douglas Lam Group 2 and Doug Matthews from group 3.

Longest Drive on 16th hole went to: Bruce Bartle Group 1, Tony Coote Group 2, and Bruce Fraser (His newly replaced shaft on his big Bertha is doing him justice) Group 3.

The Joey award goes to Ken Smith on the 17th for landing closest to a kangaroo (she was not happy I believe).

Cliff Graham Group 3 gets a special award for having the neatest completed scorecard.

Enio Dona Group 2 receives his award the best use of the other fairways or the longest game.

The above mentioned players will receive a golf ball at the next monthly meeting, balls not claimed will be put towards the next month’s awards, golf ball awards cannot be redeemed for cash or other goods.
 
Terry Ridge
Assistant Golf Coordinator.
Leaders: Mike McLeod, Douglas Lam
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Our last meeting was reported in the October 2018 Newsletter.

The next meeting is on Thursday 28th November at 10.30AM at Cathy Turner’s residence.


There will be no meetings in December and January so this is the last chance to get your team’s investments fine-tuned before the Christmas New Year break.


Leader - Mike McLeod
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 Barefoot Bowls November

Barefoot Bowls on Sunday 25th November has been cancelled due to lack of numbers and will resume in February 2019 







Leader - Morrie Fitzpatrick
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We hope to catch up with you at the Castle Hill RSL Bistro Area at 11.00am Monday 29th November.

See You There!

Leaders- Kim Nicholls & Sue Cordukes
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To avoid clashing with Melbourne cup activities we moved our regular movie day (ie 1st Tuesday of the month) to the last Tuesday in October. 

By popular vote we saw ‘A Star is Born’ starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who also directed the film.  Most of us had seen previous versions of the movie so were not expecting the ending in this latest adaptation – otherwise we’d have all packed extra tissues!!!  Fortunately, we all felt much better after some lunch and coffees following the movie.

While watching the trailers before the start of the movie we unanimously agreed we still needed a November movie day to see:



Bohemian Rhapsody
Date - 13 November

Session time to be advised as soon as made available by the Castle Hill Events Cinema.

Please let Sue or Lorenza know if you’d like to come along to the screening so you can be advised of the meeting time.
Leaders – Lorenza Powyer & Sue Small
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Our next trip; Blue Mountains, Sunday 7th to Wednesday 10th April 2019.
As per our Canberra trip we can depart on Sunday and return Wednesday (3 nights-4 days) with flexibility for those that may desire a shorter or longer stay.

Whilst the Opal Card worked for our Newcastle trip, the general consensus is we require a mixture of both train and car transport to enable us easy access to the various attractions at our destination, ie car pool for local trips.
Apart from suitable destinations for future trips, other suggestions in regards to the best time of year to visit, accommodation and attractions, etc. are always welcome.

For our Blue Mountains experience we are focusing on the popular Wentworth Falls, Leura and Katoomba (adjoining towns) district.

As with any overnight trip our priority is to lock in our accommodation, after which we can determine our preferences as to local attractions, wining and dining etc. As such I have made some enquiries and have been offered the following (where I stayed for a night last year, very nice):

Falls Mountain Retreat, Wentworth Falls
The most cost effective option for this complex of serviced apartments is the two bedroom apartments.  These spacious apartments have one bedroom on the ground floor and a second bedroom upstairs in the open plan Loft. Bedrooms can be configured with either a king bed or two single beds, and there are two fold out single sofa beds for extra guests in each lounge if required. Each bedroom has its own bathroom with a deep two person hydrotherapy spa.
Apartments feature spacious private courtyards & balconies, a separate lounge/dining room on the ground floor, plus full kitchen and laundry facilities, open real flame fireplaces and reverse cycle air conditioning.
For a full listing of apartment features please visit: http://www.fallsmountainretreat.com.au/apartment-features.htm 
Based on a 3 night stay which includes the Sunday night for circa 20 guests the rate will be $398 per night (if four share an apartment, equates to $99.50/person/night).
Should guests wish to book single apartments either the Loft or the 1 Bedroom the rates will be as follows:

  • Loft Studio Apartment (upstairs) are $208 per night
  • 1 Bedroom Apartment (downstairs) are $238 per night.
  • These will accommodate 1-2 guests.

What’s next?
There will be an Activity List at our next meeting (Wed 20th Nov) with a number of options, including:
  • Interested only at this stage.
  • Make a booking, require:
    • Number of people and names
    • Room type
    • Number of nights (preferably 3, however can do more or less, dates required).
  • If you would like to be on the organising committee (Y or N).

Until we can fine tune our accommodation requirements please make an initial deposit of $200/person into the club’s activity account and identify your payment with your Surname and Blue.

Any suggestions or questions please give me a call.

Leader - Max Henderson
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Activities This Month

Due to a number of participants being away, only three of the group were at the meeting on Wednesday 7th November.

The decision was made to have a photography Christmas celebration at the next meeting on Wednesday 5th December.

Next Planning/Review  Meeting

Date & Time:      Wednesday 5th December 2018 - 7:30pm
Venue:               TBA
 
The group welcomes anyone interested in photography, no matter what level of experience or skill.

Below are photos from Bain in Japan & some Sculptures By The Sea photos by Andrew Little.
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Ten pin Bowling took place on 19 0ctober with 7 players participating.

The standouts on the day were Wendy, Max, Cliff & Tony.

After the bowling we went to the Castle Hill Tavern to discuss the days play over a couple of drinks which rounded off the afternoon nicely.

The next 10 Pin Bowling event is scheduled for Friday afternoon 16 November.

Given most of us are busy in the lead up to Christmas & January is in the midst of the school holidays  (venue extremely busy & noisy during school holidays) Ten Pin Bowling will be adjourned during this period and start up again in February, 2019.

Leader - Doug Matthews
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Tennis Group Report- October 2018

A small group of us meet at West Pennant Hills Sports Club every Monday at 9.00am.
  
It would be great to have more players. Your standard of play isn’t important, just come along and give it a go.
 
The last game for the year will be on Monday 26th November 2018.  Tennis will resume on Monday 14th January 2019.


Leader - Bob Davison
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Looking forward to catching up with around 30 Probus members and guests along with members from West Pennant Hills Rotary Club to see the NSW premiere of Tarzan the Musical presented by Sydney Youth Musical Theatre at Hornsby RSL Club on Friday 23 November at 7:30pm. Tarzan features heart-pumping music by rock legend, Phil Collins
 
Washed up on the shores of West Africa, an infant boy is taken in and raised by a family of gorillas, who name him Tarzan. Apart from striving for acceptance from his ape father, Tarzan's life is mostly monkey business until a human expedition treks into his tribe's territory, and he encounters creatures like himself for the first time. Tarzan struggles to navigate a jungle, thick with emotion, as he discovers his animal upbringing clashing with his human instincts.
 
Tickets have now been finalized and will be distributed on the evening of the performance.


I am currently torn between two possible activities early next year which I will outline at our next meeting. I will provide an interest sheet at our next meeting for both, which will then determine which activity we will subsequently pursue.
 
Also, in 2019 we are looking forward to attending a Human Nature concert tour in May, not to mention Billy Elliot the musical, which returns to Sydney later in the year.
Leader - Bruce Bartle
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TBA
Leader - Tony & Glenda Coote
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Sculptures by the Sea

On Monday 29th October, four of us set off on the long trek out to Bondi to view the Sculptures by the Sea. The ferry Cat ride was very relaxing, the coffee at Circular Quay very tasty, the bus ride to Bondi was over quickly and the fish and chips at Bondi Beach was first class.

When it came to the sculptures, Cliff, Hilary and Bob can basically be classified as cultural midgets, and found it difficult to be impressed by many of the unusual structures. Conversely Helen, who is obviously much more of an art appreciator, was inspired by some of the designs. We spent time trying to name some of the displays, and differed widely in our selection of best entrant. Certainly our selections were very different to the judges’ selection, and we were not particularly impressed by the winner. 

However, it was a great day. The concept of sculptures by the Sea is certainly a winner. How they managed to transport some of the figures into place is a mystery. I would encourage everyone to attend the event in years to come.
Bidjigal Reserve Walk – Tuesday 13th November
Eleven of us met up with our guide Jennifer for the walk through part of the Bidjigal Reserve. We were all amazed at the size of the reserve, and how much completely natural bushland exists on our doorstep. We saw nesting white cockatoos, lorikeets and king parrots.

The enthusiasm of our guide was contagious as she pointed out many of the native flowers that were blooming along the way. We saw a trigger plant (goggle it up, it has a very impressive way of pollinating), as well as all sorts of varieties of bush tucker and wildflowers. We also viewed some of the graffiti damage done by vandals as they camped in the reserve. A big thank you to Brian Powyer for organising the guide, and in particular to Jennifer who passed on some of her vast knowledge of our local flora.
Leaders - Bob Carritt & Ian Palmer
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Below are photos from the wine & cheese night held at the Roberts residence on Friday 9th November.

The next wine & cheese night will be on Friday 14th December at 7.30pm at the Henderson residence.


 Leader  Julie Shenstone
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PLEASE NOTE
The Club Newsletter is for the private and confidential use of Club members and is not to be used for any other purpose.  Approval for any form of advertising or promotion not directly related to club activities or general club information must be granted by the club committee.
Newsletter Editor: Andrew Little