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West Pennant Hills and District Probus Club Inc.

Newsletter

Newsletter No. 62  - April 2022

THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING  (AGM) WILL BE HELD  AT THE CHERRYBROOK COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 10.30AM ON  WEDNESDAY 27th APRIL

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President's Report

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President’s Report - April 22

I would like to thank Bob for his excellent stewardship of the club over the past two “Covid Years”. Given the number of Zoom meetings he has had to preside over he has become quite a (in house) media star. He has been very helpful and supportive in transitioning me into his previous role despite a very distressing time for his family. I extend to Wendy, Bob and their family our best wishes and prayers.
 
To our outgoing founders Ian Roberts and Tony Coote, I add my thanks for all the years of dedication and service enabling the club to grow from inception to such a vibrant active club as it is today, despite the impediments of Covid. I thank our perennial VP David Antonjuk for his service and look forward to his return in perhaps a more presidential role when his commitments permit. To the continuing stalwarts (with or without the musical chairs), Cathy Turner, Bev and Enio Dona, Andrew Little, Jeff Swan and Toni Smith, thank you for your ongoing commitment, expertise and guidance. To my fellow “newbies” Michael Stinson and Loretta Polley I look forward to sharing your ideas and contributions.
 
To all the activity leaders, thank you in anticipation for your ongoing enthusiasm and commitment. You are the lifeblood of the club. I anticipate the club will quickly be returning to our usual activities over the next few months. We have now reached the stage where Covid is something we can live with, rather than fear. The high vaccination rates, booster availability, antiviral treatments and decreased pathogenicity of the evolving Covid variants are now reducing the impact of Covid to the same level as the flu, despite the breathless media hype. A number of our members have recently suffered from Covid, with varying degrees of flu like symptoms, and all are now “back on deck”. We still need to be careful, as one is during the “flu season”, but no longer do we need to feel isolated by fear.
 
I look forward to being part of the team that has ably guided the club over the years and will heed the advice of my predecessor “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” in pursuit of the Probus mantra “Friendship, fun and fellowship”.​

Bain Shenstone President


Secretarial

​Correspondence In

None

Correspondence Out

PSPL 2022-23 Capitation form and payment returned

Bev Dona

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


Treasurer's Report

TREASURER’S REPORT                                               For the Month of March 2022

 
GENERAL ACCOUNT
Opening cash balance 1st March 2021               $3273.90
Interest                                                                   0.02
Deposits                                                                 90.00   Annual dues received                  
Expenses                                                              128.50   Hornsby Council venue hire
Closing cash balance 31st March 2021          $3235.42  
 
ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT
Opening cash balance 1st March 2021               $58429.54
Interest                                                                     2.05
Deposits                                                               5850.00   Kiama  
                                                                            1917.00   Moulin Rouge
                                                                              110.00   Sydney Rowing Club lunch
                                                                              260.00   Jewish Museum
Payments                                                                240.00   Helen Games refund Sydney Rowing
                                                                          15362.00   Accommodation / meals Kiama trip
Closing cash balance 31st March 2021           $50966.59
 
OPEN ACTIVITIES
After completing the Kiama and Sydney Rowing Club activities, three activities remain open – Broken Hill, Turon Gates, and Moulin Rouge.  An additional activity has been opened for the Jewish Museum visit.  A balance remains in the Kiama activity which are receipts yet to be refunded to a participant who did not attend.
 
Open Activities                                Balance               
Broken Hill                                       47802.00
Moulin Rouge                                     1917.00                         
Turon Gates                                            7.00      Paid for but yet to be held   
Jewish Museum                                    260.00
Sydney Rowing Club                               10.00
Kiama                                                  565.00      Receipts to be refunded to non-attendee.
                                                    $50561.00
Add:
Interest received                                   
Prior years                                             37.75
This year to date                                      6.71
Activities surplus                                   361.13
Bank balance                                $50966.59
 
TERM DEPOSIT
Interest since the Term Deposit was rolled over in July, is estimated to be $11.13.
 
INTEREST
For this year, $6.80 has been received as interest – General Account $0.09, Activities Account $6.71. 
 
ACTIVITY SURPLUS
The Activity Surplus currently stands at $363.13.
 
 
Ian Roberts
Treasurer             31st March 2022

Membership

The club has received 3 resignations.

Glenys and Graeme Hendry “we have enjoyed our time with the club, particularly the Theatre Outings and Bridge sessions,” kind Regards Glenys and Graeme
 
Bruce Fraser, whose health challenges see Bruce unable to attend club functions.
 
Best of luck for the future Glenys, Graeme and Bruce three great club members that will be missed by all.
​
Just a reminder of our Club policies for attendance at meetings and activities.
  • Members are expected to attend a minimum of 10 functions (meetings and/or activities) per Probus year (April to March).
  • Visitors may only attend a maximum of 3 functions (meetings and/or activities) per Probus year. 

Our membership is currently full, at the agreed maximum of 110.

Jeff Swan – Membership Officer

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Welfare

April 2022 Welfare Report

Good Morning to you all.

Welcome to my first report as Welfare Officer.

Please feel free to contact Ken (my offsider) or myself at any time if you or any member out there needs support of any kind. Just to meet for a coffee, do some shopping for you etc, help is always available.

Thank you to Cathy and Terry for their support in their roles as Welfare officers. I for one, certainly appreciated the emotional help I got from them after my hip operation. A special mention to Terry for sitting with me at rehab on many occasions.
I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Loretta and her family following the passing of her husband David. David was a foundation member and from what we heard, he was a bit of a fun loving scally wag and a fun guy to be around. Many of us have fond memories of David. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.

Covid has hit many families in the community over the past month and it now seems to be a fact, that everyone knows someone that has had it. All we can do is keep up with our hand washing, social distancing and wearing masks where needed. Take those RAT tests if you feel unwell, and if positive go for a PCR to make sure the test is correct. Remember we still need to get out and live our lives as best we can, taking care as we go.

Flu season is coming up so now is the time to talk to you Doc about the flu injection if you need to.
Some of our members especially the singles, have restricted themselves on outings and would be feeling the loneliness associated with living alone. It would be nice if we all picked up the phone and made a call to a member to lift their spirits. It just may make someone’s day, give it a go.

To our other members that are going through tough times we wish you well and please know you have support if needed.
Stay safe everyone.

Toni Smith & Ken Smith – Welfare Officers

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April Meeting Speaker - Michelle O’Hara from CMRI jeans for genes org - A Stem Cell Story: Treating Blindness with Stem Cells
​

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Michelle will talk about how her team- the Stem Cell Medicine Group at CMRI, led by Dr. Anai Gonzalez-Cordero, are using stem cells to generate ‘mini-organs’ in the dish, including brains, eyes, hearts, and ears.

​She will explain the story behind this amazing technology. Then Michelle will briefly talk how she is specifically utilising this to develop a new treatment for blindness, including age related macular degeneration and inherited diseases.

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Photos - March AGM Meeting 

Birthday  Celebrations

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Happy Birthday
 To all our members
Celebrating a birthday in April

John Ellis
Douglas Lam
Ken  Lewis
Janelle Melouney
Glenn Nicholls
Julianne Stanton


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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.


Club Covid 19 Policy

We have set down a Covid 19 policy for the club. Essentially we will abide by the NSW health guidelines. We ask all members to respect the health and wellbeing of their fellow members, and therefore do not attend activities unless they are fully vaccinated. We have no desire to get into a situation where we need to physically check every attendee to determine their vaccination status. We are relying on the integrity of our members and the fact that they are endangering their friends if they do not abide by this policy.

Newsletter Copy Deadline

Please provide your contributions for the February Newsletter by Friday 20th May 2022.

Please email to Enio Dona or Bev Davison for activities or direct to Andrew Little for other articles.

Alternatively place directly into Dropbox under WPHD Probus Activities / Activity Newsletter Contributions / Contributions – 2022 05

​

Activities List

To go to the Activities Calendar - click HERE!

Click on activity to go straight there!
Activity Group    Leaders
Book Challenge Sue Calabrese
Book Club Bev Davison
Bridge Looking For Leader
Cards David Turner 
Cycling Bruce Bartle
Day Trips (Bus/Train/Ferry) Helen Games
Dining Out Looking For Leader
Domestic Travel Max Henderson
Gardening Sue Small, Lorenza Powyer
Golf Terry Ridge
Investment Group David Antonjuk
Mens Club Rene Beutler
Mixed Social Group Kim Nicholls
Movies Sue Small and Lorenza Powyer
Overseas Travel Looking For Leader
Photography Rob Clarke
Ten Pin Bowling Douglas Matthews
Tennis Bob Davison
Theatre and Musicals Bruce Bartle
Walking Group Enio Dona
Wine & Cheese Julie Shenstone, Susan Antonjuk
 
For an activity group to start, a member needs to step forward to lead the group
                              

Book Challenge

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THROW COVID challenge is off to a slow start but some of the books are sooooo long! ThroCo runs from March to the end of August. Join us, read your own choice of book, post it and enjoy the rundowns of the other readers. Maybe you’ll see a book that might grab your attention???
Since mid-March:

The Matarese Countdown by Robert Ludlum: another suspenseful conspiracy thriller – a good read and intriguing right to the end. After 20 years the Matarese are back with plans for world domination. With the help of a retired CIA agent who destroyed the group 20 years before, another CIA agent works to prevent the Matarese taking over.

Macbeth by Jo Nesbø: written as part of the Hogarth Shakespeare Project, Macbeth is now set in a bleak declining Scottish city in the ‘70s. It centres around corruption, power and money. Macbeth is an ex-drug addict, now heads up the SWAT team. All the Shakespearean characters are there in modern form: Lady (Casino owner and ‘wife’ to Macbeth), Duncan (Chief Police Commissioner), Hecate (powerful drug lord), Norse Riders (criminal motorcycle group), the three witches – Strega, a creepy fortune-teller man-woman, and 2 sisters from Bankok who make the ‘brew’ Macbeth is addicted to) and so on and on. As Macbeth, under the influence of the brew and his ‘wife’ Lady, searches out ultimate power, he is plagued by hallucinations and paranoia, and starts to unravel. He's convinced her won’t get what he wants – unless he kills for it! And there is way too much killing! I’m not convinced that this Shakespeare story translates to modern times.

The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth: three generations of midwives: Neva – 3rd generation – is determined to keep details of her own pregnancy a secret. Mother Grace – 2nd generation – can’t help but pry into her daughter’s life. Grandmother Floss – 1st generation, has the ultimate secret. These secrets threaten to push them all apart. The plot was a bit predictable, but still a good read. Sally Hepworth has written better books
​
Sue Calabrese

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Book Club

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Book Club - April 2022 Report 

​​Our next meeting isn’t until 28th April.  We will discuss our current book Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton and it will be interesting to hear the comments.  I’ve read about 60% of the book at the time of writing and until the last couple of chapters wasn’t enjoying it very much.  

Our next book is Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce.

 ​



​Happy reading
​
Bev Davison 

Leader - Bev Davison

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​London 1940, bombs are falling. Emmy Lake is Doing Her Bit for the war effort, volunteering as a telephone operator with the Auxiliary Fire Services. When Emmy sees an advertisement for a job at the London Evening Chronicle, her dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent seem suddenly achievable. But the job turns out to be typist to the fierce and renowned advice columnist, Henrietta Bird. Emmy is disappointed, but gamely bucks up and buckles down.
Mrs Bird is very clear: Any letters containing Unpleasantness must go straight in the bin. But when Emmy reads poignant letters from women who are lonely, may have Gone Too Far with the wrong men and found themselves in trouble, or who can’t bear to let their children be evacuated, she is unable to resist responding. As the German planes make their nightly raids, and London picks up the smouldering pieces each morning, Emmy secretly begins to write letters back to the women of all ages who have spilled out their troubles.

Prepare to fall head over heels with Emmy and her best friend, Bunty, who are spirited and gutsy, even in the face of events that bring a terrible blow. As the bombs continue to fall, the irrepressible Emmy keeps writing, and readers are transformed by AJ Pearce’s hilarious, heart-warming and enormously moving tale of friendship, the kindness of strangers, and ordinary people in extraordinary times. 

Bridge

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Bridge Group










Leaders - Looking For Leader(s)

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Cards

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Cards Report for April 2022
We had a good turnout of 25 enthusiastic players at our last card night on the 25th March.
Our next card night is on the 29th April. This is a week later than normal due to a large function at the club.
Location is Dural Country Club.
Time has permanently changed to a 7pm start due to the bar closing at 9pm.
Dinner will be booked for 5.45pm.
Cost is $5 per head to play. Please have correct money if possible.
 
To ensure we can get a restaurant booking I will need to know if you are coming for dinner so please email back no later than 6pm Wednesday 27th.  
You must email back if you are wanting to play cards by Friday 29th morning.


Please arrive a little earlier so card playing can start at 7pm sharp. Please do not be late.
When you first arrive to play rather than immediately getting into a group to play, we need to confirm the total number of people who turn up.

Depending on the number playing we need to work out the size of the groups that will be playing together, either 3,4, 5 or 6 handed.
​
Looking forward to seeing and hearing from everyone.
 
David

​Leader - David Turner

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Cycling

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Cycling Group: April 2022
 
No prizes for guessing that cycling was cancelled last month due to rain and away trips.
 
Our next ride is scheduled for Wednesday 11 May 2022 with a ride around Bi-Centennial Park commencing from Wilson Park Silverwater at 10:00am.
 
This group has been growing steadily and new riders are always welcome, so come along and enjoy our next ride as always mainly on dedicated cycle paths and of course our mandatory coffee break!!



Bruce

Leaders - Bruce Bartle & Tony Coote

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Day Trips (Bus/Train/Ferry)

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Razorhurst Guided Walking Tour  - Date TBA
Unfortunately, our day trip to Sydney Jewish Museum in April was cancelled as the museum experienced flood damage and was closed for repair. Members who paid for this trip will be reimbursed soon.
​
On Wednesday 18th May I have organized a 2 hour Razorhurst Guided Walking Tour which will take us on a journey through the history and criminal underbelly of Sydney's inner east. The cost will be $30.

I will email details to members and give more information about the walk at the meeting on Wednesday.

Helen Games
Leader - Helen Games

Dining Out

Dining Out

Dining Out for 2022 will be restarted with a Saturday Lunch on May 21st 2022 at Vanilla Cream Café.  Please come along and enjoy a casual lunch with a large range of meals and desserts.  We have booked a private room so that we all can have a good catch up.
 
The menu is extensive, and available at https://www.vanillacreamcafe.com.au/.
 
When:   Saturday May 21st 2022  
Time:     12:30 to 12:45pm   Do not be early, the room will NOT be available until 12:30pm
Where:  Amaroo Park, 233 Annangrove Road, Annangrove NSW 2155
Parking:  Plenty of parking available within Amaroo Park.
Payment:  Payment is on the day when you order, no pre-payment is required. Booking essential.
Drinks:  Vanilla Cream does not serve alcohol .   Coffee & soft drinks available
 
Please advise Donna Frazer by return email to reserve a place at it is.     Payment is on the day, when you order, no pre-payment is required.
Leader - Looking For Leader

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Domestic Travel

Kiama Trips

Group A - Sun 20 - Wed 23 March Photos
Group B Sun​ 27 to Wed 30 March Photos

Broken Hill Wanderer Rail Package - Sunday 22 – Tuesday 31 May 2022
 (As previously advised we have transferred this trip from August to May this year and gained four additional travellers, increasing our number to twenty eight.

For those catching the “Outback Explorer” from Central we will spend Sunday night at “The Great Southern Hotel” at Haymarket. This will provide us with an easy 250m walk to Central Station on Monday morning. Walk from the hotel across George Street along Rawson Place to the corner of Eddy Ave and Pitt Street, catch the lift to the main concourse and you are at Platform 1.
​
On Monday we have fifteen departing from Central at 6.18am (Platform 1) and thirteen from Parramatta at 6.40am (Platform 2) to arrive in Broken Hill at about 7.10pm (CST):
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Then Tuesday week 31 May, we will be transferred to Broken Hill Railway Station to depart at 7.45am (CST) on the Outback Explorer.
Whilst there are currently no vacancies, please advise Max if you missed out and would like to be put on a standby list.

Luggage
Whilst you can take your luggage into the carriage, there is not a lot of storage space for luggage except for about 8 suitcases, the rest will have to be in the rack above your heads or placed behind two seats, with some of the luggage in the way all day.

Hand luggage can weigh up to 5kg and must be no larger than 30cm high x 50cm long x 30cm wide.
Each seat booked is permitted two items of large and/or heavy luggage that is sufficiently secured and protected. Given we are only going for a week, do you really need two suitcases?

Each item must weigh between 5-20kg and be no larger than 60cm high x 70cm long x 50cm wide. Items weighing less than 5kg cannot be checked in.

Medium sized candy-striped bags can be checked in if they weigh 15kg or less and must only contain clothing or soft items.
https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/using-public-transport/regional-booking-travel-information/luggage-on-nsw-trainlink
 
Activities
“2022 Broken Hill Wanderer Rail Package”, refer link:

https://railholidaysaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Broken-Hill-Wanderer-Brochure-2022.pdf

For those staying at “The Grand Southern Hotel”,  I propose we meet in the reception at say 6.30pm and dine out. The hotel has a restaurant and also a pub section at the front that includes a bistro.
 
Package Payments
The balances paid for the postponed August trip were refunded to our Probus account resulting in our agent only holding a deposit of $200 per person.
Amended costs were emailed to participants in late September 2021 reflecting return first class train travel (previously return only) and annual price increase.
Then a week or so ago I realised our final payment was overdue and the fun started. I would like to thank everyone for promptly paying their respective balances and also our new treasurer Michael Stinson for expediting the outstanding balance to our agent.

Costs
Except for the stated package costs, it’s best if all other costs are paid for separately, by the participants.

COVID 19 Guidelines
As a minimum, our Club at all times will abide by the Covid 19 guidelines set down by NSW Health.
We also request that only club members who are fully vaccinated attend activities and events organised by the club.
Thus we expect members to respect the health and wellbeing of their fellow members and not attend club organised activities unless they are fully vaccinated.
​

Other
Any suggestions or questions please give me a call.
Always looking for future trip suggestions.
Max Henderson
Activity Leader
 
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Gardening

GARDENING GROUP - April
We had a very enjoyable morning tea and catch up at Flower Power at our April Gardening Group Day. 
 
Following morning tea, we were able to pick up our gardening suppl: seedlings, mulches, and for some of us a nice indoor pot plants.
Our next Gardening Group day will be on Thursday 12 May.  Details of the location, etc will be emailed nearer the day.
 
Please let Sue Small know if you’d like to be added to the ‘Gardening’ group emails.
Leaders -  Sue Small, Lorenza Powyer
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Golf

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Golf Report April 2022.

Unfortunately there was no golf in April due to wet weather & courses subsequently being closed.

​Next game is at Carnarvon on 6th May 18 holes starting at 12pm.

​9 holes start at 2pm.


Yours in Fun, Fellowship & Friendship

Terry Ridge.

Leader - Terry Ridge
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Investment Group

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Investment Group - April
 
After the Covid-19 induced extended hibernation, the Probus Investment Group met on Tuesday 19th April. We watched a 9 minute video with Bill Evans, Westpac Chief Economist, where he discussed the 2022 Federal Budget. Many topics were discussed during the meeting and a short list of topics for future meetings has been developed. As I had been particularly busy, I had to rely on my good wife, Susan, who kindly baked an excellent Dutch Teacake, which was enjoyed by all. Douglas Lam kindly contributed some excellent coffee for all to enjoy.
 
The next Investment Group meeting with be held at my home at 10:00am on Tuesday 17th May. At the next meeting we will be discussing the benefits of online share trading applications such as CommSec.
 
If you wish to participate in the Investment Group, please email me so I can add you to the Investment Group email list. 

David Antonjuk
 
Leader - David Antonjuk

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MEN'S CLUB - April

The date for the Wooloomoolloo walk is now Wednesday 4th May.
 
This interesting historical Woolloomooloo area tour will be of interest to most members of the club.

"It will come as a surprise to many readers that Woolloomooloo was once the most desirable suburb in Sydney. Forget Double Bay, Ashfield, Elizabeth Bay, and don’t even think about the north shore, for in the first half of the nineteenth century if you didn’t live in the ‘Loo, you were living in the dump. Woolloomooloo was the home of judges, merchant leaders, politicians and the rest of the hoi polloi. By all accounts it was quite a beautiful setting, close to a wonderful bay, in walking distance to the heart of the colony, and a mere stone’s throw to Government House. It was also a safe distance from the rowdy soldiers at Paddington and the even rowdier sailors in the Rocks. Grand houses were built, many with spectacular gardens, and, if one were inclined, it was considered relatively safe to engage in one of the popular sports of the day, pedestrianism. There were market gardens and, on the harbour shore of the Woolloomooloo bay, fresh fish were displayed and sold. In those days the bay offered sandy beaches and, sadly, unlike today, the fish were edible. Things changed in the second half of the century as better roads, if you could call them roads, better communication systems, and later gas and water supplies, encouraged people to move further out." - Warren Fahey​

Renee


Leader - Rene Beutler

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Mixed Social Group

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Mixed Social Coffee morning
​

Mixed Social Coffee morning will resume on Monday May 30 Salt Cafe ( in shopping centre) 11.00am Dural 

I will send out an email to the group

Kim 

​
Leaders- Kim Nicholls & Sue Cordukes

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Movies

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​MOVIE GROUP - April

At the April Movie Day, most of us thoroughly enjoyed watching ‘The Duke’, a wonderful British film based on a real-life incident, where the famous Goya painting of the Duke of Wellington was stolen from the Nation Gallery in London. 

Jim Broadbent, plays Kempton Bunton, a real-life figure who achieved notoriety in the mid-60s after the theft of Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery. The movie is based in Newcastle (UK) in the spring of 1961, where the retired bus driver and self-proclaimed Robin Hood figure has felt the long arm of the law for refusing to pay his TV licence fee. Outraged that public money is being spent to keep a “half-baked portrait by some Spanish drunk” in the UK, habitual soap-boxer Bunton declares that the money would be better spent on “war widows and pensioners … for the greater good of mankind”.

When the Goya painting goes ‘awol’, the authorities suspect highly organised international criminals, probably including “a trained commando” (the 1962 Bond film Dr No fancifully placed the painting in its villain’s lair). But when Kempton’s long-suffering wife, Dorothy (Helen Mirren), finds “a stolen masterpiece in their wardrobe!”, it appears that her husband has outdone himself in his quest to battle social injustice at large while driving his nearest and dearest to distraction at home.
As usual, following the movie we all enjoyed a long lunch at Cosmo Café.

Our next Movie Group Day will be on Tuesday 3 May.
 
Please contact Sue Small if you’d like to be added to the Movie Group email list.
Leaders – Lorenza Powyer & Sue Small
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Photography

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Probus Photography Group May Report

Capertee Photography Getaway April 5-7, 2022
We had 18 photographers travelling to Turon Gates in the Capertee Valley to do some landscaping images in early April. Unfortunately, Sue came down with Covid and was unable to attend, we missed Sue’s bubbling personality.
Due to the massive amount of rain the road to the glow worm tunnel and the dry canyon were closed. It was planned to stop at these paces on the way. We decided to go straight to Turon Gates in the Capertee Valley. This gave us some time to collect firewood and for our chef extraordinaire Barry to fire up the three Webbers for a fabulous roast turkey dinner. Thank you also to the assistant cooks for the vegies.

Rain was pouring in Sydney, but we were dry, the campfire was lit, and we gazed at the milky way above us, a magical evening. Some of the keener photographers ran off to do some Astro images but the humidity came in and blocked the view. We took images of a tree lit by a torch.​​
Image by Bain Shenstone
Image by Andrew Little
Image by Bain Shenstone
​We had four couples in glamping tents and the remainder of our group in huts. Both had magnificent views of the river and surrounding mountains.
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Image by Rob Clarke
​The next day three of our party took early morning images in the local area.
​Others took a helicopter ride over the Gardens of Stone National Park.
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Image by Lynne Henderson. Ian praying for a safe return!!!
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Image of the canyons from the helicopter by Lynne Henderson.
​In the afternoon we visited the Glen Davis abandoned Shale Oil manufacturing facility. The site is privately owned and with no mobile in the area it took Rob some time to find the owner. This was a fascinating site and the engineers in our party kept asking the owner heaps of questions.
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The retorting tower at Glen Davis. Image by Rosemary Clarke.
​The super chef Barry took off to prepare a lamb roast in his three Webbers whilst others stopped to take sunset images of Pantoney’s Crown. After scepticism by some that the sun would come out, we were blessed with solar display lighting up the crown in the evening light.
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Lynne Henderson’s Image of the month, Pantoney’s Crown
With another fabulous dinner by Barry and the support team we again retired to the fire pit under the stars whilst rain was pounding Sydney.

The next day we packed up in the dry and drove back to Sydney where the rain was intense.
We now have a number of trips up our sleeve for the sites that we missed due to road and track closures.
​
PS: How could we forget that trout that Ken caught in the local river? Being photographers with access to post editing it grew a little larger after the event.
This is what Ken caught
This is what Ken wished he had caught!
March Photography Meeting
At our monthly photography meeting we reviewed images from both Capertee and the Kiama trip.
​
Fantastic images were taken in the quarry by Bain
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Taken with an I-Phone.

Next Month’s Photography Challenge
The challenge for the next month is to take two daylight images and remember how your eyes see the image compared to what the camera has taken. Cameras are not as efficient as our eyes and rely on programs to best guess exposures. At our next meeting we will discuss how cameras expose images and what we can do to improve the exposure.
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A folder has been created on the Facebook site called Daylight Exposure Images.
To find all our images please go to media on the Facebook site and all the albums are there to look at, we have great photographers in our club.

Facebook Page
Our photography group has a Facebook page, all members are welcome to subscribe to this website and view the images posted by our members.

The link is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/254025278937219/?ref=group_header

Next Meeting

Next Meeting: 7:30pm on Wednesday May 18, at the Clarke’s residence. Our meetings are on the third Wednesday of each month.
Our group supports I-Phone / Android photographers through to the very keen photographers with high quality camera equipment. It is also very social. 
Rob Clarke
Activity Coordinator


Leaders - Rob Clarke & Bain Shenstone

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Turon Gates Trip Photos

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Ten Pin Bowling

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TEN PIN BOWLING REPORT - April 2022

​The next Ten Pin Bowling activity is on Friday, 20 May.
 
Those of you who have indicated previously you would like to play will receive an “sms” providing details. You only need to respond if you intend to participate.
 
If you have not previously indicated you might like to participate, but would like to do so, please let me know by “sms”.
 
​

Doug Mathews

Leader - Doug Matthews
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Tennis

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Tennis Group Report-April 2022
 
The weather has been getting gradually better so play has resumed on most days.  We have had a couple of trips though to Gerringong & Lithgow which has taken away various players since the last report.
 
We meet on Monday & Wednesday @ 9.00am at Hasting Park Tennis Complex, 44 Belltree Crescent, Castle Hill.
 
If you are interested in joining us, please give me a call.

Bob Davison

Leader - Bob Davison

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Theatre and Musicals

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Live Theatre April 2022
 
Moulin Rouge the Musical - Capitol Theatre
Wednesday 22 June at 7:00pm
 
Thanks for your great response to our theatre party to Moulin Rouge the Musical at The Capitol Theatre on 22 June 2022!!
 
We have now fully subscribed and paid our group booking however:
 
What If you have missed out or have changed your mind and still want to go… or bring a guest ……don’t despair!!!!
 
 In short, we have:
  • One available spot @ $137 on the bus due to a late cancellation
  • Just 5 available seats on the coach.
 
Please don’t hesitate but, you will need to contact Robyn or me who will then confirm your place on the coach and/or purchase the necessary ticket at normal walk-up prices on your behalf, that will also incur all or part of the additional booking fee. Estimated cost for an equivalent group ticket is $139 plus (all or part of) the booking fee $9.40. However, we will not charge the bus fee component, as this expense has already been covered and is now offered under our Probus “fun, fellowship and friendship” principle!!
 
That way we can then optimise our seating and manage those additional fees.
 
 About - Moulin Rouge! The Musical -Opens in Sydney on 28 May:

Enter a world of splendour and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Pop the champagne and prepare for the spectacular, spectacular... 

Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical!

WINNER OF 10 TONY AWARDS® including Best Musical, Baz Luhrmann's revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza featuring over 70 songs including many of the iconic hits from the movie, as well as additions from Adele, Katy Perry, Sia, Beyonce, Rihanna and more. 

A theatrical celebration of truth, beauty, freedom, and — above all — love, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical; it is a state of mind.
 
Stay safe,

​Bruce Bartle

Leader - Bruce Bartle
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Walking Group

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​Walking - April

The walking group has been invited to join the Men’s Club for a walk around Woolloomooloo on Wednesday May 4th.  Refer to the men's Club report for details but leave this day free for an interesting day out.  Led by Ian Palmer who is a member of “The Fellowship of First Fleeters”, we will gain an insight into the history within this unique area.   It will be an easy 3-4km walk and mostly flat.  All are welcome. 
 
The walking group normal walk for ‘second Tuesday of the month’ is full circuit around Parramatta Park followed by coffee and/or lunch at Club Parramatta.  This a casual walk on sealed or hard surfaces (no bush bashing) with gentle inclines.
 
Meet:      At the Bowling Green car park next to the Rumsey Rose Garden at the vehicle entrance on Pitt St, Parramatta
When:    Tuesday May 10th.
Time:      10am.    Do not be late. 
Walk:      From the car park, Railway Parade, West Domain Ave, Cross the Ross Street Weir, around the back
                 of Bankwest Stadium and Old Kings Oval, across Noller Bridge, out to O’Connell St, right to the club.
Parking:  Parking in the near the Rumsey Rose Garden car park for $3 per hour.  Additional parking inside the park.
Coffee:    No coffee stops on this walk.  Coffee after the walk at Club Parramatta
Toilets:    Toilets are available during the walk.
Lunch:     After the walk at Club Parramatta for good club meals.
 
Bring Hat, rain jacket, good walking shoes and water. 
 
PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU INTEND TO COME ALONG BY RETURN EMAIL.
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Enio
Leader - Enio Dona
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Wine & Cheese

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The Wine and Cheese night in April unfortunately was cancelled for various reasons.
Next month will be on Friday 13th May at Ken and Toni Smith’s residence.


Julie & Sue

 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
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