Australian Broadcasting Corporation Reunion Club – Victoria – Inc.abcreunionclub.org/reunion_club/nl/nl_2019_4.pdf · 2019. 9. 28. · 1. Make cheques payable to the ABC Reunion

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N Sunday 21st July this year, 35 members

attended the mid-year luncheon (a seafood buf-

fet) at the RACV in the city where we had our own

reserved tables in the newly renovated conservatory

restaurant. We were pleased to see our Chairman

Johnny Walker in attendance even though he is still

recovering from his recent health issue.

As usual we were not disappointed by what must

be described as a gourmet’s dream. There was an

abundance of fresh sea-food which included oysters,

mussels, king prawns, crab, calamari and a large

variety of salads. And this was just entrée!

Then there were two soups, tender roasts from the

carvery and a selection of hot vegetables. One could

also choose a pasta dish. A variety of wine and other

drinks were available from the waiter service and

much socialising took place.

Despite the huge choice of main dishes, many left

some room for the desserts for, as the regulars know,

these are truly outstanding—brandy snaps, hot apple-

crumble, and rich cakes and tarts of every description.

There were also cheeses and crackers. We finished up

with tea and coffee after a really satisfying day.

OUR trip to the Scotchmans Hill winery on Thursday

19th September was an unqualified success. Not only

was it a beautiful sunny day but everything ran

exactly to plan. Seventeen members attended. (What

a pity more couldn’t make it.)

The ferry turned out to be a modern catamaran

which skimmed across the bay at a great rate of knots,

arriving at Portarlington in a little over an hour.

We were picked up at the wharf by our friendly

coach driver who drove along a scenic route to the

winery from which we beheld a magnificent view of

the bay with Melbourne city in the distance.

We were first given an extensive wine tasting of

their five-star rated wines along with informative

discussion. Then it was time for lunch in a delightful

venue.

Beef cheeks with vegetables was served altern-

atively with barramundi with a rice and vegetable

mixture, both dishes delicious. Sweets were a choice

of rich chocolate pudding or luscious orange cake.

After lunch our driver took us on a scenic tour of

the local area, taking us to some high locations with

beautiful panoramic views. The return ferry trip was

uneventful and everyone went their own ways after a

really great day.

O O

Australian Broadcasting Corporation Reunion Club – Victoria – Inc.

OCT / NOV / DEC 2019 Volume 42 No 4

PATRON: Stephen Murray

National Mgr Production,

Studios & Locations TV

Annual RA Function

THIS year’s Annual Radio Australia Luncheon

will be at the Burvale Hotel on Sunday 24th

November at 12 noon. Ring Mike Cook on 0417

539 740 or Yvonne Stent on 9802 4378 for details

and booking.

Committee Vacancies for 2020

AT the Annual General Meeting to be held on

Wednesday, 19 February 2020, the following

positions will become available:

Chairman

Vice Chairman

Secretary

and one or two General Committee Members

These positions will need to be filled and we

would love to hear from any interested parties.

Please telephone Dr Cheryl Threadgold on 0422

125 036 or email [email protected] for

further information and/or a nomination form.

Graham Fettling, Neil Hobbs, Linton Bryant and Gerry McKechnie in front of the Portarlington ferry.

COMING EVENTS

PERCY GRAINGER MUSEUM and LUNCH (PGM)

Thursday 10 October

THE Percy Grainger Museum contains a large and outstanding collection of memorabilia related to Grainger’s career as a musician and composer. We have arranged a guided tour followed by lunch (for those so inclined) at the nearby Hotel. We meet outside the Museum at 11:45 for a noon tour.

Lunch is at Naughtons Hotel, 43 Royal Parade, Parkville at 1.30pm. Inexpensive meals are available.

Catch the Tram No 19 in Elizabeth street to Stop No 11. Enter the University Grounds at Gate 13.

Lunch is at own expense.

Book quickly!

COST: Members $5. Guests $8.

HOW TO BOOK: You must ring Barbie Mathiesen on

0413 892 877 by at least one week before the tour.

You pay on the day.

ANNUAL BBQ AT VIEWBANK (BBQ)

Sunday 10th November

OUR annual BBQ, complete with a six-piece jazz band, will once again be at Linton and Tiffany’s home in Viewbank.

Sausages, chicken shasliks, salads, and bread will be provided plus desserts, but please bring your own drinks and drinking vessels. Tea and coffee provided.

Vegetarians will need to contact Barbie Mathiesen or otherwise bring their own special BBQ food. To ensure seating, please bring a portable table and chairs.

The address is 2 Bannockburn Road, Viewbank (Melways ref. 20, J 10). Enter off Lower Plenty Road and drive to the end of Bannockburn Road. The entrance is on the left and we’ll put up some balloons to mark the spot. There is plenty of parking inside. We meet at 12.00 noon.

COST FOR LUNCH: Members $20 Guests $25

HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4

MORE COMING EVENTS

LOOKING ahead, we are planning a trip to the Synchrotron in Clayton plus lunch, also a lunch by the seaside at a Frankston hotel.

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ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON (ACL)

Friday 6th December

BY popular request we return to the RACV, 501 Bourke Street. We will have our own private room on the second floor. This is a not-to-be-missed event which should attract around 100 members so book early.

Pre-luncheon drinks and savouries will be pro-vided at 12.00 noon in the reception area on the 2nd floor. (Inform the RACV at the entrance that you are with the ABC Reunion Club.) A two-course meal of high quality will then be served in our own private room. Wine, beer and soft drinks to accompany the main meal can be purchased at your own expense. The meal will finish with coffee and chocolates.

COST: Members $70. Guests $85 (actual price).

HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

Wednesday 19th February 2020

THIS year we will again be at the Albert Park Yachting & Angling Club, 129B Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park (opposite Kerford Rd.)

Champers and soft drinks along with savouries will be served on arrival at 11.00 am followed by the official meeting at 12.00 noon. At around 1.00 pm a gourmet main course will be served at each table.

Drinks to accompany lunch can be purchased at very reasonable prices. Delicious desserts, tea and coffee will follow.

Car parking in the area is scarce. It’s best to catch the No 1 tram in Swanston Street (heading south) and alighting at the terminus. Walk towards the beach, turn left at Beaconsfield Parade, and it’s a five-minute walk.

COST: Members $50. Guests $60 (actual price).

HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.

CHEAP THEATRE SEATS!

Helen Hiscock can supply (group booking) seats for “Chicago” at the State Theatre for Wed 15 January at 1:00pm for $69.90. Contact Helen on 0417 585 120 and pay by 12 November.

Also seats for “Billy Elliot” at the Regent for Wed 11 March, 2020 at 1:00pm for $79 to be paid by 10 January.

Twenty or More Years ago

LOOKING through some old Newsletters we came

across the following interesting items:

FROM OCTOBER 1998: The ABC Radio and

Television News and Current Affairs services are to be

united under one roof at Southbank. This has been

because of last year’s massive reduction of R.A. staff

and services. Top management claims that the move is

needed to meet the demands of digital transmission

which begins in 2001. “Resources will be strengthened,

leading to a 24-hour TV News Service”, said Managing

Director Brian Johns. However, staff are more cynical

saying that the move will cut personnel and leave

Ripponlea exposed and isolated. In a period of budget

cuts, the move is costing over $5 million. It’s happening

in Sydney too, only there it’s costing $120 million! Staff

will become what they once were – multiskilled.

A MEMO FROM THE PAST:

Here’s a memo that was distributed in 1971 to ABC staff

in the St James building in the days when practical jokes

abounded:

Subject: Pot Plant Polishing

Information received from Department of Treasury

indicates that the forthcoming Federal Budget will force

economies on the ABC. In addition to cuts to certain

programme budgets, it will be necessary to economise

on office maintenance.

Until now, pot plants in the St James building have

been maintained by contactors, but in view of budget

revision their services will be terminated from August 1,

1971.

As from that date, each

department will appoint a Pot

Plant officer (P.P.O.) who will

be responsible for the

cleanliness and health of all

plants in this area. For this

purpose, each P.P.O. will be

issued with the following

equipment:

One feather duster, one

hydrometer, one polishing rag,

one thermometer, one can of Mr

Sheen and one can of

insecticide. P.P.O.s will water

and polish their plants once a

week. New cans of Mr Sheen

can be obtained by returning

empty cans to the Supervisor of Plants located on the 4th

floor.

The growing of geraniums is discouraged as these

look like real flowers, detracting from the plastic look.

Signed … A. Spidistra (Sup. Plants)

Don’t laugh, this largely became true!

HERE is a notice printed in the January/February

1998 issue of the Newsletter:

… the following proposal shall be put to the vote

at the Annual General Meeting on 12 February:

That the name of the “Australian Broadcasting Corporation Retirement Club Incorporated

(Victoria)” be changed to “Australian

Broadcasting Corporation Reunion Club Incorporated (Victoria)”.

It is felt that the name change from

“Retirement” to “Reunion” will make joining the

club by younger or still-working ABC and ex

ABC staff more attractive and appropriate.

At the 1999 AGM, the above motion was put to the vote

but not before an alternative new name was proposed by

Louis Yffer, namely the “ABC Club”. However, the

former was officially adopted by a unanimous vote.

OUR

YESTERDAYS

3

Annual Subscription Due Code SUB

YOUR membership fee for 2020 is due at the end

of December and we would appreciate payment

by this date. Fees are $20 (single) or $25

(double). Please refer to page four for the

method of payment. New Members who joined

after 1st August 2019 do not have to pay again

for 2020.

Members enjoying lunch at Scotchmans Hill winery. Photo Carol Simpson-Bull

THE COMMITTEE

Chairman: Johnnie Walker

mobile 0418 323 051

Deputy Chairman: Dr Cheryl Threadgold OAM mobile 0422 125 036

Secretary: Carol Simpson-Bull 9561 4124 or mobile 0403 393 746

Assistant Secretary: Helen Hiscock 9758 7205

Treasurer: Barbara Mathiesen mobile 0413 892 877

Assistant Treasurer: David Rolfe Newsletter Editor: Ken Simpson-Bull

Auditor: Pat Kenny General Committee:

Tiffany Bryant, Allan Hiscock, Bruna Niblett, Jo Maxian,

HOW TO BOOK FOR AN EVENT or for your ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE

For those members sending cheques or Money Orders by post, the procedure is this:

1. Make cheques payable to the ABC Reunion Club

2. On the back of your cheque (or on a slip of paper attached to your cheque) please write the following:

Your member number (or your name), the event code, and the number of people attending.

E.g. 153AGM2 means Member No 153, Annual General Meeting, 2 people attending.

If you are paying for two or more events, repeat the coded information for each event.

If you propose to bring a guest, please let us know their name for insurance purposes.

3. Post the cheque to PO Box 272, Glen Waverley, Vic. 3150 (Put your return address on the envelope)

Members making bank transfers must initially contact the Secretary for procedure details.

Reminder: In the Transaction Description: 999AGM2 means your Member Number, Event Code, 2 people.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Write, telephone the appropriate Committee Member, or email [email protected]

Postal Address: ABC Reunion Club, PO Box 272, Glen Waverley, Vic. 3150

(Please put your return address on the back of any mail)

For Telephone numbers refer to “The Committee” listing.

The Web Site Address is www.abcreunionclub.org

4

Bereavement

WE were saddened to hear of the recent death of the

following former ABC staff:

Bob Ness who passed away in July. Bob was with TV

Engineering from the early days of television.

Denise Gakov, who had been in poor health for some

time. Denise worked in the Make-up Department for many

years.

Judy Golding, who was from Technical Operations,

passed away much too young after a fairly long illness.

Barbara Young, who was from the early days of Radio

Australia and Studio Bookings..

Ken North, formally from Finance.

Our condolences to all families and friends.

Cheryl Threadgold obtains her PhD

SINCE commencing tertiary studies with Open Universities

of Australia in 2007, Cheryl Threadgold has graduated with a

Bachelor of Arts (Communication and English Literature) in

2011 and more recently with a Master of Arts (Writing).

Cheryl is delighted to have heard from Swinburne Uni-

versity of Technology that her thesis on the topic of “The

History and Culture of Amateur Theatre in Victoria” has

passed and she is now in the process of finishing a book on

the same topic. (In 2010 she was awarded an OAM for

services to the Performing Arts.)

New Members

WE welcome Viv Winter who has already

attended several of our functions.

Also, Helen Sexton ex Personnel, and

Joanne (Prod Asst Sport) and Tony Hunt

(Prod Ops).