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Australian Broadcasting Corporation Reunion Club – Victoria – Inc.
Patron: Randal Mathieson
APR / MAY / JUN 2015
VOLUME 38 No 2
(ABC State Director, Vic)
THIS Newsletter is being posted to ALL MEMBERS. If you were expecting an emailed copy and did
not receive an advisory email please inform the Secretary, Carol (contact details are on page 4).
T
he Club’s Annual General Meeting was held on 20th February in
the Elms Function Room at the Caulfield Race Course, a venue that is becoming quite permanent because of the
fine food and service we receive.
Guests were greeted on arrival at
11.00am with champers and other
drinks whilst copious platters of delicious hot and cold savouries were distributed. Much socialising took place
until the meeting was called at 12 noon.
Our Acting Chairman Ken SimpsonBull welcomed everyone and referred to
last year’s minutes which had been
distributed. Secretary Carol then read out
a list of apologies. We attracted a total
attendance of 82 members and guests.
Our Treasurer Barbara Mathiesen
then read the Financial Report, indicat-
“an increase in annual fees”
ing that our funds had made a slight
loss last year. This, combined with rising costs, had caused the Committee to
vote in an increase in Annual Fees—
the first for six years. The new fees
$20 single, $25 couple will be applied
in 2016. She also gave her thanks to
Tiffany Bryant for her help as Auditor.
Ken, standing in for Allan Hiscock,
then presented the Annual Report, the
main features of which were:
◘ Last year we had no fewer than
29 new members. That’s a record for
one year! Sadly though, we lost several
during the year. Our total number of
individual members is currently 322.
◘ A rundown was given on each of
last year’s events all of which were
quite successful and well attended.
◘ This year’s remaining events will
be: a tour of the Desalination Plant in
Wonthaggi in April, in May we dine
French with lunch at “Le Gaulois” in
Syndal. In June we take the train to
Bendigo for a look at a Ned Kelly Art
exhibition followed by lunch at the
Rifle Brigade Hotel. A luxurious Buffet
at the RACV in July. In August we
visit Parliament and the Treasury
Building in the city. In September we
have Spring luncheon somewhere to be
arranged. We visit
he famous Johnson Antique Collection in October.
In November we
have our usual
BBQ at Linton
and Tiffany’s, and
finally our Annual
Xmas Luncheon at
the RACV.
◘ Emailing of
the
Newsletter
was discussed and
tests were underway. There is now
an email address
for the Club.
Ken, again speaking for Allan,
thanked each of the Committee members individually for their valuable contribution to the running of the Club.
Because Allan was retiring and in
recognition of his 12 years of sterling
service as Chairman and for contributing a total of 19 years to date on the
Committee he was presented with a gift
of a fine pen and pencil set
As there were two Committee vacancies (the Vice-Chairman Ken Simpson-Bull was also retiring) and as there
were only two nominees for the vacant
positions, firstly Johnnie Walker was
voted in as Chairman.
Johnnie, who has been attending
Committee lunches, has had a wideranging career. This includes many
years as a TV and Film Director both in
Australia and overseas plus being
largely responsible for the establishment of SBS to name just two of his
fields. We look forward to his particular brand of professionalism as Chairman.
Committee member, John Backman, who has had many years of professional ABC experience in technical
and operational fields, was then voted
in as Vice Chairman. The rest of the
existing Committee was re-elected.
In regards to the luncheon, the
main course was Chicken Breast
served alternatively with Lamb Cutlets
both with vegetables, all nicely pre-
The Club’s new Vice-chairman and Chairman John Backman and Johnnie Walker.
sented and delicious. The fine quality
of the food is one of the reasons we
continue to return to this venue.
Our raffle is always very popular
and helps us subsidise certain events.
The prizes included cinema tickets
courtesy of Village and Palace Cinemas, a Myers voucher from Credit Union Australia, and dining vouchers
from the Caulfield Glass House, the
Glen Waverley Barbecue Restaurant
and Wheelers Hill Hotel.
Drawing of the raffle tickets was
overseen by Graeme Fettling with aid
from Carol and Barbie. The first prize
of a night’s accommodation at the
“First prize valued at $254”
RACV in the city for two with full
breakfast valued at $254 was won by
Lyn Fisher. Barbie Mathiesen won one
of John Friend’s prize-winning photographs, and MSO Concert tickets were
won by Dick Rowlands, Ross Smith
and Lyn Innes-Irons.
Back to the meal: dessert was a
choice of Apple Crumble or Passionfruit Cheese Cake while self-serve tea
or coffee finished the meal. We heard
of no complaints.
The day finished after more socialising with members generally expressing their enjoyment of the day.
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COMI
COM I NG EVENTS
LUNCHEON AT THE RACV Code (RAC)
Tuesday, 21 July.
TOUR OF DESALINATION PLANT Code (TDP) + C or GW
Friday, 17 April.
YOU only have less than one week left to book in for
the bus trip to the Desalination Plant at Wonthaggi
where we will be given an escorted tour.
This will be followed by lunch (at own expense) at
the Wonthaggi Workmans Club where economical
meals are available from an extensive menu.
The coach will leave Caulfield Railway Station
(north side) at 8.30am sharp, and from the Glen
Waverley RSL (opposite the south side of Glen
Waverley station) at 9.00am sharp!
You must wear flat-heeled shoes and long pants on
the site. We expect to arrive back at Glen Waverley at
4.30 pm and Caulfield at 5.00.
For this function we return to our favourite venue, the
RACV. (Available places will fill fast.) It’s at 501
Bourke Street (between William Street and Queen).
Bourke Street trams stop almost outside the door.
Mention at the entrance that you are with the ABC
party and you will be directed to the 17th floor.
We meet at 12.00 noon just outside the
restaurant on the 17th floor for a sumptuous
smorgasbord meal. There will be soup, ante pasta, a
large selection of fresh seafood (including oysters),
constantly replenished hot and cold dishes with roasts
carved onto your plate. And the desserts are
spectacular. The restaurant is fully licensed. We are
limited to a maximum of 70 places so book early.
COST: Members $40 Guests $45
Please note that the RACV has a recommended dress code,
namely: “Minimum smart casual, which for gentlemen means a
collared shirt, tailored trousers and dress shoes. For ladies, a smart
shirt, skirt, dress or trousers and dress shoes.”
HOW TO BOOK: Please refer to page 4.
COST: Members $46 Guests $55
HOW TO BOOK: Please refer to page 4.
LUNCH AT LE GAULOIS FRENCH RESTAURANT (LLG)
Thursday, 21 May.
Stories, Photos, News Items wanted
WE have negotiated an elegant French 3-course lunch with a
choice of dishes at Le Gaulois Restaurant, 260 Blackburn Road in Syndal (six minutes walk from Syndal Station).
There is parking in the area. We meet at 12.00 noon.
BYO wine is allowed and there is no corkage.
WE welcome any photos, nostalgic yarns or news items that
you may wish to contribute to forthcoming Newsletters.
Space is limited so try to be brief. Post or email contributions
to the Newsletter Editor. (Contact details are on page 4.)
COST: Members $48 Guests $55
HOW TO BOOK: Please refer to page 4.
THE COMMITTEE
Chairman: Johnnie Walker 9696 2442
or mobile 0418 323 051
TRAIN TRIP TO BENDIGO, EXHIBITION AND LUNCH
LUNCH (TTB)
Thursday 18 June
BENDIGO is always a delightful city to visit, a good place
for shopping or just looking around, but on this occasion
there is also a Ned Kelly Exhibition at the Art Gallery to visit.
We have arranged lunch at the Rifle Brigade Hotel
(just across the road from the Gallery). The food is
good, varied and reasonably priced.
You will have to buy your own “off-peak day-return
ticket to Bendigo” from a manned suburban station
presenting your Seniors Card if you have one. (Travel on
the suburban line is included with the Bendigo ticket.) We
suggest you catch the 9.11 am train from Southern
Cross. This arrives in Bendigo at 11.16 am.
If you don’t want to go to the Gallery, we meet at
the hotel for lunch at 1.00 pm. Trains back to Melbourne
leave at 3.03 pm, and 4.02 pm. (It would be wise to check
times in case of an unlikely change.)
COST: $5 per person booking fee refundable at the hotel.
HOW TO BOOK: Please refer to page 4.
Vice Chairman: John Backman
Secretary: Carol Simpson-Bull 9561 4124
or mobile 0403 393 746
Treasurer: Barbara Mathiesen 8502 0918
Newsletter Editor: Ken Simpson-Bull
Auditor: Tiffany Bryant.
General Committee:
Shah Goldrich, Allan and Helen Hiscock,
Lyn Innes-Irons, Ross Smith, Mike Vance
Committee Meetings
THE Committee meets on the first Friday of each month at
Ripponlea. Members are invited to join them for lunch at
12.30 at the Caulfield Racecourse Glass House Restaurant.
Seniors’ meals are available.
Bereavement
We were saddened to hear that Lloyd Worthington
who formerly worked in Staging and was a popular
Union Delegate died recently at age 86.
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Important notice for recipients of electronic Newsletters
IN our recent test of bulk emailed attachments (simulating the Newsletter) some emails went astray. Searches in “junk”
and “spam” folders were not always successful.
Therefore we have decided to make the Newsletter permanently available on-line to all members by way of Rick
Hunter’s ABV2 web site. (Rick has guaranteed ongoing continuity of the site.)
Would all members please go to the web site “www.abv2.net.au”. Then click on “ABC Reunion Club” and then on
the green “Current Newsletter”.
Or Google “ABC Reunion Club”, then click on “ABC Reunion Club abv2.net.au site”, then on “Current Newsletter”.
Or go to the Reunion Club page direct at www.abv2.net.au/reunion_club.html (We suggest you bookmark it)
You should be able to read the Newsletter on-line, or print it out, or download it, or “bookmark” the link (add to
“favourites”).
Most (if not all) computers will have a PDF reader in order to read or print the Newsletter, but if yours doesn’t, a
free one, such as “Adobe Reader”, can be easily downloaded from the Internet.
We will notify you of forthcoming Newsletters by email and give you a hyperlink. The next ones are expected
to go on-line by July 8, October 7 and January 7. Make a note of this in case the notifying email fails to arrive.
If you cannot access the Newsletter on-line (presuming that you want to) please contact the Secretary by
phone, post, or email. Contact details are on page 4. (A computer-savvy friend may help if you have a problem.)
L
UNCH at the Chinese BBQ
restaurant in Glen Waverley on
the 19th March attracted 20 members.
The dishes, chosen from the Chinese
Menu instead of the usual “AustralianChinese”, were served one-at-a-time to
the centre of the table on a share basis.
Each dish appeared to be well received and included duck and lettuce
congee with dough-cake, stuffed bean
curd, and prawn cake with stir-fried
vegetables and tree-mushrooms to name
a few.
Most members brought their own
wine and there was much socialising.
Another successful day!
Top: Mike Vance, Carol Wilson, Lyn Innes-Irons, Allan Hiscock, John
Backman. Above: Beth Wilson, Cameron Smith, Barbie Mathiesen.
Right: Ken Simpson-Bull, Allan Hiscock, Carol Simpson-Bull.
Photographed at the AGM
By Ivan Gaal and Carol Simpson-Bull
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Doug Sharp Retires
New Members
Late Booking?
Doug Sharp has decided that his
health is not sufficiently robust to
continue with his position on the
Committee. Doug leaves after 14 years
of service. Happily we’ll still be
seeing him at regular events.
WE welcome Rod Coats (former
cinecameraman) and wife Mandy;
and Keith Jones (from the Technical
staff) and wife Frances. We hope to
catch up at some of our forthcoming
functions.
Your payment for a function must
reach us at least seven days before an
event. Otherwise you must ring the
Treasurer or the Secretary to see if a
vacancy is available.
PAYING FOR EVENTS
Make cheques payable to ABC Reunion Club & post with coded information to: PO Box 272, Glen Waverley, Vic. 3150
(Treasurer’s Telephone: Barbie Mathiesen: 8502 0918 or 0413 892 877 )
Please put your return address on the back of any mail.
For information on how to pay by Electronic Bank Transfer, ring Carol Simpson-Bull on 9561 4124.
Reminder: In the Transaction Description: 999AGM2 means your Member Number, Event Code, 2 people attending.
TO CONTACT THE CLUB:
Write, telephone the appropriate Committee Member, or email
CHANGES TO BOOKING PROCEDURE
NOW that most members receive their Newsletter electronically, we have decided to introduce a
simplified procedure when booking for functions.
For those members who already book and pay electronically there is no change. (If you want
to become an electronic banking payer you must first contact the Secretary.)
For those members sending cheques by post, the procedure is this:
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. 153TDP2 means Member No 153, Tour of the Desalination Plant, 2 people attending.
or (for example) C. Simpson-Bull TDP2
If you are paying for 2 or more events, repeat the coded information for each event.
If additional information is required such as a pick-up point for a bus, add the first letter of the pickup
point. E.g. 153TDP2C means the pickup is Caulfield, G (or GW) would mean Glen Waverley.
If you have any address, phone number or email changes, please inform the Secretary by telephone, mail,
or email. (See contact details elsewhere on this page.)
* Your Member Number is on the address label of posted Newsletters and on your Membership Card. Make a
note of it now for future reference.
Tips for Recipients of
electronic Newsletters
IF you hadn’t thought about it:
1. Why not create a folder in
“documents” on your computer and store
each Newsletter there.
2. If you decide to print the Newsletter, in
order to save on ink only print the actual
page(s) that you want.
3. Print the Newsletter as 2 in 1 (that is,
half size). Of course you may need your
strongest glasses to read it!
4. You should be able to copy any
individual photo from the Newsletter .
Former ABC Technical Trainees (from way back) recently had a reunion
get-together. From left to right: Stan Lawrie, Keith Jones, Ray Gould, Noel
Tyzack, Bruce Shearer, Peter McMaster and Dan Ryan.