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Penn West News and Views No. 180, Aug 2018

Penn West News and Views The Newsletter of the Combined Probus Club of West Pennant Hills

President’s Message

Oh what a night. Congratulations to Margot and her co-workers Sue and Ros. They organized a great evening.

All the members present participated and there were some fantastic outfits. Patricia Jackson and Keith Highfield taking the prizes for best dressed.

Must admit I was surprised looking at the name badges to see Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire

were at the night. I did not realize they were members of our club.

In June I had the pleasure of visiting the first of our Book Clubs which was held at Mavis’s house. She served a delicious morning tea. The book we discussed was “The Great Alone” chosen by Julia Sinclair. An interesting book which created lots of discussion. It was a very enjoyable morning, many thanks to all the members.

Had intended visiting the Monday Mahjong but was called for child minding. Last day of the school holidays. Another time.

Remember our August Meeting is Genes for Jeans Day when we will have a special morning tea. All you have to do is wear your JEANS and give a gold coin donation if you wish.

Glad to say the renovations are complete at our usual meeting venue so please remember to go there on our meeting day in August.

A big thank you to Carol and Bob Dunning for organizing the Bowling Club for our last 2 meetings.

Remember wear your JEANS and come to our USUAL HALL.

Colleen For contributions, contact Bob Dickerson at: [email protected] or ph:9634 7108 or 0419 991 623 Page ! 1

What’s Happening in the coming months

August 26Radio Active Live

August 26The Book of Mormon

Sept 14The Barber of Seville

Sept 20Rotary Beecroft Seniors, Spring Lunch

Oct 9 - 12 Walkers Getaway - Shellharbour.

Nov 1-2Bowlers and Golfers Getaway - The Clan at Terrigal.

Nov 19 - 23Caravan and Cabin Getaway - Hunter Valley

Jan 18 2019Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Incorporation Number 9880412 Accreditation Number 2217 Registration Number 56900 Foundation Meeting 3rd June 2003 Incorporated 8th September 2003 “Probus for Fun and Friends” Club Website: www.probuswph.org.au

http://www.probuswph.org.au

http://www.probuswph.org.au


MEETING – Tuesday 7th August - 9.45 am - at West Pennant Hills Valley Community Centre.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

ROSTERS (Di Cox-Taylor) HALL

KITCHEN

Members rostered for setting up the hall or morning tea duties, are requested to find their own replacement if they are unable to perform these duties. Please note that those on roster are required to start no later than 9:00am. Duties

include restoring the hall and kitchen to their original condition. Kitchen ladies please arrive at 9am to have the procedure and various tasks explained including the clean up. If you feel that you are medically or physically incapable of helping with the hall setup or kitchen duties, please let the Welfare Officer (Di Cox-Taylor - [email protected]) know so that your name can be removed from the list.

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GUEST SPEAKERS (Pam Crabb)

August September October

Bernie Douglas Andrew Clarke Ian Edwards

Colin Brown Rob Cooper Bob Dunning

Raj Saini Chris Courtenay Bernie Good

For contributions, contact Bob Dickerson at: [email protected] or ph:9634 7108 or 0419 991 623 Page ! 2

August 2018 Deborah Wallace Detective Superintendant for Criminal Gangs

September 2018 Robert Craven Managing Aged Care

October 2018 Cancer Research Specialist

From the SAN

August September October

Kris Douglas Glenys Clarke Patricia Ellison

Margaret Brown Helen Cooper Carol Dunning

Jasbir Saini Pamela Courtenay Crystal Good

mailto:[email protected]?subject=


Membership Matters (Marjorie Seaton) This month one of our members, Virginia Morgan, resigned as she has moved out of the area. We thank her for her time with us and wish her all the best for the future in her new home.

Just a reminder that all members are required to attend at least 50% of meetings in any club year, subject to leave of absence in cases of sickness or any other reasonable grounds. So, please let me know if you are aware that you will be/have been absent for unavoidable reasons [i.e. medical, travel, care-giver etc.] for 2 or more consecutive meetings. You can then be granted 'Leave of Absence', which means that your 50% attendance requirement at monthly meetings will NOT be adversely affected by those absences.

Keep in Touch. Please let me know if you change your address, email, telephones, or emergency contact details.

Membership Officer

Marjorie at [email protected]

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Welfare (Di Cox-Taylor)

There are no welfare issues to report this month.

Do let me know of anyone who is ill or in need of assistance.

I hope everyone is keeping warm during these winter months.

Go safely and keep active.

Di Cox-Taylor


IMPORTANT NOTICE to all WPH Probus Members

August Members Meeting. The Hills Shire Council has completed the maintenance work on the WPH Community Centre, therefore the August meeting and all future meetings will now be at the WPH Community Centre as usual.

The August meeting is Tuesday 7th August and is “Jeans for Genes” day.

Members rostered on for setting up the hall and morning tea kitchen duties are required at 9.00 am.

Barbara Shannon (Secretary)

God gave you toes as a device for finding furniture in the dark.

mailto:[email protected]


Money Matters - From the Treasurer (Shirley Norton) By the time you are reading this Report I will be overseas on Holiday. In my Absence Barbara Burgess will be taking over my duties. Could I ask that you address all enquiries to Barbara and also if sending cheques send them to Barbara as well. Her contact details are as follows:-

Address: 44 Woodbury Street,

North Rocks 2151

Telephone: 02 9871 7816

Mobile: 0410541942

All Members wishing to attend these Activities and wanting to pay, please come prepared with your registration form, a copy of which is at the end of this Newsletter.

Members and those on the waiting list there are three methods of payment for Outings and Membership Subscriptions.

* Paying at the meeting by cash or cheque * Posting a cheque to the Treasurer at 22 Mary Street Hunters Hill 2110

* Electronic Funds Transfer to Combined Probus Club of WPH BSB: 012-129 Account Number: 280982191

Please remember to put your name on the EFT

Shirley Norton Tel: 9816 4843 Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0417 024 836



Outings (Maris Wild)

August Radio Active Live Date: Sunday, 19th or 26th August Cost: $30 Time: 3.00-5.00 p.m. Address: Hills Lodge, Castle Hill

These plays were written in the glory days of radio and the Radio Active team source them from all over. There are always a few laughs and as a bonus, afternoon tea is included. This is also being played the week before, on Sunday, 19th August. For those attending the Book of Mormons on the 26th, this is a chance to see the plays.

September

Opera Bites - The Barber of Seville Date: Friday, 14th September. Time: T.b.a. Cost: $150 Address: The Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney Payment: This meeting please.

This includes a three course meal with matching wines. The singers are accompanied by a piano and they give a selection of arias from the opera,The Barber of Seville with drinks and nibbles served throughout the evening. If you haven’t been to an opera before this is a really good way to try it out at a much cheaper rate and hear the best arias in a beautiful setting.

Rotary Beecroft Seniors, Spring Lunch Date: Thursday, 20th September Time: 11.30 - 2.30 Cost: $15 Address: Pennant Hills Golf Club Payment: August Meeting please

Maris ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………


Murphy’s Other Laws 1. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine. 2. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't. 3. Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool. 4. If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.


Special Events (Margo Simons)

This is a photo taken at last months Gatsby Gala Evening. (courtesy of Lawrie Hayes and Carol Dunning)

To see lots of other photos of this evening, click on the website link below:

Link to Gatsby Gala Evening - Photos

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Trips Away (Wal Dover)

I am looking at a 7 day bus trip to the Mid North Coast of NSW based at Macksville.

The trip involves day excursions to Belligen and Dorrigo, Port Macquarie, Nambucca Heads, Stuarts Point, Grassy Heads and Scotts Head, Grafton and Coffs Harbour.

Cost is expected to be $875 per person (twin share).

The date of the trip is yet to be decided but could anyone interested please register your name on the sheet provided at the August meeting.

Details of the trip are shown on the brochure which can be accessed by clicking on the weblink below:

http://www.probuswph.org.au/resources/Mid-Coast-Tour-2.pdf

Wal Dover ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Reports Monday Mah Jong (Maris Wild) 25th June - Barbara Shannon had a great score of 14,000 and Cora Blazey was second with 7,800. Cora plays both Eastern and Western Mah Jong but has no trouble swapping from one to the other. Rita was third with 4,000.

9th July - Lynne Horne won the Dragon last year and decided to give everyone else a chance for a few months but has decided to hit the heights again with 12,700. Vivienne Truelove was second with 3,800 and Barbara Shannon had 2,800. All the usual regulars that day.

23rd July - Barbara Shannon was tops with 11,400, then Ros Ward 6,900 and Ann P Turner was third with 4,000. Ann is often top three recently and is having a great year. Maris


http://www.probuswph.org.au/page11/page42/photos-4/index.html

http://www.probuswph.org.au/resources/Mid-Coast-Tour-2.pdf


Thursday Mah Jong (Terri & Bob Williams) On 5 July Russ Riddell had the very good score of 15,400. Gwen Baker had 12,000 and Michele Smeallie 10,500. It is not often that we get three five digit scores in one session, so congratulations to those players.

At our second July game Terri Williams top-scored with 11,900. Judith Reidy had 9,000 and Michele was again in the winners' circle with 8,700.

Our players decided to renew our hiring of the Log Room for a further 6 months.

Bob and Terri Williams ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Walking Group (Eric Woodhead and Lawrie Hayes)

Ponds to Quakers Hill Walk Tuesday 14th August, 2018

About 6km Mainly paved paths, some slight short inclines and steps

Getting there: From Castle Hill – bus T71 at 8.52 am from outside David Jones

Leave the T71 bus at the corner of Conrad Road and Armour Ave and walk through to the Ponds Shopping centre

If you miss that one then catch the 9.15 am T71 bus – we’ll wait for you at the Ponds shops

Lunch: - Quakers Inn:

$14.00 Roast of the Day available 7 days a week

50% Seniors Discount when purchasing a main meal.

Remember to bring your Seniors Card you get a 50% discount!! (It has to be a Seniors Card)

After Lunch:

Various options for buses Back to Castle Hill or Ponds

Meet rain or shine except if it’s really really bad weather - in which case call me and we will consider still going to lunch

If you want to drive to the Ponds Shopping Centre, corner of The Ponds Bvd and Riverbank Dr, the parking at the shopping centre is not time limited.

Meet the ”walkers” there about 9.45 am

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WILL BE DRIVING TO THE PONDS

Eric Woodhead 9894 1663 0411 731 663


In a Catholic school cafeteria, a nun places a note in front of a pile of apples, "Only take one. God is watching." Further down the line is a pile of cookies. A little boy makes his own note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”


Theatre Group (Lynette Hope and Sandra McGuiness)

Just a reminder for those who have tickets for The Book of Mormon we will see you at The Lyric Theatre (at the Star Casino) 1pm SUNDAY 26 August.

We have reserved 40 seats for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the matinee at 1pm THURSDAY January 18 2019 at the Capitol Theatre- good Christmas present for grandchildren!

We were assured that the seats are excellent Premium seats on the ground floor and the cost to us is $99.99 per seat (full cost $129.90) and payment required by late October. The ground floor seats at the Capitol are very good as they are tapered down.

There will be an Expression of Interest sheet on the table at the September meeting.

Lynette Hope and Sandra McGuiness.

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Movie Group (Hilda Somerfield) After feeling there was not much choice this month, those of us there on movie Tuesday all decided to see ‘Oceans 8’ thinking it was the ‘best of a bad bunch’, and to our amazement everyone enjoyed the movie. It has a good story line and a fun cast for a good heist. The girls put together a good plan just as the men have done in the previous Ocean’s movies. If you haven’t seen it, put it on your list and you won’t be disappointed. It is good entertainment with a twist at the end.

Movie: Ocean’s 8

Critic reviews:

What could be more overdue? In "Ocean's 8," Debbie and her team come together and devise their jigsaw puzzle of a heist with an aplomb that feels as natural as it is crowd-pleasing. Variety

Bullock, Blanchett, and their co-stars don't reinvent George Clooney's formula here, but the ensemble's camaraderie and notable talents make for a fun heist flick that combines fashion and humour. Common Sense Media

Ocean's 8 is a heist caper that looks gorgeous, keeps the twists coming and bounces along on a comic rhythm that's impossible to resist. Rolling Stone

Movie 1: Adrift – have not seen this movie so here are some reviews I have read.

What keeps Adrift from feeling like just a travelogue tacked on to a tragi-sploitive star vehicle is, ironically enough, its star. Rolling Stone

Hampered by a script that fails to make the central love affair work and few new ideas while they’re stranded at sea, even the best efforts of its talented lead pair can’t keep this afloat. Empire

The real drama in Adrift, as is usual in movies like this, lies in the details of endurance as a couple is lost at sea. The NYTimes

'Adrift' is enough of a boilerplate piece of survival drama that you know to expect its beats more or less coming on schedule. Vulture


https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/oceans-8-review-sandra-bullock-1202830271/

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/oceans-8

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/oceans-8-review-heist-franchises-female-reboot-gives-you-stars-for-a-steal-627919/

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/adrift-review-shipwrecked-shailene-woodley-saves-real-life-high-seas-drama-630222/

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/adrift-3/review/

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/movies/adrift-review-shailene-woodley.html?referrer=google_kp

http://www.vulture.com/2018/06/adrift-a-rote-survival-drama-elevated-by-shailene-woodley.html


Movie 2: Skyscraper

Critic Reviews: If I had read the reviews prior to our movie selection, I don’t think I would have suggested the movie. The reviews are not very good at all.

Hilda The Metropolitan Opera HD Live (2018 Season)

No report this month.

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Book Clubs (Brian Wild and Fran Kirby)

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

In 1974 Ernt Albright, his wife Cora, and daughter Lenora (Leni) are living a precarious existence in the US, frequently moving house to avoid creditors and to seek new employment. Ernt had returned from military service in Vietnam as a changed, moody man who, although an excellent mechanic, has trouble holding onto a job.

When Ernt discovers that a wartime buddy has died and left him a small property in Alaska the family decides to move there and start afresh.

What follows is a broad sweeping story covering a multitude of issues and events, including the many difficulties of life in Alaska arising from isolation, the harsh climate, danger from bears, the extensive preparation needed to survive the winter and the depressing atmosphere caused by the limited hours of daylight.

Against this background there is rising tension in the Albright family due to Ernt’s drinking and increasing irrationality, leading to domestic violence.

Leni’s story is a ‘coming of age’ tale as she grows increasingly attracted to the only boy in her age group at school, while her father is at loggerheads with Tom, the boy’s father, whose success and wealth he resents. There is also conflict between the two and in the broader community over plans to expand tourism in their area.

These themes develop and give rise to several dramatic events which round off the saga. Our group enjoyed the book and awarded it a score of 8/10.

Brian

The Second Friday Bookclub Another really stimulating discussion led by Ann, of Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. Gawande is a practising surgeon and examines limitations and failures of the medical profession as life draws to a close. The book covered not just end of life issues, but the whole range of experiences of aging and the affect of the medicalisation of aging and death.

Through stories of his own patients and family, Gawande reveals the suffering this dynamic has produced. Nursing homes, devoted above all to safety, battle with residents over the food they are allowed to eat and the choices they are allowed to make. Doctors, uncomfortable discussing



patients’ anxieties about death, fall back on false hopes and treatments that are actually shortening lives instead of improving them. And families go along with all of it.

Gawande follows a hospice nurse on her rounds, a geriatrician in his clinic, and reformers turning nursing homes upside down. He finds people who show us how to have the hard conversations and how to ensure we never sacrifice what people really care about. This was a most interesting book, raising lots of questions for us all.

Our next meeting is on Friday August 10 and the book is Nutshell by Ian McEwan.

We'd really welcome new members, and because we're still new you'll not be breaking into a closed circle .

Please ring Fran Kirby on 0414 239 036, or email me on [email protected].

Fran ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Caravan, Camping and Cabin Group (Colin Brown)

Due to non-availability of sufficient number of Cabins on the South Coast we have had to change the date and venue of our next trip.

The new venue will now be to the Hunter Valley.

This gathering has now been organised from Monday 19 NOVEMBER – FRIDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2018 staying at:

Ingenia Holidays

137 Mount View Road. CESSNOCK

Phone: 02 4990 2573

Website: ingeniaholidays.com.au/huntervalley

The park has an array of Cabins and Caravan sites available. Refer to their web site for the various options and pricings available. The 2 and 3 Bedroom Villas all have 2 Bathrooms so you may like to share. These Villas are very new.

A bulk booking has been made under the name of WEST PENNANT HILLS PROBUS CLUB and will be held until 10 August 2018. Please ring the Caravan Park direct to book.If you have any further enquires on Cabins and pricing please talk to me at the meeting.

An Expression of Interest sheet and a brief itinerary sheet will also be available on the table at the next meeting.

Please email me ([email protected]) once you have made your booking.

Colin Brown



http://ingeniaholidays.com.au/huntervalley



Bowling Along (Carol and Bob Dunning) No report this month.

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Golf Group (Lawrie Hayes, Michael Hope, Bob Smealie and Howard Thackray)

“This morning the ground was sparkling With thousands of gritty jewels In the low light they were gleaming Amongst the frosty icy pools”

The poem above just about describes the start of our golf day in July at The Rum Corps course. The patches of frost and the extra hard greens along with the slushy semi freddo pond that crosses the first fairway made some of the shots just a little more risky.

However, it warmed to a bright and sunny day with varying results on the course.

The men’s Nearest the pin on the 9th was won by Lawrie Hayes and the ladies shared by Barbara Burgess and Michelle Smealy.

General prizes were also shared around every player.

A big thank you to the ladies for providing the sausages and sweets after the game.

Lawrie Hayes [email protected]

0417 210 108

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Dinner Club (Eric Woodhead)

Friday 31st August, 2018 – 12 noon

“The Little Snail” 50 Murray Street, Pyrmont

3 Course Lunch Menu $39 p.p. Select any entrée, main and dessert from a wide range of optionsDrinks: pay as you order

Getting there – from QVB walk across Pyrmont Bridge to the corner of Murray St opposite the Maritime Museum (~15mins)

0r Bus 389 from Town Hall / Park St (11.08 or 11.23) to Maritime Museum (~ 20mins)

Book and Pay at the August meeting





To our Lady Probus Members, Our visit to Ronald McDonald House organised for last week was indeed interesting and encouraging.

49 rooms beautifully furnished warm and totally focused on welcoming the young patients and their families.

In 2017 the House provided accommodation and support for 671 families with a seriously ill child.

This year of 2018 with additional rooms and facilities our support is very much needed and appreciated.

With this in mind I encourage you to complete your rugs, continue to bring forward your squares to enable us to assemble additional rugs and finally to coordinate bears and rugs together in a much appreciated cellophane wrapped gift which then in turn saves the staff the job of collating and packaging these knitted goods. I hasten to say Beanies are also needed in this cold winter.

To each of you engaged in this very worthwhile continuing project our most sincere thanks.

Mavis and Maris.


Regular Activities

Members Meeting 1st Tuesday of Month 9:45 am West Pennant Hills Community Centre

Book Club Every 6 Weeks Members Home

The 2nd Friday Book Club

The 2nd Friday in the month

10.00 am Members Home

Book Exchange At the Members Meeting

Bridge Club 1st and 3rd Wednesday

1:30 pm Dural Country Club

Caravan Camping and Cabin Club

Two or three times a year

See Notice Various

Dinner Club January, March, July, September, November

See Notice Various

Golf Club 3rd Monday See Notice Various

Lawn Bowls 1st and 3rd Friday 9:15 am Castle Hill Bowling Club

Mah Jong {Monday} 2nd & 4th Monday 1:15 pm Dural Country Club

Mah Jong {Thursday} 1st and 3rd Thursday 1:15 pm Dural Country Club

Movie Club 3rd Tuesday See Notice See Notice

Theatre Group As per theatre schedules

See Notice Various Theatres

Walking Club 2nd Tuesday Various Various


Risk Management MUST READ

Members must consider their personal capabilities before undertaking any activities with the Club. This includes both housekeeping duties and organised activities such as clubs, groups, trips or walks. It is the individual’s responsibility to ensure that they are physically capable of undertaking a particular activity. In particular, please advise the Welfare Officer (Di Cox-Taylor) if you feel that your medical condition precludes you from helping in the hall set up and kitchen rosters.

penn west news and views - probuswph.org.au · with 3,800 and barbara shannon had 2,800. all the...

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