The Combined Probus Club of Murray District (Inc.)

Western Australia

Murray

Magpie April 2014

President: Ann Bevis 9547 7419

Vice-President: Adri Weggen 9537 7708

Past President: Brian Sydney-Smith 9537 8847

Secretary: Shirley Boyd 9537 7066

Treasurer: Roger Lloyd 9537 6175

Membership Gaye Lloyd 9537 6175

& Welfare: Jenny Armstrong 9537 7359

Programs: Lance Woodhead 9537 7135

Activities: Margaret Gallin 9537 7696

Interclub Liaisons

& Publicity: Christine Norman 9537 6543

Assets: Adri Weggen

Historian: Tom Hoffman 9537 6526

Behind the Scenes VIPs

Newsletter Editor: Sandy Bartle

Refreshments: Janice Rinaldi

Club email address: murrayprobus1999@gmail.com Website: http://murrayprobus.net

Printing courtesy of the office of Murray Cowper MLA

The April General Meeting was held at the

Ravenswood Hotel on Tuesday 8th

April 2014.

There were 56 members present and 4 visitors.

Our visitors were

Margaret & Gerry Westbrook (prospective members)

And Ron & Dee Arnold

Minutes of this meeting have been circulated to all members.

Our new treasurer has also circulated, by email, a copy of his financial report for the

month and I personally am delighted to have the time to read and absorb it.

Congratulations Roger for a very innovative idea. Probably I am just too slow to read it off the screen!!! Editor

Please remember the club now has an email address which will be used by

the Secretary from now on. murrayprobus1999@gmail.com

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Welcome

Betty Delaporte back into the club.

Betty was an original foundation member but resigned during her husband’s illness.

Glad to have you back!

Congratulations

To Gaye & Roger Lloyd on their 50th

Wedding Anniversary

and to Diane & Roger Palmer, celebrating their wedding anniversary today

To Jill Brown T The Association of Italian Water Colour Painters is holding an exhibition in Milan in

June, to celebrate 40 years since the foundation. The theme of the exhibition is “Images of

Water”. 150 paintings will be displayed. The W.A. Association was invited to submit 7

paintings for judging. They had to be a specific size for the frames already made.

The paintings were judged by 2 prominent Eastern State judges.

Jill’s painting “Liquid Patterns” was 1 of the 7 selected.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY To the following members who celebrate their birthdays this month

April

Ann Bevis

Neville Hayes

Roger Lloyd

Janice Rinaldi

Henry Rowell

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Students in an advanced Biology class were taking their mid-term exam. The last question was, 'Name seven advantages of Mother's Milk.’ The question was worth 70 points or none at all. One student, in particular, was hard put to think of seven advantages. However, he wrote: 1) It is perfect formula for the child. 2) It provides immunity against several diseases. 3) It is always the right temperature. 4) It is inexpensive. 5) It bonds the child to mother, and vice versa. 6) It is always available as needed. And then the student was stuck. Finally, in desperation, just before the bell rang indicating the end of the test, he wrote: 7) It comes in two attractive containers and it's high enough off the ground where the cat can't get it. He got an A.

Presidential Ponderings April 2014

With Easter this month, I am reminded of the Easter Lloyd & I

spent in Canada several years back. This really emphasised the celebration of new life

as is often preached at Easter time. Easter in the Northern hemisphere coincides with

the end of long cold winters and the coming of spring. The snows disappear for the most

part and suddenly the shops are full of flowers, the garden centres re-open, and in the

gardens, plants that I had thought should have been dug up long ago, begin to sprout

hundreds of fresh green leaves. It really is a re-generation!

We were also fortunate enough to spend Easter in Galway, Ireland, but there the new life

was not so obvious, as the winter was not so severe. What was noticeable in both places

was the lack of over the top displays of Easter eggs and hot cross buns that suddenly

appear in our stores, sometimes it seems before we have even celebrated Christmas.

In Ireland we had difficulty even finding a hot cross bun!

When I first arrived in Perth and celebrated my first Easter here in 1961, I was told that

Easter usually brings the first gales of the winter and that year it did, though I can’t

remember it happening since. Maybe some rain to upset the campers but no really

strong winter gales.

This year my birthday coincides with Easter and I learnt the other day that if I live till

2022(!!!), my birthday will fall on Easter Monday, which was the day I was born many

years ago, so my family told me. I doubt if that has occurred again, certainly not in

recent times.

A week later we have Anzac Day when we pause, remember and pay tribute to our fallen

fighting men and women who gave their lives so we may enjoy a peaceful Australia.

Several years ago we had the privilege of being able to visit some of the many cemeteries

dotted round the Somme River and the Western front in France and Belgium.

I have an uncle buried in a small cemetery near Amiens. It is when you see the numbers

of graves and read the ages of some of the occupants of those graves, you realise what a

senseless waste it all was. We should also remember those who returned wounded, both

physically and psychologically.

On that sombre note I leave you for this month.

I hope you all had a safe and happy Easter.

Oh! And didn’t eat too many Easter eggs.

Cheers

Ann

Health

Heritage By Neil Fitch

The Birch Family- Pharmacists and Farmers

The family of Dr Lewis Birch and wife Hannah made major contributions to

pharmacy in nineteenth century Western Australia, as well as to farming in the Murray

District. Four of their eight sons were pharmacists. Arthur (1825-1915) their second son,

became a farmer and active citizen of the Murray District, and patriarch of the Birch family

we know today.

Arriving in the Colony in 1841 as part of the ill-fated Australind settlement, Dr Birch,

although a qualified medical practitioner, never worked as a doctor in Western Australia.

The family moved to the Murray in 1845, where Dr Birch leased land to raise sheep. In 1851

he re-located to Perth and with two of his sons, established a successful business as 'chemists

and druggists' on the corner of Howick (now Hay) and Barrack Streets.

The achievements of the fourth son Edmund (1830-75) are notable. After training as a

pharmacist, he worked for 3 years in the Colonial Hospital in Perth. On the retirement of his

father and early demise of his older brother, Edmund became sole proprietor of the pharmacy.

His activities were numerous and included involvement in the church, masonry, the volunteer

corps, bank director and city councillor, as well as becoming a member of the Legislative

Council. Edmund's life ended tragically aged forty-four as a result of a fire in the pharmacy.

Edmund's wife Anne, daughter of Fred and Phoebe Hymus from the Murray district,

inherited the business. Anne's brother Sydney managed the pharmacy for her and eventually

purchased the business, where he remained until 1904 when he sold and retired to the

country.

The next generation of Birchs included a few pharmacists and at least one doctor. It is

not unusual for one family to figure prominently in a particular profession but the Birch-

pharmacy connection was extraordinary.

Quiz

Q1 Where was the first hospital for the Swan River settlers?

Q2. Which Pinjarra doctor sold his house to the government in 1912 for use as a hospital? And

where was it?

Q3 When was the present Murray Hospital opened?

Q4 Dwellingup Hospital was opened in 1923. When did it close?

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells

disaster.

The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the

symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK

and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)

(i.e. I like Chicken Soup)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.

If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and

describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Don’t think we can print these reminders often enough!!!!

Superstitions

Back in Roman Times, when centurions and slaves fought to the death in arenas and poor

unfortunate criminals were eaten alive by lions, sport was a tense affair and therefore filled with rituals and rites.

As we became more civilized, sports became the pastime of gentlefolk, but once the amateur became a professional, the tension returned and today we are back in Old Rome again with sports stars being ritually slaughtered on the football fields or in the newspaper columns. Those that cheat by using drugs are fed to the lions more quickly than any criminal of the past. So we see the superstitions of old return to their place in the anxious hearts of men and women who are supposed to be playing the game but, in fact ,are as much at work as anyone who does a nine-to-five in an office anywhere. If we look at the crown surrounding any kind of field sport we can’t help but notice the astonishing costumes, banners, flags, chanting, singing and shouting that accompany “the game”. These are incantations to magic, war cries for victory, and spells for success. Rituals and rites are part of the story of game playing in this form. They do create greater energy and the crowd is part of the game. Each sport attracts its own character of required superstition.

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Answers to Health Heritage Quiz

A1 Garden Island in a tent. The attending doctor was Dr Simmons.

A2 Dr C Lovegrove, whose house was situated in front of the present Murray District Hospital.

A3 1952

A4 1961 – destroyed by fire.

SOCIALLY SPEAKING

Just for us l

Car Rally Results Roger Boyd/ Brian Martin

On March 20th

2014, 16 cars with 50 Probus members

and friends participated in an 85 kms Mystery Route Car

Rally throughout the Murray Shire. It was the intention to show the participants, areas of

which they were not familiar, with emphasis on scenic,

historical and educational sites.

After a staggered start, the cars were instructed to follow a

detailed route during which they were required to answer a quiz

sheet relating to the trip, and take interesting photos.

The country roads led them through Meelon, along to

Murray Hills Estate, and on to Coolup. Then to Herron Point –

Waroona - and finishing at the splendid scenic BBQ facilities

on the shores of Lake Moyanup 3kms from Waroona.

The winners were:-

Quiz.

The car carrying Lloyd & Ann Bevis, Sandy

Bartle, and Ernie Hogan won the Quiz.

Photo competition.

Kate Hedley, Assistant Editor of the Mandurah Mail, judged the photos submitted.

1st prize Sandy Bartle. 2

nd prize Geoff Macdonald .

Congratulations to the Winners and to all who participated.

April Outing Mandurah Bowling and Recreation Club

On Tuesday 22

nd April, 39 Murray Probus members attended a luncheon at the above venue. On arrival we

were seated at one long table which had white cloths and small floral arrangements. The food was well priced

and of excellent quality. Needless to say there was lots of conversation and fellowship. The staff, Caroline and

Sean were very pleasant and keen to provide all assistance. Some of us also met James the Catering Manager

and of course Joanne in the office who was the original contact. As an aside, one of the chefs made himself

known to me and said he remembered me as the grandmother to our eldest granddaughters Hannah and Alice

who were in his class at school. I thought that was nice and added to the friendly vibe I had felt. Thank you to

all those members who were able to attend and I hope those who couldn’t join us on this outing will be able to

next time. Marg Gallin

20th May 2014 Murray Probus May Outing.

To; WA State Library tour Plus: WA Museum SAS Exhibition. Library Tour to begin at 10.15am (time to be

confirmed by library) Tour is of 50 - 60 minutes duration. Museum is not guided and could immediately

follow library. Travel: Train 9.02 am arriving Perth 9.52am. There is also the option to not do both visits but

could all leave Mandurah at the same time. We could also have morning tea or lunch.

I would appreciate numbers attending by email to me gallin@westnet.com.au or Ph: 95377696

Mob: 0417 948 630. Our next big event will be the yet to be finalised Christmas in July with smaller

“outings” to be advised.

Cheers Marg Gallin

YOUR 2014 PROBUS DIARY 30

th APR Inform Day South Metro RAAFA Estate Bull Creek

15th

MAY South West Inform Day Parade Hotel Bunbury 16

TH MAY Great Southern Inform Day TBA

20TH

JUNE New Presidents Lunch TBA 29

TH AUG Past Presidents Lunch TBA

29TH

SEPT General Meeting TBA 1

ST OCT PAWA 30th Birthday Par TBA

14TH

OCT South West Get-together Dardanup Heritage Centre 14

TH NOV Have a Go Day Burswood TBA

” are invited for a fantastic trip to beautiful Tasmania from

“Expressions of interest” are invited for a fantastic trip to beautiful Tasmania from Wednesday 5th

March

to Monday 16th

March 2015. Trade Travel (Probus Major Sponsors) have put together a mouth watering 13 day

holiday which commences with return transfers from Mandurah, quality accommodation including 5 nights in

Hobart, 3 nights in Launceston, excursions every day and most meals. Each day will be a delight with river

cruises, Salamanca Markets, Port Arthur History, Cradle Mountain, Cataract Gorge, a Safari Bus Tour to name

but a few! If you have never visited this beautiful part of Australia then this is a chance not to be missed!! If

you have been before then why not do it again – things change over the years! Join fellow Probians and friends

and a good time is assured. The cost will be approx $4359pp – depending on numbers – hence I am asking for

“expressions of interest” at this stage to make sure this terrific tour can take place. Please contact me on as soon

as possible 9582 1541 or email sdlloyd@bigpond.com.

I realise this trip is a long way ahead but having organised trips before I know people ‘on the go’ are planning

at least a year in advance so I need to get in quick!!! I will have printed brochures (and booking forms) in the

mail this next week but thought you might like to have some idea of what is in store for us and it will hopefully

whet your appetite! If you would like a copy of the brochure and a booking form then please let me know and I

will make sure you receive one as soon as possible. If you require any further information then please send me

an email or phone on 9582 1541.

I look forward to hearing from you – don’t be afraid to ring me if you require further information.

YIP

Shirley Lloyd Combined Probus Club of Mandurah Editors Note; Five of us from our club travelled with this group to Norfolk Island last year and had a fantastic time.

Everything was well organised and we had no problem and all really got on well together. I have put my name down for this trip. Sandy

KITCHEN KAPERS

Currant Loaf from Marg Gallin

1 Cup cold tea 1 Cup currants

1 Cup castor sugar 2 Cups SR flour

Mix tea, currants and sugar.

Leave for at least 2 hours stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar.

Gradually add sifted SR flour and mix with wooden spoon.

Place in greased and lined loaf tin and bake for approx. 50 minutes in 180 degree oven.

Cool and serve slices buttered.

Can make double mixture and freeze one loaf.

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LEMON CURD

125G Butter ¾ cup Castor Sugar

Finely grated zest of 4 lemons 5 eggs

2/3 cup lemon juice

Melt butter.

Beat eggs and sugar, add zest and juice into a pan and add butter.

Microwave for 2 minutes then whisk.

Then cook another 2 minutes and whisk again.

Then finally cook 1 more minute.

Pour into container and allow to cool.

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LIME BUTTER

3 eggs 4 limes

1 cup castor sugar 100grams butter

Beat eggs and sugar together, add lime juice and zest then add melted butter.

Cook uncovered in microwave for 3 minutes on high, then 5 minutes on medium, stirring

after 2 mins. Then again when finished (it should cover the back of a spoon)

If not cook again on medium for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Bottle while still hot in sterilized jars.

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Dijon mustard – the same mustard as before

A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat

Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis, Arthur# #

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Queen Elizabeth & Dolly Parton

Both die on the same day and they both go before an Angel to find out if they will be

admitted to Heaven. As there is only one space left that day the Angel must decide which of

them gets in.

The Angel asks Dolly if there is some particular reason why she should go to Heaven.

Dolly takes of her top and says “Look at these they are the most perfect breasts God every

created and I am sure it will please God to be able to see them every day for eternity.

The Angel thanks Dolly and asks her Majesty the same question. The Queen takes a bottle

of Perrier out of her purse and drinks it. Then, she wees into a toilet and pulls the lever.

The Angel says, “OK, your Majesty, you may go in.”

Dolly is outraged and asks, “What was all that about?

I show you two of God’s own perfect creations and you turn me down.

She wees into a toilet and she gets in! Would you explain that to me?”

“Sorry Dolly” says the Angel, “but even in Heaven

A Royal Flush beats a Pair no matter how big they are!”

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Why this pensioner is banned from Coles

Didn't like shopping there anyway!

Yesterday I was at my local COLES store buying a large bag of Pedigree dog food for

my loyal pet and was in the checkout queue when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

What did she think I had, an elephant? So, since I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse

I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Pedigree Diet again. I added that I

probably shouldn’t, because I ended up in hospital last time, but I'd lost 2 stone before I

woke up in intensive care with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IV's in both

arms. I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load

your pockets with Pedigree nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry.

The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to

mention here that practically everyone in queue was now enthralled with my story.)

Horrified, she asked me if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me.

I told her no, I stepped off the kerb to sniff an Irish Setter's arse and a car hit me.

I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard.

I'm now banned from Coles. Better watch what you ask retired people.

They have all the time in the world to think of daft things to say.

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OK – One to keep you busy!!!!

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7 ) times

Amazing frozen lemons -All it is.....is a frozen lemon

Many professionals in restaurants and eateries are using or consuming the entire lemon and nothing is

wasted. How can you use the whole lemon without waste? Simple.. place the washed lemon in the

freezer section of your refrigerator. Once the lemon is frozen, get your grater and shred the whole

lemon (no need to peel it) and sprinkle it on top of your foods. Sprinkle it to your vegetable salad, ice

cream, soup, cereals, noodles,spaghetti sauce, rice, sushi, fish dishes, whisky, wine.... the list is

endless. All of the foods will unexpectedly have a wonderful taste, something that you may have

never tasted before. Most likely, you only think of lemon juice and vitamin C. Not anymore. Now

that you've learned this lemon secret, you can use lemon even in instant cup noodles.

What's the major advantage of using the whole lemon other than preventing waste and adding new

taste to your dishes? Lemon peels contain as much as 5 to 10 times more vitamins than the lemon

juice itself. Yes, that's what you've been wasting. But from now on, by following this simple

procedure of freezing the whole lemon, then grating it on top of your dishes, you can consume all of

those nutrients and get even healthier. Lemon peels are also health rejuvenators in eradicating toxic

elements in the body.

So place your washed lemon in your freezer, and then grate it on your meal every day.

It is a key to make your foods tastier and you get to live healthier and longer! That's the lemon secret!

Better late than never, right? The surprising benefits of lemon!

Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than

chemotherapy. Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a

synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting

him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does

not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely

guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations?

As you know, the citrus tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in

different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited

with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors. This plant is

a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is

considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against

internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant,

combats stress and nervous disorders.

The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in

the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that it

destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas...

The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally

used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more

astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does

not affect healthy cells.

So, give those lemons a good wash, freeze them and grate them.

Your whole body will love you for it!!!!!

Editors note; As with all “miracle cures” take this with a large grain of salt. However, I do

keep a couple of frozen lemons in the freezer and do grate the rind etc whenever I need fresh lemon

for one of my recipes. Still does not stop me getting the occasional cold etc, but perhaps that is

because I do not sprinkle it on everything!!!! It is another one of those things that probably would not

hurt to try as long as the acid does not affect any current medications.

Would welcome some feed back from any members who do try this.