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Below you will find some of the highlights of our Club's activities over the last six months or so. If you need additional details, please check the Club Bulletins.
Knitting and Crochet group: This small but close knit group meets monthly at the home of one of the members of the group. New members are welcome to join the group for a BYO lunch with the hostess provided tea and coffee. Between the members there is over 100 years of experience so if you have problem with a knitting or crochet article, they will almost certainly be able to help with a solution.
June Gardening Group: With the cold weather biting it was not surprising that our convenor, Nellie, received 10 apologies for the garden meeting!
However, a quorum was in attendance and the meeting went ahead. Our Head Gardiner was in good form extolling the virtues of getting out among the weeds and keeping warm with exercise - the bigger the weed the greater amount of heat you generate extracting it.
Today Peter discussed how easy it is to fashion your own indoor terranium. Purchase an appropriate size glass terranium from Bunnings, or the like, and add a base of charcoal. To this, add spagnum moss that has been soaked overnight and then squeezed out, top with small pebbles and purchase small plants to add to the soil base. The one Peter showed was very encouraging.
The next item was pruning roses - now is the time and do not forget to spray with anti-fungal mix to thwart next season's black spot. Importantly, also spray the ground around the base of the rose since this where the spores reside waiting to infect the new growth.
He also covered the appropriate vegetables to plant now, including potatoes. These will even grow from the skin of a potato.
Peter and his attentive audience.
Our lucky winners in the raffle. Thanks to Joan for the splendin presentations.
July Meeting: Despite a very frosty morning - the temperature in Wheelers Hill was minus 1 Celsius! - 67 members attended the meeting. After the usual agenda, we heard from Robert regarding next year's Getaway to Bendigo. We reserved 41 cabins but as of the meeting they have all been booked. The attendance will be a heart-warming 43 members including Dennis and Jill who are attending in their caravan. There is now a waiting list.
Our invited speaker has the potential to be the Best Speaker of the year. Geoff Bransbury bought a motor bike and rode by himself from Vladivostok to London at the age of 70. Hence the title of his presentation 'Horizons Unlimited'.
Geoff is a born raconteur and his recounting of his problems and the highlights all delivered in a rather deadpan fashion had the audience in stitches. He crossed much of Russia then into the 'Stans' with out any language except English and 800 US dollars. He was met everywhere with hospitality and kindness.
Following the meeting, 28 members enjoyed the Vice President's lunch at the Village Green hotel - a substantial buffet that is always a success.
Geoff wearing the hat and with the embroidered coat presented to him by a family with whom he stayed for one night in Uzbekistan. Both were made by the wife of his hosts.
Walking Group: Despite a frosty start to the walk in Mullum Mullum Reserve, by 11 o'clock the sun was out and we were stripping off the puffer jackets and sundry other layers. It is one of our favourite walks. This time we were accompanied by yellow-tailed black cockatoos and in the undergrowth we were observed by two bush wallabies. Unfortunately, having reached our destination we found that Bisley's nursery had closed permanently and so there was no coffee as promised by our leader, Kevin. Still the walk back to our starting point near the basketball courts revealed a cafe so coffee was still available before our picnic lunch.
Being July, lunch had a Christmas theme to the catering - Christmas cake and fresh scones, jam and cream!
The runner in front was not one of us but those in the distance were with us!
The walkers at the end with their winter garments removed due to the warm midday sun.
Christmas in July so Christmas Cake and fresh scones...yummm!
July Dine Out: A great lunch at the Box Hill RSL club. Twenty-nine members enjoyed outstanding catering at the RSL club. This in an outstanding venue with excellent catering and ambiance. Every-one enjoyed themselves and our co-ordinaters, Dennis and Jill have again been recommended by the dining group to make this an annual venue. It certainly insures an excellent attendance!
Theatre Group: An excellent attendance at The Round for morning melodies and an outstanding performance from the Promac musical group who are in their 40th year of touring Australia. The title was The Broadway We Love and the three soloists and their outstanding pianist kept every-one entertained. Of course, the free tea, coffee and cakes are an extra inducement to attend.
It was a full house for the performance.
Free coffee and cake are an extra inducement to attend Morning Melodies at The Round
Morning Coffee: The morning coffee get-together is proving very popular with the later starting time of 10.30...time to get the morning chores and walking the dog done and out of the way first. And you feel you have done enough to earn a coffee.
And it was Laurie's birthday - 80+ years. He is making excellent progress after a fall and a fractured hip. While Laurie still has a helper he has already returned to our monthly meetings.
July Gardening Group: A big turnout today because of an invited speaker, Kane Sharp from Richgro. Richgro are an Australian owned company based in Perth who manufacture the full range of garden care products.
Kane spoke to the entire range and was able to answer questions on when and how to use their products. Every-one found his presentation of value whether it regarded potplants or large fruit trees.
August Meeting: A great turn out for the August meeting despite a few members having flown north to warmer climes and of course a few with the cold that is going around. Our newest member, Julie was inducted, introduced by her good friend Raelene, herself a member of six months standing. We are certain that Julie will gain greatly from her membership of our Club.
Our speaker was Kate Drummond from the National Trust Victoria. Kate has worked across a diverse portfolio of properties as Volunteer Manager, engaging with volunteers and supporting a wide range of programs, events, and conservation activities. Passionate about people and heritage, she is dedicated to creating meaningful volunteer experiences and helping individuals contribute to preserving and celebrating Victoria's cultural heritage. Her sunny disposition and joy with working with people was clearly expressed in her delivery. She recounted the history of the organisation which is celebrating it 70th year of operations. The Trust cares for and conserves a broad array of properties throughout the State. The organisation is entirely dependant on income from the properties, donations and bequests. I think we all learnt that there is a great deal more to the Trust than we may have believed. We all learnt a great deal.
New member Julie (left) and Raelene.
Much activity around the Activities table as members sign up for activities over the next few months.
The very smiley and engaging Kate Drummond from the National Trust Victoria.
September Meeting: With the arrival of some warmer weather there was a resurgence in attendance to the September meeting with 75 of us enjoying and business meeting, the morning tea and our speaker from the Waverley Historical Society (WHS).
Important items of business were the arrangements for this year's Walkaway to the Dandenong Ranges and next year's Getaway to Bendigo.
There has been a very pleasing response to interest in next year's four day bus trip to the silo art in north-western Victoria.
Ralph Bartlett is the President of the WHS and he delivered a very interesting talk on the history of Waverley and its precedents from the very beginning of European settlement. His presentation covered the history, not only of Waverley but of the surrounding districts too. Interestingly the origin of the name Waverley was at the behest of the developer who subdivided and sold the parcels of land. The developer was enamoured with the Waverley novels by Sir Walter Scott. Ralph also covered the history of the various Councils as they were established and then amalgamated.
Ralph Bartlett, President of the Waverley Historical Society.
2026 Footy Tipping Competition: At the end of the home-and-away series, our tipping competition for the year drew to a close with three winners at the top of the tipping table - unheard of! The winners from left to right were Bob T, Kathy N and Rob A, the latter is also the President.
Although all were at the top, Kathy was the stand out. She was at the top of the table for the entire last half of the competition, 13 consecutive weeks at the top - another first. Looking at the winners on the perpetual trophy, more than half have been women members showing that a Y chromosome is not necessary to understand the nuances of our great game. The winners' names are inscribed on the trophy and the they share the prize money.
September Walking Group: The walk this month was a return to an old favourite - Karkarook Park, Heatherton.
It is difficult to believe the history of this now outstanding suburban lake, wetlands and native bushland. After European settlement the area had a chequered history. For many years it was the dumping ground for what was called 'night soil', acturally human excrement and the rusty pans in which it was conveyed from the unsewered adjacent suburbs.
After a majour clean-up, the area was mined for several decades to provide sand for making concrete for the growing suburbs. Eventually, this had to stop and the companies involved along with the Victorian Government began the long task of turning the expansive area into a very welcome nature reserve.
We love to walk around the lake and the wetlands and the birdlife before a welcome picnic lunch under the eucalyptus trees. This year we spotted a small flock of yellow tailed black cockatoos flying over.
A cool start to the walk but in typical Melbourne style it fined up to a splendid day before lunch.
September Gardening Group: A BIG turn-up for the September meeting - 53 members. There is nothing like some warm weather to bring out the gardeners.
Peter's presentation centred on the coming severe El Nino which will be typified by a long, hot, dry summer. Peter talked about preparing the ground using a gardening fork to spear the soil before watering and using wetting agents to allow such rain as there is, or from using a sprinkler, to ensure penetration. He explained how dry soil develops a negative charge that actually repels water. Wetting agents are a type of detergent that break down the negative charge. After this basic soil preparation Peter returned to his usual mantra of the vital importance of mulch. He is a strong proponent of sugar cane mulch. I deal is a 5 cm layer to reduce drying out and to inhibit weeds. It is important to replace the mulch as it breaks down and enriches the soil
One member brought a specimen - a lemon with areas of damage confined to the top layer of its skin, the zest so to speak. This was not due to possums or other pests but rather due to hail damage. The good news - the fruit is not effected and lemons so damaged are safe to eat, so good news to all who grow lemons.
Just some of the throng attending the gardening group today.
Peter says if you use sugar cane mulch your plants will be a strong as he is!
The happy winners of the plant raffle that ends each gardening meeting.
October Meeting: A great attendance at the meeting with an excellent speaker - Professor Gab Kovaks AM FRACOG. Professor Kovaks graduated from Monash University in 1971. After post-graduate training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology he became involved with research on how to overcome female infertility. This was right at the beginning of research into the feasibility of in vitro fertilisation,IVF. The most common cause of infertility was scarring due to endometriosis and alternative techniques to overcome the obstruction to fertilisation caused by the scarring had been unsuccessful.
Professor Carl Wood, the Foundation Professor of O and G at Monash University was convinced that IVF was the only way forward. We heard from Professor Kovaks how he joined the team in the early days at Monash. At this time the development of IVF was very new and the Melbourne team quickly earned a world-wide reputation for their work. He then discussed the other techniques that have been developed to complement more complex causes of infertility and also the work that has been done addressing the causes of male infertility. There were plenty of questions at the conclusion of his presentation.
Prof Kovaks speaking to an enthralled audience.
Theatre Group: This month the Theatre Group move further afield and attended a matinee performance of A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical in the city.
After gathering for a light lunch it was off to the Princess Theatre. Every-one agreed that is was Noisy (hearing aids were unnecessary) but it was A Great Show. For November we will be back at The Round in Nunawading.
Walkaway: Each October the Walking Group venture further afiield for an overnight stay. This year we stayed at Tatra Receptions in Olinda. The planning team put together an outstanding 3 day program beginning at the O'Donohue picnic ground carpark before our first walk along the O'Donohue Track to Sherbrooke Falls. Despite the rain as we drove to the picnic ground, it stopped as we assembled. Although cold, once we were walking it became comfortable and fresh with a damp track and the cloud cover down to the tops of the tall timber, mosthly majestic mountan ash.
Returning to the picnic ground, it was time to turn on the barbecues for a leisurely lunch with grilled meat and salad. Then a short drive to Tatra Receptions. Happy Hour was followed by a pizza dinner with an entree of prawns.
On Tuesday we started at the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Gardens. The azaelia gardens were at their very best and the Kuruma Bowl just demanded photographs. Then a walk further afield, first to the splendid Australia Garden followed by the rhododendrons and finally coffee at the garden cafe.
In the afternoon, our destination was the Alfred Nicolson Memorial Gardens. These always reward a visit no matter what time of the year. Then onto the Ski High Restaurant and the lookout over Melbourne.
Wednesday morning was our last day and we visited the gallery and performance area at the Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upway. Originally Council officers before the amalgamation of two Councils, the building has been repurposed and extended with a gallery, artists' spaces and a theatre for like performance . And of course a popular café.
At the O'Donohue picnic ground after the walk.
On the bridge at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens with the Kuruma Bowl behind.
The most photographed lake in the Dandenongs - the bottom lake at the Alfred Nicolas Memorial Gardens with Kaye, Raelene and Bianca admiring the view.
November Meeting: Being Melbourne Cup Eve, we enjoyed the annual opportunity to dress to the maximum in our Melbourne Cup finery. Congratulations to our winners in the categories of Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat. The President's perogative was to award two Ladies with equal points for Best Dressed. Unfortunately none of our Gentlemen caught the President's eye!
Our Invited Speaker was Neil Cole, ex-parliamentarian, researcher on aspects of mental illness and an established playwright.
Neil was a Victorian State member of parliament from 1988 to 1999 including being the Shadow Attorney General (1992-1995). During this period, he was diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder. Having stood down from the AG role he disclosed that he had a mental illness, the first MP to make such a disclosure. At the subsequent election Neil was re-elected with an increased majority!
Since 1999, Neil has worked in the mental health field, with research at the Florey Institute and more recently in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne. He has written 37 plays all of which have been produced. His first play (‘Alive at Williamstown Pier’) produced in 1999, won the Griffin Award for New Australian Playwriting. Neil has also written two fictional books, including ‘Trials and Tribulations in Community Law’ and a memoir ‘Stability in Mind'. It was a revealing and very honest presentation.
Neil emphasised that having a mental illess does not prevent sufferers from performing at a high level in society. He lamented the continuing inadequacy of treatment of those severely afflicted, resulting in serious repercussions for society and especially for the relatives of those so afflicted.
The walkers, including three dogs who also asked that the route be included in next year's schedule. It was a joy to have Laurie join us for the first time after his fractured hip.
November Walking Group: The last walk for 2026 was an urban walk that started at the gardens and the 'village greeen' behind the Brickworks Shopping Centre on Wattletree Rd. Burwood East.
After touring the area and reading the informative signage we ventured east through the suburb to Royton Avenue and the commencement of the Holland Gully Trail. The beautifully shaded path leads as far as Blackburn Rd and it made for an enjoyable urban walk though a bushland setting.
Then back to Brickworks Park and a convivial lunch under the shelter from the 24 degree sun. A great walk will be on the walking schedule for 2027.
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