Club Notes...
Warragul Probus
The February meeting of Warragul Ranges Probus was held on Thursday, February 24 at the Warragul Country Club.
President Chris welcomed everyone – including several visitors - and presented an OBE medal to a member who had turned 80 this month.
Guest speaker was Lorraine Smith who owns a second-hand bookshop in Warrnambool which she opened in 2000. Her subject was “Journey of a Lost Manuscript”. A customer found the manuscript folded up in an old copy of Alice in Wonderland in the bookshop.
Giving it to Lorraine she wondered how old it could be – because it certainly looked old. It was printed on vellum with gall ink and was about the size of a half A4 piece of paper. The writing was very small and tightly written and she eventually was able to have it transcribed. There was a date at the bottom of the document of 1583 (16th Century) which proved to be correct – in the Tudor Period in the reign of Elizabeth I.
The manuscript came from England and arrived in Australia in 1924 and was a legal document between two families in Yorkshire for a transfer of some land. Lorraine – over many years – pursued the origins of the manuscript and eventually was able to unravel the mystery. She has written a book about the discoveries and had it for sale at the meeting.
Everyone was intrigued by the story and admired Lorraine for her tenacity in following up the journey. Lorraine is an engaging speaker and the members felt it was a great experience.
All groups have resumed for the year and the evening dine out will begin on March 3.
The garden group visited two gardens in Warragul in February. They were both on one acre sites but were two different gardens. Morning tea and lunch was taken in an alfresco area of the first garden.
The annual picnic in the park was held early in February at Rotary Park, Latrobe Street, Warragul. It was well attended and the highlight was when the hospitality officer served ice creams.
A group of members went along to the Daylight Entertainment at the West Gippsland Arts Centre featuring former Seekers star Keith Potger entertaining with a popular selection of songs, singalongs and stories of his 60 years plus in show business.
The club's next meeting will be the AGM on Thursday, March 24 at the Warragul Country Club with the ordinary meeting beginning at 10am followed by the annual meeting AT 11AM.
The club is accepting new members and anyone who is interested in joining can contact membership officer Audrey Sayer on 0428 348 570 .
VIEW
Members and guests welcomed Beryl Raufer, who gave an interesting talk on how Vision Australia supports people with low vision and blindness to live more independently at home and in their community.
Devices in the home and seeing eye dogs are part of this, however technology also plays a big role -such as a phone app called ‘Be My Eyes' where support is available at any time a person needs help, for example with shopping or cooking at home.
Rhonda Micah thanked Beryl on behalf of the club.
The club is looking for new members, who want to give back to their community and this year is the perfect time to join VIEW -after a difficult two years when people have missed out on seeing friends and family.
People can join for a meal, good company and support the work of children's education charity The Smith Family. VIEW club provides a place for women to connect, enjoy social activities and develop friendships.
The next dinner meeting will be on Wednesday, March 23 6pm for 6.30pm in the Black Tie Restaurant.
For more information contact president, Susan on 0407 231 292.
Members and guests are reminded to book in or send apologies by 10am Monday, March 21.
Contact Linda on 0410 517058.
Philatelic Society
The February meeting of Warragul Philatelic Society was well attended and there was some discussion on preparing for our annual Stamp and Coin Fair, which will be held on Saturday, June 4 at the Exhibition Hall.
Brian Bywater gave an interesting talk on his Great Britain collection. He brought along three albums in which he has mounted the stamps and written a little about each. A lot of work has gone into the presentation of them.
The competition topic for the month was vintage cars, which was won by Brian.
The topic for March 21 is, policing/law enforcement. John Hill is to give a presentation of part of his collection.
The club meets on the third Monday of the month at the Warragul Community House,
138 Normanby Street, commencing at 7.30pm. New members are welcome.
Any enquiries to Jeanette on 0409 793 081. A work in progress That is the state, rather, the promise, of the newly acquired cattle property to which a member moved in mid 2021. When an active, rural life is essential to our wellbeing and sense of self, living on a working farm has many satisfactions.
Women on Farms
In March the WOFWG members were at Buln Buln hearing from Chris Gow about her agricultural background and history leading to this new farm. It was evident from her entertaining talk that she has the knowledge, enthusiasm and energy to take on a large property, over 100 acres, and to convert it slowly to her goals of a beef cattle stud.
The foundation bull, an aged Limousin, has been with Chris since he was four-weeks-old. He and his small coterie of cows all have the characteristic muscling and personality of this breed.
For those WOF women with cattle backgrounds, the well built rumps were evident.
Apart from her own herd, Chris has agisted some paddocks to another cattle owner with his range of different and interesting breeds.
In order to build up the property to take on more stock, there is much to do. This has begun with the installation of more secure fencing.
There is an abundance of shedding, including a re-purposed dairy, which is put to good use for hay storage. In the garden, somewhat overgrown, are many fruit, nut and ornamental trees.
Walking around the fence lines, members pondered whether some of the overhanging shrubs, plumbago and abelia, for example, are toxic to stock.
The property is watered with a spring, has some magnificent eucalypts but also hazardous cypress trees.
The soil, according to Chris, needs building up to improve stocking density. Members enjoyed exploring ways to improve the nutrition level and structure of the sandy loam.
With proximity to Warragul, beautiful views and open skies, this farm has rewards to offset all the work ahead.
Members will watch with interest as Chris achieves her goals, If she needs a breather, then merely sitting on a log and admiring the new surrounds will give her more motivation.
Any woman is welcome to join Women on Farms. The key criterion is an interest in farming and farming friendships. There is no need to be actively farming to participate. For more details
contact secretary, Jean Irvine, ph. 0429488156, or go to the website at www.womenonfarms.org for the monthly program.
Diabetes support
The West Gippsland Diabetes Support group will not be meeting this month. At present we are not sure when the group will reconvene. Keep an eye on the club notes for news of an April get together.
For more information contact Lyn Earl 5623 2881.