Club Notes...
West Gippsland Bushwalking Club
More than 50 members and partners from the West Gippsland Bushwalking Club recently returned from Mansfield for their autumn week away walks event. Based at a caravan park at Bonnie Doon, five days of walks were organised around the Lake Eildon and Mansfield areas.
Walks in the high plains area east of Mansfield included the Trekkers and Hikers groups walking to the top of Mount Stirling for the magnificent views and walking along the picturesque Howqua and Delatite Rivers. Some members walked in the steps of the Kelly gang while others took their bikes to ride sections of the Great Victorian Rail Trail. A day also was spent walking in the Lake Eildon National Park.
Social activities are an important part of the week away event and this year a highlight was to watch the movie The Castle and later walk to the house on the banks of Lake Eildon at Bonnie Doon that featured in the movie as the Kerrigans’ holiday house “Serenity”.
The club’s spring week away walking event will be based at Halls Gap with walks in the Grampians.
The West Gippsland Bushwalkers walk on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month with three walking groups - Ramblers, Hikers and Trekkers - providing for different walking capabilities. The Ramblers walk about eight kilometres with the Trekkers walking up to 18 kilometres. More information can be found on the club’s website – http://wgbwc. clubexpress.com
Warragul VIEW
We had a good turnout for March and members brought along a treasure and shared their stories. We heard the stories of a grandmother’s beautiful clothes, a gorgeous handmade quilt, an uncle’s war medals, lovely old children’s books, a child’s sewing machine and clothes, a vintage door decoration, a baby’s plate, a silk trousseau and a well-loved teddy bear.
Thank you to all who made a contribution it was very interesting and moving
We also had the remaining committee members sworn in and it looks like we will be able to carry on for another year. A big thank you to all those who have come forward to give of their time and support our club.
A date for your diaries is Sunday May 21 with a major fundraiser- a Bunnings barbecue. A roster has been drawn up and if you can give an hour or two on the day, please contact a committee member.
VIEW Clubs are the largest community supporter of The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. Collectively VIEW members sponsor the education of more than 1600 children and young people experiencing poverty. Warragul VIEW sponsors 10 students thanks to the generosity of our members and community.
A recent study showed that one in six children live below the poverty line. Education is the key that unlocks the door to endless possibilities for children. It equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to chase their dreams and reach their full potential.
Warragul VIEW Club also brings together women to enjoy social activities and make lasting friendships while giving back to their communities. We have a social outing every month - alternating days and times. We meet for dinner on the fourth Wednesday of every month at The Black Tie at 6pm for 6:30pm. Guests are always welcome to attend and see what the club is about.
For dinner bookings phone Lyn 0409 022 076 by the Sunday evening
Next meeting is on Wednesday, April 26.
Historical Society
The Warragul and District Historical Society bulletin is sent out monthly to each member.
It has an article featuring the speaker of the previous meeting, some articles about history and a little about events that are happening to the area if they have interest to the past and the future. Guest speaker at the March meeting was Member for Narracan Wayne Farnham. The society had previously arranged to have Wayne as a speaker before his political career to tell about growing with his Italian and Australian heritage. Many interesting and amusing stories were told and shared with members.
For Monday, April 24 the speaker is coming from Warrnambool. Lorraine Smith had a second hand bookshop there and a parchment was found inside a copy of a book. By researching the old deed she has written a book titled “Journey of a Lost Manuscript” and will be speaking on what she discovered.
General meetings are held last Monday of each month upstairs in the Old Shire Hall, 72 Queen St, Warragul at 7.30pm and visitors welcome.
Warragul Bridge
Four tables presented for Bridge played at the Community House last Wednesday.
Table movement was again in place for three of the tables.
Mini slams were achieved by Alan Kuipers and Ken Hutchison(2), Angela Larsen and Heather Cupples (1), David Belcher and Stephan Van De Sluis (1), together with Dick Powell and a spare from the previous week. Results: Percentage winners were. North/south - Mother and son combination of Nina and Simon Fraser returned to top form scoring 6650 conceding 3590 185 per cent, Min Weggelaar and Dick Powell 6290/5420 116 per cent, Michael Thorne and Chris Samplawski 6150/5790 106 per cent, Di Crowther and Anne George 5350/5460 98 per cent.
East/west - Alan and Ken 6930/6500 107 per cent, narrowly from Angela and Heather 5550/5290 107 per cent, David and Stephan 4190/6000 70 per cent, Robert Coster and Clive Ayerst 3590/6650 54 per cent.
The top four scorers were Alan and Ken, Nina and Simon, Min and Dick, Michael and Chris.
Bridge returns tomorrow afternoon. Assembly time is 12.45pm for a 1pm start.
Warragul Bonsai Group
Warragul Bonsai Group’s March meeting was a workshop. Attending club members took along at least one tree to work on. Some of the more experienced people could be counted on to share their knowledge by lending a hand and giving advice.
A variety of trees was tabled, mostly needing direction in styling. There were very nice specimens of kunzia, ginko, cypress, chinese elm, tea tree, camelia, juniper and box. Most needed pruning. Our trees should be receiving their last autumn feed.
Big thanks to those who brought along their trees, we were all able to learn from the experience.
Next month we will be developing branches. Warragul Bonsai Group meets the third Thursday of each month. New members are welcome.
Next meeting will be at 7.30pm on April 20, Community College Gippsland, 71 Korumburra-Warragul Rd, Warragul. Any enquiries please contact wgbonsai@gmail.com or Carol 0438 877393
Warragul Garden Club
The March meeting, also the club’s AGM, was well attended with all positions being filled including president – Joy Vikas, secretary – Judy Butler and treasurer – Rob Coustley in the main positions.
Members voted on the amazing entries sent in for the children’s colouring competition which was held in conjunction with the Warragul Show. Congratulations to winners of the respective age groups - Lexie Slaughter, Caitlin and Eamon MacPherson.An outline of the planned bus trip to Western Victoria later in the year was given and a Q&A session was held, answering many questions.
Winner of the flower of the month (one Rose) was Aileen White and Ralph Slaughter’s sweet corn took the award for best exhibit.
April’s guest speaker is Merin Butler talking on ‘collecting and germinating native seeds’. Flower of the month is ‘One stem of Chrysanthemum’ and the floral arrangement theme is ‘Anzac Day’. Morning tea hosts are Ann, Val and Peter W.
A reminder that yearly subscriptions of $20 are now due. (An additional joining fee for new members of $10 applies). Cash in a named envelope please.
Meeting begins at 9.30am (doors open 9am) at the Senior Citizens rooms, Mason St, Warragul (entry from Barkly Street) on Monday, April 24. New members made very welcome. For further details check our website www. warragulgardenclub.com
Table Tennis
Drouin KeenAgers Table Tennis players were delighted their Community Bank Drouin & District (Bendigo Bank) application for a grant to purchase a new table had been successful.
The new table is of tournament standard with a 25mm surface section and cost $1190. A new net also was purchased with club funds. Club member, Marj and her partner, Peter, travelled to Melbourne to collect the table. A small group of members, led by Max, assembled the table.
What a pleasure it is to play on a brand new, high quality table. The difference in the poorer, cheaper versions is quite pronounced.
A small plaque was ordered and attached to the new table so all who use it will be aware of the Community Bank’s generosity and support for our club.
Some members travelled to Traralgon last weekend to see the Victorian open junior, senior, para and veteran’s championships. Both singles and doubles were played in age groups from under 21 to over 85. Fantastic and inspiring to watch.
Table tennis is played at Bellbird Park Indoor Centre, 270 Settlement Rd, Drouin on Mondays and Thursdays from 8.30am to 11.30am. Newcomers are very welcome. Equipment can be supplied.
For further information ring Lois on 0400 185 336 or google drouintabletennis