Blog Archive

Wednesday 3 June 2020


THE PROBUS CLUB OF NORTH SYDNEY

NEWSLETTER       JUNE  2020  


PRESIDENT’S PIECE: – Ivan B

Another month passes and thankfully it seems that the country is in a better position in our fight against the dreaded virus. We’re certainly not out the woods yet, but at least some of the restrictions have been lifted. We can now have up to five visitors to our home and groups of 10 can gather in the open air.
With this in mind I’m glad to see Oriel has organised a walk for us in Tunks Park on Tuesday, June 9. Let’s hope the sun shines and a number of us can get together for a bit of exercise and a picnic lunch – social distancing rules applied, naturally!
And now, more changes have been made and from June 1 we can have up to 50 people in restaurants and clubs. This has prompted Evelyn to organise an ‘outing’ to Northbridge Golf Club for a lunch on June 23. Doreen, the catering manager, will ensure all the correct rules are observed.  Well done Evelyn!
Thanks to everyone for their continuing email messages which have kept us entertained over the past couple of months. Patrick has done a sterling job with his boundless supply of jokes and YouTube clips, and Shelagh’s musical contributions have been well received.
For those of you who are unaware, poor Shelagh had a bad fall at home recently, resulting in an overnight hospital visit. She’s now back at home nursing three cracked ribs. Having suffered a similar injury a few years ago I’m well aware how painful the recovery can be. She assures me she’s now comfortable enough to put time into judging the photos and stories of the weird and wacky holiday souvenirs that members entered in this month’s competition.
I hope everyone enjoys this latest newsletter which Robin has so kindly put together. Last month’s effort was a great success, and my thanks goes to Robin and all the others who made contributions.
The Sunday online link-up continues and everyone is welcome. Douglas will provide you with details on how to join us for a drink (self-provided) and a chat at 5.30pm.

Stay well and let’s hope by July we will have a better idea about future meetings.
I’ve included some more brainteasers, but beware, they’re tougher than last month! Once again, you’ll find the answers at the end of the newsletter.


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PROBUS  Walk / Get together:      Oriel T     

Tuesday   June 9  2020               Tunks  Park,  Northbridge

With the easing of isolation rules the Probus Committee has decided it would be great to start our walking activities on a relaxed informal basis to enable walkers and non-walkers to meet up for a social chat.  To avoid the necessity of travelling on public transport it was decided participants could drive to a local park, maybe bring their own chair and sandwich/lunch.
Those wishing to walk can traverse the park a couple of times, keeping the required metre and half separation, and returning to a central point to chat and have their picnic lunch with other members.  Those members who will not be walking may like to arrive a little later.
If there are more than ten we can split into two groups.

Details:
Meet Tunks Park at 10.30am in the parking area (there is plenty of parking) and proceed to walk around the park and maybe traversing part of Flat Rock Gully – we could do this a couple of times to stretch the legs, if desired.
There is a mobile Coffee Van and the ‘Barista’ informed me he was there every day except if it was raining in which case we would not be there either. 
There are public toilets at the park.
Tunks Park can be accessed from Vale Street or Lower Cliff Ave which both run off Strathallen Ave Northbridge, on either side of the bridge.





OUTING DAY:  – Evelyn K    A La Carte Lunch

Tuesday 23rd June           Northbridge Golf Club        at     Midday

At our Jitsi meeting on Sunday we discussed starting 'outings' again.  The thoughts expressed suggested it should not be too far distant and car transport would be the way to go!   Sooo, I am arranging lunch at the Northbridge Golf Club.  I think that fits the bill!
Doreen will ensure seating accords with regulations.
I will need numbers intending to come.  If you could let me know your intentions by say 16th June at the latest please.
For those not driving, if you would like me to arrange a lift, please let me know.  Will do my best to ensure anyone and everyone is accommodated.
Will look for something more adventurous for July provided virus matters stay under control.

Evelyn -      Mob:  0411 331 023            Email:   Gladesville@yahoo.com.au

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PHOTO COMPETITIONS:

Some members have suggested this new idea becomes a permanent feature of our activities, either on a monthly or quarterly basis.

The suggested topic for the next competition in July is “Guess Who Is the Baby?”  So please start rummaging around in your store cupboard for family photos taken in the first half of the 20th Century!

As mentioned in a recent email, the closing date for our present competition on “The most memorable, or interesting Holiday Souvenir” has been extended to 30 June, with a plea from Judge Shelagh to limit the MAXIMUM number of words in your description to 50.

Shelagh has suggested we put the best entries on show, when we meet again, as was similarly done with members’ art and craft items a few AGMs ago.”

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BRAINTEASERS:    Ivan B

1.   Crack the Code – the name of a popular Sydney location is hidden in the following coded message
GFMPH KZIP XZNNVIZB

2.    What are next two numbers in the following sequence?
1     10  3  9  5  8  7  7  9  6  ?  ?
 
3.   Which of these words is the odd man out?
                  HOUSE    FLOWER    SHED    FENCE

4.   Unscramble the letters to find something that might save your life
H C P R A A T E U

5.   If you count from 1 to 100, how many 7s will you pass?

6.     Two men stand together back to back. They each walk forwards 4 metres, turn left and walk 3 metres. How far are they from one another?


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NEW MEMBERS:         Shake Jackie M

 

Jackie M is an Armenian Australian born in Beirut Lebanon.
Jackie attended primary school in Beirut, and at the age of eleven, received a scholarship to continue her secondary education at the Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI) in Nicosia, Cyprus, a boarding school for Armenian students from nearly 40 countries. Limited finances resulted in staying on campus during the school holiday periods, which meant lengthy absences from family and home, challenging times for an eleven year old girl. Lebanon’s civil war in 1958 caused complications with the scholarship and the family could not afford the fees to continue Jackie’s tuition at the MEI.

At seventeen years of age, Jackie worked as a teacher’s aide at her previous primary school, while studying in the evenings, pursuing her dream job of becoming a kindergarten teacher.
A year later, Jackie met Vic, a press photographer and they married. Within a few years their two daughters were born. Jackie and Vic witnessed the civil unrest of 1975 and impending war in Beirut. The ravages of war and lack of safety, freedom and lost opportunities, particularly for their children’s wellbeing, education, and future, resulted in the couple’s decision to migrate to a safe country and build a new life.
Jackie, Vic and their two daughters travelled to Cyprus and the administrative work to migrate commenced. During these few months, the girls were enrolled in the local school. The family had a choice of migrating to the USA, Canada or Australia. Australia was a priority as both Jackie and Vic had family in Sydney. Within three months, favourable news arrived from the Australian embassy, and the extended family boarded a flight to Sydney in December 1976.
The adjustment to a new life and culture was seamless and embraced by all. Within a few months, the family was overjoyed with the news of another child on the way. Jackie and Vic’s son was born in Perth.
To this day, Jackie counts her blessings and reflects on how fortunate and privileged she feels for adopting Australia as their new home. New beginnings are never without new challenges. Jackie juggled motherhood, employment and further education and volunteered as an Armenian language teacher at the Armenian school on Saturdays. Her first job in Sydney was at Tuta Laboratories in Lane Cove, then at John Sands the Greeting Card Company. Later Jackie enjoyed working at Analytica Laboratory, in cancer diagnostics. Jackie has retained her passion for pedagogy and has worked with children in different capacities for over two decades, the last ten years at the SHORE Preparatory School in Northbridge.
Jackie’s family and friends are of paramount importance to her. She cherishes her four grandchildren and continuously marvels at the wonders and joy they bestow. As she watches them grow and blossom, Jackie says she learns new things every day from her grandchildren.
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WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING DURING LOCKDOWN
– Brenda & Paul O

This is our son’s dog Billy who fortunately lives 15 minutes walk away.  Since the lockdown we’ve taken to giving him his weekday walks, and so getting our exercise too.  We walk through bush to reach the oval where he can race around showing off his athleticism and agility, which always puts a smile on our faces. It’s given us both a sense of well being and purpose which has been wonderful.  We may be amongst the few who will miss the lockdown!








-      Robin S

I was thrilled to discover I was able to include Paul & Brenda’s lovely photo with Billy into this Newsletter.
The lockdown has forced me to learn new technology skills such as the above, Jitsi link up with several Probus members and the ability to send group emails !!



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READING RECOMMODATIONS:

Judy I recommends:
The Fatal Lights:  by Tom Mead
- Two Strange Tragedies of the Sea: The Dunbar (1857) and the Ly-Ee-Moon (1886)
Breaking the News - by Tom Mead
- The events, which changed life in Australia, through the eyes of a man who worked at the front line of journalism and politics.

Geoff & Robin P recommend:
Where the Crawdads Sing’ – Delia Owens
Olive Again’ – Elizabeth Strout
The Weekend’  - Charlotte Wood
The Wife and the Widow’  - Christian White
Bruny’  -  Heather Rose

Jeanette F recommends:
Passionate Spirit” – Cate Haste
  The life of Alma Mahler (1879-1964) - artist, intellect, author & socialite
“The Anarchy” - William Dalrymple - a graphic retelling of the East India    Company's “relentless rise” from provincial trading company to the pre-eminent military and political power in all of India.

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ORIEL’S TRAVEL ADVENTURES:

My very first plane trip was with three friends flying from London to Palma, Majorca for a holiday.  It was at nighttime and we were not seated together. I sat next to Terry Thomas, the Comedian/Actor/Entertainer who regaled me with various stories for the whole flight whilst drinking brandy from a hip flask and he told me he had flown in planes held together with string! 
Another time at London airport I was seated at a coffee bar and Wilfrid Hyde White who achieved international recognition in his later years for his role as Colonel Pickering in the 1964 film version of the musical My Fair Lady sat next to me and we had a very pleasant conversation.

Whilst on holiday in Fiji in the late 1960s with a couple of friends our hotel packed us a picnic basket and we hired a boat to take us to some remote uninhabited island for the day to explore and go swimming.  We had arranged for the boat to pick us up again around 4 o’clock but he failed to do so.  Fortunately at around 7.30pm a cruise liner anchored off the island and they came ashore for a barbecue.  After telling the Captain of our dilemma he offered to take us back to Suva but said we should not have paid the boat owner up front for the return trip.  So a lesson for young naïve travellers!

I had a rather cute biro, which had a clear liquid in the body of it with Beefeaters that looked as if they were marching to the pen point when writing and then would march back again when the pen was lifted up.  Whilst at the airport in Dakar, Senegal an African official saw this biro and wanted it but I was determined to keep it.  He became quite aggressive which attracted the attention of two other officials who came over and sorted the problem.  I was very happy to fly out of Dakar later that day with my biro!

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RECIPE: – Fran McC

SAVOURY  CHEESE  ROLL


250g.    CREAM  CHEESE
60gms   BUTTER
1 TABLESPOON GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE
2 TABLESPOONS  TOMATO SAUCE
2  GHERKINS,   FINELY CHOPPED
4  SHALLOTS,  CHOPPED
SALT AND PEPPER
¼ CUP CHOPPED PARLSEY



- BEAT CREAM CHEESE AND BUTTER UNTIL SMOOTH
- ADD PARMESAN CHEESE, TOMATO SAUCE, GHERKINS, SHALLOTS, SALT AND PEPPER
- DIVIDE MIXTURE IN HALF.   ROLL EACH HALF IN CHOPPED PARSLEY, FORMING TWO NEAT ROLLS
- WRAP IN GREASEPROOF PAPER.  REFRIGERATE SEVERAL HOURS
- SLICE, SERVE WITH SAVOURY BISCUITS
- IF YOU DON’T NEED TO USE THE SECOND ROLL, IT FREEZES VERY WELL

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JOKEMASTER OF THE MONTH: - Patrick W

”A Definition of Chutzpah!” 
A little old lady sold pretzels on a street corner in New York for a dollar each.  Each day a young man would leave his office building at lunch time and as he passed the pretzel stand he would leave $1.00, but never take a pretzel.
This little kindness went on for some three years. The two of them never spoke. One day as the young man passed the old lady's stand and left his dollar as usual, the pretzel lady spoke to him for the first time. Without blinking an eye she said: "They're $1.25 now.”


and from Douglas Irvin


Clive W came across this poem, which was written in 1869 and reprinted during the Spanish flu pandemic in 1919

- Very apt for the world’s present pandemic

By  Kathleen O’Mara:

And the people stayed home
And read books
And listened
And they rested
And did exercises
And made art and played
And learned new ways of being
And stopped and listened
More deeply
Someone meditated, someone prayed
Someone met their shadow
And people began to think differently
And people healed.
And in the absence of people who
Lived in ignorant ways
Dangerous, meaningless and
heartless,
The earth also began to heal

And when the danger ended and
People found themselves
They grieved for the dead
And made new choices
And dreamed of new visions
And created new ways of living
And completely healed the earth
Just as they were healed.



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MEMORIES  AND  A  TRIBUTE TO OUR NURSES   -   Robin S


On Tuesday 12th May 2020 the World Health Organization designated International Nurses Day in remembrance of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday and in recognition of the contribution nurses are making to world health.

Florence Nightingale’s contribution to Sydney was significant.  In 1868 Lucy Osburn, an English born nurse who had trained at the School of Nursing founded by Florence Nightingale, arrived with five other nursing sisters to take over our growing settlement’s Infirmary and Dispensary known then as the Rum Hospital, which was to become Sydney Hospital, laying the foundations of modern nursing in Australia.

In the 60’s as a very naïve young girl I ascended, with 30 other equally naïve girls, the steps of the Nightingale Wing in Sydney Hospital to commence my nursing training. We were, suitably or so we thought, dressed in hats & gloves, as was the fashion of the day.  However, we were soon given heavy-duty cotton dresses, which were to be covered with stiffly starched white aprons. We were also given starched caps, black stockings and shoes.

My general nursing training was hospital based and lasted for four years.  We were expected to live in the hospital grounds. Curfews were frequently broken and marriage was forbidden. This rule was also broken. I remember without fondness the night duties when it was difficult to stay awake and after your shift had ended you were expected to go to a lecture – the countless dishing up of revolting food, which had been delivered to the wards in large heated metal containers on wheels. Giving injections, with barbed needles before the days of disposable needles and syringes. The constant sterilizing of equipment was a never-ending task.  And dare I mention the cleaning of the pan rooms.  Our wards were inspected daily by the on duty Matron to make sure everything was spick and span, the patients were sitting up in bed expecting to look well, no matter their illness, with their bed linen folded down neatly exactly the same as their neighbour’s. 

However, my days at Sydney Hospital also brought many fond memories. Above all, the camaraderie with my fellow nurses is still with me to this day for which I am very grateful.  My nursing days ended when I chose family life.

I felt it was necessary to write about this in this Newsletter in a small effort to give thanks to our current health workers who are under such pressure in this present world health crisis.

There is a wonderful museum of the history and artifacts of Sydney Hospital in the beautiful Nightingale Wing in Macquarie Street, which is open every Tuesday from 10am – 3pm.

However, you too will need to climb the same steps to the museum!





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ANSWERS TO IVAN’S BRAIN TEASERS:

1.   TUNKS PARK CAMMERAY (In the code, the alphabet has been reversed eg Z=A, Y=B)

2.   11, 5 (The alternative numbers are increased by two or decreased by one)

3.  FLOWER – It’s not made by man

3.   PARACHUTE 5. 20 6. 10 metres (Remember your Pythagoras! The men  have created two right-angled triangles with 3,4,5 sides)


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WELL WISHES:

Wishing Shelagh a speedy recovery.  We look forward to her judgements in our present photo competition and to seeing her back in good health at our Probus meetings when life returns to “normal”.



MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY FOR YOUR JUNE BIRTHDAY:

Judy C - 06    Sally J - 06    Robyn P -06  
Ivan B - 08    Judy M - 10    Janice G - 16   
Ches W- 21    Louise L - 27  

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A big thank you to all who sent contributions this month.

We welcome more contributions

Please send them to:    Robin S on:    rsolomon493@gmail.com


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