The Getting to Know You "guest" will be our activities coordinator Lee Brown.

Transcription

1 PORT MACQUARIE/HASTINGS NEWSLETTER APRIL 2018 Website: President: John Urquhart Committee Members: Vice President: Joan Lundstrom John Banks Treasurer: Erica De Carlo Sandra Banks Secretary: Lynda Walters Lee Brown Public Officer: Erica De Carlo Nicola Herbert NEXT MEETING: 10 th APRIL 2018 Our guest speaker this month will be Debbie Sommers from Port Macquarie Museum. The subject is Treasures, Tales & Truths. Caring for your family treasures. The Getting to Know You "guest" will be our activities coordinator Lee Brown. PRESIDENTS REPORT Lifeline Donation Many thanks to all members who contributed so generously to our nominated charity for 2017/2018 Lifeline. It is very pleasing to report that over $1600 has been raised and this will provide training costs for three Lifeline telephone Councillors in the Port Macquarie office. A special thank you to Ann and Max for hosting an enjoyable and fun filled afternoon tea and auction where over $1000 was raised. Great sandwiches, slices and cakes and great auctioneering thanks to Ian. A representative from Lifeline will attend a future meeting to receive a cheque. One donation of $260 has already been made to meet a Lifeline training deadline. This figure was generously matched by Helen and David. Once again a great result, thank you everyone. REPORT FROM NSA HEAD OFFICE. Re: Shaping the Branches and Zone The working group tasked to investigate and report on improving the effectiveness of Branches and Zones, recently forwarded a questionnaire to all Presidents asking that some Members be asked to provide their thoughts on the successes of their branch and suggestions on what could be improved. The member s response to this questionnaire was wonderful. Members told us of the importance of National Seniors and Branches to members. Their branch was a central part of their social life, the majority enjoy the fellowship and friendship, the activities, the guest speakers, and generally their branch. Generally, members were very supportive of the NSA Advocacy role, but some wanted more and wanted advocacy to be more visible. Many wanted better recognition of branches, better support mechanisms, better operating guides and a better relationship with the Head office.

2 It was also considered that branches need better and more focused promotions and marketing, along with a recruitment strategy for younger members. Communication overall remains problematic, across the Branches, Zones, Head Office and the wider community. There was also concern expressed regarding a pending name change, but as you are now aware the Board has put this matter on hold. The working party very much appreciates the effort taken by those members who responded to the questionnaire and would like Presidents to pass on our sincere thanks to those people. We will now attempt to come up with strategies and recommendations to address the issues raised. Kind Regards, Mary Cottam Zone 101 Mary Parsissons Hobart Branch Dan Baldwin Forest Lake Branch John Urquhart Port Macquarie Branch The Shaping the Branches and Zones Working Group HAPPY CARD GROUP at 500 CLUB Left to right Christine, Gavan, Jane, Flora and Erica. SENIOR RIDDLE Here is the situation: You are on a horse, galloping at a constant speed. On your right side is a sharp drop-off. On your left side is an elephant traveling at the same speed as you. Directly in front of you is a galloping kangaroo and your horse is unable to overtake it. Behind you is a lion running at the same speed as you and the kangaroo. What must you do to get out of this highly dangerous situation? See answer on the last page...

3 CHARITY AUCTION & AFTERNOON TEA HELD 6th MARCH 2018 We would like to thank Ann & Max Cross for hosting the wonderful afternoon tea and charity auction at their home. Twenty members attended and everyone brought along items for the auction. Our hosts treated us to a very elegant afternoon tea with scrumptious cakes and of course Max s famous cucumber sandwiches. This was followed by the Auction which was run by our own auctioneer extraordinaire Ian Richardson who kept us all in check. A wide range of articles were sold to raise money for our nominated charity Lifeline. There were dinner sets, teapots, TV cabinet, stereo unit, pots, a foot spa, wine, jams and chocolates. Books, handbags, wine glasses and so much more. Everyone entered into the spirit of the day and all guests went home with a purchased item even if it was only $2. This was a very enjoyable and successful day and we raised over $1000 for Lifeline.

4 DINNER CLUB on 22 nd MARCH Our dinner this month was held at the Oriental Spoon- Korean Restaurant, and proved to be a very popular choice as 22 members attended and enjoyed the evening. The menu was excellent, with entrees of spring rolls, croquettes, tempura prawns. The mains ranged from hot and spicy to lighter dishes like Korean Fried Chicken. All the food was fresh cooked and delivered to the table piping hot. Many took their own wine, for which there was a small corkage charge. A very happy and friendly evening enjoyed by everyone.

5 FUTURE EVENT FOR SATURDAY 26 TH MAY 2018 A NIGHT 4 MURDER Presents GET KNITTED! It is Judgement Day at the Royal Easter Show Arts and Crafts pavilion. The local knitting club, run by Pearl Cable, with members Lotta Woolby and Daisy Chain, await the judges' decision. Pearl's downtrodden husband, Harry, has had enough. Lotta's husband, Poncho, knows too much. The judges, Al Pacca and Jenny Garter, are disagreeing about everything and there are secret pasts that are going to unravel. Someone is going to come undone! Can you help Inspector Foot of the Yard to stitch up this case? If audience members have their own craft works they would like to display in the performance, please bring them along. *********************** A man was telling his neighbor, 'I just bought a new hearing aid. It cost me four thousand dollars, but its state of the art. It's perfect.' 'Really,' answered the neighbor. 'What kind is it?' 'Twelve thirty.'

6 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Every Day - Sunset Cruise on the Chinese Junk. Time 6pm Cruise Terminal Clarence St. Every Friday River Cruise and Winery Tour. 8.45am Cruise Terminal Clarence St. Every Sunday Jimmy s Vinyl Sunday Sessions From 2pm The Westport Club. Every Sunday BBQ Lunch on the River Princess am Cruise Terminal Clarence St. Every Wednesday and Sunday Open Nights The Astronomical Society Stewart St. Port Macquarie 12th & 20 th April Free Craft Mentoring With Nannas, Nonnas & Grandmas. 10am till 12pm Sunset Gallery 2/11 Murray St, Port Macquarie. 14th April Port Macquarie Seaside Scavenge 9am Westport Park. 14 th April to 28 th May Exhibition of Artwork by Kim Staples Sunset Gallery 2/11 Murray St. 21 st April Heritage Open Day 9.30am 2.30pm Douglas Vale Historic Homestead & Vineyard 235 Oxley Highway Port Macquarie. 25 th April Anzac Dawn Service 5.30am Town Green Port Macquarie. 28 th April April Hastings Moonlight Movies Hidden Figures. 6pm Town Green, Port Macquarie. 29 th April Commemorative 75 th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Wollongbar (11). Mid North Coast Maritime Museum. 2 6 William Street Port Macquarie. REGULAR MARKETS. Every Tuesday Real Food Local Produce Markets. Port Central Forecourt, Time 3pm to 6pm. Every Thursday Summer Markets- The Glasshouse Forecourt. Time 9am to 6pm. Every Saturday- Twilight Food Markets - Town Beach Park Reserve. Time 5pm to 9pm. Every Sunday- Port Macquarie Art Society Market Bazaar. Hamilton House 198 Hastings River Drive. Time 8am to 1pm. Second Saturday: The Foreshore Market - 8:00am to 1:00pm. (Port Macquarie Hastings Farmers & Artists) Westport Park, Corner Buller and Park Streets, Port Macquarie. Third Sunday Laurieton. Laurieton Riverwalk Market 8:00am to 1:00pm Corner Tunis and Short Streets, Fourth Saturday Wauchope Farmers Markets 8:00am to12:00pm Wauchope Showground, High St. Wauchope. If you know of any member who may be unwell, please let anyone on the Committee know. It is important that we offer support if one of our members is unwell and let them know we are thinking of them. If anyone is in need of a helping hand to do a small job, again, let a Committee member know. We can also arrange for transport to and from meetings if anyone is unable to make their own arrangements. And if anyone is celebrating a big "0" birthday - again, please let a Committee member know. We are now accepting advertisements for the May 2018 Newsletter. Anyone interested should send their advert to sandybanks@bigpond.com the cost is $5 for 40 words and $10 if accompanied by a photograph. This cost covers one issue only. ANSWER TO RIDDLE Get off the Merry-Go-Round and go home, You ve had enough excitement for one day!