Editors:

September, 1964 Len Shearer

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About 20 members attended the August club meeting on Friday, August 7. Business was discussed and concluded by 9.30, following which Rex and Richard staged an "observation game", with most of us forgetting things which we should have remembered. After this came a raffle which was won by Richard. Some members brought a few slides and about an hour was spent showing these, some of which went back as far as Easter, 1962. Following supper most left for home at about midnight.

Seven members met in the city for our trip to Mason’s Falls via Kinglake on Sunday, August 9. Left at 9.15am and lost Malcolm and Richard somewhere in Hoddle Street. Met again at Northcote, where David and Cynthia arrived on Dave’s new Lambretta 200 — looks good, too. Moved on again and met Graeme and Darryl at Preston. Then straight through to Whittlesea for hamburgers and coffee (a most welcome break, as it was quite cold). Then onwards again and arrived at the Falls at noon. Somewhere on the way Graeme lost his plug spanner and Lionel locked himself out of his car. The short walk to the waterfalls was worth it, and we left for Kinglake at 12.30pm. Lost Graeme and after a wait for him to turn up, we headed back in the direction from which we had come. Met Graeme halfway — he had taken a wrong turn, fallen off, fouled his plug, jammed his throttle cable and finally found us. Headed for Whittlesea with heavy sleet pouring down. Dave repaired Graeme’s points all the way, and all met again for more food. Dispersed here, with some taking a different route home. Most would have arrived home quite early, about 5.30pm I think.

Eight members met in the city on Sunday, August 23 for our planned excursion to Egg Rock Lookout, a place to which we had not previously been. Got away at 9.15am and met Ross at Burke Road. At Warrigal Road we met Ken and Peter, and still further on was Trevor. Did not stop until we reached Gembrook, via Pakenham, with Lionel and Rex also joining the field. Coffee and sandwiches finished with, we began the last leg to the lookout, with Peter’s bike dying out every now and then. Managed to find a bushfire "dugout" after a long up-hill drive in which everyone thought we were lost. How ridiculous! An inspection of thee dugout was made and proved very interesting. Following this we proceeded towards Launching Place and upon asking for directions, returned in the direction from whence we had come. Finally found the lookout, an old rickety wooden tower, and five of us ascended it, after the whole mob got the ladder into position — it looked like a bunch of drunken firemen trying to knock the tower down. The view was OK and we left about 3.30pm, with Peter’s Maico still giving trouble. Finished up putting it in the back of Lionel’s car and from there made good time. Ken’s carload and Rex left early from Gembrook. The remainder would have arrived home about 7.00pm I think. This run proved to be very interesting, as it was off the beaten track. I feel that we are missing a lot of the Victorian countryside by going to the same old places all the time. By getting "in the rough" we can open up new areas for the club to see — and there are quite a few of them.

One firefly to another: "Give me a push, my battery’s flat".

You watch the guy who drives ahead

And the guy who drives behind;

You watch to the left and to the right

And drive with a calm clear mind.

But the guy you really have to watch

On the highway you will find

Is the guy behind the guy ahead

And ahead of the guy behind.

A car is dangerous only when a driver is in it.

The Rotating Party was scheduled to begin at 4.00pm on Saturday, August 29. Four members met in the city and proceeded to the Kilgour home for the first course, namely soup and toast. This was well appreciated as it was a very rainy and cold afternoon. Left at 5.15pm for the second course at Len’s place at East Brunswick. Arrived a little late owing to Len having clutch cable trouble, and met Judy S., who had arrived at 5.30pm or so. Alex dropped in for a quick feed of fish fingers and salad, and after a brief stay of about 10 minutes he proceeded ahead of the main bunch to the third course at Barbara’s home at Glen Waverley. The rest left Len’s at 6.45pm and arrived at Barb’s at 7.45 after an uneventful trip. Sweets served by Barb were enjoyed by all, and the mob left at about 8.30pm for the final course at Cynthia’s. Arrived at 9pm and finished up with coffee and accessories (two rounds). Left at about 11.00pm after listening to records for a while and general talking etc. In all, it was quite a good event, the first we have had for 12 months, and might be worth putting on the itinerary for the warmer part of the year.

Members are reminded that the election of office bearers for the forthcoming twelve months will be held at the October social. This is an important aspect of the club’s administration, and the presence of all members would be appreciated, or an apology if unable to attend. Nominations will be received up to and including the date of elections. Present positions are as follows:

President: Alex McLean

Vice-President: Ken Kilgour.

Secretary: Cynthia Noble.

Minute Secretary: Bob Gardiner.

Treasurer: Len Shearer.

Club Captain: Peter Philferan.

Always regard every other driver on the road as a fool.

Several months ago we published a copy of a letter from the editor of "The Green Horror". This letter was very badly worded and typed, with some colossal errors, and we published it as it was written, adding the quote that some day we would frame it as a "classic". Several copies of the mag were sent interstate, and Dick Mason, treasurer of the Metro Club of Sydney, wrote to me, suggesting that I do frame it like this, quote:

AS REGARDS THAT LETTER PUBLISHED IN THE JUNE ISSUE OF "THE WHISPERS" FROM THE EDITOR OF "THE GREEN HORROR" — SHOULD LEN FRAME IT MAY I SUGGEST HE DOES SO IN A TOILET SEAT. SURELY SUCH A LETTER DESERVES THIS TREATMENT. GAD!

Dick Mason, Metro, Sydney.

We went bowling again on Sunday, August 16. Left the city at 20 to 10 and arrived at Northcote Plaza at 9.55 only to be told that it was booked out. We then proceeded to another place in Preston, where we had no difficulty in obtaining three lanes. Most members present managed to score a strike or two, with some high scores coming from Peter, Judy, Barbara and Len. Graeme played one game only and left early. Cyn, Dave, Rex, Alex and Ross each played two. Judy, Peter and his friend Peter and Len stayed late for a third game, finally finishing at about 12.45. These bowling outings are very popular, it seems, and if they are supported as well in the future, we may put two on the itinerary each four months.

"I suppose you dance?"

"Oh, yes, I love to."

"Great! That’s even better than dancing."

Mention should be made here of two new machines in the club, namely Lambretta 200’s, owned by Cynthia and David. At the time of going to press, both had been owned for only about three weeks, but the owners are very happy with them. A challenge for the Vespas perhaps?