Editors:

December, 1964 Len Shearer

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The November club meeting was brought forward a week and was held on Thursday, October 29. We were pleased to welcome Bruce Toll to his first club social and also a welcome back was given to Anne and Stephanie. Main business discussed was the Ferny Creek arrangements, and supper was held at about 10pm. Barbara introduced a new game — eating jelly with chopsticks. Try it some time, it’s fun. An indoor badminton set was also produced and this livened up the hall quite well. The evening finished just before 11.45.

The Ferny Creek Rhododendron Society once again held their annual festival on Cup Weekend. We were there as usual doing the parking duty, and all members who participated did a good job.

Sixteen of us lent a hand on the first day, Saturday. Very nice to see Ron F. back after a nine-months’ disappearance. This day was very quiet indeed with none of the previous "panic" which we had been accustomed to. Left for home at 5.00pm with some going bowling in the city afterwards. This excursion is dealt with under another heading.

The Sunday managed to draw 25 members out for the job. A grand job was done by all members who spent most of the day running, jumping, shouting and waving at cars going the wrong way. All left at about 5.15, arriving home at about 6.30 or so.

Tuesday greeted us with occasional showers and only 14 members to do the job. It was quite a struggle for a while, but everyone managed to keep everything under control. The display concluded at about 5.00pm and we all left at 5.05 or so, arriving back in the city at 6 o’clock.

We went bowling again on Sunday morning, November 22, this time at the Mutual Bowl. Carl Christie happened to be just going past, saw us and joined in. We met Janice, Anne and Stephanie in there — they had been waiting since 9 o’clock. Highest scores were in the mid-120’s, poor bowling by comparison to some of our previous "bests". Delighted to see Janice run up, heave the ball with her might onto her instep — how? Cynthia and Dave almost managed to go down the gutters on separate occasions. Dave’s average was ver’ goot — 17 in the first 5 frames. Anne appeared to be the most consistent bowler present, with Peter and Steph a close next. Left the bowl at about noon, with some going for lunch at a café somewhere in the city.

Ten of us went bowling after the first day at Ferny Creek. The venue was the Southern Cross, our first time there. Bookings had been made but somehow got lost in the mad Saturday night scramble. Managed to get three games, with the highest scorers being Bob, Peter, Stephanie and Graeme. Left at 10.15 and had supper at a dump in Russell Street. I believe Rex is still waiting for his toasted sandwiches.

We had a Card Night planned for Saturday, November 21, at Judy’s home in Camberwell, but this venue was changed to Ross’s place at East Malvern. Most people arrived late, including three on Len’s Maico — then came some maintenance on same and also Dave’s Lambretta. As the evening progressed, Peter, Judy and Bob arrived. The first game got away at about 9.15, with nobody playing well owing to the amount of cross-chatter which prevailed. Anne and Graeme managed to spill some soft drink between themselves. Judy supplied the supper, and jolly good it was too. Best players for the night were Bob, Anne and Cynthia. Most left at about 12.45, with heavy rain falling. Many thanks to Ross for the use of his premises for the evening, and also to Judy who supplied and served the food for us all.

The first ever combined club convoy between our club and the Vespa Club of Melbourne was most successful. The two groups met in the city on Sunday morning, November 29. We were pleased to meet a new prospective member, John Simonic, who rides a Heinkel. Left the city at 9.30, with Peter Robb leading and using a system of two patrol men and two rear riders, one from each club. Arrived at Gisborne without much bother, apart from Peter R.’s pile of old tyres falling off his carrier. At Gisborne we met Ken K. with friend John, and also Michael Brumby, who rides a Cezeta. Welcome, Mike. On again at 11.30 after a stop for drinks and eats, and arrived at Hanging Rock at about noon, or just a little after. Peter P. arrived shortly afterwards on his newly-worked-on Maico. Doug and Judy then arrived (from Ararat).

Following lunch an attempt was made to commence sports practice, but this fizzled out after about 15 minutes. Nobody seemed to be very interested in it, and wandered off for a short walk. All the crowd disappeared very quickly, some to the top of the hill, some into the kiosk for drinks, and a few stayed behind to talk scooters. Carl drove off for a short run, got a flat tyre and had to leave the machine at a farmhouse (no spare wheel). Some played a sort of a game of baseball-cricket, with the stars being Reg, Brenda, Ron and Bodo from the Vespa Club and Warren, John and Darryl from our mob.

Left for home at about 4 o’clock, with Len leading on the way back. Stopped for trouble on Lionel’s Maico — front forks "frozen". Shortly afterwards Warren’s battery packed up or something. The main group arrived at Gisborne, and after more food ‘n drink the convoy headed for Melbourne, now headed by Peter Robb again. Len and Bruce returned to the "kaput" Maico with a spare battery from Ron’s Vespa. Arrived to find the machine OK again after a quick charge on the battery. Headed off again and arrived at Moonee Ponds at 6.45. Here the tailenders decided to have tea in town, and dispersal took effect from here.

All in all, this was a very good day, the first inter-club function to be held for more than a year, and I feel that we may see quite a few more similar rounds in the future. Approximately 22 scooters were present, and they made quite an impressive display once we were out on the open road, all travelling in line.

…..and the poor little grape just gave a little whine.

About ten members attended a working bee at a vacant lot in Camberwell on Saturday, November 14. Several hours were spent in cutting long grass with motor mowers and then clearing away large amounts of junk, bottles and wire. We had lunch at Bruce Toll’s home at Balwyn, for which we would like to thank Mr and Mrs Toll very much. Back to work after lunch and spent quite some time pulling down a large peppercorn tree. Concluded the job at about 4.30pm, but not before several members had gone to haunt an old house — Bruce and Stephanie, Anne and Len, and Janice and Peter all managed to get lost in various convenient parts of the dwelling. All left for home at 5.00pm.

…..the nervous bandit who walked into a bank, pointed his pistol at himself, and said: "Righto, now, no sticking around — this is a muck up."

Seventeen members who had lent a hand at Ferny Creek on Cup Weekend attended the barbecue at the club hall. This was provided completely from club funds, in appreciation for a good job well done. Chops and sausages were cooked on the barbecue outside and Fred once again took charge of the hamburgers ‘n toast. These were washed down by tea or coffee or soft drinks and shortly afterwards several card games began. The evening concluded at 11.15pm or so.

A bright and fine day greeted us at Alexandra Avenue for our excursion to Portsea and London Bridge. We were pleased to welcome Bill and Gloria Davis on a B.S.A. Sunbeam, and also Carl Christie on a Maico (from Sydney). Left early and arrived at Frankston at 10.10am (nice and early). Then on to Rosebud for a look at the aquarium. Arrived at Portsea at 12.30pm and after lunch had a quick swim, a ball game and some went for a walk down to the rocks. Left for home at 3.45pm, arriving at Frankston at 5.30pm amid bumper to bumper traffic all the way. Proceeded in various directions from here, with most arriving home sometime near 7.30pm.