Editors:

May, 1964 Len Shearer

* * * * * * *

Two new members joined our ranks at our March meeting. First was Lauris, who had been on the previous trip to One Tree Hill, and the second present was Derek South, rejoining our club and Chou, who we had not seen for 12 months. General business was discussed, and several films were shown by Richard, including ones of his wedding to Rae, and also Gerry and Elaine’s wedding. The evening finished as usual after midnight with supper.

Ten machines left the city for Ballarat on Sunday, March 8, with one new member, Bruce (Lambretta) riding with us. Made good time to Bacchus Marsh (apart from Lauris running low on petrol at Deer Park) and arrived at the "garden city" at midday. Had lunch at the Eureka Stockade while Ken B. went for a swim. Proceeded after lunch to the "Curiosity Shop". The cost of 2/- was grumbled over at first, but it turned out to be well worth it. Almost half an hour was spent here, but it was a very worthwhile time. Then off again to see the "Floral Carpet" — we got in free but what a take it would have been if we had paid. Left for home at 3 o’clock and managed somehow to lose Malcolm and Barbara. Bruce’s Lambie seized at Ballan and was taken home in Tom’s trailer — many thanks, Tom, it would have been a long tow. Arrived Deer Park and dispersed about 6 o’clock.

Dick Mason, from Sydney, went into a shop in a Victorian country town and asked for an ice-cream soda (spider). The girl behind the counter looked at him quizzically and asked "Aren’t you the Australian?" When Dick replied in the affirmative, she said "But they call them ‘ice-cream sodas’ in New South Wales!"

Almost 15 members attended a showing of slides and moves at our president’s home on Friday, April 24. Maureen showed quite a few from Perth club functions, including some very good ones on sports days and display riding. Rex had a variety, including Christmas trip to Queensland, the Melbourne Moomba Parade and our trip to Ballarat. Slides included Christmas trips to Queensland and Wilson’s Promontory, camp out at Cowes, several recent Sunday trips, and the Easter camp at Bright, the latter including a beauty of Alex bathing in the river. Supper vanished much quicker than usual, and most left for home at about 11.15pm. Many thanks to Alex and Mrs McLean for opening their home to us for the evening.

Witness to policeman: "Well, I wash watching the whole thing. The man who wash hit by the car wash a bit full. He walked out onto the road acrossh the pedestrian crossing, and shudeenly a car, travelling very fasht, hit him and threw him up into the air and didn’t shtop afterwardsh. But it wash hish fault, ash he wash full ash a boot, I seen it clearly." Wonder whether he was called to court to testhti, er sorry, testify as a witness.

The Landers’ home at Glen Waverley was the venue for our Maintenance Day held on Sunday, April 19. Approximately 12 machines were present with work of some type being carried out on all. David and Lionel both had their Maicos in a score of pieces. Darryl had his Heinkel cylinder head removed and his points and carby adjusted by the experts. Len’s points likewise. Ross and Cynthia had their Vespas worked over. Peter, Gerry, Richard and Ken arrived in their cars, the latter having traded in his Maico and sidecar for a Vauxhall. Maureen also turned up (just), with more troubles on her Vespa. Barbecue lunch followed and soon after Ron and Sheila arrived, with Sheila’s brother Trevor, who intends buying a Vespa shortly. Then Bob rolled in. After quite a bit of chin-wagging and an equal amount of toil, most left at about 4 o’clock. Many thanks to Barbara and Mr Landers for opening their home to us again.

The April meeting was a very quiet affair, with several new faces being present. Maureen brought along a friend, Jane, who rides a Lambretta and who also comes from Perth. Very nice to see Bob and Anne along again on Bob’s Lambretta. A welcome was extended to Barry Gray, captain of the Vespa Club. Club business was discussed and finished very early, and was followed by a very short dance. The evening finished at about 11.00pm.

From a prominent club member, whose home the club was visiting, came the following comment when the discovery was made that the guests were going home: "Don’t tell me you’re all going home already, thank heavens."

From the snobbish section of the potato breed came this stupid yarn: Bubba ‘tater said to Mumma ‘tater, "I’m going to marry Graham Kennedy", and Mumma ‘tater replied, "But, you silly child, you can’t do that, he’s just a commentator."

Nine scooters gathered at the city meeting spot on Sunday, April 12 for our trip down to Queenscliff. Nice to see Ross back after a six weeks absence, and also Pat (about the same). Welcome to prospective member Darryl, who rides a Heinkel. Left at 9.10am and proceeded directly towards Geelong, with Pat leaving us at Werribee. No serious trouble apart from Ross’s plug fouling up, and Darryl’s plug falling out. Headed straight from Geelong to Queenscliff, being caught halfway by Lionel and Maureen, who had abandoned her Vespa near Werribee. Following lunch we filled in time by walking along the pier, playing cricket and football on the beach, and cheering Maureen when she went for a dip. Pity she didn’t bring her bathing costume though! Then some went for a short walk to the light house, and the rest sat around and loafed. Left for home at 4 o’clock, and arrived back in the city at about seven.

"Look at you", called the big mouthed fellow to his small, underweight companion, "Nothing but rag, bone and a hank of hair".

"And look at you", came the quick reply, "brag, groan and a tank of air".

MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE COLUMNS OF THE WHISPERS ARE OPEN AT ALL TIMES FOR ANY ITEMS OF NEWS, JOKES, HINTS TO SCOOTERISTS AND ADVERTISEMENTS CONCERNING SCOOTERS OR ANYTHING ELSE OF INTEREST TO READERS. ANY MATERIAL WILL BE ACCEPPTED BY THE EDITOR, PROVIDING THAT IT IS WRITTEN OUT AND DELIVERED TO HIM BY ANY MEANS.