Editors:

November, 1964 Len Shearer

* * * * * * *

It was very pleasing to see such a good roll-up at the October club social, which was also the night of the Annual General Meeting. We were pleased to see some of the old faces, including Lucy, Janice, Maurie, Joyce and Tom Garrett. Among the "new" faces were Doug Clarke on his first social (came down from Ararat for the meeting) with friend Judy Townsend from Ballarat. There too was Warren Healy, who rides a 150cc Puch Alpine, our first in the club. Also present was Neil Sievers, vice-president of the Vespa Club. Business began early with the usual forms of correspondence and presentation of balance sheet for the previous twelve months. This looked quite healthy and was passed by the members present. Then came the important part of the evening — no, not supper, the elections. After a slow start, in which Ken Kilgour was elected Present and Fred Carron Vice-president, with Alex McLean as Secretary, came a close count for Minute Secretary. This was finally taken by Judy Sisson, and Len Shearer was re-elected Treasurer for the third successive year.

Club Captain’s position was finally decided after three counts, between Len and Peter, with Len getting home the third time. A Social Secretary was also elected, namely Barbara Landers. This new committee will, I feel sure, endeavour to administer to the club’s needs in the same fashion as the previous committee. We look forward to another good twelve months of scootering and hope sincerely that the members support most functions whenever possible. The evening finished at almost midnight, after supper was finished off and the dishes washed up. Earlier in the night, Kevin Sheehy awarded the Day Trial prizes to the winners, Graeme and Len (on a Maico). Dennis and Richard actually won by twelve points, but as they were in a car, they were not eligible for the prizes, which consisted of a set of screwdrivers for Graeme, and a set of ring spanners for Len. The club hall was closed at 12.15.

Place the baby in the water. If it turns blue the water is too cold. If it turns red, the water is too hot. If it turns white, it needed the bath.

Nine members met in the city on Saturday, October 17, for the trip to the Newport Railway Museum. Got away to a late start, owing to Darryl’s Heinkel failing to start and being loaded onto Richard’s utility. Arrived at Newport at 2.30pm and met John and Ken. Spent an hour inspecting the old steam engines, climbing up ladders, down steps, into driving compartments, out of boilers, under tenders and through carriages. Main attraction seemed to be "Heavy Harry", a huge black "H" Class locomotive. Left here at 3.30pm and headed for the dock area, where about half an hour was spent surveying the tugboat position and inspecting the Royal Navy’s fleet from a safe distance. Very hard to distinguish the tugs from the navy. Left for the city at about 4.30pm, arriving there individually at about 5 o’clock.

Did you hear about the two oxy cats? The male and female ones. They had acetylene kittens.

About a dozen members attended the maintenance day at Len’s place at East Brunswick. Everybody did something useful during the time spent. Bruce Toll worked on his Maico’s electrical system; Bruce Talbot checked and adjusted his Maico’s rear-end workings; Rex put a new stand spring onto his Vespa. Bob painted some signs for the Ferny Creek "do". Peter pulled the motor out of his Maico for proposed overhaul. Len tried to start the Prior, failed, and then began work on the Maico front end. Darryl, Ken and Fred arrived at lunchtime, barbecue style. Occasional showers made it difficult for everyone to concentrate fully on the tasks at hand. Lunch over, most began to re-assemble the bits ‘n pieces. Most left at 4.30pm, except Graeme, Peter and Darryl, who all stayed on to see Len’s Maico completed. Then Graeme had gear-change trouble as he was leaving. Most finally left at about 6 o’clock, with occasional showers still falling.

….who brought 15 cwt. of steel wool. Wanted to knit himself a Volkswagon.

The final run for November is named as Hanging Rock, on Sunday, November 29. It has been decided to make this a combined run with the Vespa Club in order to promote friendly relations between the clubs. Both clubs will combine as one convoy, with the road rules to be finalised between the two club captains. We would like a good roll-up on this day, as a lot of fun can be had on a combined outing.

Sunday, October 25 was the date set for our first trip to Steiglitz, the old gold-mining area near Anakie. About a dozen members met in the city, and it was nice to see Anne, Janice and Stephanie along for the first time for ages. Left at 9.10am sharp and made an uneventful trip to Bacchus Marsh, arriving there at 10.15am. Following coffee and hamburgers we left for Anakie, after having met Ken and family and Stan Savage, Dolina, Wayne and Lorraine. Somewhere along the way we took a wrong turn and after a lot of double-back, turning and panicking managed to find the Steiglitz road. However, this confused some members and we had a slight mix-up, with some going the wrong way again. Finally reached Steiglitz at 1 o’clock with most of us almost out of petrol. Three cheers were given for Len on arrival for a good leader’s job well mucked-up. Following lunch we all went fossicking about for some gold in the old tunnels and steams. Annie got herself hooked up in a barbed-wire fence. Rain began to fall and made things quite unpleasant, and the group seemed to split into three small ones. Some went up the hills, some went down the tunnels. Len found some small specks of gold in the creeks while panning (the only one who did have any luck). Had tea and scones at the Steiglitz store and left for home at 3.30pm, with the road out now very slippery indeed. No mishaps occurred on the way, and the bunch dispersed at Brooklyn at 5.15pm, with most arriving home at about 6.00pm.

Negotiations have been held recently with the Vespa Club of Melbourne regarding a combined sports day. It is now hoped to hold this on the last Sunday in February next year, and from then on, on the same day every year. We hope members will support the committee in every way possible in order to win the shield from the Vespa-ites. Full details of the events and rules are yet to be finalised, but there will be quite a few changes from the previous ideas.

He bought her a flash sports car, fine furs and exquisite jewels. Then he had to marry her for his money.

A cloudy morning met us at the city meeting spot for our trip to Turpin’s Falls, via Kyneton, on Sunday, October 11. We were very pleased to have along two new faces, namely Bruce Toll (Maico) and John Coster (Diana Sport). Left at 9.10am and intended making the first stop at Gisborne, but Bruce Toll changed our plans by skidding at Flemington Bridge. No serious damage and then proceeded again ten minutes later, only to stop again within a mile to tighten Bruce Talbot’s steering. Finally got underway again and met Graeme at North Essendon and Ken at Keilor. The main bunch arrived at Gisborne at 10.30am, except for Darryl and Alex, who had stopped to fix Darryl’s Heinkel. Made Kyneton by 11.30am and after refuelling and a stop for a broken clutch cable on Rex’s Vespa, arrived at the falls at 12.30pm. Began scrounging around for some firewood for the barbecue and managed to get a roaring blaze going. Following lunch we walked down to the falls. Quite a gush of water was going over and the camera-bugs were keeping themselves busy. Graeme tried to stand on a stepping stone but it sank up to his knees. Peter entertained us all by setting himself up as a target for some splashing, but no-one caught on to the idea. Returned to the picnic area where a game of "baseball" was begun. Alex’s team played Trevor’s. Game finished in a draw, after some wild hitting by Richard, Rex and Ross and some great pitching by John, Ken and Alex. Darryl tripped over a heap of cow manure. Ken made a home run after missing 1^st and 3^rd bases. Barbara did a good job umpiring. Finally left at 3.15pm, stopped at Kyneton for a drink, then headed straight for home. Lost Ross and Alex near Digger’s Rest and the majority of the group were sent on. Alex and Ross arrived and the remainder proceeded, arriving back in the city area at about 6.00pm.

Man on tram, to mother of little boy: "Madam, your son has just brushed his sticky toffee apple on my new coat."

Mother of little boy: "Tommy, you naughty boy, I told you to be careful with that. Now look what you’ve done. You’ve got hair all over it!"