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--- 195204 [2016/06/02 15:32] – tyreless
+++ 195204 [2016/06/03 13:42] – tyreless
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 |**Conservation Secty.**|Tom Moppett|
 |**Committee Members**|Edna Stretton, Elsie McGregor, Ken Meadows and Jim Hooper|
-|**Federation delegates**|Paul Barnes, Allen Strom, Kath Brown and Jeanne Golding
+|**Federation delegates**|Paul Barnes, Allen Strom, Kath Brown and Jeanne Golding (Kath Brown and Jeanne Golding to sit on Committee from 1/7/52|
-(Kath Brown and Jeanne Golding to sit on Committee from 1/7/52|
 |**Substitute Delegates**|Wal Roots and Brian Harvey|
 |**Literary Editor**|Jim Brown|
@@ Line 168: / Line 167: @@
 ----
-REUNION 1952.
+=====Reunion 1952.=====
-wommeuseam,
 By Kath McKay.
- :During the week I met one of our past Presl_d that as Jim Brown was on holid.ays; T was deputed He shook his head sadly. "Through' the years'', he ha.ve' tried- to write uP the Reunion, but no one ha
-It just can't be done".
+During the week I met one of our past Presidents, and mentioned that as Jim Brown was on holidays, I was deputed to write up the Reunion. He shook his head sadly. "Through the years", he said, "many people have tried to write up the Reunion, but no one has ever managed to do it. It just can't be done".
-ent s and mentioned
-to Alrite.up the Reunion. Said, "na.ny people
+With this chastening reflection, I take up my typewriter to jot down a few bare facts about the weekend, all too conscious that the  narrative must be but a poor shadow of the reality.
-s eIer managed to do
- With this chastening reflection, I 'balm up my typewriter to jot dowa a fewbare facts about the weekend, all too conscious that the'
+Sometimes, it seems, the gods relent and hand us the perfect gift with no visible strings attached. Reunion this year was one of these rare occasions, and a perfect autumn day saw us heading for the perfect camp-site - Woods Creek, near the junction of the Nepean and tbe Grose. Transport consisted of train to North Richmond and bus thence to a bushwalker's mile above the camp. Many went by private cars, but the crowd that poured out of the train and advanced on the bus was so large that the driver quailed visibly. When all were miraculously stowed on board, packs towering to the roof, the driver asked, not unreasonably, where did we want to go? "We don't know!" shouted everyone happily; so he set off in a westerly direction, remembering that he had once driven boy scouts to a camp somewhere out that-a-way. We overran a cross-roads and paused uncertainly. Somebody trotted back to look at the signpost.
- narrative must be but- a poor shadow c,f the reality.
-Sometimes', it seems, the gods relent and hand us the perfect gift with no visible strings _attached. Reunii:n. this year was one of these rare occasions., and a perfect au.tUmn day saw us heading for the perfect caffip-site. - Woods Creek, near the junction of the Nepean and tbe Grese. Transport consisted of train to North Richmond and 'bus thence to a bitsh.;'. walker's mile above the camp. Mainy Went _by private cars, but the crpwd that poured out of the train and advanced on the bus was so large thAt the driver paned visibly. Men all were miraculously stowed-on board, packs towering to the roOf, the driver asked, not unreasonably, where did we want to go? We donit know" shouted everyone happily; so hO set off in a westerly direction, remembering that he had once driven 'boy scouts to a camp somewhere out that-a-way. We overran a cross-roads and paused uncertainly. Somebody trotted back to look at the signpost.
+"This is right - S.B.W." he said. (Two unenlightened cyclists, seeing the sign later, were heard to remark: "South by West? Surely anyone can see the track?")
-This is right - he said. (Two unenlightened cyclists, seeing the sign later, were heard to remark: "South by West? Surely anyone can see the track?)
-Just then the P allin car shot by, heading west, so we followed
+Just then the Pallin car shot by, heading west, so we followed in hot pursuit and a cloud of dust. At journey's end the bus disgorged us on to a dusty track through blackwattle scrub.
-in hot pursuit and a cloud of dust. At journey's end the bus disgorged us on to a dusty track' through blackwattle scrub.
 "Missee Butler, she bin go 'long here" said our black tracker, pointing to an adult naked footprint between those of two children.
-Quite a bevy of cars were' rarked farther on in the 'bush, where the steep descent begins. "Ah, Stan and Jennie haVe arrived" we said, seeing the Madden utility. The ex-President ls car, complete with trailer, was also noted. a
-When. we reached camp there was a scene of great activity. Bill Henley's axe rang out as usual, preparing the camp fire, tents were going up bathers were scaling the beetling cliffs from the river bed fresh from a dip in water decip enough for a bath but not for a swim; Ernie French was stagger ing manfully up with kerosene tins of water ready for the supper brew of cocoa; tea was being quaffed cociably round numerous- fires.
-After selecting a choice position on the river terrace with soft turf, plenty of bracken, water view and nearly all mod, cons., we had time to re-une here and there, inspeet the ideal location of the Camp
- Fire in a natural amphitheatre, admire the lofty blue gums and angopb.ora; even (though being bush-walkers this was a minor -consideratio n) cook ourselves a little food before darkness fell.
-The washing up was barely done before the company began to move towards the Camp Fire, torches flickering in and out between the trees and curses curdling the air as feet tripped over the guy ropes. The night was warm, still and starlit, so sleeping bags were taken along as cushions rather than for warmth. A touch of Roman luxury was lent by the Barretts' camp-stretchers on Ithich they reclined and listened to the progra.me. (Need we say they care by car?)
-_
-Tom MoRpett; as outgoing P resid.ent, bade us reflect a moment on past camp-fires, then introduced the two old rrembers (Renge Browne and Tarro) and two new (Pat Sullivan and. Billy Rodgers) whose torches of kerosene-soaked rag touched off_ the 1952' Camp Fire, A Masterpiece it was too, one of the best Bill Henley has ever built us-, burning in a compact glowing mass the whole night
-Paddy was soon on thejob of leading choruses, and the new song book :issued recently under Kath Brown's guidarfce was a boon to faltering memories. Paddy els o contributed several solo items and the moon obligingly rose behind the trees to lend atmosphere to his "Ain't yer cominf out tonight Juliet?" KeVin Ardill sang a song unclad as a seductive houri in draperies, turban and a bra-cum-tympan.i of saucepan lids on elastic. Edna Stretton appeared in a couple of her inimitable thumbnail sketches, and Dormie sang us two songs with all his accustomed vigour.
-The traditional impressive ceremony of investing the new President 1.: MalcolmlIcG,regor, with his insignia of orrice was conducted -by T-om Moppett, and past presidents were called forth-to add their prestige, to the induction.  Only five.were present this year - Wal Roots-2, Frank..
+Quite a bevy of cars were parked farther on in the bush, where the steep descent begins. "Ah, Stan and Jennie have arrived" we said, seeing the Madden utility. The ex-President's car, complete with trailer, was also noted.
-Duncan; Maurie Berry, Edna Garrad and Tom Moppett...-
-  .
+When we reached camp there was a scene of great activity. Bill Henley's axe rang out as usual, preparing the camp fire, tents were going up, bathers were scaling the beetling cliffs from the river bed, fresh from a dip in water deep enough for a bath but not for a swim; Ernie French was staggering manfully up with kerosene tins of water ready for the supper brew of cocoa; tea was being quaffed sociably round numerous fires.
--Our new President, together with -El.sa-; gave us a topical version_ of Sweet  Violets-.co.mposed by himself, ;.-and..sang solo Arthur As-key's Bird_ Song. It is some year s -since we have had a singing. President, le t alone -
-one with a'MadaMe 'President similarly. gifted;.
+After selecting a choice position on the river terrace with soft turf, plenty of bracken, water view and nearly all mod. cons., we had time to re-une here and there, inspect the ideal location of the Camp Fire in a natural amphitheatre, admire the lofty blue gums and angophora; even (though being bus-walkers this was a minor consideration) cook ourselves a little food before darkness fell.
+The washing up was barely done before the company began to move towards the Camp Fire, torches flickering in and out between the trees and curses curdling the air as feet tripped over the guy ropes. The night was warm, still and starlit, so sleeping bags were taken along as cushions rather than for warmth. A touch of Roman luxury was lent by the Barretts' camp-stretchers on which they reclined and listened to the programme. (Need we say they came by car?)
+Tom Moppett, as outgoing President, bade us reflect a moment on past camp-fires, then introduced the two old members (Renee Browne and Tarro) and two new (Pat Sullivan and Billy Rodgers) whose torches of kerosene-soaked rag touched off the 1952 Camp Fire. A Masterpiece it was too, one of the best Bill Henley has ever built us, burning in a compact glowing mass the whole night .
+Paddy was soon on the job of leading choruses, and the new song book issued recently under Kath Brown's guidance was a boon to faltering memories. Paddy also contributed several solo items and the moon obligingly rose behind the trees to lend atmosphere to his "Ain't yer comin' out tonight Juliet?" KeVin Ardill sang a song unclad as a seductive houri in draperies, turban and a bra-cum-tympani of saucepan lids on elastic. Edna Stretton appeared in a couple of her inimitable thumbnail sketches, and Dormie sang us two songs with all his accustomed vigour.
+The traditional impressive ceremony of investing the new President, Malcolm McGregor, with his insignia of office was conducted by Tom Moppett, and past presidents were called forth to add their prestige to the induction.  Only five were present this year - Wal Roots, Frank Duncan, Maurie Berry, Edna Garrad and Tom Moppett.
+Our new President, together with Elsa, gave us a topical version of Sweet  Violets composed by himself, andsang solo Arthur Askey's Bird Song. It is some years since we have had a singing President, let alone one with a Madame President similarly gifted.
+Kevin Ardill presided at the initiation of some 16 new members who were compelled to quaff (out of a boot) a horrid brew or witchetty grubs, sock-washing water, grey hairs of wisdom from Renee's head, earth, a cigarette butt, kerosene, metho and what have you. A second boot fitted with a cup containing nothing worse than water was dexterously substituted for the one with the witch's broth; but the illusion was quite effective.
+The most amusing sketch of the evening was a dramatised version of Jim Brown's article in the February issue of the magazine, "To Make Damper". Malcolm played the principal role of damper-maker, Grace Jolley read the instructions, Edna Stretton supplied the Little Fat mentioned in the list of ingredients (Brian Harvey and Roy Bruggy were rejected - the too much fat, the second, too little.), Frank Duncan was the pinch of "old" salt, Billy Taplin was the long-nailed walker who scrapped the dough from the baker's arms and hands, and Bob Younger the keen-nosed walker who reported progress of the damper when it at length reached the fire.
+The most appealing musical turn was undoubtedly that of "The Pat Sullivan Singers" who harmonised in several items with the ease born of long practice on their recent Tasmanian trip. Indeed one round they sang - Heigh-ho, nobody at home - became virtually the theme song of this year's Reunion. Snatches of it echoed from tent after tent as we went sleepily bedwards, and in the morning we woke to hear again its simple charming melody.
+Before the Camp Fire was well under way who should arrive but Ray Bean and Ron Eddes, just dropping in for the evening and off again after the performance as though it were a suburban picture theatre. Brightest quip of the evening came from Ray as we talked with him over supper. He had drunk his cocoa, and twiddling with his mug, got the handle stuck on the third finger of his left hand. He wrestled with it anxiously, muttering "Hope I can get it off - I'd hate to be married to a mug. So does my wife".
+A rough count of heads at the Camp Fire showed the number at about 90, and with a few more arrivals on Sunday and 11 children we were well over the century. The chlidren ranged from Barry Duncan and Peter Cramp in their teens to the Herb Morris's product Rosemary, or Morris Minor, just toddling, and having the time of her life at her first reunion. In between these ages came Rona and Wendy Butler, Nancy and Katherine Moppett, Eileen Ashdown and George and Josephine Barnes; and a very late arrival was Jack Gentle with his small son, Barry, at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Other late-comers on Sunday were Jim Hooper and Barry Frecker, who had set out in good time on the previous day but had trouble with Barry's newly acquired car.
+Quite a number saw the night out - not by the camp fire proper, where Tom Kenny-Roya1 for one slept undisturbed - but in small groups round individual fires, where singing was kept up till 6.30 a.m.
+Several tents were struck early and the Duncan family, Clare and Fifi Kinsella, Edna Garrad, Maurie Berry, Tuggie Harris and others took their departure. The rest of the assembly spent a leiurely morning talking, eating and dipping in the creek. Noises off like a paddle steamer coming round the bend proved to be merely Renee Browne doing a backward kick stroke in the shallow water.
+At 12.30 Miriam Steenbohm as usual judged the damper contest, awarding first prize to Claude Haynes, second to Bill Rodgers and third to "Little Fat" - Edna Stretton - who thus saved her sex from complete humiliation.
+The same perfect weather continued throughout Sunday, and not even the crowded tedious train journey homewards could shake our conviction that Woods Creek is the best Re-Union location we have seen for many year,
+----
+====Legal Eagles At Work.====
+Is the Woods Creek Re-union legal? At the February Meeting it was resolved to hold the Annual Re-Union "on the weekend immediately following the Annual General Meeting". Now the AGM was adjourned to May 30th. Does this mean we must hold yet another re-union on May 31st June 1st?
+====Too Little and Too Late.====
+The Madden damper was insufficiently cooked to present to the Judges at the Re-union. Comment by L. Scotland - "Perhaps they (k)needed too long".
+----
-Kevin Ardill presided at the inifiation of some -:16 new members who
-were compelled to quaff (out of a `boot)_. a horrid, brew. or Witchetty--grubs,
-- ,
-sock-washing. water, gtkey. liaars of wisdom from Renee's " head, earth, a cigarette butt, kerosene, metho.. and what have you. A second boot -fitted with a cup containing nothing worse than water was dexterously substl.tuted for the one with the witchts broth; but -the ,Illusion Was quite effeCti've.
-The most amusing- sketch. of the ,..evening was a..-dramatised version of Jim Brown's article in the February issue of the Magazine, : To Make Damper Malcolm played the principal role of damper-maker, Grace Jolley- read the instructions, Edna Stretton supplied the 'Little' Fat mentioned in the it of ingredients (Brian Harvey and Roy Bruggy were rejected the too Much fat, the- second, - t-go little.), Frank '.Duncan was the pinch of "old" salt; Billy' Taplin, was the 1:ong-nailed walker who scrapped the dough from-
-\ the baker's 'arms. a.rri-handS., and Bob Younger the keen-noSed waike'r who - reported progress of the damper iiirhen it at length reached the fire.
-.-    .
-The most appealing musical tUrn. was, undoubtedly that of -"The, Pat
-Sullivan Sin.g-ersg. who harmonised in several items with the ease born of
-' long practice on their. recent Tasmanian trip. , Indeed one round they ...
-sang - or.- noboAy -at home - became virtpa-1,1y the theme 'Song
-.
-of this year Is Reunion. Snatches of it echoed from tent after tent as we went sleepily bedwards, and- in the morning we woke to hear again its simple dharming melody.
-Before the Camp Fire was well under way who shou3d arrive but Ray Bean a rd Ron Eddes, just dropping in for the evening and off again after the performance as though it were a suburban picture theatre. Brightest quip of the evening catre from Ray as we talked with him over supper.
-He had drunk his cocoa, and twiddling with his mug, got the handle stuck on the:third finger of his left hand. He wrestled -with it anxiously, muttering Hope I can get it off - Id hate to be married to a mug. So does my wife".
-.A rough count of heads at the Camp Fire showed the number at about 90, and with a few more arrivals on Sunday and 11 children we were well over the century. Thechladren ranged 'from Barry Duncan and Peter Cramp in their teens to the Herb Morris 's product Rosemary, or. Norris Minor, - just toddling, and having the time of her life at her first reunion. In between these ages came Rona and Wendy Butler, Nancy and Katherine Moppett, Eileen Ashdown and George and Josephine Barnes; and a very late arrival was Jack Gentle with his small son, Barry, at 1 p.m. on Suhday. Other late-comers on Sunday were Jim Hcoper and BarryFrecker, who,had set out in good time on the previous day but had trouble with Barry's newly acquired car.
-Quite a number saw the night out - not by the camp fire proper, where Tom Kenny7-Roya1 for one slept undisturbed - but in ',small groups round individual fires, Where singing was kept up till 6.30 a.m.
-Several tents were stimck early and ' the Duncan family, Clare and Fifi Kinsella, Edna Garrad, Maurie Berry, Tuggie Harris and others took
- their departure. The rest of the assembly spent a leiurely morning talking, eating and dipping in the creek. Noises off like a paddle steamer coming round the bend proved to be merely Renee Browne doing a backward kick stroke in the shallow water.
-At 12.30 Miriam Steenbohm as usual judged the damper contest,
-- awarding first prize to Claude Haynes, second to Bill Rodgers and third
-to "Little Fat" - Edna Stretton - who thus saved her sex from complete humiliation.
-The s ate perfect weather continued thral'ghout Sunday, and not even *- the crowded tedious -train journe3, homewards could shake Our conviction that Woods Creek is the best Re-Union location we have seen for many year,
-'
-LEGAL EAGLES AT WORK. Is the Woods Creek. Re-union legal.? At the. Februa747-WJEETE-TE-Was resolved to hold the Annual e.Union "on the weekend imMediately following the Annual General Meeting  Now the AGM was adjourned to May 30th, Does this mean we must hold yet' another re-union on May: 1st?
-TOO LITTLE AND TOO LATE. The Madden danper was insufficiently cooked to rre-s-erirE7=7"Fs at the Re-union. Conament by L. Scotland - "Perhaps they (k)needed too long".
 (7,
 HOW WE WENT TO THE REUNION.