Illawarra Evening Group
2015
Bev Shaw , LO
And … the antics of the Illawarra Evening … ?
January : Our planning meeting and lunchtime gettogether had to be cancelled unfortunately , due to members ’ ill health or unexpected commitments .
February : We finally met for a night ’ s planning meeting which went very well with everyone coming along with topic suggestions . Unexpectedly , the meeting turned out to be an interesting one , robustly discussing a couple of topics which didn ’ t get onto the 2015 agenda , over a cup of tea / coffee and biscuits .
March : The topic for the March meeting held at Anne Innes ’ home was about Boxing Day – Open for Business ! How did we feel about that ? It was a 50 / 50 consensus with most thinking that it really wasn ’ t warranted but on the other hand there are those who don ’ t have time before Christmas to do much shopping so look forward to being able to “ hit the shops ” straight afterwards and spend their money on future gifts – or exchange Christmas gifts for something they want before the options are gone . Good for some … a hassle for the retail staff more than likely !
April : April ’ s meeting ( April Fools ’ day ) found us venting our frustration at Gwen Lucas ’ home , talking about how irritating it is when our mail boxes get filled with junk mail , even occasionally for those who have put a sign on the box saying “ NO JUNK MAIL ”. When organisations actually send us mail to promote their services which is understandable to raise much needed funds … what do we do with the cards or stickers with our names on them ? Most said they just put them in the drawer or throw them out as they weren ’ t requested in the first place and will not spend money on posting them back . Better to spend the money on supporting the charity if desired .
May : Our May meeting happened on the 6 th and we had planned to talk about the occupations undertaken by women in both wars , keeping the theme of war and the commemoration of the ANZACs in 100 years since WW1 . Our plans changed when we found out that the Illawarra Historical Museum in Wollongong was hosting a night of speakers and exhibition of “ Wollongong at War ” which fitted in with our theme . Therefore our ladies headed off to the local Illawarra Historical Museum for an evening of Wollongong war history , followed by a typical WW1 supper . The main speaker , Prof . John McQuilton , moved away from the usual WW1 historical facts and gave accounts of the more intimate effects of war on the very young soldiers and the families left behind . It was interesting that most of the soldiers , according to research , wrote to their Mothers and left any monies and possessions to them if they didn ’ t return home . Fathers ’ feelings were often not written about or expressed as they were supposed to keep a “ stiff upper lip ” to be the backbone of the family . Research has shown that this was not always true and the effects of war and the loss of sons , brothers , husbands etc . took a terrible toll on all those left behind and soldiers returning , never to be the same again !
June : A local friend , Joy DeMestre , joined us to show her much anticipated DVD about her travels to the Antarctic . Joy took us on a wonderful journey as we followed the route taken to get there and watched beautiful photos and video “ snapshots ” of the landscape and wildlife of this wonderful , frozen part of our Earth . Most of us won ’ t have the pleasure of seeing the Antarctic for ourselves so it was a great night as we watched and listened and learned a lot . We also received a surprise as another DVD was forthcoming … this time about adventures in the most historical land of all , Turkey and surrounding lands . What a thrill ! Istanbul … here we come !
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