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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