June2011_MT MEE NEWS
By Ian Wells
The season has certainly changed abruptly – the Indian summer turned to winter overnight, although something of a thaw did follow. But the growing season is over, the lawn is settling back into normality and the grapefruit are nearly ready. Spring cannot be far away – as the poet said.
Prices for fat grassfed cattle have dropped significantly too – and the money for replacements has fallen from those giddy heights it reached earlier this year.
The Sunday concert with the St Lucia Orchestra and the two Vavachi guest artists will be over by the time you read this. It created unprecedented interest and was booked out more than three weeks before the event – despite the unavoidable clash with Dayboro Day. The program ranged from songs from a wide range of stage and screen shows to Pavarotti style opera. The downside for the organisers was the large number of disappointed people who missed out – it is very hard to tell people that they can’t come – especially when they are ‘regulars’. I wonder whether the orchestra would be interested in two performances next year?
The next event in our concert series is the annual visit of the Savoyard Singers on Sunday September 11th. Note that we are already taking bookings!
The AGM of the Mt Mee Hall was held during May. President and Treasurer were both able to report on a successful year, with the highlights being the addition of the deck and the phenomenal growth of the monthly Markets. The elections resulted in little shuffling of the executive deck chairs – the only change being the elevation of Markets convener Anne Pedwell to become Vice president, allowing Ron Tumbridge to be turned out for a well earned spell.
The AGM was completed in 28 minutes and the gathering was transformed into a celebration of the completion of the deck and a particular birthday. Deputy Mayor Greg Chippendale and Councillor Adrian Raedel were both present – with partners, as was the builder, the genial Aziz Amirsardari and his wife Sue. Council officers Janelle Springall and Ellena Parkyn – who both had a big hand in approving and managing the undertaking were also on hand to celebrate such a successful outcome. Greg and Adrian simultaneously cut the ribbon, using identical decorated scissors and declared the deck “open”. The formalities were followed with a delicious supper washed down with three wonderful reds and some very honest whites – and beers for those needing more extensive tonsillar irrigations.
A ‘surprise’ cake made by Glen Tumbridge and decorated with a single candle, appeared magically from the hands of fiancee Kerry to mark Adrian’s birthday. The unseemly shouting and singing that followed the cutting of this item necessitated further attention to sooth those irritated tonsils.
It was a memorable evening.
As a trial, local scribe Peter Wise and his mate Mick Walker cooked BBQ bacon and eggs breakfasts between 7.30am and 9.30am at the May markets – an innovation made possible by the new deck. It was a big success, and the lads have the job for as long as they want it. Many stall-holders begin their market days very early, and they obviously appreciate a solid breakfast
Some may have been puzzled by the account of our ANZAC Day Dawn Service in the last Grapevine. In fact, deadline for copy preceded the event and that account set out what was supposed to occur. Many disappointed people have asked why Vern just sat there in his Sunday best and didn’t sing, and the answer quite simply is that the MC forgot to call the last item on the program – an embarrassing but very human failure. By the time the oversight was realised it was too late.
The Chippies didn’t appear either – the weather was too murky for takeoff down on the lowland plain.
C’est la vie!
A final thought for the month. “Alcohol doesn’t solve any problem, but then, neither does milk.”
The Sunday concert with the St Lucia Orchestra and the two Vavachi guest artists will be over by the time you read this. It created unprecedented interest and was booked out more than three weeks before the event – despite the unavoidable clash with Dayboro Day. The program ranged from songs from a wide range of stage and screen shows to Pavarotti style opera. The downside for the organisers was the large number of disappointed people who missed out – it is very hard to tell people that they can’t come – especially when they are ‘regulars’. I wonder whether the orchestra would be interested in two performances next year?
The next event in our concert series is the annual visit of the Savoyard Singers on Sunday September 11th. Note that we are already taking bookings!
The AGM of the Mt Mee Hall was held during May. President and Treasurer were both able to report on a successful year, with the highlights being the addition of the deck and the phenomenal growth of the monthly Markets. The elections resulted in little shuffling of the executive deck chairs – the only change being the elevation of Markets convener Anne Pedwell to become Vice president, allowing Ron Tumbridge to be turned out for a well earned spell.
The AGM was completed in 28 minutes and the gathering was transformed into a celebration of the completion of the deck and a particular birthday. Deputy Mayor Greg Chippendale and Councillor Adrian Raedel were both present – with partners, as was the builder, the genial Aziz Amirsardari and his wife Sue. Council officers Janelle Springall and Ellena Parkyn – who both had a big hand in approving and managing the undertaking were also on hand to celebrate such a successful outcome. Greg and Adrian simultaneously cut the ribbon, using identical decorated scissors and declared the deck “open”. The formalities were followed with a delicious supper washed down with three wonderful reds and some very honest whites – and beers for those needing more extensive tonsillar irrigations.
A ‘surprise’ cake made by Glen Tumbridge and decorated with a single candle, appeared magically from the hands of fiancee Kerry to mark Adrian’s birthday. The unseemly shouting and singing that followed the cutting of this item necessitated further attention to sooth those irritated tonsils.
It was a memorable evening.
As a trial, local scribe Peter Wise and his mate Mick Walker cooked BBQ bacon and eggs breakfasts between 7.30am and 9.30am at the May markets – an innovation made possible by the new deck. It was a big success, and the lads have the job for as long as they want it. Many stall-holders begin their market days very early, and they obviously appreciate a solid breakfast
Some may have been puzzled by the account of our ANZAC Day Dawn Service in the last Grapevine. In fact, deadline for copy preceded the event and that account set out what was supposed to occur. Many disappointed people have asked why Vern just sat there in his Sunday best and didn’t sing, and the answer quite simply is that the MC forgot to call the last item on the program – an embarrassing but very human failure. By the time the oversight was realised it was too late.
The Chippies didn’t appear either – the weather was too murky for takeoff down on the lowland plain.
C’est la vie!
A final thought for the month. “Alcohol doesn’t solve any problem, but then, neither does milk.”
