Last Tuesday (10/3) was a big day for member Tony Thomas. In the morning he chaired the first meeting of the newly-formed Melbourne Bearbrass Probus at the Dock Library, and in the evening his publisher Connor Court launched his third collection of essays in the past four years.
BEARBRASS HITCH
Bearbrass had a hitch when its President elected at the “interest meeting” on February 12 met a health issue and had to withdraw. A former Rotary Club president has nominated but has been caught on holidays in Italy and his return date is uncertain. Tony is standing in as Acting President.
Anne Fairhall, wife of our honorary member Geoff Fairhall and a tireless advocated for dementia care, was elected Vice-President on Tuesday. Secretary Sue Hoyle is a past primary-school principal and now an entrepreneur in the education business. Treasurer is Mike Brophy, a retired Deloitte consultant.
Bearbrass membership is now close to 30. Eighteen attended on Tuesday and the meeting comprised members giving brief biographies.
Our big marketing chance at the Community Day at Boyd Park, Southbank next Saturday has fallen through with the event now cancelled. We’re back to letterboxing flyers and Facebook marketing.
If you know potential members (city or suburbs) please refer them to Tony or the website
Geoff and Anne Fairhall
BOOK LAUNCH
Tuesday’s book launch attracted close to 60 people including many from RCM. The book is titled “Come to think of it – essays to tickle the brain” and is mainly essays from Quadrant and Spectator in the past couple of years. Tony’s daughter Ros, herself an author/journalist in Perth made a speech emphasising Tony’s grammatical exactitude. Tony said he continued to write “like a maniac” to defy the gathering social wave against free and uncensored speech. The publisher went home pleased after unloading close to 40 copies. The book’s available online here or from Tony.
