October, 1962 Ian Carron

Len Shearer

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A very successful combined club night was held on September 7, at our club hall. Members of the Vespa Club and the Touring Scooter Club of Australia made their presence felt among us. Gerry S. informed us that Peter P. and Ron D. won the day trial, held on the previous Sunday. Elaine W. brought two girlfriends, Margaret and Doreen. Ron F. introduced Peter Whimpey (on a Heinkel) and Ken K. managed to drag along John D. again. There were so many people there that I lost count of any other new ones, so apologies are given if I have missed anyone. Richard H. made a welcome return to our socials with a forceful exhibition of party games and a show of slides taken in new Zealand. The supper as usual was scrumptious. Stan S. also made a welcome return with his guitar and kept everyone happy with barn dances, etc. Also noticed Johnny and Janice Bakker, who we hadn’t seen since Easter. A special committee was formed to arrange for the Christmas party, consisting of Ron F., Richard H., Alex McL. and Rae B. Wonder why it was that Richard kept wanting that rug? Ron F. really let go with that "highland fling". Had Anne C. in raptures by 11 o’clock.

A large crowd of us (more than 20) attended The Bowl to see the presentation of "Uncle Tom’s Cabin". Everyone agreed it was not as good as "East Lynne", but nevertheless, an enjoyable show. We constituted half the audience present. supper at the South Seas Restaurant followed, where we really made the most of that genuine(?) Islands cooking.

Last-minute best wishes are extended to Maurie M. and Joyce S., who are to be pronounced hubby and wife on Saturday, October 6, at 12 o’clock. (Is this your "High Noon", Maurie?). The wedding is to take place at a small bush setting known as Wedderburn, Joyce’s home town. We hope sincerely that they have a wonderful future together as Mr and Mrs M.

A number of new faces appeared on our excursion to Twin Lakes, where a big charity appeal day was being held on Sunday, September 30. We met for the first time Mimi (on a Vespa), Ron (Lambretta) and Danny (pillion with Len). Young Miss C. seemed quite happy to be along, too. She is beginning to become a very regular member now. We arrived at the lakes well after lunch-hour, and our stay there was very brief. During this time we managed to see the boat races, sky-drop by parachutists, light aircraft and helicopters landing and taking-off, go-karts, TV personalities and a host of other attractions. Finally left for home at about 3.45 p.m., and from then on had a clear run home, as is detailed in another paragraph under the heading "we needed a service division".

Thirteen of us attended the Presentation Night held by the Touring Motor Scooter Club of Australia, at their rooms in Collingwood, on Wednesday, October 3. Ken K. and John D. were presented with a trophy for winning the day trial to Hurstbridge a month or so previously. A dance was started, but failed to catch on. Len S. won the final of their table tennis tournament. Supper consisted of coffee (or cocoa), and biscuits and cake, and was really appreciated by all those present. These club rooms have table tennis, billiards, reading rooms, dance floor, etc. and are quite an asset to the T.M.S.C.A. We were made to feel very welcome there and were quite pleased that yet another inter-club function was successful.

The trip to Twin Lakes provided us with quite a few incidents, especially coming home. To begin with, though, Ken K. broke his thermos and had soaked sandwiches; then followed up with battery trouble; Marg H. had a blocked air intake early in the day (fancy keeping a clean oil rag in there, of all places); Tom G. had had carbie trouble; Rae had windscreen strife and left the thing at Melton; not to mention our secretary Alex, whose plug gave out half-way up a hill; Ken’s clutch gave trouble on arrival at the Lakes. Coming home Gerry S. had a flat; Margaret ran out of petrol; Len flooded his carby on starting at Bacchus Marsh; then got a flat just past Melton; Alex went back to find him; Gerry went back to find Alex after Len arrived; both got back and we started off again (in the dark this time); Rae’s plug broke down soon after; we all met again somewhere past the St. Albans turn-off. That’s where yours truly gave up and went home, arriving at 8.30. – Len

Tom G. informed us soon after the Torquay trip that Gerry S. had intentions of dismantling his Vespa in order to find out where the exhaust valve was. Gerry, it seems, was most indignant in arguing that a two-stroke motor does not have valves. Glad Tom told me this; just goes to show that we can learn something every day. I had always thought the valves were in the clutch.

An 84-year old motor scooterist was stopped by a policeman in the United States recently for a minor breach of road rules. When asked to produce his licence, the victim informed the policeman he did not have one. He explained that he had been told that he had to submit his birth certificate as evidence that he was over 17 years of age, and had not been able to locate it at home, so he decided not to apply for a licence! - Reprinted from The Herald.

We didn’t get there. Changed our minds and decided to go and see the air display at Laverton R.A.A.F. Station. Nice to see Dennis and Libby Weaver along again with the club, in their VW. Believe six members kept going to Geelong, where they lit a roaring barbecue fire right next to the Botanical Gardens. Then the men in blue appeared. Quite a long tale, we believe, but haven’t room to write it all down. The air display was enjoyed and an unescorted tour of the workshops was appreciated. Good thing Maurie M. wasn’t there; that U2 motor might have fitted his Diana. Hear Alex M. was trying hard to catch a cop’s eye by not wearing his skid lid when pillion Malcolm B. on his Maico.

Arrived home in good time.