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| The celebratory cake |
A large number of past and present members gathered to celebrate our 70th Anniversary yesterday. There was much laughter and reminiscing when friends who hadn't seen each other for many years, or just yesterday, met at Club Toowoomba.
There was a small number of absentees but they were not forgotten, and their best wishes were passed on to the members.
President, Francis Mangubhai, welcomed everybody. He recognized the past presidents attending and acknowledged the people who had travelled some distance to be at the birthday celebrations.
Approximately 30 past office bearers were present. Showing how willing members are to take on responsibility. They were warmly applauded for their contribution to the Club's success.
Between the delicious courses Michael Rooke gave us one of his memorable poems. His best one yet, in some members' estimation. Hopefully it will be printed in a future newsletter.
Guest Speaker, past-president Mary Ann Law, spoke about her times in the Club. How knowledgeable members were, and how willing they were to give of their knowledge. She had us all laughing with some of her camping anecdotes especially the camp that was flooded through the night. She commented on how times have changed since she joined in the 1980s. Everybody camped in a tent then whereas most people have campers or caravans now. She spoke of the change in Toowoomba's natural habitat since the 1980s and what that bodes for the future. Friendship, fun and informative times is the legacy of the Field Nats for her.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of Certificates to Club Members with over 25+ years membership. A list of these members appears below.
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| Long-term members of 25 and more years |
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| One of our oldest members, Ernie Potts reminiscing |
Ernie Potts also reminisced on his time in the Club. The friends, knowledge and camps were features for him too. Then the
scrumptious cake was cut by the earliest past-president at our luncheon, Viola Temple-Watts.
One theme came loud and clear from all the speakers, 'fellowship' is what makes the Toowoomba Field Naturalist Club strong.
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| Presidents |
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| Secretaries |
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| Treasurers |
3 comments:
This is group of ‘young at heart’ people - still enthusiastic about the natural world, still learning too.
It was a wonderful afternoon and a notable achievement by the Club to be active for 70 years. Francis
It was so easy to work with such wonderful people.
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