10 minutes to 10 on Saturday morning when a resplendent Rotarian Ray Manchester, with mask in place, rang the front door bell to deliver his Remember When column. Door answered by a slightly embarrassed editor still in his PJs!
Ray Manchester joined the Rotary club of Traralgon in 1967 and was a member there until 1978 when he moved to Melbourne. Neil Heron's uncle, Clarrie, was a member at Traralgon as was Alan Gamble. Alan, who had previously been in Rotary at Lakes Entrance and Sale for six years. Alan was to be President of Traralgon and Mt Eliza.
In 1979 Ray was made a Life Governor of the Victorian School for Deaf children for services to Gippsland handicapped children who attended Special Schools in Melbourne. Little did Ray know that through this association he was to meet the respected Stan Spencer.
Margery and Ray came to Mt Eliza in February 1995. Alan Gamble invited Ray to rejoin Rotary and he was inducted by Bryan Ingram in December that year. Ray notes that he is number 8 of 13 members in the Club inducted last century (excluding honorary members). When he joined all lists were altered from wife to partner.
Ray was Treasurer of our Club for three Presidents - Harry MacDonald, Keith Burren and Malcolm Hull. In all other years he was the auditor for the Club. He notes that he tried to hold both roles in the three years that he was Treasurer however he didn't get very far!
Of many memories over the years, Ray remembers with some fondness the 2001 New Year Breakfast when, due to wet weather, the function was transferred to Ray and Margery's garage with five minutes notice.
At the 2001 Changeover, with the assistance of carolyn Such, Ray had pleasure in presenting Catherine Boaden (Gore) with a Paul Harris Fellowship for her voluntary work with Interplast. She was part of a team to Ecuador in 1983 followed by a further 24 programs through until 2001. All the equipment take on 288 programs from 1983 to 2001 were packed at her home in Mt Eliza and transported by her to Tullamarine. Catherine received an OAM in 2003. Her last program was in 2014, her 38th, including a rushed trip in 2008 to Tanzania.
In 2004 the Club enjoyed aa Progressive Dinner where 54 attended commencing at Catherine's where we were able to see her involvement with Interplast. Main course was at Coy, Dunn, Gilbert, Pigdon, Such and Manchester followed by dessert at Heron's.
Rotary's involvement with Interplast was due to the input of then District Vocational Chairman Keith Walter who became the first Chairman. He was the brother-in-law of Bill Parsons, our first Club Secretary. On Catherine's return from Tanzania, President Frank Flowers organised a joint meeting with Carrum Downs to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Interplast. Also invited on that evening were all of our Honorary Members.
In October 2007, the Club organised "Ramble with Rotary". Five gardens were opened - Glanville, Canadian Bay Road, Such, Old Mornington Road, Horscroft, Allfrey Court, Coy, Hammersley Court and Manchester, Granya Grove. Inner Wheel provided great help with the organisation and the day successfully raised over $5000.
Ray says that he has enjoyed his time in Rotary with a great deal of involvement apart from his Board, Treasurer & Auditor roles, including Bulletin (joint editor), Sargeant (rigged), Programs, organising Home Hosting, Changeover, Weekly Rosters and the Fellowship of our meetings. Bunnings, raffles, working bees and other projects have been most enjoyable.
Ray was surprised and honoured when he was presented with a Sapphire Pin to his PHF.
Ray congratulates the Club on recognising community people with PHFs (approximately 1 in 3) as there are clubs who only recognise their own members.
Thank you Ray, for your great memories. Next week with hear from Rotarian Karina Webb.
