- Chris Hill
- 0419528446
- chrishill3@bigpond.com
Yarra Ranges National Seniors
A warm welcome to Yarra Ranges Branch of the NSA. (covering approximately the Yarra Ranges Council Map area of the Yarra Ranges and Yarra Valley). We are a friendly, inclusive and active Branch of over 50s with a voice to Government.
Guests and visitors are most welcome to join us at any of our - Meetings (held on the 2nd Monday of the month) at the Lillydale Lake Comunity Room, Lilydale Lake Road, Lilydale. Our Guest Speakers are interesting, informative and cover many subjects.
Also we are involved in many Activities - 'Out & About', 'Dining Out', Saturday Walks and a variety of Entertainment (Morning Melodies, live theatre, live musicals theatre, films etc).
This Branch was first formed in 2006 and has during this time supported a variety of charities to improve the welfare of the community.
Happy Birthdays and Congratulations to...
Judy 3rd March
Hughie 20th April
Margaret 28th April
Our President's Report
Hi Members,
I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas break whether you went away or stayed local.
We had 22 members attend the lunch at the John Street Café and there were 34 members attending ‘Chris’ Café’ on 18 February. Thanks to Chris ad her helpers. The lamb was cooked to perfection by John and Ruth W. The salads and desserts were also very tasty.
The next Branch Meeting is at the Lakeside Community Room with one of our members Valda talking about her time serving on local council and what it was like to be Mayor of the City of Nunawading, which has since amalgamated with Box Hill to create the present Whitehorse City Council.
Hope to see everyone there.
Trevor President
General Information
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Please ensure you use the ‘Yarra Ranges NSA Application Forms’ at the end of our ‘Grapevine’ News Letter (downloadable from this Website) and then give it to the Branch Secretary(Lyn). By using our form this informs NSA that you are a member of this Branch. The Branch receives an annual payment for your Membership.
EVENT ATTENDANCE
Everyone needs to please text or email Chris with any changes they want to make after they have put their name down for an ‘Outing & About’ / ‘Dining Out’ / ‘Morning Melodies’. Also, if you put their name down for an ‘Outing & About’ / ‘Dining Out’ / ‘Morning Melodies’ please make sure you put it in your diary, so you don’t overlook or forget what you have made a commitment that day.
WELFARE INFORMATION
Please contact Pamela, our Welfare Officer, if you know of anyone who is unwell, having an operation, in need of help or has passed away within the family.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
JP facilities are available at the Croydon & Lilydale Police Station on the following days and times –
Croydon Tuesdays 10.00am to 1.00pm Lilydale Thursdays 10.00am to 1.00pm
CONTRIBUTE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Have you been travelling? Have you attended a good show? Have you read a good book? Is there something you have experienced, that you would like to share with the members of the Branch? A story? One-liners? Photos from outings? Contact Lyn.
GUEST SPEAKERS for our branch meetings
If you have a suggestion for a ‘Guest Speaker’ please let a Committee Member know.
Ferny Creek Horticultural Society's 'Flower Festival 2023'
Last Sunday I spent a lovely afternoon at the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society’s Flower Festival 2023’. It was a great explosion for the senses with colours of every hue! Each category was judged and awards displayed. There was a $5 entry fee which helps support the enthusiastic volunteers who run and attend to the 4-hectare ornamental garden which was first established in 1957 on an old quarry site. With a cool climate, abundant rainfall and rich volcanic soil. It creates ideal growing conditions for a wide range of plants. There is also a well-established section of older growth trees.
The Society holds four events a year – Plant Collectors Expo, Autumn Show, Spring Show & a Flower Festival. They also have 5 Specialists Groups – Australian Plants, Propagation, Training, Rhododendra & Camelia, Craft & Rock Garden.
Refreshments of light lunches, sausage sizzle and guided garden walks are available at the four events
Congratulating Alan Somers
Alan, One of our founding Members and the first President of our Branch, has been nominated by our YRNSA Committee to receive a ‘Casey Community Volunteer Award’ for his tireless volunteering to the Community.
Starting first in St Johns Ambulance in the Youth Cadet Program from the age of 12 years, Quartermaster in the Scouts for 20 years, volunteering for St Vincent de Paul since 2008 and continues to be involved and is now President of the Upper Yarra Area.
Alan organised, along with Maroondah Council, the Maroondah Art Show each year with the proceeds from the show being donated to the Bone Marrow Institute for over 29 years. After the Black Saturday February 2009 Bushfires, Alan and a team of 6 people from St Vinney’s drove to the worst affected areas for 6 days each week with vouchers for purchasing from local suppliers the resident’s needs. The areas covered were - Marysville, Taggarty, Buxton, King Lake, Alexander and Yea.
Alan’s team of 6 were on the scene again helping the Mallacoota fire residents in their hour of need with vouchers, driving there and staying from Monday to Friday for 3 weeks. It is the fundraising and welfare arm of St Vinney’s that make this support possible for the people affect by disasters.
Please congratulate our CCVA recipient Alan, along with Shirley for her support, in his amazing efforts and involvement in supporting the Victorian community. We acknowledge at our EOY Picnic in December, Alan’s achievements in obtaining the Casey Community Volunteer Award.
We also acknowledged the support and work Shirley has given to Alan over the past 65 years with a beautiful pink rose aptly named ‘Duet’.
March/April 2024
Yarra Ranges Grapevine
January/February 2024
Yarra Ranges Grapevine
November/December 2023
Yarra Ranges Grapevine
September/October 2023
Yarra Ranges Grapevine
July & August 2023
Yarra Ranges Grapevine
May & June 2023
Yarra Ranges GrapeVine