President Sue's Message
Welcome to members and prospective members.
 
Summer is here but there is no need to slow down your social activities. Bearbrass still has lots of activities and events to offer you.
The calendar tab at the top right of this page is a good place to start checking out what’s coming up.
If you are a prospective member, I encourage you to come along to up to three activities with us before committing to joining. Just use the contact us tab above and make a call or send an email and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
General meetings have finished for the year. We have our annual Christmas party on December 13th and a lunch get together on January 10th. General meetings at the Library at the Dock will resume on February 14th.
Whether you fancy a game of cards, a hit of table tennis, a friendly get together over coffee, pub trivia or a movie followed by dinner, there is lots to keep you busy over the summer break.
 
Warm regards
 
Sue Hoile
Wine group goes Italiano
This month we tasted a collection of Italian wines. The plan was to taste three reds and three whites from different Italian regions to showcase the strong regional characteristics of the different wines. The tasting was styled on the Italian daily ritual that embodies "la dolce vita", the aperitivo, involving drinks and snacks while Italians unwind and catch up with friends before their evening meal. 
 
 
 
 
The three whites were:
  • Fiano di Avellino from Campania
  • Pieropan Soave Classico from Veneto
  • Stellato Vermentino Pala from Sardinia
The three reds were:
  • San Marzano Primitivo di Manduria
  • Amaranta Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
  • Talenti Rosso di Montalcino.
The opinions on favourite white were split between the fiano and the soave, but the jury was clear on the red, with the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo being clearly the favourite.
As always we proceeded on to dinner  in Clarendon street, for good food, (more) wine and great conversation!
Synchrotron visit to Monash University
President Sue led a small keen group to the magnificent synchrotron at Clayton near Monash University. We spent an unforgettable 90 minutes being shown around the complex by our guide Emma, a young science graduate and future scientist of things nuclear.
Emma briefed us on how the 150m circular machine accelerated a beam of high energy electrons to nearly the speed of light and into a storage ring where they could whizz around for hours or even days at a time, bent by powerful magnets. Her key point was that the synchrotron was not a “collider” i.e. atom smasher, but a giant microscope even able to map the molecular structure of the Covid-19 virus.
Although the facility seemed deserted, Emma assured us that scores of researchers were holed up in offices and labs running experiments often round the clock, with teams swapping to give each other some sleep. Most users get usage free but commercial firms such as miners or manufacturers get charged around $700 an hour – which still seems pretty cheap these days.
Among her tales was how synchrotron research colleagues in Chicago were able to prove Phar Lap was poisoned with arsenic in the US in 1932. The proof was from two small hairs from Phar Lap’s neck in the Melbourne Museum. A day or two before his death, the hairs under synchrotron light showed a heavy dose of arsenic beyond any natural level. However it’s still unknown whether the poisoning was deliberate or through some sort of human error such as a careless stablehand.
One of the most inspiring applications at Clayton was to create better understanding of premature babies’ poorly-functioning lungs, which led to successful treatments. Emma said that if untreated, such babies’ lifetime medical costs could be many millions, so the synchrotron’s original $200m cost was being recouped several times over worldwide just from this research application.
It is now even being used to specially scan and irradiate adults with cancers that can’t be tackled conventionally.
Our visit was a particularly stimulating challenge, opening our minds to some frontiers of science.
Our November meeting
Lots of action at November club meeting
About 35 members and friends enjoyed our November 8 monthly meeting and keynote speaker Jen Porter on “Archaeology in Melbourne’s CBD”. Jen is the Artefact Manager for Ochre Imprints and has practised as an archaeologist for over twenty years. She gave us a great talk on how the planned Town Hall Station excavations have unearthed tens of thousands of relics of Melbourne city’s past, including teeth galore pulled by a friendly but determined dentist and of course myriads of little clay pipes.
Before the talk, President Sue H and Membership Officer Allison H inducted our new member Cynthia  C,  who gave us a short autobiography as a get-to-know-you. Welcome to our club, Cynthia!
Then followed Tony T’s quiz focused on the impending State election. He had 23 questions all taxing our knowledge of politics and political personalities. Top scorer was politics buff Shane M, who made off with the first prize which was a giant tin of chocolates. About eight members came equal second and a run-off eliminated all but two who collared the plum-pudding prizes.
There was a big turnout of close to 30 for another fine lunch at TAP831 Restaurant. We all agreed the chef’s tasty meals are worth at least five Michelin stars.
This was our last meeting for 2022 and next month we’ll get together on December 13 for our grand Christmas party.
 
 
 
Walking group does Flemington 
The Friday wayfarers ambled from Kensington Station via the Women's Peace Garden (Some men allowed), along the historic stock route, beside the mighty Maribyrnong River and finally to Flemington Racecourse. We saw no evidence of the recent flooding but stopped for coffee to contemplate the trials faced by the victims. The famous birdcage was lovely but the roses have already been beheaded. Then we trambled home
Luv-a-Duck 2.0
Duck’s On!
 
Having enjoyed the Luv-a-Duck cooking experience earlier in the year, eight enthusiastic Bearbrass members decided once wasn’t enough and went back to the Luv-a-Duck Asian-inspired cooking class in Port Melbourne again recently.
 
We split in teams of two to cook two recipes each. Our host instructor showed how to carve a roast duck and we sampled the pieces before working diligently to cook eight dishes using Asian staple ingredients and learning which went best with duck.  The teaser for the meal was the Asian duck and noodle soup, a clear cleansing broth galvanising our taste buds for dishes to follow. They included Red Curry with Cardamon and Cashew Rice, several Duck Salads, Satay Skewers and gorgeous Coconut and Ginger Pancakes with 5-Spice Duck.
 
What a feast we had!
 
 
 
Melbourne cup sweep
On Sunday 31st October, The Missions to Seamen was the venue for the club’s Melbourne Cup Sweep Draw. A jovial crowd met to witness the draw for two sweeps. Despite a couple of hilarious ‘hiccups’, every member’s entry was matched with a horse in the race.
Results of the 2  Cup Sweeps were as follows:
  • First Prize Pam G and Bill A
  • Second Prize Marg F and Lauren B
  • Third Prize Kay K and Linda R
 
Congratulations to all.
Devonshire tea cruise on Victoria Harbour
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Misty conditions did not deter 25 Bearbrass members and guests from their Morning Cruise on Victoria Harbour. Our tour deal included an excellent Devonshire morning tea with a quality coffee and an hour’s tour of Victoria Harbour, Hobsons Bay and a wee venture into Port Phillip Bay. The Port Phillip Ferry we travelled on was first class, providing every passenger with a comfortable seat with a great view, and, best of all a table on which to spread our little repast.
Our tour guide was Norm Boreham, President of the Alma Doepel Supporters Club. Norm gave us an excellent rundown on the history of the docks, significant vessels along the tour along with a wealth of other information about the area and the river traffic. As we approached our turn-around point we were delighted to see a couple of seals sunning themselves on a buoy. Everyone disembarked with a smile on their face, a good sign that this event was a winner.
P.S. Look out for Norm Boreham as a speaker at one of our 2023 meetings.
Read more...
Frankston street art walk
On Friday 21st October, a group of 13 members met at Frankston station to tour the street art of Frankston. Shery T, our organiser ‘extraordinaire’, ensured we started the day with our preferred coffee order from the very genial library café.  (Special thanks to Jan S for the home made banana bread.) Following refreshments we had a lovely hour or two wandering around the streets and back lanes of Frankston checking out the amazing range of art works. Our guide Sheryl ensured we had great information on the art works and their locations. The variations in location, size and proportion of the pieces meant that there was plenty to discuss and, that there was something to please even the most discerning art critic. Walkers finished up the Crafty Squire pub on the river for fine lunch. A great day of art, exercise, culture and socialising – who could ask for more? 
 
Check out the photos!!!
 
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Our October meeting
Around thirty members and guests attended the October monthly meeting at The Dock Library. It was a very interesting meeting with important information shared by El Prez Sue H, details of the prodigious number of upcoming events shared, a quiz with prizes(!) and a wonderful speaker enthralling us with the story of the Athenaeum Library in Collins street.
President Sue informed us that:
  • There are a number of new members to induct over the coming weeks and also we have a large number of interested parties who are also likely to apply for membership
  • Attendance at all events is up on average
  • The annual Christmas dinner event will be held on the evening of Tuesday December 13th at the Melbourne Cellar Door in South Wharf
  • The grand final tipping competition was very popular with the prizes going to very worthy winners!
  • The annual Melbourne Cup sweep will be available for members, friends and family.
 Convenors shared news of upcoming events such as:
  • Workshop at Makerspace which has vacancies
  • Frankston street art trail followed by lunch which has vacancies
  • Cards and table tennis groups starting soon
  • Luv a Duk cooking class (Asian inspired) which has vacancies
  • Yea Cup country races which has vacancies
  • Melbourne Observatory tour which is full
  • Synchrotron tour which has vacancies
  • Port Philip coffee cruise which has vacancies
  • Thursday coffee group (on dry land) which is open to everyone; and
  • Many more popular events and group.
President Sue hosted a quick quiz to see how much we all knew about the late Queen and the King. Prizes were chocolate royal biscuits won by Bill A and Marg F collaborating in first place, Rosemary K in second and Pam G in third after a "bake off". 
 
Our speaker was Fiona Malcolm, a Senior Librarian at the Athenaeum Library. Her topic was  "Discover Melbourne’s best kept secret". It was truly fascinating presentation taking us from the foundation of the library as the Mechanics Institute in 1842 up to the present day including involvement in early moving pictures (The Kelly Gang) and early members of Melbourne society such as Sir Redmond Barry and Marcus Clarke.
 
As usual, a highly social group met and enjoyed lunch afterwards at Tap 831.
 
 
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The art of botanical illustration
Nine members, including two guests, were welcomed with morning tea at Domain House by the members of “The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens”.
Our guide, Joan, an exceptional artist in this subject, guided us through the exhibition. The intricacies of consideration and process were absorbed by those present. Often the artists need to refer to microscopic detail to understand  the structure of their subject. The artworks must be botanically accurate as well as artistically pleasing, to be accepted into the exhibition. This year’s exhibition forms part of the cultural program of the 7th Global Botanic Gardens Congress hosted by Victoria. Part of the exhibition included an online presentation from European botanical artists from the Vienna School of Botanical Illustration.
I’m sure that those present were perplexed with the difficulty of choosing their vote in the people’s choice award!
Let’s Go To The Movies – Wednesday
 
Except this month it was on Thursday!
 
Eight intrepid Bearbrass members and one ring-in (but soon to signed up) met at the Nova cinema in Carlton to see THE QUIET GIRL.
 
Synopsis.
Cáit is a nine year-old girl from an overcrowded and impoverished family in rural Ireland. Quietly struggling at school and at home, she has learnt to hide in plain sight from those around her. As summer arrives, Cáit is sent to live with distant relatives, farming people, like her own, but hard-working and wanting for nothing. She slowly blossoms and discovers a new way of living, but in this house where affection grows and there are meant to be no secrets, Cáit discovers one painful truth.

A tender coming-of-age story from writer-director Colm Bairéad and introducing the astonishing Catherine Clinch in her debut performance, THE QUIET GIRL is one of the most acclaimed and moving films of the year; winner of seven Irish Film and Television Awards including Best Film and the first Gaelic language film to play at the Berlinale.

Gaelic language, English subtitles.
 
The general consensus was that the film was very good, and we enjoyed it. The film ends with a question mark. The audience is left wondering what fate has instore for Cait.
After the tumult of events that have happened over the last two weeks globally and at home, some of us, me included, wanted Cait to have a happy ended. Others did not agree.
 
WARNING: SPOILERS.
 
The film is shot beautifully with the use of light integral to the story telling. Colleen H remarked on a shadow that was present in the kitchen of the caring relatives. This we thought, could represent the shadow hanging over this couple’s hearts.
 
Neil B was troubled by the 4/3 aspect (of the frame, or screen size) “Efforts to suggest that it somehow enhanced the sense of trapped-ness seem to me to be more an academic justification than an artistic achievement.
 
Nevertheless, despite my various reservations, this would be one of the best films I have seen in a long time. The subtle clues [trains on the wallpaper, penny-gambling and raffle tickets for the school roof vs real father’s gambling away the farm - calf by calf - were critical elements for me. The out-the-car-window shots of a world passing by - backwards and forwards, need for speed to the letterbox vs the delivery of the original letter and the inevitability of real-dad’s determined footsteps signalling the end of hope were integral for me.”
 
After the movie we crossed the road and had dinner at Jimmy Watson’s for great food and conversation (as the photo shows). Jimmy Watson's was very kind in making sure we could pay individually and receive receipts in order to claim the Victorian Governments discount.
 
A thoroughly enjoyable evening.
 
Come and join us next month.
 
The walking group does Sandridge Lookout
Another very enjoyable ramble by the Walking Group for September. The overall length of the walk, out and back, was about 10Ks, but some chose to take a tram part of the way, so as to make the walk about 6Ks.
The start for some was at the tram stop corner of Whiteman and Clarendon streets with a lovely walk along the track to Mr Hobson coffee bar to meet the rest of the group. We pressed on along the path passed Sandridge Beach before turning onto Webb Trail to the end at Sandridge Lookout.
The musical sound being made as the wind whistled through the Sandridge Lookout tower was quite special. However, the walk back was into the wind!
As always, the conversation was interesting and everyone got a chance to get to know a bit more about each other as we marched along.
A coffee at Mr Hobson followed as we prepared for the walk or tram ride back into the city.
Picasso outing
 
 
 
 
A small group of five art enthusiast members met recently to enjoy the Picasso Century exhibition at the NGV. Spending nearly two hours viewing the exhibition, we were all stunned by the artist’s range of works. Picasso lived a long life which spanned the Spanish Civil War, and two world wars. He collaborated with a wide range of  fellow artists and had many muses over his long life. The exhibition included many of the works of his collaborating artists which gave viewers a great appreciation of his artistic evolution. A delicious lunch at Blondie followed, with lots of laughter and good discussion.
Bearbrass goes back to school
 
We use ClubRunner software to help us run the club and particularly to set up events, notify the members about upcoming events and to accept registrations.
A large group of members interested in helping with the management of events, set aside time recently and went back to school to learn how to use ClubRunner for that purpose.
After a great lunch at Saluministi in Docklands, our intrepid techy Greg J took members through a hand-on training session in setting up an event, inviting members to attend and then handling registrations.
Thanks Greg for creating and running such a valuable training session.
Of course a Bearbrass meeting wouldn’t be complete without having a coffee afterwards as shown in the photo.
Book Club
 
It’s been wonderful for book club members to meet in person after many meetings on zoom over the past two years.  Our number has grown from six to twelve this year. While the group may seem large  invariably some members are away so discussion functions well. 
 
We decided to choose books that friends and reviewers suggested rather than our own favourites. This means that everyone gets to read a new book each month.  We also have a regular meeting venue now at the Malthouse Kitchen and Pantry. This is a lovely space with plenty of room, a manager prepared to turn the music down so we can all hear discussions  and importantly, good coffee.  It’s also conveniently close to home for the majority of members. We discuss a book for about an hour and then enjoy lunch and maybe continue discussion of the novel.
 
Sharing opinions and reflecting on our own lives in relation to the novels has meant that over time, we get to know each other well. Surely that’s a sound basis for developing firm friendships.
Convenor: Terry OKeeffe
Oct wine group 
The Bearbass Wine Aficionados enjoyed a great night on Friday, tasting across the Sandhurst Ridge Winery range.

Great expectations harboured by Mel about the prospect of white bubbles were dashed when said bubbles turned out to be red. Faulty recollection on the part of the night’s convenor. Oops!
The Rosé was on the nosé and consequently was not dispatched with gusto. However the Merlot, Cabernet and Shirazes were fabulous and all disappeared without a trace remaining. Tip to members – Sandhurst Ridge offers tasty wines at very reasonable process – great value for money. If you are in the Bendigo area it is well worth a visit.

Next month involves a virtual trip to Italy. Can’t wait!

More wine group tippling
Another great fun evening for the Wine Tasting Group, capably organised by Linda R. Eleven members and a guest started off at the Melbourne Wine Store in St Kilda road, with some well priced Italian prosecco and Bendigo shiraz from Passing Clouds winery. They must have been good wines, because multiple bottles were consumed! The Melbourne Wine Store were generous to allow Linda to bring a great variety of cheeses, dips and meats to nibble whilst we tippled.
After the tasting we went next door to the Giro D’Italia restaurant for some authentic Italian food and (you guessed it) a few more glasses of wine.
Great organising Linda! (picture of Linda includes the usual hanger-on)
The walking group does Royal Park, Parkville
 
 
The Walking Group expected heavy showers on the day planned for our walk through Royal Park but instead we were greeted by glorious sunshine.  
 
Originally an important place to the kulin nation, Royal Park is now the largest park in the City of Melbourne
 
Dawn R, our guide for this walk led us to The Habitat Tree, an example of rotting trees and branches left in the area to provide a home for insects like the flightless grasshopper known as the matchstick. Hundreds were recently released in the area and feed on the local native grasses. Clearly there is action taking place to maintain a healthy ecosystem in the park.
 
Half way through our guided tour we stopped at a well patronised local café for coffee. Old  fashioned cakes and slices sat temptingly in the display case. I had a nostalgic moment seeing  Redskins, a lollipop from childhood on offer,
 
One of the loveliest areas in the park was the Native Garden designed by architect, Grace Fraser. Trees here have the room to reach their full height and many local species of plants were in flower. While numerous wattles in full bloom reminded us at every turn that spring is just around the corner.
 
Walmsley House, an iron prefabricated structure was our next stopping point. The 1800’s equivalent to IKEA showed definite signs of age but was still in one piece.
 
We completed our walk at the Burke and Wills cairn. This was the spot where they started their ill fated expedition to the Gulf of Carpentaria.  
 
Thanks to Dawn for introducing us to Royal Park. It has so much more to offer than what we were able to see that day. I certainly intend to return to discover more.
A night out at Q&A
Last Thursday night a few members and friends ventured out into the cold night air to the filming of the ABC current affairs program, Q&A. The panelists covered issues including climate change,  indigenous affairs and disability discrimination. It was an interesting show, with many questions from the audience (sadly though none for Bearbrass members - Ed.). The host, Stan Grant, remarked how good it was to have big live audiences again. A big takeaway for the attendees was the surprise of the significant number of people required to bring a show such as this to air and particularly the number of off-screen staff. A good night out had by all!
About Our Club
Bearbrass Probus

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Library at the Dock
Top Floor
107 Victoria Harbour Promenade
Docklands, VIC 3008
Australia
Phone:
0407 787 117
Email:
bearbrassprobus@gmail.com
The club meets on the second Tuesday of the month, 10am for 10.30am start. Speakers offer a presentation at each meeting on a variety of topics.
Venue Map
Apply for Membership
Upcoming Events
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Speakers
Past Speakers
Jennifer Porter
Nov 08, 2022
Archaeology in Melbourne’s CBD
Fiona Malcolm
Oct 11, 2022
Discover Melbourne’s best kept secret
Sylvia Karakaltsas
Sep 13, 2022
To write or not to write, is that even a question?
Father Bob Maguire
Jul 12, 2022
Who cares, wins
Ross Berner
Jun 14, 2022
Is Pluto a Planet?
Bianca Friend
Apr 12, 2022
Offering new hope to Australia’s threatened wildlife
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