Adrian Baker	John Morritt	Mike Nethersole
Andrew Vaivars	John Stevens	Peter Beyer
Bill Parsons	John Walton	Phillip Banfield
Brian Ireland	Ken Grieve	Ray Booth
Clive Wood	Kevin Trudgen	Ray Watt
David Freer	Kim Banfield	Rob Rosaia
Frank Kool	Louis D’Amore	Russell Hall
Gary Brown	Max Conners	Steve Rogers
Jim Douglass	Michael D’Amore	William Mason
Jim Hepworth	Michael Hendrickson

Senior Active

David Brown

Warren Hekman

Stuart Davidson

Haydon Lennard

Terrence Hall

Chris Mitropoulos

Ricky Hall

Geoff Rowlands

John Harris

Graeme Sidebottom

District Governors

Phil Banfield

Jim Hepworth

Ken Grieve

Andrew Farago

 

1962/1963	John Towers	1986/1987	Clive Wood
1963/1964	Philip Banfield	1987/1988	Bill Parsons
1964/1965	Tony Bullen	1988/1989	Ken Grieve
1965/1966	Kevin Trudgen	1989/1990	David Brown
1966/1967	Morris Cowley	1990/1991	Mike Nethersole
1967/1968	Max Conners	1991/1992	Jim Hepworth
1968/1969	Jim Douglass	1992/1993	Rob Rosaia
1969/1970	Rob Gallagher	1993/1994	Michael Hendrickson
1970/1971	Andrew Vaivars	1994/1995	Russell Hall
1971/1972	Frank Kool	1995/1996	David Freer
1972/1973	Luigi D’Amore	1996/1997	Perry Broad
1973/1974	Ian Parsons	1997/1998	Andrew Farago
1974/1975	Jeff Boyle	1998/1999	Steve Rogers
1975/1976	Ken Hayes	1999/2000	William Mason
1976/1977	Ted Davis	2000/2001	Kim Banfield
1977/1978	John Walton	2001/2002	Michael D’Amore
1978/1979	Bill Reilly	2002/2003	Brian Ireland
1979/1980	John Stevens	2003/2004	Brad Fennell
1980/1981	Ray Watt	2004/2005	Kevin Perry
1981/1982	Stuart Davidson	2005/2006	Kevin Perry
1982/1983	Adrian Bakker	2006/2007	Andrew Huntington
1983/1984	Peter Beyer	2007/2008	Will Hemming
1984/1985	Garry Brown	2008/2009	Will Hemming
1985/1986	Ray Booth	2009/2010	Will Hemming

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]]> http://mooroopna.com/2010/07/31/past-presidents-of-our-club/feed/ 0 http://mooroopna.com/2010/07/31/apex-mooroopna-club-history-the-first-two-years/ http://mooroopna.com/2010/07/31/apex-mooroopna-club-history-the-first-two-years/#comments Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:10:00 +0000 Kevin http://mooroopna.com/2010/07/31/apex-mooroopna-club-history-the-first-two-years/ On Thursday the 5^th of July 1962, four members of the Mooroopna community met with John Stewart, Keith Furze, Peter Mountjoy and Phil Banfield of the Apex Club of Shepparton. They were John Watt, Don Murdock, Tony Bullen and Geoff Martin. We met in the CBA Bank (which is now the old Westpac Bank) after hearing about Apex and it’s aims, it was decided to hold a meeting on Tuesday the 17th of July at the offices of Ardmona Fruit Products.

From Mooroopna were — Andrew Vaivars, Lloyd Tremellen, Max Hall, Geoff Hill, Kevin Trudgen, Robert Agnew, David Lane, Ian Russell, Ian Peeler and Jim Douglass. This again led to a further meeting held in the old Fire Station in McLennan Street on Tuesday 31^st July.

Tony Bullen, Lloyd Tremellen, Robert Agnew, David Lane, Ian Russell, Ian Peeler, Jim Douglass, Wally Buchelli, Gordon Stewart, Luigi D’Amore, Alec Trotter, Bill Spears, John Towers, Geoff Martin, John McKenzie and Don Murdock were in attendance. It was at this meeting that it was decided to hold a Public Meeting on Tuesday August 28^th at the Mechanics hall to form an Apex Club in Mooroopna.

Sixteen people from Mooroopna were in attendance and following speeches about Apex by members of the Apex Club of Shepparton it was moved by John Towers and seconded by Gordon Stewart that The Apex Club of Mooroopna be formed. Elections were then held and the following positions filled.

President John Towers

Secretary Geoff Martin

Treasurer Don Murdock

Board Members Lloyd Tremellen and Jim Douglass

Meetings were to be held on the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays of the month with the first Dinner Meeting to held at the Royal Mail Hotel on Tuesday 18^th of September 1962 @ a cost of 10/- or $1 per head.

Those from Mooroopna were — Ron White, Gordon Stewart, Wally Buchelli, Lloyd Tremellen, Andrew Vaivars, Jim Douglass, Geoff Martin, John Towers, Max Pell, John McKenzie, Don Murdock, Bill Watters, Luigi D ‘Amore, Peter Gorman, John Gray and Reg Wells.

During the weekend of October 6^th & 7^th 1962, Mooroopna was represented by two observers at the Bendigo Zone 7 Convention. John Towers and Geoff Martin. An amusing sidelight was Geoff’s dozing off several tidies during proceedings to be awoken by the heavy tread of the Sergeant-at-Arms. This led to Shepparton’s famous or infamous agenda item that Sergeant-at-Arms at all conventions wear soft soled shoes.

Also in the month of October 1962 we saw Apexians becoming involved with outside organizations by the election of Jim Douglass and Don Murdock onto the Swimming Pool Management Committee. Later in May 1963, Andrew Vaivars and Luigi D’Amore became Secretary and Treasurer of the Save the Children Fund.

The Inaugural Dinner of the Apex Club of Mooroopna was held on Friday November 9^th 1962 at the Royal Mail Hotel. This was attended by the Shire President Cr Youlden, Zone President Geoff Anderson and District Governor Syd Hill was the Chairman.

The first Board of the Club was —

President – John Towers Sergeant at Arms – Luigi D ‘Amore

Secretary – Geoff Martin Dinner Notice – Gordon Stewart

Treasurer – Don Murdock Commissariat – Tony Bullen

Service – Jim Douglass Social – Leo Lawler

Programs – Lloyd Tremellen Publicity – Kevin Trudgen

Debating – Andrew Vaivars Inter Club Visiting – Phil Banfield

With the Inauguration of the Club, new members could only be admitted by ballot and at the Board meeting on December 18^th 1962 Eric Timm and Alan Beare were both elected. On January 15^th, 1963 President John carried out the first induction ceremony when Eric Timm was inducted into the Club.

In March 1963 following two suggestions by Rev. Stephens of the Methodist Church, Sub Committees were elected to investigate Rodney’s participation in the Regional Library Service and the stationing of a Police woman in the district. Both schemes have since been successfully implemented and there is no doubt of the efforts made by this Club to hasten these events.

On receival of official notification that Mooroopna was chartered Club Number 401, fresh elections of Office Bearers and Directors was held on April 23^rd 1963. All were returned and allotted their previous portfolios. Kevin Trudgen’ the Publicity Director served another fortnight before applying for leave of absence for an overseas trip. Ray Quinlan was appointed by the Board to serve in his place.

In May 1963 one of the greatest milestones in the history of this Club was passed and I quote from President John’s annual report.

"Undoubtedly the highlight of our year was Saturday, May 11^th 1963 when it was my pleasing duty to accept from Zone President Geoff Anderson our Charter No. 401 of the Association of Apex Clubs. This was a great night for our Club and also I feel a great occasion for Mooroopna. Being the first Service Club in Mooroopna undoubtedly will in years to come bring much to Mooroopna and District. Firstly, from the community efforts of the Club as a whole and indirectly from the Club Members who from the experience and training they obtain from Apex must eventually benefit the community as a whole."

Tony Bullen    John Towers            Geoff Anderson    Phil Banfield

Now that Mooroopna had officially received its Charter, it was up to the Club to keep on proving it was worthy of the same. One of the laws of the Association is that every club and every member has to pull his weight each year and not live on past achievements. This has led Apex from one success to another and made it one of the most successful organisations in the country.

With this in mind, the club was to tackle two more service schemes before the end of the Apex year. Our first wood-drive, which resulted in 25 tons of wood being sawn, split and delivered, and the distribution of collection tins and literature for the Freedom from Hunger Campaign.

A small but very important community service that was carried out during the year was the offering of members to become blood donors in the local Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service.

On June 15^th 1963 at Berrigan, Mooroopna took its seat as a full voting member at a. District Convention with John Towers and Geoff Martin as our official delegates. Here, our first agenda item was discussed and carried. This was the stationing of police­women in the Goulburn Valley.

It is of interest to note that the first moves for road signs (Apex signs at the town entrances) took place in July on a motion of Luigi D’Amore and Tony Bullen. These were eventually erected in the small hours of a Sunday morning in September 1965. They still stand although under threat of removal by Vic Roads.

The fourth elections of the club took place on July 16^th 1963 when Phil Banfield was elected President, Andrew Vaivars Secretary, Geoff Martin Treasurer and nine Board members.

A combined Handover Dinner with Tatura at the Royal Mail Hotel Mooroopna, on August 3^rd 1963 brought us to end of our first Apex year.

A very important year, and a year that has more or less set the pattern for the succeeding years. I feel that here, tribute should be paid to our first President, John Towers and the foundation members of this club for the very high standard they set for the following Presidents and Club Boards.

At the start of our second year 1963/64, we were warned of the difficulties experienced by other new clubs in their second year. But through loyalty and keenness of Board and Club members, Mooroopna was to have another successful year.

The Board consisted of Phil Banfield President, Andrew Vaivars Secretary, Geoff Martin Treasurer, Tony Bullen Programmes and Senior Vice President, Max Connors Service to Youth, Morrie Cowley Publicity and Social, Luigi D’Amore Inter-Club Visiting, Jim Douglass Sergeant at Arms, Leo Lawler Dinner Notice and Kevin Trudgen International Relations.

Service during the year included the completion of the landscaping of the Swimming Pool, the preparation and seeding of the MacKellar Crescent Playground, another successful Learn to Swim Campaign, our second Carry-On Concert, the Asthma Appeal Door-Knock which raised $370, Traffic Control for the Goulburn Valley Centre’s "Bonanza Day" and (who will forget) the thousands of lug boxes broken up for kindling.

This year we sent a full quota of 20 children and two chaperons to the Lord Mayor’s Portsea Holiday Camp. The club also donated $100 towards the purchasing of the campsite; this was later to be used for a recreation hall.

The Goulburn Valley’s first Fun and Food Fiesta was held in February 1964, being organised and run by the Service Clubs and Chambers on Commerce of Mooroopna and Shepparton. Mooroopna Apex assisted with a concert featuring the Australian Boys Choir in the Queens Gardens Shepparton and the Southern Command Band in the gardens of the Mooroopna Base Hospital.

Our Dinner Meetings during the year were enlivened by the introduction of two-minute talks by members, five-minute readings of the Handbook and a different Chairman at each Dinner. All these gave every member an opportunity to participate more at our dinners. The highlight of the year was our convincing win in the interclub debating competition especially as six members debated during the series.

Kevin Trudgen, our International Relations Director, laid the foundations to what was to become a very important facet of Apex in Mooroopna. Our first overseas contact was made by way of letters and a tape recording to Round Table members at Takapuna in New Zealand. Max Connors also visited this club in June 1964 while attending a Round Table New Zealand Conference. Magazines and books were sent to the library at Berhampore, Pakistan. Mr Creighton Burns spoke on the political, social and religious problems in India and Pakistan.

The District Convention for 1964 was held in Shepparton where we successfully applied for the 1965 Convention. We were unsuccessful in our agenda item that there be no fines sessions at Convention Dinners and the nomination of Phil Banfield as District Governor. (Phil was later to become D.G. in 1975/76)

Two Golf Days were held this year and at the second, we introduced our Perpetual Golf Trophy which takes the form of a Dinner-Gong. This year it was won by Kyabram from a count back with Tatura.

Our second year ended as it began with a very enjoyable sports night with Mooroopna R.S.L. This took the form of sporting activities of table tennis, hookey, darts and billiards followed by a supper of pies, chips, onions and eggs.

YIA

Phil Banfield

Phil Banfield.

We agonised for many months, but ultimately the inability to attract new members and our want to ensure that Mooroopna Apex goes out on a high, meant that closing the club now was our only option.

This year we were relatively inactive on service projects, though yet again we were able achieve an exceptional meeting attendance. Social events held throughout the year included the fishing trip, the father/child weekend and the annual Christmas party, this year held at the D’Amore’s

Our commitment to the community throughout the last twelve months did not waiver. We donated generously to community organisations and individuals including, Bewora Apex (Victoria Santa Visit), Shepparton Little Athletics Club, MS and to support one Mooroopna child to play for Vic Country in the national AFL championships in Perth.

Further after merging all existing Apex Mooroopna accounts into one we were able to donate funds to the Tatura Children’s Centre, Mooroopna Scouts, Mooroopna Guides, Kidstown and Mooroopna Primary School.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank each member of Apex Mooroopna over the past year, that being Kevin Perry, Kim Banfield and Michael D’Amore, for their contribution, fellowship and support.

Apex has been many things to many people over the years and each present and past member will have their own memories. Through the service projects conducted, its achievements, donations, treasured mateship, fellowship and networks created, Apex Mooroopna will leave a lasting legacy on the local community.

Thankyou for your time, effort and support.

Yours In Apex

Will Hemming

President – Mooroopna Apex Club

But on the bright side we have had a variety of achievements throughout the year including a successful spinning wheel, with the microphone lasting the whole night. We sponsored five children to compete in Auskick at Mooroopna, special mention must go to Kim for driving these kids each and every Saturday morning to and from the ground. We have also given a variety of donations and our time to many events around Mooroopna and the surrounding community.

There was a variety of social events held throughout the year but my favourite this year has to be the Father/child weekend. I believe its something our kids can remember for many years. But I did learn never to ask an Apexian to tip on a horse, how hard is it to tip a horse to come third?

I would like to thank all members of the club for their contributions, fellowship and support. In particular I extend my gratitude to Kim Banfield – Treasure, Michael D’amour – Vice president and Kevin – IT consultant and club all-rounder. I must make special mention of Michael for his wonderful effort in not handing the books over to the incoming treasure till April this year.

Once again thanks TEAM for a fabulous year and our many meetings at the Royal mail hotel. But I must say I have never seen a publican disappear into thin air so quickly.

Yours in Apex

Will Hemming

President – Mooroopna Apex Club

Another achievement for the year was the action of council, seemly everything we applied for, attested to, or spoke about at community meetings the council seemed to take action or was its just Michael’s letter writing? What ever the case it was great to see council taking action. For example, new chairs at Jim Douglass park.

We again donated our time and money to a variety of community activities including contributing to Relay for Life, continued operating the spinning wheel at the Mooroopna Festival, helping a young person buy books for the first year of university studies and the list goes on.

I was lucky to see another induction of a life member, Steve Rogers. I am hoping we can attract new Apexians with his vigour and drive for the community.

I would like to thank all members of the club for their contributions, fellowship and support. In particular I extend my gratitude to Kim Banfield – Vice President, Michael D’Amore – Treasurer, and Kevin – Secretary, Midlander, IT consultant and club all-rounder (you name it Kevin completed it). Once again thanks TEAM for a sensational year and keeping me motivated considering I had a wedding, knee reconstruction and study commitments. I would also like to say a huge thankyou to my wife Amy for her support and contributions throughout the year.

It gives me great pleasure to be president again and I hope I can get more of our ex-apexians, life members and senior actives to help the current members of Mooroopna Apex to attract new members to this proud club.

Yours in Apex

Will Hemming

President – Mooroopna Apex Club

2006 – 2007 has been a leisurely year, continuing on with the usual service projects and fund raising activities. Thank you to all members that have made themselves available and contributed to the club and community in these area’s.

Throughout the year the club has donated hundreds of dollars to worthy causes in our community, contributed to Relay for Life, held working bees at Kidstown & continued operating the spinning wheel at the Mooroopna Festival.

2007 has seen our club catapulted into the 21^st Century. The Mooroopna Apex club is now in cyberspace with the clubs own website. Thanks to Kevin Perry for initiating and implementing this revolutionary idea. The club also had a strong attendance at this year’s state convention at Wodonga.

I would like to thank all members of the club for their contributions, fellowship and support. In particular I extend my gratitude to Steve Rogers – Vice President, Kim Banfield – Secretary & Kevin Perry – Treasurer, all of whom I could not have coped without.

I would like to thank my wife Linda for her support and contributions.

It is with great pleasure in handing over the presidency to Will Hemming, who has shown exceptional willingness and enthusiasm in leading our club for 2007 – 2008. Will has shown outstanding leadership qualities since joining Apex and I know he will achieve great things during his reign.

Yours in Apex

Andrew Huntington

President – Mooroopna Apex Club

2005-2006 has been a very mixed year in the history of our club. Adam Moss and Andrew Farago moved away from our region. Meeting attendance levels were low with a number of Dinner Meetings being abandoned. And our attempts at finding new members were unsuccessful. On a more positive note we completed a number of service projects and the clubs finance’s remain strong.

This year our club has been busy catering at Fruit Salad Day, parking cars at the Day on the Green, spinning away prizes at the New Year’s Festival, making erections at Relay for life, and donating hundreds of dollars to many worthy causes throughout the community.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have supported me through the last twelve months. The directors have managed there portfolio’s admirably. Kim Banfield has had a big workload being involved with service and membership. Mike Nethersole provided us some much needed entertainment as Social Director, and Michael D’Amore together with Steve Rogers performed their duties at the front table admirably.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my wife Marlain, who once again has put up with me dedicating far too many hours attending Apex functions, and publishing the Midlander. I could not have done it without her.

Being President for two years in a row was a first for our club, and on reflection probably an experiment we should not repeat. However I am encouraged by Andrew Huntington’s willingness to take on the position, and hope it will bring a new energy and perspective to the club. I know that this will be a great learning experience for him, as it has been for me. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last two years.

Yours in Apex

Kevin Perry

President – Mooroopna Apex Club

This year our club has been busy catering for the Big Juice festival, working at the Winery Walkabout, planting hundreds of trees at the Hydroponic Tomato farm, finalising our commitment to the Mooroopna Skate park, walking many miles at the Relay for Life, and donating thousands of dollars to many worthy causes throughout the community. But without a doubt one project has dominated 2004-05.

Hosting the 2005 State Convention was a huge undertaking and challenge for our club. In the opinion of many, we conducted one of the most successful, well organised conventions of recent times. We did a great job of highlighting our region, demonstrating what our club can achieve, and entertaining our fellow Apexian’s from across the state. However the convention has also been a huge burden on our club. It was highly draining on our member’s time, and it distracted us from other key activities, most importantly building the membership

Membership is without a doubt the biggest issue facing our club. Seven members are reaching retirement age in the next two years. Added to this Adam Moss has resigned from the club after taking on a new job challenge in South Australia. Adam has been a highly active member of the club for the last three years, and his contributions will be much missed.

To combat this Membership crisis a membership sub-committee has been formed. Kim Banfield, Andrew Huntington, Brad Fennell and Andrew Farago will be in charge of creating new ideas to revitalise our club, and build up the membership base. I trust all members will give this committee there full support.

Our newest member to the club Andrew Huntington is taking on the important role of Programs director in 2005-06. The club has committed to doing an activity for its second meeting of every month, we all agree that we need to get away from having Dinner Meetings, and start doing more activities in the community

Michael Hendrickson is the incoming Publicity Director for 2005-06. This is a role that is going to take on increasing importance in the future. Too many people in the community do not know about Apex and what it is that we do. We need to build a line of communication with the local media, and other community groups.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have supported me through the last twelve months. The directors have managed there portfolio’s admirably. Steve Rogers has had a big workload on State Board as our Convention Chairman. Michael D’Amore provided us some much needed entertainment as Social Director, and Michael Hendrickson together with Graeme Dean performed their duties at the front table admirably.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank my wife Marlain, who has put up with me dedicating many hours to attending Apex functions, and publishing the Midlander. I could not have done it without her.

Being President for two years running is a highly unusual situation, and one I was not expecting to have to fulfil. Yet I am excited by the prospect of revitalising our club, and achieving big things in the year ahead. We need to forget about the Convention and concentrate on what our next challenges will be.

Yours in Apex

Kevin Perry

President – Mooroopna Apex Club

I would like to thank Kevin Perry for his excellent job as Secretary and being my right hand man for the year. Thank you to, to Andrew for the efficient job as Treasurer and also the directors who made the club a success.

What an achievement for the club to take out the State Debating Championship at the Ballarat State Convention. Thanks to Adam, Andrew, Michael and Kevin, members of the debating team.

With members and club commitments, it has been difficult to fit in extra service work. However our involvement included the following activities. New Years Mooroopna Festival Spinning Wheel, and assisting at the Rutherglen Winery Walkabout at All Saints and St Leonard’s Wineries with car parking. The service work was also provided valuable time to enjoy fellowship and much fun while working together.

Considerable time and effort has been put in by members organizing the 2005 State Convention. Special thanks to Steve and his committee for their efforts over the year.

The other big event was organizing for the 1000^th Club Dinner Meeting and I would like to thank the committee Kim, Adam, Jim, Phil Banfield and Lou D’Amore, members and partners, past and present, for all the work they put in to make the night such a success.

Thank you to all the members who have contributed in their own way to the continued success of Mooroopna Apex Club.

I wish Kevin Perry and his team all the best for the next Apex year 2004/2005.

Yours in Apex

Brad Fennell