Compiled by Cameron McCullough
A COMMITTEE meeting was held on Monday evening last when there were present: Messrs. T. Ritchie, P. McArthur, A. D. Kerr, J. E. Somers, E. Swift, T. J. McMurtrie, A. Bartlett, G. Bidgood, C. D. Robertson, J. Houfe, J. Kelleher, P. Olsen, and H. Downward, secretary. Messrs. R. C. Holman, H. Golds, and Cr. J. L. Pratt represented the Frankston Returned Soldiers’ branch.
The preliminary balance-sheet of Cup meeting showed a profit of about £256, the race books returning a clear profit of £56.
The secretary reported an excellent entry of 116 entries to date for the benefit meeting on Tuesday next, and stated it included Answer, winner of last Australian Cup, who would be a certain starter so as to help him along in his preparation for the Australian Cup in March next.
Mr. P. Olsen reported that Mr. H. Masterton, of Frankston, who gave the Mornington Cup for this year, had given him that day £10/10/ donation towards the funds of the benefit meeting next Tuesday.
All arrangements of the details of organising for the races were then made. Mr. Holman reported that tickets were selling well at Frankston, 60 having been sold up to the present; that Mr. A. G. Wilcox had been appointed the steward to act from Frankston at the race meeting; and that Mr. George Keast had advanced the £100, the sum required as a guarantee to the race club against any loss.
The race meeting has been insured for £100 against 10 points of rain, at a cost of £8/15/-.
Messrs. Kelleher and Houfe moved that the president’s and secretary’s action in accepting the tender of Messrs. Orr and Powell at £33 for the two booths, be endorsed.
The president said if a fine day was experienced next Tuesday he hoped to be able to announce on the evening of the races that a substantial profit had been made to help the Frankston soldiers in paying off their hall. (Applause).
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Sunday on our beaches
The high temperature last Sunday attracted thousands of visitors to the bayside.
The beaches from Oliver’s Hill to Seaford were literally alive with people. Family picnic parties were numerous, and the friendly shade of the ti-tree on the foreshore provided ideal conditions for alfresco meals.
Hundreds of motor cars were parked at the foot of Oliver’s Hill, at “The Fernery” and other points.
Facilities in this connection are not numerous in Frankston, and the provision of suitable parking areas, similar to those provided at Mordialloc, is a question the Council will have to face in the near future.
The beaches were gay with life and color. Men, women and children attired in costumes of every conceivable hue, were to be seen swimming and splashing about in the water.
The tide was very low on Sunday afternoon, and three or four cricket matches were played on the beautiful firm sand, while hundreds of children were wonderfully busy with buckets and spades.
Canoes and rowing boats were in full commission, and provided plenty of fun for the young folk.
The pier was crowded, and while enjoying the gentle southerly breeze, found entertainment in watching the swimmers doing fancy diving stunts from the spring board.
Sailors from the two war boats which were lying just off the pier, mingled with the crowd, and gave a touch of added interest to the scene.
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Mt Eliza
The first picnic of the Mt. Eliza Progress Association was held at Flinders on Monday last.
Twenty-seven persons made the trip, being conveyed there by motors.
Members of the Flinders Progress Association met the visitors and showed the way to Bass Park at West Point.
The cordial welcome extended to the picnickers by the local association was very much appreciated and helped very largely to make the visit most enjoyable.
Hot water and milk and the use of the park were supplied free.
The Bass and Flinders memorials occupy a prominent position overlooking the entrance to Westernport.
A brisk trade was done with crayfish, most of the members securing a pair.
About 6 o’clock good-bye was said to Flinders, everyone being agreed that the outing had been a decided success.
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Frankston gymnasium – promising support
Last night Mr. Norman W. Clements presided over an enthusiastic meeting held at Bond’s market rooms for the purpose of forming a gymnasium.
It was resolved on the motion of Mr. Livick, seconded by Mr. Hansen that a club be formed, to be called the “Frankston Gymnastic Club.”
An entrance fee of 5/- and contribution of 1/- per week was agreed to on the motion of Mr. Livick, seconded by Mr. J. Cunneen.
Mr. Stanley Croucher was unanimously elected secretary.
At the suggestion of the chairman, the election of office-bearers was held in abeyance. Mr. Clements said he was hopeful of securing the co-operation of prominent citizens who would join the club as honorary members, and would no doubt be willing to act on the executive.
It was decided that the election of committee take place on Thursday night, 18th February, at 8 o’clock.
It was agreed that to secure the best results an instructor should be appointed, and the secretary was directed to write to various organisations, asking if they could recommend a suitable man.
The secretary was also authorised to advertise the date of the meeting for Thursday, 18th February, and write to prominent citizens, asking their co-operation in launching the movement.
Mr. Clements reported that Messrs. Sherlock & Hay and Chitty’s Pty. Ltd. had promised the timber necessary for making horizontal bars, etc., and the firms named were heartily thanked for their practical support.
It was gratifying to note the enthusiasm of the large number of young men present, and it is to be hoped that the general public will accord the movement its cordial support.
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Frankston Fire Brigade – To The Editor
Sir,
Would you kindly allow me space in your paper to contradict the impression among the people of Frankston and district re the payment of members of the brigade.
The fire men DO NOT receive one penny for attending fires, the only payment the firemen receive is one shilling a month, or 12/- per year.
When compared with the number of hours put in by members at fires and practices, it could not even be called “tobacco money.”
At the last four fires alone the firemen put in over 300 working hours, and yet when an appeal is made for money to buy important equipment and erect a station worthy of the town, we are politely told that we are paid for what we do, and that the insurance companies keep the brigade.
This brigade is allowed £22 per year to pay the men, all repairs and minor supplies, and except for the same few supporters we get nothing. Such is the public spirit as is shown in Frankston.
Whereas if every ratepayer in Frankston and district paid 2/6 per year for three years, I doubt if we would need to appeal for any more funds.
Trusting that I have not taken up too much of your valuable space.
Yours, etc.,
R. COXALL,
Secretary, Frankston Fire Brigade.
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From the Pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 12 February 1926