Past 2012
50 Year Anniversary 1962—2012
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE REUNION GALLERY
Past members of the Warragul Jaycees and Warragul Jaycettes met at the Wild dog Winery on 9 March 2012.
The reunion was a great success with 76 people attending on the day. Special thanks to the Wild Dog winery catering staff for arranging the Luncheon.
The food was great and was served on time which greatly helped with the smooth running of the day.
Kevin Dale was the MC and welcomed everyone to the day and highlighted the significance of the occasion celebrating 50 years of the Warragul Jaycees.
The first meeting was held June 1962 with 32 foundation members. Ron Hally was the inaugural President and was previously a member of the Essendon Jaycees who sponsored the new Warragul Chapter. Ron is now living on the Gold Coast and was an apology on the day. However he plans to be at the 1013 reunion.
Acknowledgment was given to the leadership displayed by Ron to instill a culture which lead to the Warragul Chapter becoming one of the most successful Chapters in Australian Jaycees. Warragul always had a strong membership and won numerous awards.
Kevin interviewed some former prominent members of the Chapter including Bill Pyle who was Chapter President in 1965, National President in 1970, and World Vice President in 1972. Bill was enthusiast and passionate on the day which indeed has been his hallmark throughout his life.
Bill was a prominent personality in the Chapters history and played a significant role in enhancing the dedication, commitment and professional culture that has endured throughout the Chapters history.
Bill is now retired, still living in Gainsbough and plays a weekly game of Golf. It was sad to learn that his wife Bev, passed away last year. We all have fond memories of her and will remember her faithful support to Bill in his active career.
Barrie Bardsley was Chapter President in 1967 and was awarded Jaycee Senatership for his contributions. 'Bards' was his usual entertaining self on the day and always good to hear from him. He was a notable member who introduced a number of significant projects to the chapter. These included Proceed, the Adult Education centre which served the Warragul and District community for over 30 years.
He also introduced the Outstanding Citizen award, this still continues although the idea has now been taken up by the Baw Baw Shire and is a significant local event these days. The other project was Youth Day in business, this was novel event in the 70’s but as we know work experience is now a well established feature in the school curriculum these days. Barrie and Barbara are living in Bacchus Marsh these days.
John Davine was interviewed and has the distinction of being the son of a foundation member, Milo Davine who was an affable, active member in the early days. John has gone on to be a prominent person in the community involved in many activities. He recounted the success that the Chapter enjoyed in his time, most notably being National Debating Champions and continuing the strong membership and large number of projects.
Mavis Gallienne and Mary Habgood were interviewed about there experiences in Jaycettes. Mary recounted the enjoyment of the fellowship between the members and the thrill of winning the Best Jaycette Chapter award in Australia.
Although the Jaycettes membership was wives of the Jaycees, they were an independent group with their own projects and personal development activities. Mavis was congratulated again on receiving an AO for her services to the community. She attributed the training in leadership skills, meeting procedure and learning public speaking as the foundation for her involvement in community activities.
John Pilgrim, former Chapter President, Chapter Life member and Jaycee Ambassador conducted a lively session amongst the guests and asked them to recount some of their favourite memories.
It was a most enjoyable luncheon with people renewing old friendships and the gathering enthusiastically recommended that this become an annual event.
