The Club’s annual 50 Year Membership Lunch was held on Wednesday 4th October 2023 to celebrate all members who have achieved 50 years of membership or more. Currently, Royal Adelaide has 139 members who have achieved this membership milestone. Mrs Barbara Stacy is the Club’s longest standing member of 83 years, followed by Dr John Skipper, Mrs Janet Angas and Mrs Susan Morgan who have been members for an impressive 78 years.
This year we welcomed four new inductees into 50 Year Membership status; Chris Hall, Ian McFarlane, Verity Sangster and Vicki Thwaites. In addition, Tom Wilson, a 52-year member was officially inducted after attending his first lunch since reaching 50 years of membership.
Other new inductees were Patsy Brebner, Cameron Stuart, Sandy McFarlane, Guy Maddern and John Phillips although they were unavailable to attend the lunch.
Thank you to Lisa Daw who provided an excellent insight into 1973, the year that was …
“What an honour it is to welcome you all and especially our inductees here today as we acknowledge their 50 years of loyal membership at Royal Adelaide. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Lisa Daw and I am on the Committee here at RAGC.
“Whilst researching what was happening in Australia and Overseas in 1973 I found that it was an extremely eventful year, not just for your arrival at the Club, but for many life changing events and moments in history:
- Gough Whitlam was prime minister and Donald Dunstan premier of SA
- The USA pulled out of the Vietnam war
- The Sydney opera house was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II
- The voting age was reduced from 21 to 18
- Watergate and Roe versus Wade were in full swing in the USA
- Australian Movie of the year was Alvin Purple
- And the International Song of the Year – Tie a Yellow ribbon around the old oak tree
“And I’m assured bell bottom pants, clogs and tie-dyed T-shirts were all the range, but obviously not at the Club.
“But the most amazing fact I discovered was that the first mobile phone call was made by Motorola in New York in 1973 and that one event in itself has changed the way we work and play and communicate 50 years later. When you were heading out for your first round at this beautiful Club you had never even heard of the words – Texting, E-Mail, I-Phone, WI-FI or selfie.”
VERITY SANGSTER
As presented by Lisa Daw
“I have been reliably told that Verity was a very efficient Honorary Secretary and Vice-President of the Club and a great stalwart for manners and etiquette.
“Whilst trying to find out a little bit about Verity from her friends this anecdote came to light. I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing it with you today. Many, many years ago, Verity lost a chain during her round. The Associates were seconded to search for it that day, which they did, but with no luck. That night Anne Nitschke received a call and confession from Verity. The chain had dislodged and ended up in her knickers! As you can imagine the Associates were abuzz with the good news!
“Verity was an outstanding caddie for our pennant squad. She also won the C Grade Foursomes in 1982, was C Grade Champion in 1995 and then runner up in 1996. She also won the Beck Cup in both 1981 and 1984.
“Congratulations Verity.
VICKI THWAITES
As presented by Lisa Daw
“To my good friend Vick Thwaites who is still a very active member and contributor here at the Club.
“Friends of Vick have told me that she was excited to be a member from the very start, apparently enjoying clinic days more than her birthday. Although Vicki and her friends weren’t allowed into the bar in 1973, they were very happy with the honesty chocolate box in the Women’s Committee room.
“Family features prominently on both sides of her golfing lineage. She particularly loved playing with her father in the Hayward Cup and on one occasion he drove the green on the 18th, using the road as a springboard to propel his ball forward. Vick still has her mother’s Royal Adelaide golf scarf attached to her golf bag.
“Vicki’s golfing achievements are extensive and include the Captains Trophy, Katherine Rymill Cup, 2 Putting Trophies, the Gold Laurel Wreath and the A Grade Plate to just name a few.
“Congratulations again to both Vicki and Verity on the anniversary of 50 years here at the Royal Adelaide Golf Club. What an amazing achievement.
CHRIS HALL
As presented by Tim Jordan
“Present today is firstly Dr Chris Hall. Chris is a familiar face as he is here a lot.
“A member of the Committee from 1992 to 1999, Chris is now the convenor of the now somewhat ambitiously named “Young Doctors” group who have lunch together every Thursday and then play. This group recently celebrated their own 50-year anniversary which is a great effort. Chris has led this group with distinction and is a great advocate for his group.”
IAN MCFARLANE
As presented by Tim Jordan
“Ian is a past member of the Committee from 2002 to 2011 a former Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee from 2004 to 2011.
“Ian also convenes a lunch group. Ian’s “Second Saturday” lunch group has done much to introduce new members to the ways of the Club. For me personally, it was a great social entrée to the Club helping me meet new members.
“Ian is a very committed and competitive golfer and enjoys his overseas golf trips and is a very congenial travelling companion.”