THE
HISTORY OF THE MANOR BAR
2005 – 2015
An excerpt from the Gracemere
Gazette, Issue 23 of Peregian Springs Retirement Country Club, dated
December 2005 says
“The license application for the bar has
been approved and the bar opening
will be on the 30th
November, after Carols by Candlelight.”
And "Richard and a couple of helpers have been preparing the bar
for operation.”
In Issue 24, dated January 2006 it was reported
“St.Andrew’s College Primary and Junior school pupils gave us a wonderful
Christmas concert. Thanks go to the college and management for
arranging this memorable occasion. The pupils also delivered small
gifts to some of the residents the following day. These were very
much appreciated by the recipients.”
“The bar was
officially opened in
great style. All patrons appeared to enjoy the evening!! Our
wonderful bar people looked after everybody really well and their
time and work when the bar is open is very much appreciated.”
Recently re-reading past
copies of the
Gracemere Gazette, I came across the above items that I thought would
be of interest to present residents who attend The Manor Bar for
Happy Hours. The Tenth Anniversary of The Manor Bar will be on 30th
November 2015 and it is hoped that some celebrations will be
arranged! Now I am going to give you the History of Happy Hours
before and after The Manor Bar 2003 – 2015. (as I remember).
The original Happy Hours were
held in Villa 16
(our community centre) which was fully furnished and used by our
weekend caretaker, Allan Brown. Allan was the husband of the Sales
Manager, Wendy Brown and Happy Hour was held on Monday afternoons
because Wendy and Alan could then go home together that night.
Martin Brims, our
original
Village Manager,
hosted Happy Hour and dispensed drinks from a large fridge in the
kitchen of V16. These were at first provided by FKP but later,
residents formed a Social Club and put in a few dollars a month to
pay for drinks and nibbles. FKP had supplied the glassware and
crockery for V16. Many very happy social functions were held in V16
and there are great photos of the original residents having fun. We
had monthly BBQ’s, Melbourne Cups, Olympic Night, Trivia nights
and one memorable Soup/Trivia night when the ladies provided enough
leftover soup to feed the FKP construction workers for a week!
Many current
residents would not know that even though we had the Official Opening
of The Manor in March 2005, on that night FKP/AVEO had brought in
outside caterers and the food and drinks were dispensed at different
areas in Gracemere Manor, because the bar had not been built at that
time. Later on that year, construction of the bar began to take place
in its present position and this necessitated the relocation of the
original small (Ladies’) pool table into the Library.
Martin Brims held the first
licence for Aveo
Peregian Springs Country Club and organised the first purchases of
wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks and chips. FKP supplied all the
glassware and ancillary equipment. Some of the barmen who have
dispensed drinks include Richard, Athol, Brian, Cliff, Ray, Win, Don,
John, Arnold, John, George, Trevor, John and Ron. If I have missed
any I apologise. Notice that we have never had a (Lady) Barmaid? All
the barmen have undertaken the R.S.A. Certificate and further
training.
I remember the night of the official opening of
The Manor Bar very well. It was a wonderful night with two choirs and
musicians from the St Andrew’s College presenting a wonderful
night of traditional Christmas Carols and beautiful music and songs.
The concert took place in the area around the Grand Piano. The
parents and siblings of the children were invited as well and there
were many people crowded into the Manor. FKP/AVEO supplied ALL the
food and drinks for the night. It was a wonderful way for FKP to
involve the Village and our neighbour, the College, in the official
opening of The Manor Bar and to enjoy Carols by Candelight. At that
time the village population had increased to 102 Residents.
Since then, the Bar has been the
centre of the Manor, hosting many Happy Hours,
Melbourne Cups, Australia Day, Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, special
occasions and always the Barmen have dispensed drinks with good
humour and skill.
As the bar is the only revenue-raising feature in the Village, all residents are
invited to come along as often as possible, to join in and mingle
with other residents. Buying and enjoying your drinks helps the
Residents Association Committee(RAC)raise money for the many groups and activities in the Village. The Manor
Bar provides very well priced, good quality wine, beer and spirits.
Over the years the RAC have outlayed thousands of dollars for the
benefit of all Village Residents. For example, in 2014 the
RAC paid for Licences, Legal Fees,
Chairs, Skip Bins, Pool Shade Cloth, BBQ covers, website and
entertainers for special dinner.
Over the years they have paid for Christmas Dinner subsidies, Library
Books and bookcases, the Sony wide-screen TV in
the lounge, the Apple iPod that streams music in the Manor, donations
to the Knitting Circle for wool, subsidised Golf and Bowls Days and
donations for raffles. The committee is very eager to use the accrued
funds to the benefit of ALL residents.
Please keep attending Happy Hour and enjoy the
companionship of other residents and be aware that you are assisting
in accumulating funds to be used for the benefit of all
residents!
Many Happy Returns to The Manor Bar on its TENTH anniversary!
Written by Trish Kelly V126
October 2015
