THE Friendship Club of Holsworthy held the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, September 15. This was the 61st AGM of what was originally created as the Over 60s Club in 1947 and on this occasion it was the final AGM, bcause the Friendship Club has now become dissolved.

It was a very sad day for the members who did attend the meeting, and ultimately a sad day for Holsworthy.

The situation begs the question Why? The answer is very simple "old age" is the guilty factor.

The AGM is the constitutional vehicle whereby amongst other items it is to elect officers to be responsible to, and for the organisation.

Suddenly the anomaly arises whereby all three principal officers, that is, the chairman, the secretary and the treasurer, did not wish to stand for re-election into their respective office, and the reason for this is purely old age. All the retiring officers claim they are getting older, and it is time to take a rest from the responsibility. Mrs Marge Hunt, said: "I have been secretary for the 24 years now , because nobody else would take it on. I am nearly 80 and I need to take a rest, I have done the job for long enough and it is time for somebody younge to take it on."

The treasurer, Mrs Jean Harris, was in a similar position, not quite so old, but had been in office for 11 years, the same identical reason — getting older and wanting to take a rest, time to have somebody else take on the job.

It was slightly different with the chairman, Mrs Carol Moon, who joined the team twoyears ago to assist

Marge in place of Mrs Eileen Roake who was ill, but that assistance is no longer needed.

There was an opportunity for members to express their feelings and comments regarding the club and the future.One of our members was approached — Celia Sanders, who stated to the meeting that she was already involved with four other organisations as treasurer, and did not wish to take on another account.

There were 25 members present at the AGM whose ages range from 72 to 91; we recognise the plight the club is in and have made efforts to increase and improve the membership, but to no avail. There is to be one more full members meeting to discuss what should be done in respect of the club assetts, and any outsta nding obligations, and then the Friendship Club of Holsworthy will pass into history...

But to the future — who knows? Perhaps a younger generation, fresh blood, fresh ideas, will suggest that an Over 60's Club, would be a good thing for the older folk, and a good thing for the town...and off we go again....

Eric Taylor.