This week we were happy to welcome back President Greg to the meeting, having already seen him on Zoom for a couple of weeks. He started the meeting off with a welcome to our Guest Speaker Robert Millis and his wife Kay. He also welcomed Carol Kidd and Carol Hayllar, who were present, and Marion Trevellyan, Chris Booth, Rob Alexander and Col Byatt who were all on Zoom. (It’s great to see our Zoom offering becoming a viable option. Ed.)

 

Next, Greg read out the various apologies and then thanked the members for all the support he had received. He also reminded the members of the upcoming Rotary International Conference and then handed the meeting over to this week’s Chair, Ross Whitehead.

 

Ross now introduced the night’s Speaker, Robert Millis, whose subject was a Brief History of Fruit and Vegetable Marketing in Victoria.

 

 

Robert began by going back to 1835 when there was a market garden on what is now Spenser Street. This was 70% run by Chinese farmers supplying food to the gold fields and the burgeoning town of Melbourne. In 1841 the first official market, the Western Market was opened. The convenience of ships being able to come right up the Yarra to the town meant that fruit and veg’ could be easily brought to the Market for sale.

 

 

The Western Market was Melbourne's first official fruit and vegetable market, established just six years after the city's founding. It grew to take up an entire block bounded by Market, Collins and William streets in the central business district. The expansion of Melbourne to the east led to the establishment of the Eastern Market in the late 1840s, which quickly overtook the Western Market in popularity. The Queen Victoria Market was established in 1878.

 

 

Eventually the Footscray Wholesale and Retail Market was established in 1981. Robert said that it was an exciting place to work but, in those early days, had little regard for Occupational Health and Safety regulations. Even given that “excitement” there were very few accidents and everyone worked hard and fast.

 

Now he moved on to the current situations, talking about the massive market at Epping which is Victoria’s wholesale fruit, vegetable and cut flower trading centre, one of six central fresh produce markets in Australia. It is on 67 hectares and deals with Growers, Wholesalers and Retailers.

 

 

Big Growers cover all of the States and there is always a constant tension between the Merchants and the Governments. Wholesalers source their products from Growers all over Australia and we were reminded that “specials” always affect the Grower, not the  Wholesaler/Retailer.

 

The Market workload is ever increasing and currently there are 6000+ working at the Market with a day that now starts at 12:30 am whereas it used to be 2:30 am.

 

 

Things are just getting bigger and the Footscray and Epping Flower Sheds are also very well run.

 

Ross thanked Robert for his engaging and interesting talk.

 

Now the Chair called for the Secretary’s Report. Secretary Mark came to the lectern and gave his report:

Mark spoke briefly about the next Market. There are 32 invoiced Stallholders and more volunteers are required.

 

Ross now called for Directors Reports.

 

Mike said that the telephone number on the trailer would be corrected. Changeover Night preparations were progressing well and all future Directors have been appointed.

 

Charles announced that he had had a meeting with the organisers of the Easter Event which had ended satisfactorily but with some minor issues to be worked out. The Club had made $9,900 for the event and there was a possible new gig on Fathers Day at Cape Schanck which was to be investigated.

 

Merv said that the Salvos had approached the Club to see if we would participate in their Red Shield Appeal on May 20/21.

 

 

There were no further Reports so Lotto was drawn and it was won by John.

 

Merv ran the Fines session, picking on Birthdays, Name Tags, Returnees and those who didn’t do a shift at Easter. (Quite a variety of victims. Ed)

 

Ross handed back to Greg who again thanked our Guest Speaker. He also thanked all attendees, especially those on Zoom, and closed the meeting at 8:10.

 

Don’t forget that Elaine and Rob are now collecting aluminium cans as well as your old pill foils.

 

 

 

"I am delighted to announce that we had a major milestone event on Sunday to celebrate a significant “0” birthday for Carol.

 

Due to the generosity of the participants we managed to raise $650 (less $18.4 Paypal commission) via our Website QR-Code and a further $550 via cheque and cash.

 

This is all in aid of our earthquake appeal.

 

I have transferred the Paypal funds to our bank account and will hand the cash and cheque to Treasurer Bernard on Wednesday.

 

Regards

Rick"