APEX 40

OBE's for Apex 40 Founders

Neil Hookey and Lionel Mussell, the two founders of Apex 40, both turned 40 in November 1971 and retired from Apex in August 1972. It was at the Apex National Convention that year in Perth that Neil and Lionel decided to do something about establishing some form of association for retired Apexians that would enable them to retain the friendships they had made during their years in Apex. Later that year they gathered together another six past Apexians and from that and a few subsequent meetings Apex 40 was born in July 1973.

Forty years on Neil and Lionel, though not officially recognised by Her Majesty, have nevertheless attained the Over Bloody Eighty and are still going strong. Neil celebrated his birthday with a gathering of many friends for dinner at Kew Heights Sports Club where Neil plays bowls. Lionel's daughter surprised him by inviting a number of friends to join them at the Balnarring picnic races. Lionel had a couple of other surprises that day when he was "arrested" by the police and when he found himself surrounded by a bevy of young ladies.

Neil and Margaret Hookey at Neil's birthday celebration

Neil and son, Trevor, cut the cake

Lionel is 'arrested' by friendly police

Lionel and Ladies

AGM 2011

Fifty one members of Apex 40 clubs in Australia attended a most enjoyable weekend Rort and AGM at Nelson, NZ, over the weekend of 4-5 June 2011.

The President's chain was handed over to incoming president, Alan Bach on Sunday morning following the AGM.

Forty eight Apex 40 members joined Derek and Tina Johns on the second part of the 2011 Post Rort Tour after a hearty breakfast on Monday morning.

Photos are still being added to our gallery - maybe we can add some of your photos?
More information is also coming .... soon!

Theebine Combined Lunch.

Sunday 27th March 2011

Just off the 'Beaten Track' some 20 minutes north of Gympie is the small country town of Theebine. The town is set in the foot of the Gunalda Range and boasts as its local watering hole, the very popular Theebine Hotel. It appears that this hotel has been a popular meeting place for local Apexians and was the chosen venue for the first combined meeting of the Hervey Bay, Maryborough (Qld.), and Gympie Apex 40 Clubs.

Mary and I jumped at the invitation to attend the Sunday lunch and had a typically great afternoon of Apex fellowship. The Hotel some 100 years ago was known as the Kilkivan Theebine Junction Hotel and was built to service the train junction opposite. The town has a history of being the gateway responsible for opening the South Burnett Region of Queensland. Many travellers hurry by on the nearby Bruce Highway and miss this historical treasure of Australia.

Not so Apex 40 - Even a few heavy showers could not dampen the enthusiasm of those who enjoyed a long lunch under the covered Beer Garden. Gaileen entertained us with her 'one man band show' and everyone enjoyed her range of country, rock & roll, ballads, favourites and cheered her eagerness to play our requests.

Vince and Donna Boeske from the Apex Camp at Mudjimba also made the trek to Theebine for the afternoon. Vince is the Manager of the Mudjimba Apex Camp and is very enthusiastic about its future. If you have not heard about the Mudjimba Camp Vince has plans to change that.

Before lunch, 2012 Rort Committee Members from the Maryborough and Hervey Bay Clubs met to put the final touches on the Fraser Coast Bush 'N' Beach Rort ready for the presentation that will be unveiled in Nelson, New Zealand. Maryborough Club President, Brian Fulmer and Hervey Bay Club President, Col Baker and their respective club members are well on track with their planning. Keep the last weekend in May 2012 free for a trip to the Fraser Coast and watch out for their promos after NZ.

The raffle proceeds went to the Fraser Coast Bush 'N' Beach Rort and the Fines Session Collection was donated to the Mudjimba Apex Camp. Hervey Bay Club was the first to leave and from all reports the bus trip home was a riot and topped off a great day for the members. When we left Tom Colley and his club members from the Gympie 'Old Buggers' were still going strong. Gympie Apex 40 members are all quite young really - Their 'Old Bugger' shirts are going to be really faded before we will classify them as 'Old. When someone tells you that they received their Apex Life Membership in 2006, hell that was just the other day, that's not old is it?

I am confident we will see many who were at the lunch at next years Rort, many of them will be at the Muster in August and there are strong moves to make the 'Combined Lunch' an Annual Event.

Count us in and thanks again for the invite,

Alan Bach, NVP

Photos have been added to our gallery: