VALEDICTORY
MR V. W. CHARKER FAREWELLED
Last Friday evening the members of the Charters Towers Civic Club met to bid farewell to one of their popular members, Mr. V..W. Charker, who has been manager of the Commonwealth Bank for the last three years. Mr. L. N. McLeod, president of the Club, in a few well chosen remarks, congratulated Mr. Charker on his transfer to Auburn, New South Wales. Mr. Charker, during his period of residence in Charters Towers, said the speaker, had proved himself a good clubman, and would be missed, not only at the Club, but also at the Bowling Club. The speaker expressed his regret that the Club was losing the services of Mr. Charker from the Committee. As a member of the House Committee his services had been of great value to the Club; as Green Director of the Bowling Club he had rendered a great service to the members, in bringing the Green to the present state of perfection. It was a credit to Mr. Charrker, and compared more than favourably with the majority of greens in North Queensland. The speaker concluded by wishing Mr. Charker continued success in his calling, and health and prosperity, not only to himself, but also to Mrs. Charker and Pat. Mr. A R. Peverley neatly supported Mr. McLeod's remarks. He knew that Mr. Charker would go a long way in the service of the Commonwealth Bank, because "you can't keep a good man down." He knew Mr. Charker to be a "good man" and had heard him spoken of in high terms of praise by men in the street who represented the business people of Charters Towers. As a clubman and a bowler be would be missed, and he was sure that in the years to come, Mr. Charker would not regret his association with Charters Towers, and would look back with satisfaction on the pleasure his efforts in connection with the Bowling Club had provided. He joined with Mr. McLeod in wishing Mr. Charker, Mrs. Charker and daughter future happiness and success. Mr. E. Barnett supported the remarks of the previous speakers, and referred to his association, with Mr. Charker as a banker. In banking they had their rules and regulations, but when small differences arose these were disposed of amicably. He regretted Mr. Charker's departure, and hoped that the cordial relationship now existing between his bank and the Commonwealth Bank would not be disturbed. He did not think it would be, because he had met Mr. Charker's successor, Mr. Edmondson, and was sure that it would continue to exist. Mr. Barnett extended a welcome to Mr. Edmondson, and hoped his stay in Charters Towers would be a happy one. The speaker concluded by wishing Mr. Charker and his family health and prosperity. Mr. G. Urquhart said that as Secretary of the Civic Club and of the Bowling Club he had been intimately associated with Mr. Charker during the last three years. Mr. Charker as a committeeman of both clubs had proved a tower of strength, and for this reason he regretted his departure very much. He wished Mr. Charker every success for the future, and congratulated him on his transfer. Dr. Edmeades said his grief at Mr. Charter's departure was a personal one. He was now Green Director of the Bowling Club. In humorous vein he mentioned that if he so desired he could resign immediately, as he was told that there was no work to do. The position had been misrepresented to him, because, during the few days since his appointment, he had not been away from the green. He felt, however, that if after a shower of rain the members wished to bowl, the green would be declared open, but it they did not wish to bowl, the green would be declared closed- "that will be easy." The Doctor then endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. Mr. McLeod then presented Mr. Charker with a travelling rug and cushion as a token, of the esteem in which he was held by the members of the club. He expressed the hope that when Mr. Charker wrapped himself in the rug and laid his head upon the cushion he would remember his many friends in Charters Towers. With musical honors a toast to the future happiness of Mr. Charker was drunk by the members. Mr. Charker, responding amid applause, humourously declared that he was disappointed - disappointed in two ways. First of all he was disappointed with the President's speech. He had heard Mr. McLeod express himself more fully in fewer words one night when fishing on the banks of the Burdekin River, when the only bites they got were those of mosquitoes. His second disappointment was that two of his great friends present were too bashful to say a few words. Seriously, he regretted leaving so many good friends behind, and it was a thought that saddened him. In his position he had to move on when instructed to do so by his head office, and his leave-taking that evening reminded him of others when he had left behind so many great friends. He knew he would miss his Charters Towers friends. Mr. Charker thanked the members of the club for their gift. He would always remember Charters Towers. He thanked Mr. Barnett for his reference to their cordial relationship, and expressed the opinion, that the relationship with Mr. Barnett and Mr. Edmondson would be equally cordial. Referring to the complimentary remarks made by the various speakers, he assured the members that any services he had rendered to the club had been a pleasure to him. Regarding the Bowling Club, as a prime mover in its establishment he had had many early set-backs, and it was not until Mr. Urquhart became interested that any thing definite was accomplished. The members had a wonderful man in their secretary. He could not pay Mr. Urquhart a greater compliment than that. He would always honor him as a very great friend. Mr. Charker expressed the hope that he would meet most of the members again in the fu- ture, and concluded by thanking them for their good wishes for the future health and prosperity of himself, Mrs. Charter, and daughter, Pat. A toast of welcome was then proposed by Mr. McLeod to Mr. A. G. Edmondson, who has been appointed Manager of the Commonwealth Bank, vice Mr. Charker. The President hoped Mr. Edmondson and Mrs. Ed- mondson would enjoy their stay in Charters Towers, and was pleased that Mr. Edmondnon had become a member of both the Civic and Bowling Clubs. Mr. Edmondson thanked Mr. McLeod for his words of welcome. He said he would endeavour to follow in Mr. Charker's footsteps, and hoped that his relationship with the members would be as cordial as that enjoyed by Mr. Charker.
At the bowling green on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a large gathering of members of the Club, the President (Mr. L. N. McLecod) presented Mr. Charker with a gold mounted club badge as a memento of esteem from the club members. The health of Mr. Charker was honored to the accompaniment of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.''
Source: The Northern Miner 28 May 1936
DEATH. MRS. EVANS.
The death took place at her late residence at Merewether on Friday last of Mrs Evans, wife of Mr Percival H. Evans, and mother of Mrs. E. Meredith, of Muswellbrook. The late Mrs. Evans was well-known in Muswellbrook, where she had resided for many yeurs prior to going to Newcastle. Deceased had been in ill-health for several years. The late Mrs. Evans, who was 73 is survived by her husband, and the following sons and daughters: Malcolm (Muswellbrook), Victor (Sydney), Gladys (Mrs. G. McBride),Beryl (Mrs. J. H. Priest), Edna Mrs. D. Frater), and Madge (Mrs. E. Meredith). The remains were cremated at the Beresfleld Crematorium on Friday last.
Source: The Muswellbrook Chronicle 5 Dec 1944