The Glyde-In Committee 2023/24

 gordon macnish chair webJane Vallance (Chair)

I am a long- term resident of East Fremantle and discovered Glyde-In after I retired and wanted to learn the ukelele. Fifteen students in the beginner class made appalling noise but surprisingly, it was so much fun! Soon we produced something that sounded like music! I had discovered what the Glyde-In is all about - that is, come in, be challenged, learn something new and make new friends. I was amazed to learn that the Glyde-In runs primarily on a small army of volunteers, a small grant from the local council and funds generated from membership, program fees and fundraising. I was keen to be involved and joined the Committee two years ago. I am honoured to now be Chair and eager to continue contributing to such a vibrant and diverse community organisation.

 

 mal christison web Julie Robertson (Deputy Chair)

 After more than 40 years teaching at a Secondary College as a Biology/Human Biology specialist, I retired and began to look for exciting things to do. I have also been actively involved in sporting and community groups, whilst raising my own children, and continue to do relief teaching in the Fremantle area. I was  delighted to accidentally discover Glyde-In and, over the past 5 - 6 years, have done many art classes, started MahJong and listened to many guest speakers. I was also enouraged to join the "Out & About" team as both a volunteer bus driver and an excursion organiser. This has proved to be interesting, fun and stimulating - and has resulted in me making many new friends. I hope I will make a worthwhile contribution to the wonderful East Fremantle institution.


 

mal christison web

    Mal Christison (Secretary)

Retirement from the engineering industry has allowed me time to get involved in our community, which has proven to be a highly rewarding experience. 5 years ago, I joined our Management Committee and was impressed by this group of caring and capable volunteers. I was honoured to be elected Committee Chair for 4 years, where we faced interesting challenges with staff changes and COVID. We successfully negotiated a rolling funding agreement with the Town of East Fremantle, which gave our centre some much-appreciated financial security. We formed a sub-committee to reinvigorate our Out&About programme and have seen the most excellent patronage from our members. I am grateful for my involvement with our Glyde-In Committee as it has given me a sense of purpose and belonging.

 

Kerry D pic    Kerry Donovan (Treasurer)

This is my fifth year on the committee and I am delighted to be re-nominated as Treasurer. Glyde-In is a great hub for learning and social engagement. I am impressed by the way the centre is managed, the wide range of activities and the excellent quality of the speakers and tutors. I retired in 2014 from a senior management role for a large public training organisation. I am currently on two
management committees with St. John of God Murdoch Hospital and was elected to the Town of East Fremantle Council in 2019, and very much enjoy my role as a consumer advocate. I look forward to continuing to work with the Management Committee and hope to add value to the future running and planning of the Centre.

 

 

Jono

   Gordon MacNish

When I retired and moved to East Fremantle, I decided I had best find some new friends. I heard that there was a walking group at a place called Glyde-In. So in October 2003 I joined the Thursday morning walking group and that was the beginning of a wonderful relationship with Glyde-In. I felt honoured when I was elected to the Management Committee in 2011. Since then the centre has become a major part of my life. I believe in Glyde-In and its aims. We call it a ʻCommunity Learning Centreʼ, but itʼs also a support centre making a valuable contribution to our community. I believe I am fortunate to be able to continue supporting this special organisation.

 

 

Jono

    Jono Farmer 

45 years ago, I built a house in East Fremantle, became a councillor in the Town and was one of the Councillors who voted to alow a group of Mothers to start Glyde-In in 1981. 24 years later, I joined this vibrant organisation where I have since served as Vice Chair, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary as well as a Committee member for a lot of the intervening years. The Centre has undergone many changes during these years: creating a deck at the rear of the cottage, an aquaponics system, wicking beds, a new Garden room, a garden of memories to name just a few projects in which I have been involved. So! I am part of Glyde-In and believe I still have something to contribute.

 

 

 

 BarryRoss smallBarry Ross

After retiring from over 40 years in the Marine/Mechanical Engineering field in many countries, I now find a need to participate more in my community of East Fremantle. When I learnt of the activities provided by the Glyde-In Community Learning Centre, I began to attend their lectures and outings, and soon learnt that it filled a desire to contribute further. Thanks to the friendship shown by Sandra, Jono and Mal, I joined the Out ʻn About committee in Term 3 (2021) and have now been elected as a Management Committee member. I hope my qualifications and experience will add to the already successful operation of the centre.

 

 Terry tea copyTerry Mercer

I was introduced to Glyde-In by my wife several years ago and was immediately struck by the wonderful warmth and feeling of community shown by all people that I encountered and this hasn't changed. I got more involved by doing odd jobs around the centre as well as attending many classes and becoming an occasional tutor. I have been on the committee for some years and enjoy being involved in the operation and management of Glyde-In. I am a retired mechanical engineer whose interests include woodwork and photography.

 

 

Terry tea copy Robert Potts

My background is mixed; I was a Naval Officer for 24 years, then attended several universities and lived overseas. I later served Aboriginal Communities in the Kimberley. I am a member of the RSL, East Fremantle Lions, Defence Force Welfare Association, Naval Historical Society, and the WA Military Association. I was a Glyde-In committee member for a few years previously and am very honoured to be elected back onto the committee for 2021/22. Iʼve enjoyed attending programmed events and visits over the past few years, particularly the visits to Dwellingup and the Hotham Valley railroad. May there be many more! Glyde-in has many activities to meet community expectations. As a Committee member, I shall endeavour to encourage diverse and different activities.

 

 

 

JonoRod Harris

My professional background for nearly 35 years is as a registered builder and builder inspector. I am still working but limited hours so I have been looking for somewhere I can give back to the community, I spent many enjoyable years in Rotary in the Great Southern working on community projects. I was recently introduced to Glyde-In Community Learning Centre by an existing member and have enjoyed meeting the other members. I look forward working as committee member being able to assist in ongoing projects and creating new ones.

 

 

Viveca Rains Viveca Rains

The power of people, knowledge, skills and friendships is so strong and embracing at Glyde-In that when I was approached to be a committee member I was thrilled. Such great involvement by others motivated me to want to contribute to the ongoing success of our centre. Since moving to the Fremantle area some 12 years ago I, like so many, have enjoyed the interesting talks and outings offered by Glyde-In, as well as the ongoing learning, observation and conversation. The centre has strengthened my belief in what life after work should look like. In the past I was a business partner in a small Mining/Civil company and was fortunate enough to be a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Queensland for 2 years. I look forward to working with the committee and staff in the ongoing success story.

 

 Bronwen St John StephensBronwen St John-Stephens

I moved to East Fremantle in 2000 while working as Theatre Secretary at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, a position I held for 28½ years until my retirement in 2016. Prior to that, I spent eight years living in Kambalda, where I was appointed Community Development Officer, worked as a Country Journalist and volunteered for St John-Ambulance. I was introduced to the Glyde-In in May 2016, have enthusiastically participated in many of the activities and feel honoured to be elected to the
Committee.