Mr Craig Evans, owner of the McDonalds franchises at Taree North and the highway service centre at Taree South, was born in Sydney, his father a police officer stationed at Bankstown. Craig educated at St Josephs and St Clare's in Taree.

McDonalds opened in Taree 1990, and on November 21 Craig had his first shift, working for original owners, John and Helen Ross. In 1995 he became the supervisor manager, in 2006 he purchased Taree and Forster stores, eventually selling the Forster franchise and opening Taree South. In the past 30 years he has had more than 3500 employees work there, 15 to 70 years of age, with a payroll of $5 million. McDonalds employs 100,000 country wide.

Craig is currently chairman of the marketing committee. That role is to conclude soon, which means he will spend more time at local outlets. They allocate $30,000 to $40,000 per year on sponsorships, 65 per cent to 70 per cent spent through the drive through, with the average spend of $10 per customer.

McDonalds opened its first store in Yagoona, Sydney in 1971.

The marketing committee are releasing in mid January a vegetable pattie for their burger choice.

John Gibbs thanked Craig for his interesting addition to the days program.

Mr Ray Glover, a keen golfer, and a professional pianist, was born in 1927 in Lakembah. He grew up in Bankstown, walked to school, learned the piano at age six years, left school at 12 years and obtained work as an apprentice electrician, because his dad wanted him to have a real job. He met his wife of 21 years. Piano was his preferred choice of career, as he could get none quid a week as an electrician, or 12 quid for three nights as a pianist.

Now 92 years of age, Ray moved to Old Bar 11 years ago. He worked for Jack Davey variety show host with a 40 piece orchestra, his moto being "Do it Right the First Time". He once worked in Hong Kong for six weeks playing for 25 minutes a night.

Ray was musical directer at the ABC, playing shows for opera singers, radio and variety shows, and he considered them exciting times. When he returns to a future meeting, an instrument will be arranged for him to entertain us with some tunes.

In answer to a question from members, he considered the late Eartha Kitt to be the most difficult celebrity.

Terry Britten thanked Ray for his contribution to the day's meeting.

Terry Britten then presented Mr Herb Deacon with his 25 years of membership certificate. Herb has held a number of positions on committee and is a valued member of our group.

Member Alex Drury gave a short summary of his years growing up on a dairy farm on Jones Island, 100 acres of flood prone property.

Born in Taree in 1936, he can remember during a flood in 1950 rowing up the Pacific Highway, to check cattle further up the property. He attended Ghinni Ghinni Public School, he and his siblings were taught by the same teacher at the same school.

He finished school in 1951, and in 1954 went to Grafton to work for Peters on dairy farm compliance issues.

He married in 1958 and he and his wife have four children, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild. They worked their own small goods business until retirement.

Member Alan Martin was born at Burrell Creek, grew up in Taree, attended Taree High and went into teaching, primary and secondary, in the Hunter and Taree areas. Alan is a cousin of the late cricketing great Johnny Martin.

Alan is 87 years of age. He captained a cricket team that played Ritchie Benaud on Taree Park. His claim to fame is that he bowled out Neil Harvey.

Alan is now retired, living in Old Bar, is a regular attendee at club events.