BWFS

History

Ancient History

As this week we celebrate 800 Dinners some of you might like to take another look at this document. It dates from 1991 and records the first 500.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/yu22rcduy45/500th_Dinner.pdf/file

Farewell from the President

More about Jim

I last saw Jim at his home on the 2nd April to have a chat with him about his Membership of the Society for this year. When I say I went to have a chat it ended up with Jim doing the chatting and me doing the listening but looking back that was just what he needed. He regaled numerous stories from his past and it was evident that he really enjoyed life, well most of it anyway, and in particular travelling, good food and great wine. His association with the Wine and Food Society was, as we know a big part of his life and he was immensely grateful for and proud of the recognition of his 50 years last year. Jim was also very interested in the drug treatment he was receiving and felt that he was, if nothing else, helping those who may need the same treatment in the future. Whilst physically Jim was not in the best of shape when I was with him, mentally he was still as sharp as ever and was desperate to attend a Wine and Food Society Dinner again. No doubt, wherever he may be now, he is at the big table chatting about those bottles that he put into the cellar.

Thank you Jim for your contribution.
Andrew Bradley

Jim Patterson Valedictory

Vale Jim Patterson

Jim died on Tuesday this week; there is as yet no family notice. I hope that this tribute to the man I knew does not cause any offence.

To realise how important The Wine and Food Society was take a quick look at his LinkedIn page. Under the heading “education “ Jim lists President and cellar master WFS Ballarat. Indeed I think it was an education for Jim and a knowledge he wanted to share.

Jim was not always the easiest of guys to relate too. In latter years he was very deaf and had a “grumpy’ manner which is common to many members of the society, probably a symptom of spending too much time on their own. However, beneath the exterior was a good sense of humour and some passions. Jim was a graduate of Point Cook in 1954. He loved to fly. He and I swapped stories, I have a family connection, a son who says there are two types of pilot “ the old and the bold’, meaning the bold usually don’t become old. I suspect Jim was the exception to the rule.

Jim was a loyal father and obviously attractive to women, some said, “He loved well and too often”.

He will be remembered by the society for years; his legacy lives on in the Cellar. Jim had a philosophy “buy the best, not too much”. I think that’s not a bad memory.

Cheers Jim,

Bob House.