Rosemary Mason - Argonauts Club - MESSENE 24
My parents threatened that they would actually buy a television if we didn’t do our homework, and as a family, we chose not to have TV until I finished Year 12. As a result, the Children’s Hour, and the Argonauts, were of immense importance to me.
I was glued to the radio often for five or ten minutes before the program, and I think I daily endured the Stock Exchange report (but maybe that was at the end). I sat there, watching the radio almost reverently.
I loved the Muddle Headed Wombat, and Jimmy and Mac, and the segments on art, literature and music. They inspired me to try things like entering the competitions (I remember my only ability at art was soap carving, which left my hands soft and gentle but would not have won any art competitions). But everything was acknowledged, and certificates issued.
How exciting it was to wait for the post and see if it brought one of those valued pieces of paper! I didn’t trade in many of my certificates, but I did use six Blue Certificates for a copy of “A Taste for Blue Ribbons” after having listened to it in serial form over many weeks during the show. I loved that book, and read it many times. I could hear the dialogue in my head straight from the people who recorded it for audio.
I learned about Jason and the Argonauts and read the history. I challenged myself in writing, nature observation, art, music, and never felt slighted or inferior. I felt sorry for the ‘rowers’ who were called out as being ill, and wished them well. When my own Messene 24 was read out for any reason I was so excited.
In retrospect, I could put my later love of music, history and literature in some part down to this show. What a pity I didn’t involve myself in any mathematical activities they might have run!
Good rowing!
Rosemary Chapple (AKA G.F. Messene 24)
I was glued to the radio often for five or ten minutes before the program, and I think I daily endured the Stock Exchange report (but maybe that was at the end). I sat there, watching the radio almost reverently.
I loved the Muddle Headed Wombat, and Jimmy and Mac, and the segments on art, literature and music. They inspired me to try things like entering the competitions (I remember my only ability at art was soap carving, which left my hands soft and gentle but would not have won any art competitions). But everything was acknowledged, and certificates issued.
How exciting it was to wait for the post and see if it brought one of those valued pieces of paper! I didn’t trade in many of my certificates, but I did use six Blue Certificates for a copy of “A Taste for Blue Ribbons” after having listened to it in serial form over many weeks during the show. I loved that book, and read it many times. I could hear the dialogue in my head straight from the people who recorded it for audio.
I learned about Jason and the Argonauts and read the history. I challenged myself in writing, nature observation, art, music, and never felt slighted or inferior. I felt sorry for the ‘rowers’ who were called out as being ill, and wished them well. When my own Messene 24 was read out for any reason I was so excited.
In retrospect, I could put my later love of music, history and literature in some part down to this show. What a pity I didn’t involve myself in any mathematical activities they might have run!
Good rowing!
Rosemary Chapple (AKA G.F. Messene 24)
Rosemary makes it sound so easy. But in actual fact, her achievements were outstanding.
The Argonauts club involved participation from the members. Quality work sent in, resulted in a Blue Certificate which was worth one point.
Impressive contributions resulted in a Purple Certificate which was worth 3 points.
Six Blue Certificates or 6 points could be used to redeem a book. In the 2nd grouping of certificates you can see they are missing the perforated strip on the right, which means Rosemary redeemed several books.
In the 3rd group you will notice the perforated strips are still attached to the Blue Certificates. At the end of the 3rd group I have included scans of a couple of the reverse sides of the perforated strips which contains the same details as is on the front of the certificates.
A card system was maintained by the ABC, for each member. Every contribution was marked on a scale of 1 to 30. Once you reached 50 or 100 points your ship name and position was read out on air to note your progress. 150 points resulted in the Dragon's Tooth Certificate and Badge. 400 points and you were awarded the Golden Fleece Certificate and Badge. A further award was added, the Golden Fleece and Bar, when you reached 600 points.
As you can see below, Rosemary earned her first Blue Certificate on the 11th August 1964 and qualified for the Golden Fleece Certificate and Badge on 10th May 1968. An impressive run. Between the two dates, Rosemary would also have received the Dragons Tooth Certificate and Badge.
Rosemary didn't stop there. She continued earning Blue Certificates right through to 1st April 1971, one year before the Argonauts finished on the 2nd April 1972.
I am so relieved that Rosemary kept these certificates and other documents all these years, instead of tossing them. Unfortunately the ABC destroyed the card system, so I cannot tell you how many members earned the Dragons Tooth, Golden Fleece badges and Certificates.
But what a mighty effort by Rosemary Mason (Messene 24). I only hope Rosemary finds more items.
Ian Grieve
The Argonauts club involved participation from the members. Quality work sent in, resulted in a Blue Certificate which was worth one point.
Impressive contributions resulted in a Purple Certificate which was worth 3 points.
Six Blue Certificates or 6 points could be used to redeem a book. In the 2nd grouping of certificates you can see they are missing the perforated strip on the right, which means Rosemary redeemed several books.
In the 3rd group you will notice the perforated strips are still attached to the Blue Certificates. At the end of the 3rd group I have included scans of a couple of the reverse sides of the perforated strips which contains the same details as is on the front of the certificates.
A card system was maintained by the ABC, for each member. Every contribution was marked on a scale of 1 to 30. Once you reached 50 or 100 points your ship name and position was read out on air to note your progress. 150 points resulted in the Dragon's Tooth Certificate and Badge. 400 points and you were awarded the Golden Fleece Certificate and Badge. A further award was added, the Golden Fleece and Bar, when you reached 600 points.
As you can see below, Rosemary earned her first Blue Certificate on the 11th August 1964 and qualified for the Golden Fleece Certificate and Badge on 10th May 1968. An impressive run. Between the two dates, Rosemary would also have received the Dragons Tooth Certificate and Badge.
Rosemary didn't stop there. She continued earning Blue Certificates right through to 1st April 1971, one year before the Argonauts finished on the 2nd April 1972.
I am so relieved that Rosemary kept these certificates and other documents all these years, instead of tossing them. Unfortunately the ABC destroyed the card system, so I cannot tell you how many members earned the Dragons Tooth, Golden Fleece badges and Certificates.
But what a mighty effort by Rosemary Mason (Messene 24). I only hope Rosemary finds more items.
Ian Grieve
Rosemary has found some more items to share with you.
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I certainly learnt something new. I didn't realise that the Dragons Tooth Certificate is approximately A5 and the Golden Fleece Certificate is roughly A4 in size.
