ILLAWARRA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION
Some extracts from the Minute Book commencing 8th March 1954. prepared by David Coates The Association was then known as the Illawarra Chemists Association.
In these extracts I have tried to mention members when their names first appear in the Minutes. Not every meeting is mentioned unless the business was noteworthy or it was an Annual General Meeting or a name appeared for the first time.
8th March 1954
Present were John Robinson, Vice President, (Dapto) Joan Moore, Secretary (Wollongong), F Liney (Wollongong), Tom Hallett (Port Kembla), Neville Carr (Balgownie), Leon Rothman (Wollongong), Peter Andrews (Gwynneville), Bert Taylor (Wollongong), R.Flett (Woonona), Frank Bailey (Wollongong), Jim Gallagher (Wollongong), Jack Callachor (Woonona), T.V.Cooney (Thirroul), Doug Roberts (Bulli)
There were 7 Executive members from the Guild and Society from Sydney.
There was a great fuss because South Coast Medical Benefits Fund was going to pay 2.5% instead of 5% commission. Compulsory Unionism was also a worry to the meeting.
Chemist Only Policy: It was announced that during Dettol month Reckitt and Colman had increased their sales by 30%. March is Ipana month and members were reminded that Ipana had been Chemist Only for 30 years!
9th September 1954
President Frank Redden in chair. Among those present were Reg Gibb (Corrimal), Noel Anderson (Wollongong). There was an apology from Lindsay Martin
Highlight of the Meeting was the report by Joan Moore of the meeting she and Leon Rothman had with the South Coast Medical Benefits Fund (now NIB) which resulted in an offer of 5% commission.
8th December 1954
Among those present was Keith Yeatman
The meeting worried at possible entry of Friendly Society Dispensary. There was also concern about over the counter sales of Penicillins, Dexedrine and Sulphas.
3rd May 1954
Among those present were Neville Adams (apprenticed to Brian Sloane), T Bowden (Dapto), Mr and Mrs Grew (Austinmere), Kevin Lawler (Dapto).
Leslie Smith, State Branch President, and Mr Connolly, the Secretary, were present and Mr Smith spoke about the legal position of Pharmacists in connection with NHS dispensing. Neville Carr addressed the meeting and told of the cavalier treatment he had received at the hands of Departmental Officers who had revoked his Approval Number. These officers seemed to have more power than the police and taxation Inspectors combined!
6th May 1955
Among those present was Bill James
Discussed were non-uniform pricing and late payment for Mechanics Institute dispensing
The main business of the night was discussion of an Illawarra Mercury Report and Headlines “Racket by Chemists” about the retaining of scripts and of ‘channelling’
2nd August 1956
Discussed were dispensing by Wollongong Hospital of scripts for T.B. Patients and complaint that NHS would no longer supply an itemised list of repriced scripts with monthly statements of Payment.
3rd October 1957
Among those present were Ray Kerr.
The big matter of dicussion was the fact that Heinz were going “open” with their baby foods and that the large stores were price-cutting. This Association and the Guild decided to fight Heinz and blackball their products. It was stated that 65% of all Heinz Baby foods were sold through Pharmacy and that we are powerful as “Chemists literally control the Heinz Baby Food Market”.
It was decided (to bring Heinz to their knees) that all stock of Heinz Foods be withdrawn from stock as from
1st November 1957.
One member stated that it was the principle concerned - not the pounds, shilling and pence or goodwill. Many other lines may fall into the same category if we lose this battle.
12th May 1958
A slide presentation at Phillip House was put on by Parke Davis: “The changing face of Pharmacy” comparing Pharmacy in U.S.A. and Australia.
1st March 1959
A special Meeting called because one of the Crown Street After Hours Roster Members, Frank Meurant , was prosecuted for trading after hours.
1st October 1959 Annual General Meeting
Among those present were Alan Kahler, David Coates and Ross Fyffe.
Name changed to Illawarra Pharmacists Association
Joan Moore stood down from the position of Secretary which she had held since the inception of the Association.
New Office Bearers
President:
Frank Reddan
Vice Presidents:
Doug Roberts
Tom Hallett
(nominated by D Coates)
Secretary:
Noel Anderson
Treasurer:
Fred Liney
Business included after-hours dispensing, introduction of a 5 shilling fee for NHS Scripts - the Guild requested a levy of 10 pounds per member to fight the introduction of the 5 shilling charge in the High Court.
Members wer urged to approach Federal MP’s to lobby against the 5 shilling Fee.
Mr Carr, seconded by Mr Coates, proposed that “A letter be sent to the Guild
Secretary drawing his attention to advertising in the ‘Telegraph’ of 30.9.59 of
price cut of 1 shilling on Ipana Toothpaste at ‘Big Bear’ Supermarket” - Carried
29th March 1962 Annual General Meeting
Among those present were Fred Bear, Phillip Payne, Ian Brown, Bill Madden, Ken Stewart, Kevin Mulqueeny, Frank Mackey, Rod McKinley. Apologies from Ron Moclair, David Clarke.
New Office Bearers
President:
Neville Carr
Vice Presidents:
Frank Redden
Tom Hallett
Doug Roberts
Noel Anderson
Jack MacDonald
Mr Henderson
Miss Joan Moore
Tony Bowden
Secretary:
Rod McKinley
Treasurer:
Fred Liney
Treasurer pointed out that most members were unfinancial.
Mr Hallett moved that an annual Cocktail Party and Dinner be held for members and guests.
19th August 1963
Present were Wendy Williams, Philip Brake, John Faihrman, Mr Cameron, Ron Holloway.
An Illawarra Medico-Pharmaceutical Liason Committee was set up
Guild Representatives spoke about the proposed Restrictive Trades Practice Bill and its implications for the P.A.T.A. (Protected Articles Trades Association - a price fixing organisation)
14th October 1963 Annual General Meeting
Among those present were Bruce Bellingham, Warwick Landers
New Office Bearers
President:
Neville Carr
Vice Presidents:
Frank Redden
Jack McDonald
Secretary:
Tony Bowden
Treasurer:
Fred Liney
Merchandising Sub-Committee:
Jack McDonald, Doug Roberts, Ian Brown
A motion was moved that the Guild take steps to prevent the purchase of antibiotics from any company or manufacturer who offer discounts or bonuses which effect the base price.
20th March 1964
Among those present were John Cushen, Bob Salisbury
The meeting was concerned about the illegal sale of Restricted Drugs
13th November1964 Annual General Meeting
Among those present were Mr and Mrs Murray. Apology from Mrs Joan Exton.
Among the items which concerned the meeting was price-cutting
5th April 1965 Special Meeting
Federal Guild Vice-President, Ray Fellar, and State Secretary, Cec Walsh, spoke on the NHS negotiations. Tom Hallett wanted to strike against the 5/- NHS Fee. Ray Feller said you would only need a few who would not strike.
3rd December 1965 Annual General Meeting
Phillip Morrissey, Bill McCrea, Rob Champion, David Bradbury were among those present.
New Office Bearers
President:
Tony Bowden
Vice Presidents:
Neville Carr
Keith Yeatman
Secretary:
Ian Brown
Treasurer:
Kevin Mulqueeney
Merchandising Sub-Committee:
Kevin Lawler, Rob Champion, David Bradbury, Doug Roberts, Bill McCrea
It was moved by Kevin Mulqueeney, seconded by Neville Adams, that the Annual Subscription be 1 pound ($2).
Late trading, Decimal Currency changeover, and medical samples to Doctors being re-sold, were among the matters discussed.
29th April 1966
Laurie Sheppard, Peter Martin, John Murray, Leo Shortis, Mr Virtue, Miss C Sutter (Caroline Githens) were among those present.
Committee formed to organise a pharmacy scholarship scheme
Committee formed to organise an Emergency prescription Service.A film “Fertility Control - the Role of Oral Contraceptives” was then shown by Eli Lilly representatives
22nd July 1966
Bill Giffen was among those present
The main business of the meeting was to set up an After Hours Dispensary Service Partnership.
23rd November 1966 Annual General Meeting
New Office Bearers
President:
Tony Bowden
Vice Presidents:
David Clark
Bill Ferguson
Secretary:
Ian Brown
Treasurer:
Kevin Mulqueeney
Merchandising Committee:
David Bradbury, Kevin Lawler, Alan Kahler, Rob Champion, Doug Roberts.
A motion “That this Association formally requests the Pharmacy Board to close the Wollongong and Warrawong Hospital Dispensaries until a registered Pharmacist is employed for full time employment” was lost.
