Savage Club honours Don

The Eltham Savage Club awarded a 60-year membership badge to Don Drabble whose legacy includes a rise-and-fall stage.

Club member Jim Frandsen told the Stratford Press that Don has, over the years, been a great worker for the club, doing all the required electrical work, and helping with all the building needs and painting.

``His workmanship has always been of the highest quality, and his efforts may be seen all around the hall. None
more so than the designing and the making of the rise-and-fall stage which Eltham's Savages are so proud of. 

``There would be very few  New Zealand halls that when lowered almost double the hall size, combining the supper room with the main hall.''

Don has performed throughout New Zealand as a songster, musician, storyteller and sketch artist as well as
being in a haka group, and to many groups including the RSA and senior citizens.

`His harmonica playing was of note, as was his keyboard and double bass playing,'' adds Jim.

Past dominion president Patsy Lawson presented the badge to Don.

Don's wife Margaret has also been a member of the club for a number of years.

``It was a wonderful evening for all and Don enjoyed cutting the cake that had been presented in his honour and the congratulations that went with it.''

Don is a life member of the club and is a past Rangatira and long-time committee member who has served the club over  60 years ``with distinction''.