Where Will Probus Take You in 2023?

Anew year always brings a level of excitement about the opportunities ahead, whether you want to get out and about more, make new friends or learn new skills, it is the possibility of those new experiences that makes us smile.

Probus Clubs provide all those opportunities, and so much more…

There are so many benefits to being a Probus member: companionship of like-minded friends in your local community; monthly meetings where you get to hear from interesting guest speakers and enjoy morning tea or lunch; regular interest groups; fun outings and activities; and exciting travel with friends! Probus members also have access to exclusive discounts from our Probus Partners and the Members Benefit Scheme.

Probus members who are so inclined can join their Club Committees and contribute to their Club’s leadership. Members who have particular interests can coordinate groups within their Club to discuss, practice or investigate those interests. Members who would rather be surprised and have an eclectic mix of meetings and trips from which to have their pick, can do just that!

Club members across the country are busily preparing for the year ahead and in this cover story, we share some information about their Probus journeys.

Mary is the Secretary of the new Bilgola Plateau Probus Club (NSW). Having only started late in 2022, the Club is still in its infancy. Mary holds one of the 2 committee positions filled in the early days and has been involved in the start-up of the Club. At first, Mary was daunted by the task, having never been involved in anything like this, she wondered, “what have we gotten ourselves into?”

Soon, the details started coming together. Mary found an amazing coconspirator in Club President Patricia, of whom she speaks very highly. With different professional backgrounds, and a wealth of experience in different areas

– the two ladies create a fruitful collaboration. Mary says Patricia’s style of leadership is “so energetic! She has so many fun ideas.”

As the Club begins to find its footing and members get to know each other better, Mary adores being at her local shops and getting a “tap on the shoulder,” when someone from the Club has recognised her. One of the biggest benefits of the friends she is making in her Club is that she’s creating a Probus family within her local community. She notes that in her future, “it will become more important than ever to have a friendship group being local” to her home and loves building friendships with great people.

Mary and Patricia cannot wait to get into this year and fill their calendars with activities with their new friends - traveling, exploring, eating, and learning.

More established Clubs have already hit the ground running and have started their 2023 activities. Centenary Probus Club (QLD) have a Summer BBQ Breakfast in the park each January. Lane Cove Probus Club (NSW) have a day out in lieu of the January monthly meeting. This year, 17 members took advantage of the $2.50 daily cap on Gold Opal travel and caught a bus and ferry into Watsons Bay for a delicious seafood lunch.

Through the amazing community connections they’ve built, Cootamundra Combined Probus (NSW) had the Wombat Café opened especially for them. Member Carolyn says the Club enjoyed “beautiful delicacies such as fresh scones, vanilla slices, cheesecakes etc. Many also took home goodies for the freezer. We will be back again soon.”

Whether being outdoors is how you want to spend summer, or you’d rather shelter from the heat inside with a game of cards – your local Probus Club can provide. If there is a lake near your home, chances are there is a Probus Club that rows, rides, or walks around it. Many Clubs have within them walking groups, book clubs, bike riding, chess and so much more. Mount Ommaney (QLD) member Jean credited her bridge group with helping to keep her connected when she hurt her back and could no longer drive. Charles Darwin Probus Club (NT) have a book club that meet every month while Marrara Probus Club (NT) have a weekly writer’s group. Melbourne Bearbrass Probus Club (VIC) have science clubs with interests in physics, astronomy, chemistry and even horticulture and fermentation (well … winemaking.) Freemantle Probus Club (WA) have regular barefoot bowls days, whilst down the coast, the Bunbury Ladies Probus Club (WA) love a mystery bus tour. The Probus Club of Victor Harbor/Granite Island (SA) have multiple activities each week. So, if Latte Girls or walking group isn’t of interest, maybe a bonsai meeting or weekly e-bikers event is.

Any given month, fascinating guest speakers will be entertaining Clubs with informative and lively presentations. Whittlesea Combined Probus Club

(VIC) had the pleasure of hosting Rob Kerr, Secretary of the Victorian Apiarists Association, give a fascinating talk on beekeeping –complete with dress-up segment. Fraser Coast Hervey Bay Combined Probus Club (QLD) had a visit by two Police Constables who spoke about personal safety and were delightful, by all accounts. A clinical healthcare musician presented and played her harp for the Horsham Combined Probus Club (VIC). Professional storyteller and public speaker Arthur Thomas Ware has presented to 196 Probus Clubs over the past 26 years!

Cheryl from Patterson Lakes Probus Club (VIC) joined her local Probus after moving to a new area. She said “joining Probus has given me social interaction, helping me settle into retirement. I love the bus trips best.”

Probus Clubs organise local visits, bus trips, interstate travel and overseas trips to suit their members and satiate their interests. Ismay from Ulverston Ladies Probus Club (Tas) -who has been with the Club for 17 years and been President 3 times- organised a trip to the Great Lake in Tasmania, “which included visiting the amazing Wall in the Wilderness,” she said. The Wall in the Wilderness was a highlight for many members, who enjoyed exploring their gorgeous state. www.probussouthpacific.org. our humanitarian spirit will be felt, long after you’re gone.

If tropical holidays are more your speed, John from Probus Club of Narre Warren (VIC) organised a trip for some of their members to Norfolk Island in January.

Clubs have travelled all over our great country and all over the world, to wherever their members wanted to go, to do whatever activities interested them.

The power of a Probus Club is that it is YOUR Club. You decide how much involvement you have in the committee, how many activities you want to be involved with and what you want to do with your time. Plus, you get to do so with like-minded people. Probus Club members say how easy it is to find your kindred spirits in a group of people who are in the same position. People who know the difficulty in retiring from a career that meant so much to them or who had adult children move away, and who can help each other figure out what the next stage of their lives is going to be about.

Members will talk about their Probus travels and adventures, guest speakers and new hobbies, outings and meals, new things they’ve seen and learned and how much fun they have with their Probus Clubs. However, if you ask a Probian what they value most about their Probus Club, the answer will always be friendship.

Not a member of your local Probus Club yet, visit our website to find your local Probus Club.