October-November 2022 Active Retirees Digital Magazine

MARCH/

This October will be filled with wonderful celebrations as Probus Day/Month is embraced by Clubs enjoying a wide variety of events including the lighting of public buildings and structures across the country in our very own Probus blue and gold. I am attending several of these special gatherings and looking forward to meeting many fellow members while enjoying the fun and friendship during these festivities.

In the past year, I have also had the opportunity to attend numerous Clubs’ anniversary events celebrating ten, twenty, twenty-five, thirty, thirtyfive Club birthdays and a very special fortieth.

Isn’t it great when you make new acquaintances, meet like-minded people, and quickly connect? This was my experience recently when I was finally able to personally meet individuals whom I had been meeting via ZOOM for the past two and a half years. The occasion was when Directors of Probus South Pacific met in August at our Sydney office for our quarterly Board Meeting and PSPL’s Annual General Meeting.

I was honoured to accept the nomination for another three-year Board term as the Queensland State Representative Member/Director well as being elected as Chairman for another year. I will be supported in this role by Vice Chairman and Representative Director for Victoria and Tasmania Michael Ransom. Many thanks to Bill Killinger who represents New South Wales and ACT on the Board, and who has been outstanding in his role as Vice Chairman for the past year.

Thank you for your confidence in me – I value and respect the role of Chairman of this very special organisation and will do my best to maintain your belief in my abilities.

May I also record my gratitude to David Simpson as retiring Past Chairman, having served five and a half years as a Director, his commitment and representation of South Australian and Northern Territory Clubs have been outstanding and includes the formation of several new Clubs.

Earlier this year we welcomed our new Treasurer, David Ekert and Rotary Liaison Director Merv Richens. We also regrettably farewelled Victorian Director and Acting Treasurer Bruce Morley and Treasurer Doug Newman.

I applaud each of our past and current Directors for their valuable contributions - thank you seems inadequate – perhaps felicitations or congratulations may better express my admiration.

Thank you also to our resilient and tenacious CEO Silvana and her team of warriors, be assured that their advice and support is only a phone call or email away.

All of our Directors and staff are committed to ensuring the future viability and growth of our Probus Community. As we emerge from the restrictions of the pandemic, we are focused on building awareness of Probus to enrich the lives of others while increasing and strengthening our membership.

We are seeking your support to increase our membership and build again to our early 2020 levels in order to share the positive Probus experience with others. Please tell your friends and acquaintances about the many benefits of membership and encourage them to join us.

For us, as members of Probus and the many hundreds of thousands of active retirees, our message is clear - the key to maintaining a fulfilling lifestyle in retirement is to stay socially connected and to enjoy the company of likeminded people.

On a local basis, if you have any ideas for new special interest groups or other suggestions to share with your Club’s Committee, you will be making a positive contribution to your own Club and to your Probus friends.

Cheers and best wishes.

Judith Maestracci AM Chairman | Probus South Pacific Ltd

Something for everyone! GROUP TRAVEL

While sometimes it can be interesting and enjoyable to plan your own holiday itinerary, for many of us it is timeconsuming and simply overwhelming. When you’ve been dreaming of discovering a new destination, you know what sights you want to see, the local delicacies you want to taste and cultures you want to experience – but it’s the ‘how’ that is easy to overlook. Luckily, that’s what we specialise in.

Guided touring takes away the complexities and unknowns giving you the freedom to enjoy, explore, eat, engage and be entertained without the stress of planning or fear of leaving anything out. Whether you’re travelling on your own or with family and friends, one of the greatest blessings to come from travel is the inspiring people you meet and lifelong friendships created. Group travel is the ultimate facilitator of friendships, and our holidays attract people from all over the world who are looking to travel with likeminded explorers. No matter who you are, where you

come from, or what your passions are, a diverse range of travellers choose to travel on a guided tour, and you will make genuine, lasting connections on board. When travelling on a guided tour, of course we make sure you see all the bucket list items (after all, the icons are iconic for a reason) and take you to the main tourist attractions - often with priority entry and VIP experiences. However, we’ll also reveal the local secrets of each destination and give you the time to uncover its gems at your own pace. Food can be just as important as the travel so we’ve hand pick a number of authentic dining experiences from Michelin star restaurants that will have your taste buds dancing to delicious farm-totable feasts and ‘do it like the locals’ street food that’ll have you’ll siping, savouring and sensing the local flair with every meal.

Whether you want to see the sights at leisure, enjoy an active itinerary, stay in one region or whirl around multiple countries, we have a trip for you. YOUR MEMBER SAVINGS

As

travelling with TTC’s awardwinning

Costsaver;

with

wonder

and

Gold;

Boutique River Cruises. Uncover

own backyard, or discover fabulous international

of travel experiences across 7 continents.

Dream holidays without the stress of the ‘what ifs’, is what we do. We design our tours so you can experience the world differently. You’ll get the personal service, attention to detail and ease you’re looking for, while enjoying the unmissable icons and one-of-a-kind experiences you’ve always dreamed of.

BEST OF FRANCE

Expect only the best on one of our favourite France trips from the elegant Loire Valley château to the sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera.

BRITAIN AND IRELAND HIGHLIGHTS

Witness the genius of Shakespeare, Waterford crystal creations in Ireland and a hearty Welsh dinner at a local vineyard in just over one week.

Go beyond sightseeing and make lasting connections on a premium guided tour. Enjoy authentic experiences, stylish hotels and an expertly trained Travel Director to ensure a fabulous, seamless journey.

TREASURES OF ITALY

Discover the Jewels of Italy and its Islands, explore the Eternal City with a Local Expert and cruise to Capri for unparalleled views.

COUNTRY ROADS OF CROATIA

Discover Croatia’s rich heritage and stunning Dalmatian coastline—with fascinating itineraries curated by Local Experts.

A world of immersive journeys awaits you, each with VIP experiences, exceptional dining, magnificent hotels and a Travelling Concierge who’s there to tailor everything to your desires.

MAJESTIC SWITZERLAND

From St. Moritz to Zermatt and onto Geneva, this once-in-a-lifetime itinerary ventures across the captivating landscapes of Switzerland.

2 COUNTRIES

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL IN STYLE

Embrace the Passion and Culture of Spain & Portugal as you explore Madrid’s Prado Museum and Granada’s grand Alhambra Palace.

13 DAYS | 9 CITIES | 2 COUNTRIES

key to a thriving Club

offering a welcoming environment, exciting

variety of

PAST ISSUES

the official publication for the Probus organisation in Australia. Active Retirees is a trademark of Probus South Pacific Limited. ACN 152 374 395

Maestracci AM Michael Ransom David Ekert

Tony Blaber, Peter Turner, Graeme Brown, John Hall, Bill Killinger and Merv Richens

PSPL Administration PO Box 1294, Parramatta NSW 2124 1300 630 488 (Australia) 0800 14776 287 (New Zealand) email admin@probussouthpacific.org website www.probussouthpacific.org

Active Retirees Production & Management

South Pacific Limited

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monikap@probussouthpacific.org

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Brereton

alex@citrusmedia.com.au

Active Retirees Australia Disclaimer.

Retirees is published by Probus South Pacific Limited (ACN 152 374 395) (PSPL). Advertisers and contributors to Active Retirees acknowledge that they are aware of and undertake to comply with the provisions of applicable State and Federal discrimination legislation and the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 in relation to false and misleading advertising or statements and unfair practices. PSPL does not accept any responsibility for such breaches. Opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of PSPL. All articles are general in nature. Individuals should seek expert advice before acting on any information contained in Active Retirees. PSPL does not make any warranties in relation to the information provided and, to the full extent allowed by law, disclaim all warranties of any kind, express or implied. All material in Active Retirees is copyright and may not be produced in whole or in part without the express written permission of PSPL. Advertisers and contributors warrant that photographs provided for print in Active Retirees do not infringe the intellectual property or moral rights of any third party and that the advertiser or contributor holds all necessary permits and licences.

PROBUS PARTNERS

S T R A N G E R S

R E S T A U R A N T C H R I S T M A S T H E M E D L U N C H D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 2

R E A D Y , S E T

L E T ' S T R A V E L !

T h e p l a n e s a r e b a c k i n t h e a i r , t r a i n s a n d c o a c h e s a r e m o v i n g a n d t h e c r u i s e l i n e s a r e s a i l i n g , s o n o w i t ’ s t i m e t o b o o k y o u r d r e a m h o l i d a y a n d h a v e a n a d v e n t u r e .

W H E R E T O G O ?

I n t e r n a t i o n a l t o u r i n g i s w e l l a n d t r u l y b a c k o n t h e m e n u a n d T r a d e T r a v e l a r e e x c i t e d t o r e l e a s e m o r e o p t i o n s i n t h e c o m i n g m o n t h s t o t e m p t t h e t r a v e l a p p e t i t e . S o m e o l d f a v o u r i t e s a r e b a c k i n c l u d i n g N e w Z e a l a n d , C o o k I s l a n d s , M a u r i t i u s , V i e t n a m , S r i L a n k a , S a b a h B o r n e o , J a p a n a n d S i n g a p o r e O f c o u r s e t h e r e a r e a l w a y s s o m e n e w d e s t i n a t i o n s i n t h e w i n g s s o k e e p a n e y e o n t h e T r a d e T r a v e l w e b s i t e .

T h e A u s t r a l i a n d o m e s t i c d e s t i n a t i o n s c o n t i n u e t o b e p o p u l a r w i t h T r a d e T r a v e l a s a l w a y s o f f e r i n g a p o i n t o f d i f f e r e n c e w i t h c a r e f u l l y p r e p a r e d , f u l l y e s c o r t e d t o u r i t i n e r a r i e s w i t h a f o c u s o n t h e i r c l i e n t ’ s e nj o y m e n t a n d e x p e r i e n c e

S P E C I A L E V E N T T O U R S

W a t c h o u t f o r t h e T r a d e T r a v e l ‘ S p e c i a l E v e n t s T o u r s ’ C e l e b r a t e ‘ B o u n t y D a y ’ o n N o r f o l k , s p e c t a c u l a r l i g h t s o f V i v i d S y d n e y , t h e H u n t e r V a l l e y C h r i s t m a s L i g h t s a n d t h e s t u n n i n g f l o w e r a n d g a r d e n e v e n t s i n M e l b o u r n e , B a l l a r a t , C a n b e r r a , T o o w o o m b a a n d T a b l e C a p e T a s m a n i a t o m e n t i o n a f e w

D o n ' t f o r g e t t h e T r a d e T r a v e l P u b l i c D e p a r t u r e b r o c h u r e , u p d a t e d e a c h q u a r t e r a n d a g r e a t w a y f o r i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s t o t r a v e l w i t h l i k e m i n d e d p e o p l e a n d e x p e r i e n c e s o m e t h i n g n e w . J u s t c a l l t h e i r o f f i c e i f y o u w o u l d l i k e a c o p y

H E A R T F E L T T H A N K Y O U

I t h a s b e e n a b u s y y e a r a s T r a d e T r a v e l l o o k s b a c k a n d c e l e b r a t e s 3 0 y e a r s o f t o u r i n g a d v e n t u r e s a n d a v e r y l o n g a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h t h e P r o b u s C o m m u n i t y , o f f i c i a l l y s u p p o r t i n g P r o b u s S o u t h P a c i f i c s i n c e 2 0 0 5 .

P r o u d l y c o n t i n u i n g t h e i r s u p p o r t a s S i l v e r P a r t n e r s , T r a d e T r a v e l w o u l d l i k e t o e x t e n d a b i g T h a n k y o u f o r t h e s u p p o r t s h o w n f r o m t h e m e m b e r s h i p o v e r t h e y e a r s a n d f o r c o n t i n u i n g t h i s v a l u e d p a r t n e r s h i p .

NORFOLK

Can

hear the laughter?

Meet our newest Probus partner

Audika are a part of Demant, a company originating in Denmark that began because of founder Hans Demant’s passion for helping his hearingimpaired wife in the early 1900s. We have carried that passion through time, and across countries.

Backed by 115 years of global experience and hearing care leadership, Audika promise expertise, care, technology and value for every ear. More than 280,000 Australian and New Zealand clients have entrusted their hearing to our expert teams.

Why is hearing health important?

Hearing health is important to our general health and wellbeing. Untreated hearing loss can have a big impact on the life of the person suffering the loss, and their loved ones. Living with hearing loss may affect more than your ability to hear.

Untreated hearing loss can impact your ability to communicate and connect with your loved ones, and it can have health impacts such as increased risk of dementia and mental strain

Getting regular hearing health checks is the first important step towards maintaining good hearing health, and Audika offer free hearing checks for adults over 26. Should a hearing loss be detected, the expert hearing health teams are able to offer advanced hearing technology solutions that suit a variety of budgets.

Invite us to your next event

Hearing is an important part of staying connected to your circle of friends. When you care for your hearing, you’re caring for your health and wellbeing – and we want to help Probus Members to love their ears and stay connected to their world.

Here’s what’s on offer:

• Hearing health expert to talk about hearing health

Together, Probus and Audika are offering a range of services and discounts to Probus Club members across Australia and New Zealand. Apply now to have one of our hearing health experts attend your next local meeting or event, where your members will be offered free hearing checks and advice on hearing health.

• Free* hearing checks for all event attendees

• 10% off the Optimal and Premium range of hearing devices.

Ask your local Probus Club to book one of our hearing health experts today!

Probus Club Members receive 10% off the Optimal and Premium range of hearing devices purchased from an Audika hearing clinic.

Request an Audika hearing health expert to attend your next event, FREE. Visit Audika.com.au/probus-partnership

^Visit

*FREE

BEST OF BRITISH THE

From John O’Groats to Land’s End, an epic journey of discovery awaits...

Worldwide Caravan and Motorhome Holidays, a subsidiary of the Caravan and Motorhome Club in the United Kingdom, invites you to join them on a fantastic 38-day locally guided journey of discovery to explore a nation steeped in history and grand traditions. Be inspired by the outstanding natural beauty of the English countryside, the remote highlands of Scotland, picturesque harbour villages, historic castles and stately homes, spectacular national parks and welcoming locals.

With everything taken care of for you, you’ll still have complete freedom to roam and uncover new places at your own pace. Whether you’re travelling as a couple, alone or as a party of three or four, you’re sure to enjoy the social side of touring and make lifelong friends along the way.

SCOTLAND, THE ADVENTURE BEGINS...

Your journey commences in the beautiful and cultured city of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. Explore the local sights before meeting your guides and fellow travellers at a welcome dinner. Having collected your motorhomes, travel north to Inverness where you enjoy a cruise on Loch Ness and visit the 1,000-year old Urquhart Castle. Then set off on a truly unique touring experience, driving the iconic North Coast 500, described by former Top Gear and Grand Tour television presenter Jeremy Clarkson, as his favourite ever road trip. Travelling deep into the sparsely-populated and remote wilderness of the Scottish Highlands, you’ll encounter breathtaking scenery, historic ruins, castles, distilleries, breweries and white sandy beaches. Take time to visit the Isle of Skye, home to some of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes and be sure stop at the internationally famous, Eilean Donan Castle. At Fort William, you’ll enjoy a scenic rail journey on the Jacobite Steam Train (also known as the Hogwarts Express, featured in the Harry Potter films) and there is also the opportunity to visit nearby Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. Another highlight is a stay near Loch Lomond, in the heart of the Trossachs National Park, surrounded by charming rural villages and offering a wide range of outdoor activities.

VISIT THE LAKE AND PEAK DISTRICTS

Having enjoyed the last 14 days exploring Scotland, you’ll cross the border into England and enjoy a three-night stay in the Lake District, the UK’s most popular national park. It’s easy to see why Cumbria’s lakes captivated the likes of Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth with many guided walks and water-based activities to enjoy. You’ll then journey across the Pennines and Dales to the historic walled city of York, founded by the ancient Romans some 2,000 years ago. Learn about the city’s history with a locally-guided walking tour before continuing on to the high hills of the Peak District, home to numerous attractions. Your base is the spa town of Buxton and a visit to nearby Chatsworth House, one of the largest and most elegant stately homes in the UK, is highly recommended. Stop at the pretty medieval market town of Stratford-uponAvon, birthplace of renowned playwrite Shakespeare, as you make your way to the Cotwolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and home to many beautiful, honeycoloured stone villages. During your stay, enjoy a day trip to the city of Oxford and a tour of nearby Blenheim Palace. From here, it’s a short drive to the nearby historic city of Bath, famed for its splendid Roman Spa and outstanding Georgian architecture.

THE CELTIC COUNTY OF CORNWALL

Travel though the ‘West Country’ to the Celtic County of Cornwall. Located in the far west of Great Britain on a peninsula tumbling into the vast Atlantic Ocean, it is almost completely surrounded by sea. The dramatic coastline is peppered with captivating, historic fishing villages with wonderful names like Looe, Fowey, Mevagissey, Mousehole and Cadgwith. Enjoy a visit to those made famous by popular television shows like Port Isaac in the muchloved Doc Martin, the beautiful village of Polperro featured in Poldark and of course, Padstow the home of celebrity chef, Rick Stein. Great pubs, stunning scenery, culinary delights and activities galore await you and be sure not to miss out on a traditional Cornish pasty or cream tea! Explore Dorset’s Jurassic Coast before visiting Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument dating back over 5,000 years and Winchester, one of England’s finest historical cities. Your journey ends with a three-night stay in London where you’ll enjoy a full day excursion to Hampton Court Palace and the historic market town of Windsor before sadly bidding farewell to your newfound friends.

LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE

Tours are filling fast so book now to secure your place.

Call us on 1300 982 950 or send us an email reservations@alanrogers.com for more information.

Probians can save $1,200 per couple by booking by 31 October 2022.

4-star hotel accommodation in Edinburgh (two nights) and London (three nights) with breakfasts included

33 days fully inclusive motorhome rental

32 nights pre-booked campsites

Multi-night stopovers

Welcome and farewell dinners Day tours in key locations

Transfers and entrance fees as shown in the itinerary

Locally guided throughout your stay

Plus much more

Please contact us to arrange flights and stopovers if required

Leave a gift in your Will and transform the lives of children now and for generations to come

Leaving a gift in your Will, even as little as 1%, is a powerful way to make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of children far beyond your lifetime.

One of the largest and most trusted kids’ health charities in the country, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation exists to provide all children with access to the best possible healthcare, whenever and wherever they need it.

Investing in children’s healthcare is a gift to future generations and your legacy towards making the world a better place.

Learn more about leaving a Gift in Your Will by contacting the Planned Giving team at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation on 1800 770 122, or email us at bequests@schf.org.au.

“My late husband dedicated his life to caring for sick children. To honour him and that commitment, I’m leaving a gift in my Will to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation. My intent is that this gift will continue his legacy and benefit sick children’s health and well-being.” Kate, Planned Giver

What you need to know about making a Will

When you think about your future, you may think about how you want to be remembered. Perhaps it’s as caring, kind, or inspirational. Whatever your values, they deserve to live on.

Did you know that close to 50 percent of Australians over the age of 18 do not have a valid Will? It is often the case that people do not think about making a Will until much later in life, or they do not believe they have enough assets to warrant having a Will. However, it is never too early or too late to get your affairs in order.

Having a Will is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. Not only can a Will protect your spouse, children, and assets, it ensures that your possessions go to the people you want them to, such as your family and friends.

If you do not have a Will, this is known as intestate, and your estate may be divided amongst relatives according to the government’s formula (“intestacy rules”), which may not reflect your wishes and can cause complications, delays and extra costs for your loved ones. If you don’t have relatives closer than a first cousin, your estate will go to the government.

Making a Will

A Will is a formal legal document that gives you the opportunity to:

• Provide for the people you care about

Appoint a guardian for your children

• Leave particular items to certain people make a gift to your favourite charity

• appoint a person you trust to carry out the instructions in your Will (your executor)

• leave other instructions you may have (for example your funeral wishes)

If you would like to further discuss anything about your Will or would like a copy of our Guide to making a Will, please contact the Planned Giving Team at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation on 1800 770 122 or email us at bequests@schf.org.au.

Simple Solutions

Your ongoing independence, safety and well-being is important. A few simple products along with some home modifications can go a long way towards keeping you healthy, happy, and independent for longer. Currently, in Australia, around 50% of the difficulties older Australians experience with daily living activities can be overcome using simple assistive technology equipment or modifications.

Here are 5 assistive product suggestions taken from LiveUp’s free Making Choices, Finding Solutions guide that can help you maintain or even regain your independence. Find the entire guide here www.liveup.org.au/mcfs.

1Pouring the kettle

Some kettles are difficult to hold, heavy to lift, and hard to fill. There are several smaller, lightweight versions to choose from that make it easier to use the kettle. Try filling the kettle using a plastic jug and have the kettle sitting in a kettle tipper, to make it easier to pour without lifting it.

Uccello Easy Pour Kettle, $119.99 www.ilsau.com.au

2 Turning taps on or off

Many crossbar taps require you to grip, hold and turn them using substantial strength. A simple and low-cost device like a plastic tap turner makes turning taps on and off easier.

evekare Cross Handle Tap Turners, $4.75 www.bunnings.com.au

4Getting in and out of the car Standing up from a car seat can be difficult without having something to hold onto. Try using a car grab assist handle on the side of your door and a swivel cushion on your seat to reduce the effort it takes to lift your legs out and around to stand up.

Assist bar, $39 www.thinkmobility.com.au

3

Putting on shoes, stockings, and socks

If reaching your feet is difficult, using equipment with a long handle like shoe horns and sock aids can make putting on shoes, stockings and socks much easier.

Dorking sock aid, $17 www.mobilityhq.com.au

5Picking things up off the floor

Try using a kneeling pad with a handy frame to give you extra support and comfort if you need to kneel to reach something. The padding protects your knees, and the frame will help you get back up. A kneeling pad is also a great product for people who enjoy being out and about in the garden.

Cyclone Foldable seat kneeler, $49.98 www.bunnings.com.au

If you’re ready to throw out tired stereotypes about ageing, try new interests, or take up some old ones, LiveUp can help you get started. Take the quick quiz for personalised advice about assistive products and tailored suggestions for strength and exercise, and social connections, all in your local area or online: www.liveup.org.au

A day trip to remember...

Enjoy a ferry ride & delicious lunch at Davistown RSL Club

Become a volunteer Digital Mentor for your Probus Club!

Congratulations to the latest 88 Probus Club Members who have just completed Stay In Touch’s program to become a Volunteer Digital Mentor. There are now over 200 Volunteer Digital Mentors in Australian Probus Clubs assisting our Probus members with technology.

Would you like to join them? Stay In Touch has received more government funding for a fourth program exclusive for Australian Probus Club members. Many Probus Club members throughout Australia are still not using technology, or struggle with digital technology and lack the support and encouragement they need to learn. Becoming a Volunteer Digital Mentor provides these members with the help and encouragement they need, assists in reducing isolation and loneliness, increases connectivity and communication, and provides a means of support for Clubs.

The program involves 2 x 2.5 hour small group training workshops via Zoom (compulsory), plus the opportunity to attend further training sessions between December 2021-July 2023 via Zoom (optional). All of this can be done from the comfort of

What do you need?

You do not have to be a tech wizard. To be successful as a Volunteer Digital Mentor you just need to have the desire to help and encourage others to learn. We will provide you with the technology toolkit basics to support you.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to improve your technology and mentoring skills, help your fellow Probus Club members and peers, and get to know other like-minded Probus Club members from other Clubs throughout Australia.

Feedback from our Volunteers:

We hear wonderful stories from our Volunteer Digital Mentors who have helped their members, their support has helped many, such as one lady who was able to join a family milestone birthday using Zoom, another was using the learning modules to improve her skills in the winter evenings, and another has learnt how to use her smart phone from scratch.

Some feedback from our Mentors:

“I believe this is one of the best initiatives any government has come up with, as far as ensuring senior citizens or anyone within the community are not left behind in this everchanging world. The structure and implementation of the Be Connected program is fantastic, as long as it continues to have the expertise of facilitators such as ‘Stay In Touch P/L’ teaching other members of the community to become mentors.” Glynis G

“I felt very privileged to have been able to be in the program and hope that Stay in Touch are able to continue providing these courses which are so necessary to older people who are scared of using their computers.” Lisbeth C

To find out more:

If you are interested in joining this program or would like more information, please register HERE for one of our two information sessions scheduled:

Wednesday 26th October –2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Thursday 27th October –1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Register Here Register Here

This is an Australian Government funded program with BeConnected, FREE for Seniors and over 50s and delivered by Stay In Touch.

Please note numbers are limited to 100 for this program.

goulburnaustralia.com.au

#goulburnaustralia

Make your next group tour a memorable one in Goulburn Australia. A range of tours are available within the region.

Guided Tours* include:

• Guided City Tour – A guide will board your coach and show you the sights of Goulburn, revealing the history and local tales behind many of the landmarks throughout the city.

• Hosted Day Tour – Make your way to Goulburn and enjoy a day out with your host. Including a Guided City Tour, morning tea, visits to some of our main attractions, lunch, afternoon tea, and a Goulburn Australia welcome bag.

• Miles Franklin Discovery Tour – Local researcher, Jennifer Lamb, will set the scene by starting your day with an illustrated talk outlining close connections between Goulburn, Miles Franklin and My Brilliant Career.

Self-Guided Tours include:

• Arts & Culture Immerse yourself in one of our captivating galleries and performance venues and let your imagination wander.

• History & Heritage Discover fascinating stories of our eclectic history through the abundance of museums, homesteads and stunning heritage architecture.

Or speak with our Groups Liaison Officer, Jacki, on: (02) 4823 4531 for a specialised itinerary for your group including suggested attractions and time frames to suit your needs and interests.

Show me the money /

Show me the money

In a report released by the McKell Institute, it was found that while the growing use of technology can be a disadvantage to older Australians, it can also improve their situation by dramatically increasing productivity and connectivity. In fact, there is a huge untapped employment market for older Australians. And if employers don’t catch on quickly, they’re doing themselves a disservice. As the population ages, people are working longer. But increasingly, they want to work on a more part-time basis rather than in full-time employment. And that’s where the sharing economy comes in

Finance

Uber

Uber was launched in Australia in 2012. And it didn’t take long for older Australians to turn to the ride-sharing app as another form of employment. With Uber, you’re technically working for yourself, so you choose your own hours and your areas to drive.

In NSW, Uber is working very hard to encourage older Australians to get behind the wheel and serve as drivers. While the service cannot disclose how many senior drivers are working with Uber at the moment, it’s understood that approximately one in six drivers are older than 55 years.

Of course, becoming an Uber driver isn’t as easy as signing up and hopping on the road. There are

some tests that need to be conducted including criminal background checks, driving history checks and an insurance check.

Additional conditions include the car being four-door and younger than nine years old. And of course, the driver must hold a valid driver’s licence.

Airtasker

Untapped skills are a fantastic way to bring in some extra money. Just because you don’t necessarily work in your profession anymore, doesn’t mean those skills should go to waste. Websites like Airtasker, Upwork and PeoplePerHour connect you with people who need services.

In terms of skills, Airtasker

Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you can’t use your skills to earn some extra cash.

leads the way. It’s a bevy of opportunities especially for outsourcing things like gardening, handyman work or business and admin jobs. That’s where you come in. Jobs required include everything from marketing to event photography and virtual assistances, and everything in between.

And the benefit of going through sites such as Airtasker is that you are insured for third-party injury or property damage, so you don’t need to worry about what you’ll do if something happens. The community marketplace is also safe in that all communication happens through the website or smart device app. You never have to give out your personal details; you can call or private message from the platform itself. Payment is also all done

through the platform, so the money never exchanges hands – a safer and more reliable option. Once you’ve completed your job, the hiring party ‘releases’ the payment from Airtasker, which then transfers it into your verified bank account.

On Airtasker alone, more than $3.5 million worth of tasks are posted every month and there’s potential for you to earn hundreds if not thousands of dollars. According to Airtasker, about 8.5 per cent of workers are aged 55 years or older.

It’s a similar concept when it comes to PeoplePerHour, who is apparently “in the business of dreams.” The company website describes its platform succinctly: “We connect talented experts with savvy businesses that search

for the right skills to get a job done quickly and with no hassle.” Launched in 2008, today the company boasts 1.5 million registered users across 89 countries and freelancers have earned more than $100 million through the platform.

Tax implications

Any money earned, regardless of whether it’s through the shared economy or not, is still a generation of income. This means there may be tax implications that you need to keep an eye on.

If it starts as a hobby and ends up making you a reasonable income, the tax office needs to know. So, keep a record of money going in and out, just in case.

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a

What is a selfmanaged super fund?

Aself- managed super fund (SMSF) is a private superannuation fund incorporating no more than 6 members that can be set up and managed personally by yourself. In the usual scenario, an employer would pay your super contribution into a larger retail or industry fund which then invests it along with millions of other dollars into low-risk and long-term yielding instruments. An SMSF however, gives you the sole responsibility of managing the investments that the fund undertakes, around which there are extremely strict rules and regulations.

How does an SMSF work?

An SMSF can have no more than six members in total and all members need to be signified trustees of the fund or directors of the company if involved in a corporate trustee structure. One of the foundational rules of any superannuation fund is that the fund must be run for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits, as stated in the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SIS Act).

Members who elect to run an SMSF must be responsible for investing the funds appropriately and must have an investment strategy that accounts for risk profiles of all members.

How can I set up an SMSF?

Setting up an SMSF isn’t the simplest of tasks. It can become so complicated that the ATO has released a 30page paper on how to actually do it properly, which can be found here.

Firstly, you need to decide whether you want an individual trustee or a corporate trustee structure. Then you need to appoint your trustees, after making sure they meet all the eligibility requirements they must sign a trustee declaration form within the first 21 days of consenting to become a trustee.

Next comes one of the most important steps of the process, creating your trust deed. It sets out how your fund will be managed and what it will be able to do.

Your fund needs to be registered with the ATO within the first 60 days of establishment to then receive a TFN and ABN from them. Then you can set up a bank account in order to purchase/sell assets.

Lastly, you will need an investment strategy which needs to clearly state the fund’s investment goals and the types of investments it can make. There is no specific documentation needed but there needs to something in writing and it must be reviewed regularly.

What are the rules?

There are thousands of rules, regulations and requirements when it comes to an SMSF. Firstly, you need to appoint and pay for your own auditor, who will audit the fund every year. Secondly, you need to keep all records and statements for at least five years, and in some instances ten years. Thirdly, you need to value your assets at least annually as well as complete your annual return every year.

You will need to organise and conduct trustee meetings, minute and scribe those meetings, and discuss/review your funds investment strategy regularly. These are just some of the highlight rules when it comes to an SMSF, there are thousands more.

Why should I get one?

The main reason people elect for an SMSF is control. You will know exactly where your superannuation funds are invested and usually, you will be able to track them every day. If you love to invest or have a knack for financial instruments, you may choose to have an SMSF.

In some cases, there are even cost advantages of having an SMSF. However, these really start becoming evident after you cross approx. $200,000 in your SMSF account. After this threshold is crossed, it is cheaper to own your own fund than to invest it with a larger retail fund.

Why shouldn’t I get one?

At the end of the day, you will be responsible for whatever happens in your fund. That includes the gains, but also the penalties, fines, breaches, disqualification of trustees and sometimes even criminal penalties.

Also, for it to be profitable/ competitive with retail superfunds, you need at least $200,000 to begin with. Those with less than $100,000 or $50,000 are more expensive to manage than retail funds.

All articles are general in nature. Individuals should seek expert advice before acting on any information contained in Active Retirees.

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A team effort to success

The key to a thriving Club is offering a welcoming environment, exciting outings, a variety of activities and interesting guest speakers.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic a number of Clubs have succeeded in actively recruiting new members into their club and maintaining a healthy Club membership. This was accomplished by hard work, dedication and members thinking outside the box and introducing new activities and outings.

We share the stories of three Clubs who managed to not only maintain their membership but grow to over 100 members. We encourage all Club members to get involved in their Club’s success.

Our Growth Story during COVID -19 - Taylors Lakes Probus Club

Our Club was formed in November 2013. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, we had grown progressively to 97 members. Post-COVID, we celebrated our eighth anniversary in November 2021 with 128 members and reached our Club membership limit of 130 members the following month. How was this achieved during the longest COVID lockdown in the world?

Throughout the pandemic, we maintained the Probus mantra of Fun, Friendship and Fellowship. We continued to maintain contact and reach out to all members during the lockdown and met whenever there was an easing of restrictions while following all the COVID requirements.

Our Club Foundation member, IT provider and current life member Chris upgraded our website and set up ZOOM access to enable the continuation of monthly Committee and General meetings. This was also used as a social platform for all members.

There were guest speakers, games of bingo, trivia and then general chats between members. A weekly ZOOM coffee catch-up was established and members could stay and chat for as long as they wished. During ZOOM meetings lucky attendees won a prize which was then collected in the open observing social distancing in a local car park. Newsletters continued to be produced and these were delivered to those in retirement villages and to those without internet/email.

For IT-challenged members having difficulty navigating the ZOOM program, a committee member or general member

would keep in contact by phone to check on their health and well-being as well as leave the newsletters and Probus magazines on their front porch, so they never felt left out of the loop. Often, they would still chat from their front porch, both keeping socially distanced and wearing masks.

We maintained a Melbourne Cup Sweep for all members on ZOOM. When able, Committee and General meetings were conducted in the open at Brimbank Park and outdoor walking groups also resumed.

Throughout the COVID period, existing members continued to renew their membership and we grew to 130 members through word of mouth, members’ personal contacts and the inactivity of neighbouring Clubs during lockdown.

The care shown by the Management Committee members and the Club members is a great example of the empathy and strength

of the Club towards its members. This has been repeated many times, when members have been injured, unwell or passed, it is a credit to all and one of the reasons for our increased membership.

A well-run organisation will always attract people and our Club has maintained strong numbers on the Committee, comprising members who were willing to work hard and deliver an excellent product/ service to the Club. Year on year, we have continued to innovate with new services to members and introduce new methods to deliver to each member. Clubs that continue to evolve and grow will also attract people who want to be part of this development. The range of events, the friendliness and fun that we show has given us a reputation, hence we retain and attract membership.

Above all the Probus principles of Fun, Friendship and Fellowship have been endorsed. Communication, making meetings fun, activities varied and plentiful and genuine concern for the welfare of fellow members have been the keys to our success.

How we grew our ClubThirroul Probus Club

Unbeknown to a group of local residents attending the Inaugural meeting of the Thirroul Probus Club on 11th November 2019, there was a virus starting to spread in Wuhan, China. This coronavirus has changed our lives now and for the years ahead.

This new group of people were only able to meet for five meetings before the Australian National Cabinet declared an emergency. Social distancing rules were introduced on 21st March 2020 and non-essential services including social gathering venues such as Clubs were shut down. So, what were we to do to keep this new Club active and viable until we could meet once again?

For the next eight months, we continued to stay in touch with the 110 members. Some of the things we did to keep our members

members who did not have email access. This let our members know that we were all in this together. To put as many pictures as possible into the newsletter, we created a section called “Out and About in Thirroul”. Members were encouraged to take photos of other members they met while out and about exercising and shopping etc. The newsletter also contained articles about our local library that was able to post books to library members.

Whilst restrictions were in place we promoted “Taste of ThirroulTaking it Home”. We suggested to members they include a takeaway to the weekly meal plan and send in a review for publication.

Members kept in touch by phoning each other and checking on the welfare of others in the Club, and our Club also established the Thirroul Probus website and a Thirroul Probus Facebook page to stay connected.

members to attend our small group dinners with 6-8 members at local restaurants. We kept it local because members couldn’t travel and to support table service restaurants who were doing it tough. This has proven to be very popular and continues. For the members who did not like to go out at night, we started monthly Buzzer lunches at local Clubs.

Now that we are more out and about and living with COVID, many members are travelling, so we have started a “Wish You Were Here” section in the newsletter where members send in holiday snaps,

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meeting place at a popular local licensed Club where we can utilise their full facilities at no cost. This assists in keeping members unified.

After COVID restrictions were eased we moved very quickly to invite all members back to our Club for three consecutive Monday luncheons. This enabled members to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

In addition, our Clubs Caravan and Camping Group have proved to be popular amongst members. Bookings are made at Caravan Parks with cabins thus catering for members without vans.

Some other important factors that have assisted us in growing our Club:

• Very cohesive Executive Committee

• Active Group Coordinators

• Keeping members fully informed of all Club activities

• Maintain interesting and inclusive programs

• Utilise Club’s surplus funds to subsidise excursions/outings where possible

• Invite community members/friends to Club social activities when appropriate. (e.g Probus Day) so they can experience Probus’s friendship and fellowship in action.

At our 1st Annual General Meeting, we inducted 32 new members who had signed up during COVID restrictions and lockdowns. We currently have 115 members and thankfully our Club has come through COVID in good health.

team effort to success

Our Club’s success storyArmadale Probus Club

A combination of good luck, good management and an enthusiastic, friendly group ensured the establishment and growth of Armadale Probus Club during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There’s a surprising story behind the successful launch of Armadale Probus by Malvern Rotary – the sponsor of the Armadale Probus Club. With the support of PSPL, a letterbox drop was conducted where 6,000 flyers were distributed within the local

A team effort to success /

Cover Story

area in January 2020.

After the letterbox drop, an interest meeting was held on 7th February 2020, and the Armadale Probus Club was formed when 90 people attended the meeting to determine any interest in forming a Probus Club in Armadale.

Two key players in the formation of the Armadale Probus Club were John, PSPL Ambassador and Bruce OAM, Past President of Keilor East Probus Club and past PSPL Director and Treasurer on the Board.

Bruce conducted the meeting with such enthusiasm, skill, and

recognition that the numbers present at the meeting of interest indicated that a Probus Club was viable. Bruce managed to identify from those present suitable people to form a Management Committee and we were on our way!

The success of the Club has been a team effort. The Foundation President Noel, Secretary Gerda and Treasurer Alan invited and coopted other members to be officers and strengthen the team! Our Management Committee includes the officers and decisions are very much a team effort!

The PSPL Handbook was an

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excellent guide for those of us new to Probus. We treated it as a guide rather than a rigid document and remain grateful for its information.

We were faced with many challenges due to repeated lockdowns and we understood the need for good, regular communication and safe activities to keep members connected.

President Noel set up and helped members access Zoom for the monthly meetings with guest speakers happy to present online. Our newsletter officer and data manager, Trish, has been instrumental in maintaining regular contact with wonderful newsletters including a calendar of events and contributions from members.

Our activities officer, Norma managed to arrange online ‘happy hours’ with a theme that provided great fun and friendship for members during lockdown.

Walking groups in various areas on different days of the week were formed. For safety, we walked in pairs, separated by safe distance and wearing masks when mandated. We understood the need for outdoor exercise for our physical health.

Sue established a book club that met online when contact was restricted. Between lockdowns, we enjoyed outings, dinners, luncheons, and a weekly coffee club morning.

We also acknowledge and thank our local Stonnington Council who has provided grants for use of a hall for our meetings and a cash grant to assist us to establish and maintain contact with older people in Stonnington. They appreciate, as we do,

new members with this cooperative, friendly approach.

Our challenge now as we look ahead is to identify opportunities for ‘fun and friendship’ while encouraging active participation of our members in running the Club and contributing in any small way to ensure that they are valued and appreciated. Our success and growth has been a team effort by a committed group of friendly, welcoming members keen to participate and contribute to a vibrant Probus Club.

P R O B U S T R A V E L I N S U R A N C E

E m b a r k i n g o n y o u r n e x t t r i p i s e x c i t i n g , a n d w h i l e y o u h o p e t h e u n e x p e c t e d d o e s n o t h a p p e n , i t i s b e s t t o b e p r e p a r e d . B u y i n g P r o b u s T r a v e l I n s u r a n c e f o r y o u r t r i p c a n o f f e r c o v e r f o r m i n o r t h i n g s , l i k e a d e l a y e d s u i t c a s e * , o r s i g n i f i c a n t t h i n g s , l i k e a n u n e x p e c t e d t r i p c a n c e l l a t i o n o r a n o v e r s e a s m e d i c a l e m e r g e n c y * W e ' v e p a r t n e r e d w i t h e m e r g e n c y m e d i c a l a s s i s t a n c e p r o v i d e r , A l l i a n z G l o b a l A s s i s t a n ce t o e n s u r e y o u h a v e t h e s u p p o r t a n d c a r e y o u n e e d R e m e m b e r t o a l w a y s r e a d t h e P r o d u c t D i s c l o s u r e S t a t e m e n t f o r t h e t e r m s , c o n d i t i o n s , l i m i t s a n d e x c l u s i o n s .

F E A T U R E S A N D B E N E F I T S

P r e - e x i s t i n g m e d i c a l c o n d i t i o n c o v e r Y o u c a n a p p l y f o r p r e e x i s t i n g m e d i c a l c o n d i t i o n c o v e r o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e , M u l t i T r i p a n d D o m e s t i c p l a n s u s i n g o u r e a s y o n l i n e m e d i c a l a s s e s s m e n t t h a t p r o v i d e s a n i n s t a n t o u t c o m e 2 4 / 7 e m e r g e n c y a s s i s t a n c e I f y o u n e e d h e l p w h i l e t r a v e l l i n g , A u s t r a l i a n b a s e d c a s e m a n a g e r s a r e h e r e f o r y o u 2 4 / 7 , w i t h r e g i s t e r e d d o c t o r s a n d n u r s e s a v a i l a b l e . S i m p l e c l a i m s p r o c e s s I f s o m e t h i n g h a p p e n s w h i l e y o u a r e t r a v e l l i n g , m a k i n g a c l a i m i s s i m p l e w i t h o u r o n l i n e c l a i m s p o r t a l . Y o u c a n m a k e a c l a i m o n l i n e w h i l e y o u a r e s t i l l t r a v e l l i n g o r w h e n y o u r e t u r n .

P L A N S

D e p e n d i n g u p o n y o u r a g e , w h e r e y o u a r e t r a v e l l i n g t o , t h e l e n g t h o f y o u r t r i p , y o u m a y b e o f f e r e d o n e , t w o o r t h r e e d i f f e r e n t p l a n s T e r m s , c o n d i t i o n s , l i m i t s a n d e x c l u s i o n s a p p l y ; r e f e r t o t h e P r o d u c t D i s c l o s u r e S t a t e m e n t t o c o m p a r e p l a n s i n m o r e d e t a i l G o t q u e s t i o n s ? V i s i t o u r F A Q t o l e a r n m o r e

C O N T A C T U S

I f y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n s o r n e e d t o m a k e c h a n g e s t o y o u r t r a v e l i n s u r a n c e p o l i c y , c a l l o r e m a i l u s

1 8 0 0 1 2 5 2 3 4 ( W e e k d a y s 8 a m 7 p m A E S T a n d S a t u r d a y s 8 a m 5 p m A E S T )

P r o b u s T r a v e l @ a l l i a n z a s s i s t a n c e . c o m . a u h t t p s : / / p r o b u s s o u t h p a c i f i c o r g /

* T e r m s , c o n d i t i o n s , l i m i t s a n d e x c l u s i o n s m a y a p p l y S e e P r o d u c t D i s c l o s u r e S t a t e m e n t f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n P r o b u s T r a v e l I n s u r a n c e i s a v a i l a b l e t o A u s t r a l i a n r e si d e n t s o n l y

r o b u s S o u t h P a c i f i c L i m i t e d A B N 3 8 7 2 6 4 2 3 9 7 9 A R 1 2

7 7 2 7 a r r a n g e s t h i s i n s u r a n c e a s a u t h o r i s e d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e f o r A W P A u s t r a l i a P t y L t d

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W H E T H E R Y O U A R E T R A V E L L I N G D O M E S T I C A L L Y O R I N T E R N A T I O N A L L Y , W E W I L L B E H E R E

T O A S S I S T Y O U W H E N Y O U N E E D I T T H E M O S T .

Druitt

Member Profile: Paul Druitt

THE LIFE OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND CELEBRATIONS OF PAUL DRUITT

The Combined Probus Club of Scarborough

Beach are very proud to tell the story of Paul Druitt, the inaugural President of the Club with his continuous presence in the Club since 2009 and his valuable contribution to the community.

Paul was born 1932 and grew up in a rural environment on a citrus orchard in Griffiths, NSW.

He met his future wife Lorna in 1951 at a Church Blossom time Ball, while on holiday from Hawksbury College and kept a close eye on her while he finished his studies in 1953. Lorna lived on a large grazing property some 25kms from the town.

In 1954 Paul sailed to America on a work and study visa and later sailed from New York to Southampton. Lorna pursued a nursing career in Sydney. In 1957 they married and settled into their newly built home in Deniliquin NSW, a wedding gift from Lorna’s father.

The young Paul began his career as an Agronomist after graduating from Hawkesbury Agricultural College in 1952 with a

Diploma in Horticulture. After his return from overseas, he was appointed Agronomist at Leeton Experimental Farm, followed by 4 years in the Deniliquin District, providing advice to farmers and pastoralists on irrigation, pasture development and cropping methods. In 1961 Paul joined Wesfarmers in WA. He briefly returned to Hawkesbury Agricultural College for a 1962 symposium at which he met a University of Illinois Professor delivering a keynote speech. As a result, he was assigned to research the latest agricultural developments in America. An innovative and lateral thinker, Paul encouraged Wesfarmers to invest in the fledgling Ord River project and helped organise a major symposium to assist Kimberley pastoralists in their cattle station management and irrigation. He travelled to Mediterranean and Middle East countries promoting the sale of pasture seed and worked with United Nations Agronomists on experimental seed plots. Wesfarmers then appointed Paul as land sales Assistant Manager, which included three months in London promoting WA rural property investment. This sowed the seeds for a major career change.

In 1972, Paul established the Paul Druitt Real Estate agency in Perth’s CBD, using his broad knowledge of Australian and overseas agricultural practices to specialise in farm and pastoral holdings. In 1973, he became a member of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA). He rapidly became a leader in the real estate industry with his strong focus on championing best practice and industry education and improvement. Paul’s legacy includes introducing regulations for improved professional and ethical conduct by WA property agents to

Paul Druitt /

both protect the interests and gain the trust of consumers. He laid the groundwork for programs that have since improved the stature of WA’s real estate industry.

Throughout his career and as REIWA president, Paul campaigned behind the scenes to improve cooperation and investment between the WA and South East Asian real estate industries and markets. He was a key reason for the success of the 1995 International Property Exhibition staged in Perth by REIWA. His expertise has been widely recognised through numerous awards and appointments on several boards relating to the real estate profession. This included the prestigious Kevin Sullivan Award, the highest accolade in WA’s real estate profession and appointment to the State Administrative Tribunal from 2004 to 2009, sitting on hearings relating to real estate practice.

Aside from his outstanding career achievements, Paul has also made a valuable voluntary contribution to the community through sporting and other groups. His community leadership was on show as president of the Athletic Association of Western Australia from 1983 to 1989 introducing sponsorship and financial administration improvements that secured the future representation of WA athletes.

In 1984 he was

appointed Charter Secretary of the Rotary Club of Scarborough Beach. He was president in 1986/87 and was personally involved in numerous Rotary projects from 1984 to 2008 and in 2021 awarded Honorary Membership of the Rotary Club of Scarborough. In 2009, he was elected President at the inaugural meeting of the Combined Probus Club of Scarborough Beach, a newly formed Club for social interaction among retired and semi-retired members. He has been an

Member

active contributor to the Club and in 2019 was presented with a ‘Life Membership’ in appreciation of his work and commitment to the Club. These days, both Paul and Lorna are very committed to their three children and eight grandchildren. They recently flew to Canberra to see their grandson graduate as a Lieutenant in the Army at Duntroon Military College.

Member Profile: Gregory Stegman

In 2014, Gregory Stegman, a member of Indooroopilly Probus Club retired from work due to the stress of managing an Australianwide real estate investment company with branches in Shanghai and Singapore.

Within two months of retirement at 64 years of age, Gregory set off walking 750 km from Saint-JeanPied-de-Port in France, over the Pyrenees and into Spain to reach Santiago de Compostela. His story of how this 35-day trek changed his life is recounted below:

The Camino will call when you are ready to explore life beyond the material world and maybe change the direction of your life.

Santiago de Compostela on the west coast of Spain is the burial place of St James, a disciple of Jesus. In earlier times, Pilgrims would leave their homes and walk for months to Santiago seeking redemption for their sins.

The Camino has been walked for thousands of years by Saints, Sinners, Pilgrims, Kings and Queens, people grieving, and people seeking redemption.

At 64 years of age after working 80 hours a week for two decades, I suffered my first mini-stroke. I had to change my lifestyle as these strokes were beginning to take a toll on my health. The Camino had called me, however, it’s a 780km trek that was known to take at least 35 days.

In September 2014, I officially retired from my business and within weeks I arrived in Saint-Jean-Pied-DePort in France which was the start of the Camino Frances. Leaving the quaint French village of SJDP, one is challenged by a 25 km hike across the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain. Stories abounded of Pilgrims becoming lost due to the ever presence of dense fog or falling on the muddy pathways.

Somehow, I made it through the first day but carrying an 8kg backpack was a task I hadn’t experienced before. Blistered feet and severe chafing were the effects of constant rain that day.

Each day, I would manage to walk around 25 km as I became stronger with each passing day.

My mind also adjusted to a simplified lifestyle. However, it’s the revision of one’s past life that occupies the mind when walking alone. Former conversations, memories of loved ones and family are constant flashbacks. Maybe it’s the rhythmic sound of the walking poles hitting the ground with each step, like a drummer on a Viking longboat keeping the roarers together with their oars.

After 200 km on day ten as I was approaching the City of Burgos and the ever-present nagging shin splint had finally taken its toll. The pain was so severe I couldn’t walk another step and the bus shelter seat beckoned me to lay down. After an hour I was approached by another Pilgrim asking about my welfare. A kind Spanish Doctor who was also walking

the Camino but for the fifth time. He was from the city of Leon and had lived for a time in a monastery on the Camino assisting Pilgrims along their journey.

During my rehabilitation, he explained the different stages of the Camino that one experiences.

The letting go, the stage of forgiveness, the inner journey of spiritual awareness, the enlighten stage. Each stage is around ten days of walking and I had just completed stage one.

I fully recovered and completed my journey to Santiago. This walk changed my life to such a degree that I have now walked the Caminos of France, Portugal, Jesus Trail in Israel and Buddhist trails in Japan.

Joining Probus has given me a new dimension in life, meeting like-minded people as everyone has a story to tell about their own life’s journey.

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Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

The following section of Club News features Club activities and members creative writing pieces. Even during challenging times, Probians continue to embrace the true spirit of Fun, Friendship and Fellowship. To have your Club’s event, trip or member submissions potentially featured in Active Retirees magazine, please send the following to marketing@probussouthpacific.org

1. A short description of 50 to 150 words for Club News and up to 300 words for Creative Writing

2.A photo as a separate attachment (photos embedded in Word documents or PDFs are often compressed and too low-resolution for print)

3.Try to send the original, full-sized photo if possible (these are generally higher resolution than those pulled from Facebook, for example) We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Sunshine at Cullen Bay

Members of the Probus Club of Darwin visited the Boatshed Coffee House at Cullen Bay Marina. They all had a wonderful time, sharing morning tea and coffee with friends and fellow Probians. All the members enjoyed taking in the beautiful sunshine on a lovely day!

Lunch at the Trailer Boat Club

Members of the Probus Club of Charles Darwin joined together to share a great lunch at the Trailer Boat Club. They welcomed the Club’s Past President Joyce who was back after a long absence. Much laughter and fun were had by all the attending members. They all agreed that it was exciting to catch up with friends at an amazing venue such as the Trailer Boat Club.

Out and about in June

Members of the Probus Club of Marrara joined together to share a delicious meal. All the attending members were excited to go out and catch up with one another. They all had a great time with lots of Fun, Friendship and Fellowship over a great lunch on a wonderful sunny day.

A Tour to Longreach and Winton

The Probus Club of Tuggeranong recently hosted a Trade Travel Tour to Longreach and Winton. The concept of Friendship being a keystone to what Probus is all about was proven to be true when one long-time friend and member of a Queensland Probus Club joined the group of 21 members of various Probus Clubs within the ACT during their stop-over in Brisbane. As a friendship group, they became outback pioneers, experiencing adventures in a truly iconic part of Australia. The members learned the tales of the land, the people, and the history of the Outback. The group experienced a journey through the ages and had great fun.

15 th Birthday Celebration

Members of the Cornubia Probus Club, their partners and invited guests dined, laughed, and danced the night away as the Club celebrated its 15th Anniversary recently. The Club welcomed Chairman Judith Maestracci AM as well as local political representatives who have all been supportive of the Club and its members, together with members of neighbouring Probus and Rotary Clubs. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of badges to the remaining Foundation members. The Club today is vibrant and active and has always given its members a wide-ranging menu of activities.

An Explorer Tour

Members of the Mission Beach - El Arish Probus Club went on an ‘Explorer Tour’ from Mission Beach through surrounding cane fields to the rugged hinterland exploring picturesque and historical places along the way. Many of the rough dirt roads travelled on were forged years ago by

A Mystery Trip

Members of the Nambour Probus Club went out on a mystery trip. They enjoyed their morning tea in a pleasant

Club’s Pin-up Couple

Alexandra Headland Combined Probus Club shared a beautiful picture of their Treasurer Bev and Assistant Treasurer Aart. They were thanked and congratulated by all for doing a wonderful job of keeping the Club solvent. They are also in charge of the Club’s singing group and host sessions at their home. Bev and Aart are considered the Club’s pin-up couple because they always look wonderful in all the photographs taken by their photographer at all the

Coordinating a food drive

The Ladies of the Broadbeach Probus Club once again generously answered the call from Oz Harvest in coordinating a food drive in support of their vital work on the Gold Coast. Their driver Ken loaded up his hardworking van Gladiator, affectionately known as ‘Glad bags’, with all their donations. The non-perishable food that was collected amounted to 179kgs which will make

A little help from the Minister

Queensland PSPL Directors recently met with John-Paul Langbroek MP who is the Member for Surfers Paradise and Shadow Minister for Seniors, Communities and Disability Services. Chairman Judith Maestracci AM, Treasurer David Ekert and Director Merv Richens OAM presented the Shadow Minister with a Probus tie which he will wear when he makes his speech in Parliament regarding Probus Day. They then proceeded to take a photo in front of

Xmas in July

Members of Hope Island Probus Club recently shared a great trip away. They travelled Diamond Class with ‘Fun Over Fifties’ on a three-day tour to Dorrigo and the surrounding area to celebrate Xmas in July. The tour group consisted of 25 members who had a fun-filled and active visit to some of the highlights of the Dorrigo region in NSW. The group celebrated Xmas in July at the Mountain Retreat Dorrigo main dining room and enjoyed a wonderful three-course traditional Christmas meal together. It was a lovely setting complete with a log fire and very traditional Christmas decorations with live

granted by Queen Victoria in 1893, making it the oldest

Wash-up Nambour Garden Show

Eleven intrepid members of the Bribie Island Probus Club visited the Queensland Garden Show at Nambour, and it was agreed by all that it was great to get away from the wet and cold weather of recent weeks. The flower which appealed mainly to the ladies was the beautiful pink Queensland Wax flower. All members had a wonderful time sharing Fun, Friendship and Fellowship.

Lightning Ridge Trip

Members of Wynnum and Manly Probus Club recently had an extended trip to Lightning Ridge. They enjoyed the Chambers of the Black Hand – where Ron Canlin created a labyrinth of wonders with his sandstone carving. The John Murray Art Gallery was another highlight as were the cactus gardens. The trip included a visit to Moree, where the town’s murals were a great attraction. As with all Probus trips, the company was voted to be the best part!

Tours and Outings

Arana Hills District Probus Club members joined together to enjoy their first group activity in George Wilmore Park on a perfect picnic weather day! Scattered around the BBQ and picnic tables and on the grass, 51 members enjoyed Fellowship as they got to know one another. They all thanked Paul for organising the get-together and doing all the work involved. They all agreed that the trip was very relaxed and enjoyable.

A visit to the Birdwood Motor Museum

Members of the Woodcroft Probus Club visited the Birdwood Motor Museum recently. After a briefing by Jaslyn, they wandered through the exhibits of more than 400 motor vehicles. Many of the group members were lucky enough to find vehicles that were built in the years of their birth, but for all of them, certain vehicles brought back memories. Later they had lunch at the Woodside Hotel before a short trip to Karkoo Nursery where they wandered through an eclectic mix of pots, paintings and garden related items. Afternoon tea in the sunny pergola area made the perfect end to an enjoyable day.

Happy Birthday Glenelg Bay Probus!

104 members from Glenelg Bay Probus Club and visitors attended and enjoyed the Club’s 3rd birthday celebration. They all agreed that it was a real festival morning. After wishing a happy birthday to their August birthday members, they shared a fun time enjoying a variety of entertainment sessions. All the members left with smiles on their faces and decided that a repeat of this event next year would be popular. It was a terrific way to celebrate the Club’s third birthday!

Birthday Celebrations

Payneham Probus President Geoff and Vice President Ron were both born on 16th August, which happened to fall on the same day as the Club’s Morning Tea Outing! Their birthdays were celebrated with coffee and cake by 17 members at Fine Food Cucina, Newton. A wonderful way to celebrate the day!

Club Tour to Penola Mary McKillop School

As part of the St Marys Probus Club’s recent trip to Mount Gambier, the members visited the site at Penola where Mary McKillop, now known as St Mary McKillop, established her first school in 1866. Mary McKillop is one of the most significant historical and religious figures in Australian history. All the members got a chance to sit in the classroom where Mary McKillop taught. A day well spent!

A tour to the Blue Lake Milling’s plant

The Keith Probus Club enjoyed a tour of Blue Lake Milling’s processing and packaging plant recently. The members had a very informative session at the plant. They also found out that all the oats rolled, kibble or others are all cleaned, hulled, then processed and packaged in Bordertown and are distributed all over Australia

A Historic Steam Train Journey

15 members of the Minlaton Yorke Peninsula Probus Club travelled to Port Augusta and visited the beautiful Arid Lands Botanical Gardens. The following day, the group boarded the Afghan Express for their trip to Quorn on this historic steam train. They were also entertained by a group of local musicians and singers on the station platform. After reaching Quorn, the group had an excellent meal at the Transcontinental Hotel and later headed back to the train which had resupplied with coal and water from its depot ready for the return to Port Augusta. Club members agreed that this trip is one of the best they have been on as a group and their Outings Officer, Bernie, was congratulated by all who went.

A Worthy Recipient of the National Service Award

Garry is an active member of the Men’s Probus Club of Marion. Besides being an active member, Garry served other organisations in an equivalent manner. On Thursday 21st July 2022, he was presented a National Service Award and Clasp for 27 years of volunteer service to the SA Sea Rescue Squadron. Garry is indeed a worthy recipient of this award. All the members of the Club congratulated Garry on receiving the award.

The Lunch Group

26 members of the Combined Club of Barossa enjoyed the Friendship, Fellowship and of course the fabulous food at the long table in the Greenock Hotel. All the members had a wonderful time, sharing laughter with friends and fellow Probians over a delicious meal.

Lunch at Highbury Hotel

Members of the Magill Probus Club went out for lunch after their May meeting and thoroughly enjoyed their time sharing Fun, Friendship and Fellowship along with delicious food! All the members had a great time catching up with one another.

30th Anniversary Celebrations

Ladies Probus Club of Devonport Celebrated their 30th birthday recently. The Club was formed on the 6th of April, 1992 with 66 ladies attending. Three members from the inaugural meeting are still very active in the Club. Mrs Enid, Mrs Beverley and Mrs Diane were honoured with Life Membership at the celebration. The Devonport Country Club room was decorated beautifully with pink floral arrangements, pearls, and fairy lights. The Mayor Mrs Annette and Probus Ambassador for the Northwest Coast Clubs, Mrs Pat were the special guests and sat at the head table. Members of seven Clubs along the coast were invited to join the celebrations.

An amazing bus trip

The members of the Moonah Ladies Probus Club visited the Food Bank at Lutana. They all called it an amazing eyeopener where donated goods from both large and small businesses are sorted into food packages for people in need. The packages were later distributed through charity and community organisations. The members agreed that it was a very informative trip.

Members of the Scamander Combined Probus Club celebrated the Club’s 30th Anniversary at the Scamander Beach Resort. The event was well attended, and foundation members Marg, Kay, and Audrey joined the celebration and participated in a cake cutting along with the Club’s current president, Greg. All the attending members enjoyed a great lunch together.

Club

Birthday Luncheon

The Club of Holroyd Probus Inc celebrated their 36th Birthday with a delicious Luncheon event. Having entertainer Brain Lorenz at the event was a big hit! The members thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get together with friends and fellow Probians. All the members had a wonderful time and agreed that it certainly was a great way to celebrate their Club’s 36th Anniversary.

20 th Anniversary Celebrations

Campbelltown City Probus Club celebrated their 20th birthday recently. 11 Foundation Members joined the celebration and were honoured with a certificate and 20-year badge during the event. Their oldest Foundation member, Gladys, received the OAM in 2008 for charity work, being a member of Quota Club Campbelltown. During the celebrations, a slide show reminded all members of past Presidents and other Committee Members. Gladys was given the honour of cutting the cake.

Bangor Combined Probus Club celebrated their 14th Birthday with a luncheon. They have a very active Club with 30 activities in the next 6 months organised for their members. The members were excited and proud to realise that they are growing once again after the restrictions of Covid-19 and embracing Fun, Friendship,

An exciting trip to Hebel Ready for an Adventure

Members of the Mortdale Combined Probus Club went out on a wonderful trip to a small town called Hebel when on a Holiday to Lightning Ridge. They all enjoyed exploring the village. They also visited the historic Hebel Hotel which was originally opened in 1894 as a Cobb & Co changing station. It was later bought by a prominent local grazier and re-opened for trading after the nearby Covid border lockdown. All the members had great fun and made

Members of the Warrawee men’s Probus Club defied any suggestion of age limitations and spent a morning touring the beautiful sand dunes of Stockton Beach on quad bikes. To prove that women can match the men, one lady put her hand up to join the fellows. All the members had a wonderful time thoroughly enjoying the outing!

An early visit to the Airport

They say it is always good to get to an airport early, but Forest-Belrose Probus Club may have taken this too seriously! The Club members made a visit to the Nancy Bird Walton Airport which is under construction. They found the area to be twice the size of Kingsford-Smith. A very informative Experience Centre is available and well worth a visit. The Club finished off their day with an excellent meal at the Camden Valley Inn and an exploration of historic Camden and Cobbitty.

5 th Anniversary Celebrations

The members of the Wyee Probus Club recently celebrated their 5th anniversary combined with their Club’s General meeting. During the celebrations, the Ambassador & Founding President Jeff presented the Certificate to current President Lieske. All the attending members enjoyed the celebration and spent a fun time with their friends and fellow Probians. A day filled with Fun, Friendship and Fellowship was had by all.

40 th Anniversary Special Luncheon

Members of the Probus Club of Taree recently held a special luncheon to celebrate their 40th anniversary. President Alan welcomed a large gathering of members and guests. A table of memories created much interest and a PowerPoint presentation showcasing a selection of photographs taken over the 40 years was enjoyed by all. The Certificate was presented to President Alan by Dr Grace, the President of the Rotary Club of Taree. Harry, at age 96 the oldest Club member, joined with President Alan and Dr Grace in cutting the anniversary cake.

Coffs City Probus Club Creating History

President Ken of Coffs City Probus Club was recently interviewed on 2AIRFM, Coffs Coast Community Radio which broadcasts worldwide over the Internet. The Interview was based on the history and aims of Probus as well as their Club’s meetings and activities, promoting Fellowship, Friendship and Fun for active retirees in the community. Ken has had a long history with the Probus Club of Coffs City and has been President on

5 Years Old

Corowa Wahgunyah Probus Club celebrated their 5th Anniversary by cutting a special birthday cake. The Club’s first President Eric and the current President Wilf cut the cake together at Corowa Golf Club. The room was nicely decorated with blue and gold balloons. 27 members

Club

Life Membership Awards

In recognition of a total of more than 40 years of service, Life Membership awards have been bestowed upon the two remaining Foundation Members of Como Combined Probus Club, Jennifer and Max. A posthumous Certificate of Achievement was awarded to member Olive on the same occasion. They were overwhelmed by the honour and thanked by all the Club members for their service towards creating a Club that respects the Probus motto of Friendship, Fellowship and Fun, being at the heart of everything they do.

Christmas in July Luncheon

On one of the most beautiful but cold winter’s days in glorious sunshine, 42 members of the Probus Club of Fremantle left the Fremantle Sailing Club bound for Christmas in July at the Peel Manor House in Karnup. The members were impressed with the exterior façade of the stately Peel Manor House, however, once they entered and sat at round tables, they were even more impressed. The young wait staff were very friendly when serving the meals. All the members agreed that the food was delicious. Nearing the end of the meal, one of the members, musician Don went to the elderly grand piano and entertained all with Christmas Carols. When Don vacated the seat, Harry who turned 97 in July, took over to entertain all.

Christmas in July Celebrations

Members of the Baldivis Probus Club celebrated their Christmas in July event at Peel Manor House. All the members had a wonderful time sharing fun and laughter with one another. They all enjoyed the event sharing Fun, Friendship and Fellowship along with fantastic food!

Morning Tea at the Ice Rink

On a very wet May morning, 26 members and partners of the Probus Club of Fremantle joined together for morning tea at the Bibra Lake Ice Rink. For most, it was their first visit to Perth’s largest ice rink. Inside it was extremely huge and not unsurprisingly for an ice rink, very cold. Some members compared entering the building and seeing the massive rink, to entering a winter wonderland. However, the members were all snug and warm in the heated licensed restaurant. The new experience stimulated lively discussions at the long tables. They all left the rink feeling very full and satisfied.

July Meeting

Members of the Probus Club of South Bunbury had an amazing July meeting where Murray was very happy to present membership cards to Shirley and Joseph. Also, Certificates of Membership were presented to Fay and Ethel. Murray gave an impromptu talk on his and Carol’s recent trip to South Australia and Victoria, which included travelling 7655 kilometres in 56 days with 96 hours of driving in their caravan. Elva then tickled the ivories with some of her favourite tunes. 14 members then enjoyed a hearty lunch at the Lone Star restaurant.

30 th Anniversary Celebrations

Vasse Probus Club celebrated their 30th anniversary on Bastille Day. They arranged the event with a French theme! The celebration started with a morning tea and introduction of District Representatives as well as newly elected Busselton-Geographe Bay President Bernie and Busselton Probus President Ivan. After the speeches were done, all the attending members enjoyed a delicious meal and shared great fun and laughter.

Club

July walk at Gladstone Bushland Reserve Timor

Members of the Probus Club of Maryborough went to Gladstone Bushland Reserve Timor for their July walk which was very pleasant in the lovely July sunshine. They visited a tree with the root system exposed, due to years of rain and wind, giving them room to stand underneath the tree formation. They all decided that they found the ideal camping spot and will return in the warmer weather! All the participating members had a wonderful time.

about other

Asian Themed Night

Members of the Narre Warren Probus Club enjoyed an Asian-themed night with photos of Asian trips and a meal from Wok’d. They all had a great night’s fun sharing jokes and

A Winter’s Journey –Christmas in July

On a stunning winter morning, a group of intrepid travellers from Benalla Rose City Probus boarded their trusty steed to venture into the high mountains to celebrate Christmas in July. The travellers were greeted at their destination by a welcoming committee of feisty chickens before indulging in a hot coffee to rejuvenate their tired souls. Rejuvenated, these stalwart travellers toured the farm, meeting its wonderful deer and stags, emus and goats. A delicious hot meal was provided accompanied by some appropriate libations and the obligatory Christmas Crackers and bad jokes that go with Christmas lunch. All the members returned safely and content after a wonderful day out with Fun, Friendship and Fellowship.

Cruise around Beautiful Historic Corio Bay

Members of the Waurn Ponds Deakin Combined Probus Club boarded the party boat ‘Hygeia’ for lunch and enjoyed a leisurely cruise around Corio Bay. The sea was calm giving members a relaxing opportunity to catch up and enjoy. Everyone on board enjoyed a hot roast lunch including delicious sweets, while ‘Out and About Coordinator’, Alex, provided an informative history narrative, pointing out the many sights of interest. Although it was quite a cool day, Fun, Friendship and Fellowship and the obligatory food were enjoyed by all.

30 th Anniversary Celebrations

The Men’s Probus Club of Surrey Hills celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a luncheon in the Upton Room at Box Hill RSL. More than 60 members, wives, partners and friends attended. The Club was toasted by its President Tony and the anniversary was celebrated with informative speeches from Past Presidents Julian and Bruce. Much respected long-serving member Arthur cut the anniversary cake lovingly baked by Maria. A very enjoyable luncheon filled with their usual good-natured banter, excellent food and good cheer was topped off with an exhilarating and mirthful performance by their resident group El Divo!

A visit to the Tungamah Silo Art Trail

Forty-three members of the Combined Probus Club of St Helena took a coach trip through Tungamah, Goorambat, St James and Devenish to view the creations of some very talented artists. A highlight of the day trip was not only the marvellous big mural on the outside wall of a structure but also the painting of the Sophia Mural on the front inside wall of the Uniting Church in Goorambat. Adnate, an internationally recognised street artist, completed the painting in 2017 as part of the Wall-to-Wall festival. All the attending members enjoyed the trip with lots of fun and laughter shared.

A visit to the Moorabbin Air Museum

Members of the Combined Probus Club of Wantirna Heights went on an outing to the Moorabbin Air Museum. Their very informative tour guide walked them through exhibits under cover as well as aircraft on display, explaining the fundamentals of flight and aircraft manufacture. He also mentioned interesting stories and funny incidents, especially from the two World Wars, which added to their enjoyment. The visit concluded with an enjoyable lunch at the Flight Deck Bar and Grill!

Maltese Club Visit

Several Probus Members with Partners from the Probus Club of Traralgon visited the Latrobe Valley Maltese Museum, which is Australia’s first and only Maltese Museum that displays constructed miniature replicas of Maltese historical buildings along with a huge collection of Maltese artefacts and memorabilia which was graciously donated to the Museum by the late Mr Frank Consiglio. At the conclusion of the visit to the museum, the group enjoyed a two-course lunch prepared by their hosts, the members of the Latrobe Valley Maltese Museum.

35 th Anniversary Celebrations

58 members of the Maffra Ladies Probus Club celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Club’s formation. It began with 21 foundation members and now has 70 plus members. Gwen, the oldest member and Heather, the only founding member still in the Club cut the Anniversary cake. The theme for the day was “Dress as Someone

Words Into Masterpieces

- Creative Writing by Probians

SUCH IS LIFE

by Carla Sherrington Springwood Probus Club

Such is Life!!

This week my youngest turned fifty She announced she was having a party The guest list looked like a who’s who Black and white the dress code was to be While she would look like a rainbow So, everyone here would see. A bit much? Exactly!!

Then I started reminiscing About that day so long ago When without any fuss I’d packed my bag, said ‘hooroo’ to the kids Then hopped on the bus And to the Mater, I did go Pains came and went and without fail She arrived in the world with a loud wail Headstrong was she Took no notice of me Protested out loud Ran with the wrong crowd Got into some strife Then picked up her life She has friends galore - cause her they adore To others she gives time and effort She’s always ready to lend support So I guess this cumbersome child - has turned out alright.

Ah the heartaches and joys of being a mum

We know all about that don’t we!

PROBUS IS ALL ABOUT FUN, FRIENDSHIP & FELLOWSHIP

WHAT IS PROBUS

retirees

which is so

new friends, learn a new skill,

a

is open to anyone who is retired

semi-retired, so why not join

local

WHY JOIN PROBUS?

RETIREMENT