Chairman's message

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