Probus




The Probus Club of Drummoyne



By Jane Cummins-Stuart

As many members are aware, Drummoyne Rotary has sponsored the new PROBUS Club of Drummoyne.

The Club is now well and truly up and running, having held their first general meeting at Drummoyne Sailing Club on 2nd April when 70 new members attended (it is the Club’s intention to limit membership numbers to 100). Their President is John Halmarick and the Secretary is Bill Fletcher.

At their first meeting, John Halmarick stated that “Drummoyne PROBUS will be an active club with members enjoying regular outings, dinners and excursions”. He feels that PROBUS fills a need for today’s active retirees.

Drummoyne Rotarian Kaye Loder was instrumental in helping to set up the new PROBUS Club and she and our President, Dale Larsen, both attended the first general meeting. Kaye, Colleen Moore, Margaret Micheletti and Pat Scott have all joined PROBUS.

President Dale will be presenting Drummoyne PROBUS with their Certificate of Accreditation at their July meeting.

 So, what is PROBUS?

 The PROBUS Centre - South Pacific Inc., is dedicated to promoting the development of friendship and acquaintance and the advancement of intellectual interests of its membership throughout Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific Islands.

PROBUS originated in the UK in 1965 with the first PROBUS Clubs formed in New Zealand in 1974 and in Australia in 1976. PROBUS has filled a need for today's active retirees, so much so that the growth has been phenomenal. It is now a world-wide movement.

PROBUS is an association of retired and semi-retired people who join together in clubs, the basic purpose of which is to provide regular opportunities for them to keep their minds active, expand their interests and to enjoy the fellowship of new friends.

This new concept for retirees offered social contacts and no service constraints, using the name PROBUS from the words – professional and business. One club began with the name, ‘Campus Club’ but readily changed when the two groups realized they were offering a similar activity.

In very little time, through the wide network of the clubs of Rotary International, PROBUS spread through Great Britain and even across the English Channel to Europe.

In effect, the Rotary Club of Dumbarton, Scotland can lay claim to being the catalyst for, firstly PROBUS in New Zealand (Paraparaumu, 1974) and then Australia (Hunter’s Hill, NSW 1976).

PROBUS remains in Australia and New Zealand as the largest and most active Community Service project of Rotary. The solid links between PROBUS and Rotary remain invaluable

 






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