Probus Day Booklet

Celebrating 1 October 2020

Day

STAYING CONNECTED AND ACTIVE WITH PROBUS - THE KEY TO HAPPY RETIREMENT!

Testimonials AU: 1300 630 488 | NZ: 0800 1477 6287

www.probussouthpacific.org

“Probus is an invaluable service to the residents of Paddington Ward. It is a great way for semi-retired and retired residents to come together and share similar interests and make new friends.

Our local Probus Club plays an important role in building and maintaining community.

I am pleased to support Probus in its activities.”

Kind regards, Cr Peter Matic Paddington Ward Office | BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL

“Probus is a wonderful organisation providing companionship and stimulating and informative meetings for older Australians.

We have numerous active Probus clubs in Bradfield; if you are interested in getting involved I know they will be delighted to hear from you.”

PAUL FLETCHER MP Federal Member for Bradfield Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts

I would be delighted to support Probus Day by sharing information about the day on my social media.

I greatly admire the work Probus clubs across Victoria do in keeping people connected and engaged. As you point out in your letter, these connections are very important in preventing exclusion and mental illness amongst older Australians.

I wish you and Probus South Pacific all the best for your inaugural Probus Day. Kind regards, Senator Raff Ciccone Deputy Opposition Whip in the Australian Senate

Newsletter; Thursday 1 October is Probus Day, when communities are encouraged to celebrate and get involved with their local Probus Club.

Here on the west side we’re lucky enough to have the Indooroopilly Probus Club which holds monthly meetings, regular outings and a variety of activities and interest groups for retirees.

This Probus Day I urge everyone to spread the word about Probus and their mission to provide fun, friendship and fellowship for active retired or semiretired people.

Michael Berkman MP for Maiwar

KATE JONES MP Kate and her EO staff wish you and all Probus members a wonderful Probus Day 2020 and look forward to supporting our local groups in to the future.

Kate Jones MP

My Probus Stories The day I joined my Probus Club – the Waurn Ponds Deakin Combined Probus Club, I instantly had 100 new friends!!

I have found Probus to be a broad community that brings together people from all walks of life, but its main aim is one of connection or Fellowship & from that, stems the Friendship and the Fun. All in all, this is proving to be a difficult year for large clubs such as ours, but I hope & trust that you, the members, are staying in touch with each other through these unprecedented times & we can all look forward to a brighter future after COVIID-19.

In PROBUS you’ll find a wealth of new experiences & a much expanded social network. The opportunities abound in each club with awesome guest speakers, a broad range of interesting activities & social events, stimulating conversation & the chance to explore your community, to stimulate thought, interest & participation in activities at a time in life when it is so easy to become complacent.

I love my Probus Club because I meet different people, I obtain different insights on what people want & what people need & I am able to help people!

Dawn C

My Probus Stories Probus North Willoughby, NSW, came into my life when I was searching for a new normal after long-term illness and the death of my loving husband.

This active and well managed group is true to Probus’ philosophy of fun, friendship and fellowship. Since joining Probus my life has again been filled with many pleasures: walks, lunches, wine and cheese get togethers and enjoyable guest speakers sharing stories of their working lives, hobbies and interests.

What does Probus mean to me? It has enriched my life, and even more so during the restrictions the COVID life brings.

Thank you Probus, Regina S

We joined EYPC as foundation members arriving for the second meeting.

We were full of apprehension, "Will we know anyone?" "What if we don't want to stick with it?" Walking into the Church Hall we met the most generous and welcoming bunch of people you could wish to come across.

Our Committee have worked long and hard to make the Engadine Yarrawarrah Probus Club a place where Fun Fellowship and Friendship are more than a saying. It turns out we have met new friends and rekindled old ones with suburban neighbours not seen for years.

If you are considering becoming a Probian don't hesitate Just Do It. Ann and Ruedi S

My Probus Stories Why is Probus important to me?

During my working life I was always busy and in contact with many different people. Suddenly on retiring one notices that one is missing the active personal contact. The father in law of my youngest daughter who at that time was president of Tomaree Probus Club invited me to go to a meeting of the organisation. I found the group of men I met to be most friendly and interesting to talk to. Following three monthly meetings, which I very much enjoyed, I became a member of our local Probus.

Since being a member I have got to know so many great and interesting people.

Our club has a mix of people with a variety of professions. We have quite a few gatherings where we meet the partners of the members. The Club offers a wide variety of activities such as sports or dinners, barbecues, computer meetings etc.

There is such a wide range of possibilities to keep one active and interested and nobody ever feels pressured to do this or that. It is a matter of just enjoying ourselves and nurturing friendship. Over the years I have noticed how members are always ready to help and support one another.

Donald B

Probus has opened up my life to so much pleasure.

New friends, lots of added interest groups and plenty of fun and laughter. I tell everyone I can, how much their lives would be enhanced by joining our club.

It’s been wonderful.

Maureen S

My Probus Stories My Husband Don and I joined Probus as Don was forced to retire as he had bad heath. He was missing the contact with other men. I suggested Probus to him ,so we gave it a try.

We were made very welcome when we joined Probus over 23 years ago now.

Don got along well with the men and ladies and a group decided to play cards every Thursday night. This went on for many years. We also had a meal about every 6 weeks in each others houses. Don looked forward to this every week.

When Don got too ill to play, they would call in for a chat. Don passed away 13 years ago and the members who are still with us are still in contact with me.

It was the best thing I did for Don and myself. I will never forget the kindness off those members. Max, Margaret, Mary, Peter, John ,George and their partners.

I'm still a member of Probus. I look forward to the companionship, the meeting days and the trips we do. Thank You Probus.

Janice F

The Naracoorte Ladies Probus really enjoys our morning coffee get togethers.

We go to different venues in our small town. In that way we are helping to support our local businesses. We usually have one halfway between our meetings each month.

Annette A

My Probus Stories How Probus changed my life Not everybody has heard of Probus – I have – it changed my life. After my wife died from Alz Dis I was at a loss as to what to do with myself for the rest of my life.

A friend asked if I had heard of Probus (I hadn’t) and he told me what a wonderful movement it was.

Even its motto Friendship, Fellowship and Fun appealed to me. It was a long time since I had any fun and at age 88 didn’t expect to.

Iwas curious enough to get an invitation to be a visitor at the next meeting of the Moorleigh club.

It was incredible; men and women all in their senior years. They made me feel so welcome over a cuppa that I felt I belonged there. They had a great guest speaker and I heard about their program of outings and lunches-all sounded most attractive. I was hooked; the fees were most reasonable; so I became a member.

That was about three years ago: I went on the Committee and am now President.

It takes up much of my time and I am thoroughly enjoying it; As an added bonus I have also recently become an Ambassador to help other clubs.

Probus has changed my life -I have a purpose.

The end Clyde W

Celebrating 1 October 2020

Day