PROBUS

Our meeting held on February 23 was an interesting one with two very good speakers. Our Member Behind the Badge was Bill Milner, who spoke of his early years in war torn England and of his decision to emigrate to Australia when he was only 15. It was a brave decision as he was alone but has proven to be the right one. He stayed at the Training Farm in Tatura and learnt the fundamentals of dairy farming which held him in good stead in later years.

There is more to tell. So the Club has asked him to speak again at another meeting. The members were quite enthralled by Bill’s story. The Guest Speaker was Robert Miller who told us of deciding on another occupation, other than farming due to the drought conditions and water allocation. He left the farming duties to his son David and applied to Fords Bus Lines. He was fortunate to gain a position driving a school bus and stayed with this route for four years. He told us of some incidents that occurred in this time which were very humorous.

He also told of doing a Coach Captain’s Course which included looking after the vehicle, learning how to be a commentator and to study points of interest, and putting these points into practice. A highlight of his bus driving career was a trip to the Red Centre. This was an eleven-day tour with two buses and two drivers to each bus. They visited the Telegraph Station, Flying Doctors and numerous other sites, not forgetting Uluru and the Olgas. After almost 20 years of bus driving Robert decided to bring this part of his life to a close. The members thoroughly enjoyed Robert’s talk.

Our lunch date in January was at ‘Taste of Capri’ in Mooroopna which was most enjoyable. The lucky ticket prize, donated by Craig Bramley, Manager of Foodworks Tatura, was won by Anna Ciavarella

For further information about the Probus Club please contact club secretary Wendy Wilson on 5824 3843.

- Barb Halliwell

A Huge Upset Win

A Tatura Hilltop bowls foursome comprising the experienced and capable Hilltop bowler Russell Locke, joined with some relative novice bowlers to surprise all to take out the prestigious Kyabram Honour Board Fours event held mid-February. The side was made up Russell Locke, his two sons Riley and Josh and Tatura's Mitch Reeves. Riley and Josh basically only bowl socially and do not play in pennant and Mitch Reeves is just into his first year of bowls but is already showing in local level events and GV events that he has plenty of ability and will be assuredly a dominant player in years to come. To the surprise of many the Mitch Reeves skipped side made the final and won the event in a playoff. A tremendous achievement against a full field of two greens filled with many capable and experienced opposition teams