ON November 10, 1987, the first meeting for Probus Club of Shepparton Inc was convened with a Mr Ian Watts presiding as president.
According to an excerpt from the opening Probus Club’s newsletter, the first order of business was to minimise expenses for the occasional ‘extravagance,’ while the following meeting would concentrate on the ‘professionalism in the art of tea making.’
Originally an all-men’s club, it wasn’t long before the women’s club joined, providing retired and semi-retired members with the opportunity to connect socially while enjoying interests, jaunts and events.
For long serving members, Maurice Rowland and John Dempster, Probus has provided them with invaluable fellowship, friendship and fun over the many years John said, “For me, being a member of Probus has been about companionship and meeting people from all different walks of life, listening to their interesting stories and meeting with them across countless trips, outings and gatherings.”
For Maurice, aside from the camaraderie, being a Probus member has given him the gratifying opportunity to enjoy countless bus excursions across Victoria, visit many ‘local concerns’ and engage in topics of interest, as he said,
“We’ve had many guest speakers on a wide range of matters, and we get to know every member behind the badge, but it’s the bus trips to Melbourne, Echuca and so on that I would say are the highlights.”
With around 55 current members, Probus president Ken Jones, is keen to welcome new people. With an opportunity to make new friends, learn new skills and explore new interests and hobbies, enquiries can be directed to Ken on 0419 586 784 or you can email him at kwjones1948@gmail.com
