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Below you will find some of the highlights of our Club's activities over the last six months or so. If you need additional details, please check the Club Bulletins.
The Great 2024 Annual Trivia Night: A great event again with the Trivia night all planned and put together by Michael and Lorraine. Michael is the Master of Ceremonies & Trivia. His questions certainly are a test of a wide range of knowledge - history, geography, fauna and flora and of course tivia. The quiz involves teams of four answering the questions. At the end of each round two members move to another table to join a different team.
With a tie for second place Michael had some tie-break questions up his sleeve as you can see in the background of the photo.
It is a recipe for a great night's entertainment and much laughter. Thank you to Michael and Lorraine and to Vivienne for buying and wrapping the prizes and of course to everyone who brought a plate for the supper.
And the winners were Ruth, Lino and Nellie with the Master of Trivia on the right.
November Meeting: With the arrival of warmer weather and the return of members from the sunny north, 74 members attended the meeting with the Melbourne Cup Eve theme. Members really threw themselves into the competition for Best Ensemble, Best Dressed man and Best Head Attive. And an honorable mention to the Best Dressed Old Punter!
Our speaker was the very engaging John Howell talking about 'The Only Woman at Gallipoli'. John's extensive research over many years relates to the death in battle of Lt. Col. Charles Hotham Montague Doughty-Wylie VC on the 26 April 1915. He was buried where he fell on the battle field. A short time afterwards a woman landed at Gallipoli and made her way to the graveside where she placed a wreath before departing. The arresting question has been who was she? - his wife Lilian or the famous Gertrude Bell with whom he had had a long romantic but very proper relationship?
Based upon his research, John's presentation outlined his reasons for the belief that it was indeed Gertrude Bell. A fascinating presentation based on excellent research.
Definitely the Best Dressed 'Old Punter' - "Always a winner", he says!
Definitely a stunning ensemble Helen.
Best Dressed man - very smooth Chris!
A stunning piece of headware indeed.
Walkaway 2024: Each November the Walking Group leaves Melbourne and spends a couple of days walking and gawking at a regional centre. This year we ventured to Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. Arriving at Hepburn on Monday for a picnic lunch, we took in the waters from the springs...they were surprisingly acceptable. Then it was on with the walking along Spring Creek - easy walking to begin with but then onto the unmade track to the Argyle Spring. This was a more demanding path over Spring Creek and a modest ascent. After the walk of 1.7 km we found the spring was dry!
Tuesday was off to the old school of mines and now the home of the historical society. A fascinating insight into the opening up of the district following the discovery of gold in the 1850s. Then lunch a Daylesford's well-known 'The Convent' followed by exploring this extensive building that combines the history of what was a nunnery and a school before being salvaged by the inimitable Tina to become an art gallery, a restaurant and reception rooms.
After two days of beautiful weather, this broke late on Tuesday so our barbecue at the excellent Central Springs motel was moved inside but the barbecue chefs - Kevin and Robert - worked under umbrellas held by their assistants.
Wednesday morning was an refreshing walk around Daylesford Lake followed by morning tea at the Dalylesford Bakery and a reluctant departure back to Melbourne. An excellent Walkaway thanks to Kevin and Robert.
Our walkers taking the waters.
The Walking Group sitting and awaiting Bruce's presentation on the history of the Daylesford district.
Lunch at 'The Convent' restaurant in the Blue Room.
Wednesday's damp walk around Daylesford lake. The famous 'Lake House' in the background.
Gardening Group: Our last meeting for the year at Bunnings Box Hill South was a summary of all we had learnt from our in-house Gardening Guru, Peter.
The was much discussion around garden pests and fugal disease such as black rot on our roses. This is a particular problem this year due to the hot and humid conditions. The fungus spores live in the soil at the base of the roses and rain splashes carry the pest up and onto the leaves.
Peter also recommended dolomite lime for our tomatoes to ensure good fruit and to lessen the risk of the dreaded blossom-end rot. Our thanks to Peter and wife Joan for all their advice and help with our gardens over 2024.
The winners of the raffle and Peter in impish mode, or perhaps elvish.
Christmas Lunch: an excellent gathering of members at the Village Green for our annual Christmas Lunch. A beautiful meal served in an excellent function room. Our President in the full Santa suit was an unexpected surprise. Well done to our Vice President, Sandy and her little helpers for organising an outstanding event. Good enough to consider a return visit in 2025.
So Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.
Santa, aka The President, presiding in an outstanding santa suit.
We are very lucky to have a professional jazz musician as a member. Neil entertained us with jazz variations on Christmas themes.
February meeting: Our Probus year began with our first meeting for the year on 3 February. Despite the heat, an excellent attendance of 75 members caught up with every-one's news from over the Christmas break.
President Lino welcomed every-one back and reminded the audience that the March meeting will be our annual general meeting.
As a good sign for our future, three new members were inducted - Kaye, Margot and Raelene. They had all attended several meetings late last year and were delighted with the large range of activities our Club has on offer. All three have signed up for our annual Getaway in March.
Our excellent speaker was Dave Cox. Dave is an Army veteran and a musician. Dave is the driving force behing Guitars for Veterans, a volunteer organisation that uses music the help veterans, emergency sevice personnel and others suffering from Post-Traumatice Stress Disorder to recover through music, and, in particular, learning the guitar.
Dave discovered the programme in the USA and decided there was a major requirement for such a programme in Australia. He spoke knowingly about the benefits of the programme and its success where it is now offered in all our states. The organisation is wholly dependant on volunteers and donations of money and guitars. All excellent speaker on a very important topic.
Membership manager, Bev (left) with two of our new members, Margot (centre) and Kaye (right).
Past President Vivienne introducing another new member, Raelene.
Our inspirational invited speaker - Dave Cox.
Theatre Group: Our first theatre outing for 2025 and 15 members enjoyed an outstanding performance at The Round, the new theatre at the City of Whitehorse. It was an excellent two man performance that features high-lights from the career of the Hollywood and Broadway actor- Donald O'Connor. After an excellent morning tea with cakes it was into the very comfortable seats and on with the show. Thank you to our Theatre organiser, Bianca.
Some of our members enjoying morning tea before the show.
Walking Group: After a run of 38degree days, the Monday working group were blessed with 22 degrees and a cooling breeze. After last year when the February walk was cancelled due to extreme heat and March due to extreme wet, it was a pleasure to take our first walk of 2025 in beautiful weather. And in time for one of our favorite walks eastwards on the Scotchmans Creek trail past the Huntingdale wetlands. It must have been the clement conditions because we had 15 walkers and two dogs, one of which was a puppy and new to the walking group.
The early arrivers of the Walking group assembling and meeting the new canine member, and Vivienne's new puppy,Tiffy...short for Tiffany!
The advance party awaiting our Guide for directions. Kevin was back with the rearguard who were walking at a more leisurely pace. Good to be back with two dogs who love to walk.
Sandra, Nellie and Sue passing the lake in the Huntingdate wetlands on the Scotchmans Creek trail...one of our favorite walks!
Garden Group: Our first garden group for 2025 got off to an excellent start at Bunnings Box Hill. Given the long, dry summer our Gardening Gurus, Peter and Joan concentrated on water conservation and water retention in our gardens. Peter recommends watering in the early morning or in the late afternoon to preserve as much moisture as possible. This should be combined with mulching to reduce evaporative losses.
He recommends sugar cane mulch as the best, especially on vegetable beds. Alternatively, use pine bark mulch although the two can be combined with the cane mulch underneath and the pine bark on top to prevent the cane being blown away in strong winds. In preparing a new planting area, Peter advises that the area should be soaked and a water retaining agent added before the mulch is laid down. He pointed out that water retaining agents need to be re-applied every two or three months. As which water retainer he would recommend, he is of the opinion that there is little to deferentiate the various options although he uses a product from Richgro.
No, Peter is not praying, he is trying to remember the botanical name for one of the plants he is recommending for planting at this time of the year. Even the experts can be stumped...on occasion.
The four very happy winners from the raffle at the end of our gardening session.
March General Meeting: The March meeting each year is a 'combined session' with the March monthly meeting followed by the annual general meeting. Our club began in 1999, so this is our 26th AGM. At the election for the members of the committee of management, Sandy was elected President and Rob, a past treasurer, returns as Vice President. The other members of the committee can be seen on the Club Management page. It is reassuring for the Club to have three new faces bringing new ideas to how we function.
Again, as is usual at the March meeting, our speaker was one of our Club members. This year we asked Lee to talk about his very interesting career. He graduted in chemistry but then with his first job, he moved into plastics. In this role he worked for a German plastics manufacturer who built a plant in Libya and there Lee worked for a number of years in a stricly Muslem country.
After a career change or two, he ultimately joined the staff at a food analysis company in Melbourne. He had some great stories to relate about food purity and concerns people had with items they found in food. One concerned a man who said he had found a mouse tail in a can of cola. Expecting a big payout from the company, Lee identified that the item was actually a piece of pasta placed there by his son. It had had absorbed colour and fluid from the cola...so, no mouse tail, no money.
Some of the meeting throng catching up before the start of the meeting.
Our 'in-house' speaker, Lee. A recently joined member who had a fascinating career. Thanks for an excellent and entertaining presentation, Lee.
Knitting and Crochet group: This small but close knit group meets monthly at the home of one of the members of the group. New members are welcome to join the group for a BYO lunch with the hostess provided tea and coffee. Between the members there is over 100 years of experience so if you have problem with a knitting or crochet article, they will almost certainly be able to help with a solution.
2025 GETAWAY: Our annual Getaway was a tremendous success with 30 members journeying to beautiful Lakes Entrance for a five day stay at the Motel Lakeside on Marine Parade, overlooking the North Arm of Lake King.
With a full program of activities - you can see the full list on the Getaway page of this website - there was much to do and see.
On Sunday evening, Happy Hour got off to a great start in brilliant sunshine and blue skies with much sharing of nibbles, drinks and conversation. Monday was a short walk to the Lakes Entrance Historical Society for a fascinating presentation the history of Lakes from aboriginal times to the recent population influx after Covid.
Then it was into our cars and off to Nyerimilang Homestead for lunch and a guided tour of the holiday home built by Frank Stuart, an entrepenurial Irishman in early Melbourne. Then walks through the extensive grounds with outstanding views through dense eucalyptus forest to Lake King in the background.
Tuesday was our bus trip to Paynesville and the ferry trip to Raymond Island for a walk through the koala reserve and we were not disappointed! And probaby due to a prolonged lack of rain, there were no mosquitoes despite the island's reputation. After lunch onto St Mary's church and its famous murals, the East Gippsland Historical Museum and the outstanding Aboriginal Keeping Place - known to non-aborigines as a museum.
Wednesday was a long and interesting trip on Lake King as far west as Metung and a circumnavigation of Raymond Island. Thursday as a rest morning and then off again, this time for lunch at Shaving Point in Metung.
Thursday night was the Gala Dinner at the Central Hotel, Lakes Entrance with a 1920's dress theme. Our members were able to capture the theme beautifully. The dinner was excellent and our thanks to the Central Hotel staff for presenting such an enjoyable meal of exceptionally high standard.
The first Happy Hour at our motel on a beautiful evening in Lakes Entrance.
Our members enjoying the view of Lake King looking towards The Entrance.
Looking for koalas in the sanctuary on Raymond Island.
And we had no trouble finding them snoozing in trees everywhere!
Listening to our guide at St Mary's church, Bairnsdale.
The traditional fish and chip night, this time from LE's finest - 'Awesome Fish and Chips' and they were.
The theme for the Gala Dinner on the last night was The Roaring 20's.
All 30 members celebrating the end of another great Getaway. Where to in 2126?
April Meeting: A very successful monthly meeting and also our annual birthday lunch to celebrate our 26th year. The 78 members and three visitors enjoyed an excellent presentation from our invited speaker, Sergeant Wayne Kohlmann.
Wayne is a Senior Crime Scene Examiner with the Victoria Police Forensics department within which he has worked for over 20 years. Wayne highlighted the differences between 'real life' crime scene investigation and that portrayed on TV forensics investigation dramas - completely different! He detailed how a crime scene is meticulously investigated to collect the evidence using modern laboratory techniques but also taking care not to contaminate the scene.
Following his presentation, and dealing with numerous questions, we broke up for a sandwich lunch and the cutting of our birthday cake by our immediate Past President, Lino.
May Meeting: Seventy members plus two visitors and an impending member, gathered at the Uniting Church Hall on a warm Spring morning - in May no less! It was an opportunity to celebrate the presentation of the certificate acknowledging 20 years of very active membership and participation in our Club by Ruth and Brian. Congratulations to you both and we are looking forward to your participation in many more years of Probus membership.
Our speaker today was the President of the Yarra Riverkeepers Association (YRA), Janet Bolitho. YRA is a member of the international Riverkeepers Alliance, founded in the US in 1983. It since spread around the world. The Yarra Association developed out of the damage wrought to the Yarra by the millennium droughts and the associated severe loss of environmental flows. Janet delivered an uplifting presentation on the history of the association and its success in achieving vital legislative change to protect the entire 242 kilometers of the Yarra. Their lobbying resulted in bipartisan support for the Act.
After the meeting, many of us moved to and enjoyed the Vice President's lunch at the Knox Club.
Brian and Ruth receiving their certificate of 20 years of Probus membership from our President, Sandy.
Janet Bolitho, President of the Yarra Riverkeepers Association speaking about the association and the very important legislation- the Yarra River Protection Act 2017. Lobbying by the YRA was essential for the bipartisan support for the Act.
May Gardening Group: Peter was in good form due to the rainfall over the last week and the resulting benefit to our gardens. With the rain it is time to use soil additives to improve the condition of the soil in time for spring planting. Peter recommends Seasol and dolomite. Since these are not fertilisers he suggests adding a fertiliser such as Seasol or Charlie Carp. Charlie Carp has the added advantage of using a dreadfully invasive fish species that is detrimental to native fish life! And when to prune your roses...Peter recommends after the shortest day.
Peter's recommendations for improving soil condition.
The happy winners of the gardening group raffle.
June Meeting: With the onset of winter many of our members have fled north, as usual. Either that or being a very cold day they preferred to stay home in the warmth. So, 'only' 62 members in attendance today, plus three Vistors and a new member was welcomed to the Club - Janene.
An excellent speaker today too. Taryn Ferguson from Bolton Clarke speaking to us about the importance of maintaining a healthy mind and how this will result in a health body. Her topic was positive aging - experiencing happiness and satisfaction with one's life at any age. She discussed understanding what makes us feel good and finding ways to make such activity a bigger part of our lives. It was a very positive and uplifting way to view our lot as we age but remain positive.
Taryn Ferguson was our dynamic speaker.
Our newest member, Janene being inducted with our Membership manager Bev ready to introduce Janene to the members and the President, Sandy.
Kerry Rendell (second from left), Taryn and Alana, the team from Bolton Clarke.
June Theatre Group: Great support from our members who attended the Barbirra Music Theatre production of My Fair Lady at The Round theatre, Nunawading. As always, Barbirra mounted an outstanding production with an extremely talented cast. Everyone was full of compliments for the performance. This is the fifth year we have enjoyed their annual production. And we are so fortunate as to have this excellent theatre on our doorstep.
Dine-outs: It is great to have the Dine-outs restarting under the leadership of husband and wife team, Dennis and Jill. And an excellent start too at Poppies restaurant, Canterbury Rd, Blackburn South. Our last visit was two years ago so it was a delight to return and to find that the service and the food were of the same high standard. A 12noon start and the last to leave were not until 2.15 so clearly everyone thoroughtly enjoyed themselves. The July Dine-out will celebrate Christmas-in-July...venue to be advised in The Bulletin.
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