What's Happening!
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.
July Invited Speaker: Vikki Petraitis was our dynamic and fascinating speaker this month.
Vikki is an award-winning true crime author and podcaster who spoke about her work writing true crime stories over several decades.
Vikki has written 18 books, including her best-selling book The Frankston Murders about Frankston serial killer Paul Denyer. In 2023, she released a podcast of the same name which topped charts around the world and which formed part of a push to keep Denyer in jail forever.
Vikki’s first fictional work, The Unbelieved, won the inaugural 2022 Allen & Unwin Crime Fiction Prize and the 2023 Readers’ Choice Davitt Award.
Walking Group: The July walking group was somewhat depleted by very inclement weather for our visit to the H E Parker Reserve in Heathmont. Despite that, the walk was very pleasant and before reaching the turning point, many were shedding a layer or two.
We walked from the Reserve to Wantirna Rd. along the Dandenong Creek Trail. Being along the bank of the creek, the tall eucalypts provided welcome relief from the wind. Despite being school holidays, mad men on bikes were few in number!
Several stayed on for the usual picnic lunch.
The hardy folk who stayed for lunch. Misssing are Ray, Jeanette and Kevin and of course Campbell is behind the camera.
July Trip: This was a delightful VLine trip to Ballarat to visit one of the city's Victorian marvels - the Ballarat Mechanics Institute.
Our VLine train left the Southern Cross station at 9am for the comfortable trip to Ballarat. Arriving a little early, it was possible to spend some time at the Ballarat Art Gallery where a wall-mounted scupture of millipedes constructed entirely from teapots caught our eye.
Then it was on to lunch at Craig's Royal Hotel - another joyous and beautifully restored marvel of Victoriana - all polished timber and stained glass. The dining room is a roofed area between two wings of the hotel where the coaches once stopped.
From there is was on to the Mechanics Institute. Neil, our guide, told us the history of mechanics' institutes beginning in Scotland in the early 1700s. He then discussed the history of the Ballarat Institute followed a tour of the extensive building, including areas that are usually 'off limits'. Thanks to Jim for organising this very interesting trip.
Ballarat Art Gallery: teapot millipedes or perhaps starfish
Some of our members taking it all in at the Mechanics Institute.
August meeting & Invited Speaker: At our monthly meeting the Club was delighted to induct two new members - Helen and Lee. Each had attended some meetings and participated in several activities. Because on the welcome they received and all the activities on offer Lee and Helen each decided on going ahead with membership. A very warm welcome to you both.
After morning tea we were delighted to welcome Dmitry Levin from KISA - Keep It Simple Always. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Dmitry explained how he and two friends started this company from scratch to develop a very simple mobile phone suitable for use by those who are unable to use more complex phones such a iPhones with their menus and submenus.
The phone is designed for those with intellectual or physical disabilities or dementia. Up to 10 numbers can be stored and calls are made by pressing the appropriate button that has a name or a photo. GPS tracking and falls monitoring are also incorporated in the device. An outstanding concept and KISA remains in Melbourne where the company was founded 10 years ago.
Our membership manager Bev (far left) introduces our new members Helen and Lee to the Club.
Dmitry Levin wearing a 'Keep It Simple Always' mobile phone.
September meeting & invited speaker: The forecast was for typhoon winds and the weather bureau recommendation was "Do not to leave home unless it is essential." Despite this, 65 rugged-up Probus members blew in to the meeting along with three visitors.
At the meeting the first details of our 2025 Getaway were revealed...and the venue will be beautiful Lakes Entrance. The dates are from Sunday 23 March to Friday 28 March. Details are in the Bulletin - see the Bulletins page on this website for further information.
Also the winner of this year's tipping competition was announced. After several years amongst in the top 10, Kevin finally pulled off the Top Tipper award.
Our outstanding and very informative speaker was Stephen Peterson. Stephen lived in Japan for 8 years, married a Japanese woman and ran a business whilst travelling widely in the country. Stephen shared his experiences of living and working in a completely different culture that is so very different from our own. His insights were timely given that Japan has become a common destination for holidaying Australians, including Probarians.
Stephen Peterson
Trips and Tours: Our September trip was by coach to the spectacular and very beautiful Forest Glade Gardens on Mount Macedon. These carefully maintained gardens extend over 6 hectares. The gardens were the brain-child of the late Cyril Stokes and are are now managed by a trust to ensure their longevity.
The gardens are sited on a hillside that offers a multitude of micro-climates. These can cater for splendid landscaping and architectural features in addition to a broad array of plants, scrubs and trees. There are areas devoted to English, Italian and Asian influences. Scattered throughout are numerous fountains and sculptures, many whimsical others, representing scenes from nature.
'The Iron Man': the most photographed statue in the gardens. Who is he? Dennis Lillee, Albert Einstein, Rudyard Kipling?
Cyril (sitting) and Trevor who together were responsible to establishing these magnificent gardens
Some of our members admiring the daffodil meadow
The daffodil meadow was at its most picturesque
Peter was very taken with the garden setting and the selection of plants in keeping with the Japanese theme
The boots on 'The Iron Man' and those worn by Kevin have much in common
October Meeting: A cold morning with intermittent rain did not deter 70 members from gathering for our monthly meeting. Two new members were inducted and four visitors were welcomed as well.
The President reminded members that our November meeting would be on Melbourne Cup Eve and that members should take the opportunity to dress appropriately in acknowledgement of the occasion. As usual, there will be prizes for Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentlemen and Best Hat. Also the Fun Trivia Night is on Thursday 17 October - no prior knowledge is required!
Our invited speakers were four Club members who have moved from their long-held family homes to a retirement community. Each member had chosen a different model of ownership and community structure. They spoke about their choices, what options they looked at, how the move has worked out and what aspects were less than they expected...there were in fact very few disappointments.
Each speaker emphasised the importance of 'doing your homework' and having legal advice on the details of the contract before signing. Not surprisingly, there were many questions from the audience. Thanks to our four members for sharing their experiences.
Our two new members, Pam (left) and Rosalynde (centre): were welcomed to the Club by our Membership Manager Bev and all our members.
At the meeting our Top Tipper, Kevin received the trophy for the 2024 Home & Away AFL rounds. He capped an excellent year with 9 correct tips in the final round!
October Trips and Tours: This actually took place at the end of September ... a very successful coach trip to Merimbula on the NSW south coast. Leaving the Uniting Church at 8am, we travelled to Lakes Entrance for lunch and then onto Merimbula arriving late in the afternoon.
Over the next four days we explored the district proceeding as far north as Cobargo and Bermagui and as far south as Eden. This is rich dairy country and the Bega Valley is so picturesque.
On Tuesday we travelled down to Eden for an afternoon of whale watching. We were warned that whales are often seen at this time of the year, but not always. Well, this turned out to one of the good days with us following two small pods of Southern Right whales, one being a mother and calf. At one stage they swam under our boat so everyone had an excellent view of these beautiful creatures that have returned from the edge of extinction.
On the return journey we stopped at Bairnsdale for lunch and visited the well-known and splendid paintings on the walls and vault of St Mary's cathedral.
This is the last trip for 2024. Our thanks to the three members who undertake all the planning for these educational and interesting outings - Jan, Betty and Jim.
The coach passengers from Burwood East Probus and Mt Waverley Probus.
Whale watchers watching for whales.
A Southern Right whale off the coast of Eden. They came so close to the boat as they gave us a close inspection.
The female whale diving under the boat - her tail is just disappearing beneath the waves.
Some of our members found the ice cream at the Bega Cheese Factory more interesting than the museum showing the history of cheese making in the Bega Valley over the last 100 years...and yes, it was very good ice cream!
October Walk: Our usual October walk did not disappoint...the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Gardens that incorporate the National Rhododendron Gardens were looking their best.
Whilst some of the azaleas where a little beyond their best, the rhododendrons were putting on a brilliant show. Of course our first stop was the Chelsea Australian Garden. The Australian Garden has only been planted for four years but the massed plantings are now showing the thought that has gone into the structure of the garden.
We were interested to see a newly planted area adjacent to the Chelsea Garden...the Australian Cloud Garden in its infancy. The intent is to provide a backup of threatened species from the Queensland rainforests. It will be very interesting to see how this develops.
Although we take our walk to these gardens in Olinda each October, they repay a visit at any time of the year.
Peter is taking a close look at the splendid plantings in the Chelsea Australia garden.
The Walkers get ready...Rob, Sue, Kevin (our fearless leader) and Ray.
The azaleas were past their best but the kuruma bowl was still spectacular.
Then a well-deserved picnic lunch at the adjacent Olinda Park.
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.
October Gardening Group: Not surprising, given the time of year and Melbourne Cup coming up, the session was all about tomatoes.
Peter spent some time addressing the option of growing tomatoes in pots as the alternative to planting in garden beds. He recommended large pots with a support trellis and the use of the best of the proprietory potting mixes - these give a superior result to cheap options. It is also a way to removing your plant from vermin attack- rodents, slugs and snails. If you have problems bending over he showed us a raised planter box that overcomes this problem. It would be excellent for a herb plot as well. Peter recommends dolomite and lime to promote good flowering and fruiting.
Next year, do not throw out the potting mix but scrap away the top few inches and refreshen the mix with new potting mix.
As to the question of not planting tomatoes in the same spot on consecutive years - Peter has been successfully planting tomatoes in the same site but the soil must be dug-over and the well-fertilised to ensure strong growth.
Another excellent session from Peter and beautifully boxed prizes for the raffle by Joan.
All the prize winners took home a tomatoe and a couple of companion plants selected by Joan. Thanks to Bunnings for allowing us to use their Box Hill South warehouse for our meetings this year.
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.