New Gen club celebrates two decades

THE Ballarat New Generation Probus Club has celebrated its twentieth anniversary with the launch of a commemorative booklet at a special lunch earlier this week.

Eighty people including special guests Rotary Club of Ballarat South’s Bev Shears, Rotary District Probus Chair Margaret Robinson and Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison, attended the event at the Central Wendouree Bowling Club.

There was 20 years worth of achievements, friendships forged and good times had to celebrate.

Foundation members received badges honouring their contributions to the long-standing club that provides an attractive event-packed calendar for members throughout the year.

Emceeing for the occasion, foundation member and current committee member Kevin McManus was quick to respond when asked what he enjoys most about being a member.

“It’s the camaraderie, and the outings,” Mr McManus said.

“There’s also plenty of friendly verbal sparring,” chuckled the club’s Larry Walsh.

“We have a lot of go-getter people among our members, who have been influencers in their fields,” said Mr Walsh, reeling off the names of several well known Ballarat business community stalwarts among the current membership of 115.

Members said the club thrives on its wide range of interest groups which run on a regular weekly or monthly basis, with plenty of dining and regular guest and profile speakers among the recurrent features on its lively calendar.

Over the past 20 years the club has organised numerous day bus trips to a wide variety of attractions along with longer visits to locations such as Canberra and Merimbula while members have also enjoyed international tours to China, Turkey, Japan and New Zealand.

“Over the 20 years of our Probus Club, we have seen many friendships made,” Club president Robyn Walker said in her welcome address contained in the 20th anniversary commemorative booklet.

“The 20 years of our club has meant so much to us. We now look forward to many more years of fun, friendship and fellowship.”

The club meets on the third Tuesday of each month and members at this week’s anniversary celebration said new members are always extremely welcome.