Social club marks two decades

ONE of the city’s retiree social clubs celebrated twenty years earlier last month.

In mid May, over seventy members of Ballarat Southern Cross Probus Club gathered at The Grand to celebrate the group’s twentieth birthday.

The event comprised an evening of remembrance, and celebration committee member Fran Reade said it was a great way to ring in the occasion.

“It was very friendly and everybody seemed to have a great time reminiscing,” she said.

“We got a lot of people afterwards saying they had a wonderful night. I think also after COVID we were all really looking forward to getting out again and it certainly delivered.

“We had a cake cutting, lots of stories told, and a slideshow running throughout the night. I’ve only been part of the group for four years so it was fascinating seeing many of our members at 20 years younger.”

BSCPC was established in 2002 by the Rotary Club of Wendouree Breakfast to provide a social outlet for Ballarat’s retiree community, and now has almost 100 members.

A birthday cake was baked by club president Rhonda Molloy for the event, and cut by original members Kath Moloney and Keith Tolliday.

Badges were handed out to over 20 original members and past presidents of the group.

Richard Foale recited an original poem to commemorate the event, alongside one he’d written previously for the group’s 10th birthday.

With upcoming outings including a trip to see 9 to 5: The Musical in Melbourne and a visit to King Island, Ms Reade said the group’s events keep her socially active.

“It’s a very welcoming group, something that keeps the older generation happy and healthy, and there’s always something happening. We have walking groups every Wednesday, we go to shows and on trips, things like that,” she said.

“I’m probably busier now than I was when I was at work.”