![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bendigotimes\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Picture-1-300x225.jpg\")
Ms Billings said while the group\u2019s regular meetings have been disrupted by COVID-19 and only 20 members use the internet, they have been taking initiative with outdoor meetings and a \u201ctelephone tree\u201d to stay in contact.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven though we can\u2019t meet we\u2019re fairly good at staying connected, that\u2019s one thing we do stress in the Probus Club of White Hills,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do have what\u2019s called a telephone tree and there\u2019s 10 or 11 members who have a group of people each that they are to contact on a regular basis just to make sure they\u2019re ok, or if they\u2019re in hospital or need help with anything or are lonely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe Van Dillen is the secretary of Strathfieldsaye Probus Club, which was founded in 1999 and currently has just under 100 members.<\/p>\n
He said he joined the club when he was semi-retired and loves it as a social outlet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so important to be involved with other people and I\u2019ve met some very lovely people at Probus, made quite a few friends,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt does keep you active and social in the community, unlike Rotary and Apex and those that are doing things for the community, Probus is almost like a reward for people that are retired.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow you can just enjoy life, there\u2019s no pressure, it\u2019s just come along enjoy yourself and have a good time.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking for myself, it was probably the best thing I\u2019ve ever done. I have been involved in other groups beforehand, but I just highly recommend it to anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
RETIREES are staying active in the community and maintaining friendships through the numerous Probus Clubs in the greater Bendigo region. Recently the Probus Club of White Hills celebrated Probus Day, which aims to highlight the importance of elderly citizens remaining in contact. President Glenys Billings said this year\u2019s theme was Do a Friend a Favour […]<\/p>\n