Probus Club celebrates 40th anniversary

The history of the Probus Club of Mount Gambier (M) dates back to its inaugural meeting on December 13, 1983, and former Mount Gambier Mayor Arch Sealey was one of the driving forces.

Fast forward to last Tuesday and around 60 members and guests celebrated the 40 year anniversary at the Blue Lake Golf Club with special guest Ben Hood MLC talking to the group about the value of volunteering.

The Mount Gambier club formed a mere decade after Probus found its way to Australia, and it was sponsored by Rotary, which is why Rotarians were also guests at last week’s anniversary party.

Probus, though, is not a service club. Three words sum up its purpose – Fun. Friendship. Fellowship.

Current secretary Kevin Packer said the group meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Mount Gambier Bowls Club and new members and visitors are always welcome.

“As our membership has got older we now have more lunches than dinners, and we always have a guest speaker and also organise trips,” he said. “We like to have a good variety of speakers.”

The 40th anniversary was also an opportunity to recognise Ralph Aldersey, Gordon Grant, Bill McGregor and David Babb, who have been members for at least 25 years, as well as acknowledging the club’s two life members, Tony Klug, who was unable to attend, and John Allen.

Anyone interested in more information about the club can contact Kevin on 0417 891 036 or email [email protected]