Armstrong Creek Probus Club turns one

THE Armstrong Creek Probus Club has celebrated its first year, marking the milestone with a cake at its meeting last week.

Secretary Barbara Pipcorn, who has been involved since the club’s formation in February last year, said the group began with an expression-of-interest meeting that drew about 70 people.

Having recently moved to Geelong from Bendigo and unable to return to work due to a knee injury, Pipcorn said she had been looking for ways to rebuild her social circle.

An invitation to join the newly forming club appeared on her Facebook page.

“When I went to check it out, the powers that be who were there to start the meeting were people I knew from Ballarat from Rotary, so I said ‘OK, yes, I’ll join’,” Pipcorn said.

Membership has since settled at 57 members, with the club keen to welcome more.

 

“We’ve been going now for 12 months and chugging along alright… We’re really trying to get the word out there that we need new members,” Pipcorn said.

She said Probus Clubs are an important way for older members of the community to maintain social connection after retirement.

“When you actually get to that point in time and you finally can stay home, you’re like ‘I actually have nothing to do’,” Pipcorn said.

Probus Clubs, she said, provide an avenue for “friendship with other retirees in your community.”

The club hosts monthly Friday meetings with guest speakers, along with lunches, walks and day trips throughout the year, and hopes to introduce more events as it grows.

For membership enquiries, email [email protected]