Spring Creek Ladies’ Probus hosts picnic for Probus Month

SPRING Creek Ladies’ Probus Club has held a picnic at Torquay’s Taylor Park to celebrate Probus month.

The club’s general secretary Dianne Russo said the recent Taylor Park event was memorable with attendees sporting eccentric hats.

“We encouraged our ladies to wear a crazy hat, which resulted in lots of chat and laughter. It wasn’t a formal day at all, just a chance to have some fun and food together.”

“It was essentially an opportunity for our ladies to meet and enjoy the Probus mantra of ‘fun, fellowship and friendship,’ and the weather certainly was perfect for the picnic.”

The Probus Club movement originated in the UK in 1965. It champions social interaction for retirees.

Fred Carnhill, a devoted member of the Welwyn Rotary Club, noticed a shortage of amenities for retired men such as him. With backing from his Rotary Club, he co-ordinated the inaugural lunch gathering on May 6, 1965, which drew 33 members, including six from Rotary.

Now, more than 40,00 Probus Clubs operate globally.

October 1, recognised as the United Nations Day of Older Persons, signals the start of Probus celebrations.

The 2023 Probus Month theme is “good friends, great times, new adventures”.

Spring Creek Ladies’ Probus meets on the fourth Monday each month, at the Senior Citizens’ Clubrooms, Price Street, Torquay.

The club is preparing for its next meeting, where Cr Rose Hodge will address the members.

“Our club is small, but we enjoy our meetings, always with a guest speaker, lunch out each month, along with visits to the movies,” Mrs Russo said.

“Visitors are most welcome to come along to our meetings. We provide a monthly newsletter as well as enjoying morning tea together and the chat is a wonderful feature of that.

“We usually go to a local venue for lunch after the meeting, so it is a very social event for our ladies.”

Membership focuses on those retired or semi-retired, promoting a close community.

Activities range from outings to monthly guest speakers.