Surf Coast Probus Club celebrates 20 years

CAKE and celebrations were on the agenda for the Combined Probus Club of Torquay Surf Coast’s 20th anniversary annual general meeting, which took place on Monday this week.

Past presidents and founding members joined the meeting, with the club’s first female president Sylvia Peck cutting the cake alongside incoming President Rod Daley.

The meeting was held specially in the Surf Coast Shire council chambers and shire mayor, Libby Stapleton, opened the meeting, welcoming the Probus Club and congratulating them on the milestone.

 

“We really admire and value the work of all of the Probus clubs in our community, and were proud to be part of the Combined Probus Club of Torquay Surf Coast 20th anniversary celebrations,” Cr Stapleton said.

“When you consider the many lives touched across 20 years, the club’s impact is considerable and profound, and we congratulate and thank members past and present for the energy, example, care and volunteer ethic that they have shared with our community.”

Outgoing president Jane Skelton said the 20th anniversary was a great tribute to the foundation members, many of whom were in attendance.

“As a newer member, personally, I’m happy for the people that started it,” she said. “It’s a real milestone to keep anything going for 20 years.”

Skelton, who discovered the club after moving into the area, values the commitment to the Probus Club’s motto: “fun, friendship and fellowship”.

 

“There’s a lot of learning going on, as well as the fun side of things,” she said.”As you get older, it’s vitally important for your mental health to keep social interactions.”

Incoming president Rod Daley said: “It’s really social, no matter what the reason we’re getting together, it is about social connection.”

He said he would like to use his time as president to “encourage people to be more involved in joining some of the activities” beyond the monthly group meeting.

Daley added these smaller groups are “how the friendships form” within the group, which is a key value of the Probus Club.

Alongside the Combined Probus Club of Torquay Surf Coast’s anniversary, 2026 also marks 50 years of Probus in Australia.