Wangaratta West Combined Probus AT the April meeting, president Greg Porter inducted new member Mary Alesiani into the club. Mary was welcomed with acclamation. Several interested guests were also welcomed to the meeting. Members of regular groups - including dolphins, garden group, walkers and talkers, movie group and Sunday lunches to name a few - are enjoying their activities. Several members recently enjoyed a cruise from Sydney along the coast to Port Douglas and another group of members and friends are about to depart on a trip to Singapore. In July, there is a trip to Alice Springs and Uluru being organised. The April meeting had an Easter theme with several members wearing their Easter bunny ears. Members guessed how many tiny eggs were in a container, and others won lovely hampers of Easter goodies on the draw of the lucky ticket. Member John Duncan, originally from Liverpool UK, was the very entertaining guest speaker on the day. John told of his experiences during WWII, many of them incongruous. A number of members are not well at present; the club wishes them a speedy recovery. Wangaratta Central Combined Probus THE general meeting of the Wangaratta Central Combined Probus Club was held on Friday, 17 April at the Wangaratta Bowls Club, Park Lane Wangaratta. The meeting opened at 10am by new president Sally Haynes who welcomed those members present and guest Keith Fyffe. The current membership is 73. Coming events for the club include on 22 May, a ‘mystery tour’. Members are required to meet at Wareena Park in Swan Street at 9.30am. A 10-day Norfolk Island Tour is planned for 2 September, priced at $5645. Also planned is a six-night Princess Cruise starting Monday, 20 October through Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney. The inside cabin costs $1629 per person. The next general meeting will be held at the Wangaratta Bowls and Sports Club at Park Lane, at 10am on Friday, 21 May. Wangaratta Probus Club Inc. THE club started the new Probus year with a changed committee of management and several members putting up their hands as office bearers for the first time. George Lee was inducted as the new president with Bob Jones as secretary, Jim Adcock as treasurer and Bill Harvey reprising his position is vice-president. In addition, Reg Dobson and Ken Clarke added to this group with past president Laurence Neal as an ex-officer member. The first meeting for the new Probus year enjoyed two very different presentations. Richard Gray made his violin sing with the first of an anticipated collection of Irish folk music, while Warren Garrett described the highlights of his many journeys as skipper on narrow boats along the canals of England. Sharing a desk used by Charles Dickens at the Brentford Toll Lock, rowing up the Thames under Tower Bridge and navigating the Maida Vale tunnel - the spoil from which became Lord’s cricket ground - were just some of the highlights he described. He tabled copies of the Port of London instructions to mariners, Thames tidal times and other documents, all of which served to make his address even more real. These presentations were preceded by president George’s nostalgia segment where he skillfully drew on club member Alan Moylan’s life and career experiences. Alan talked of his early schooldays in Rushworth and his work on the railways before eventually becoming a senior executive with the hardware chain McEwan’s. A reminder for any person – including non-members – that the club has a coffee morning twice a month on the first and third Friday at 10am at the Intermezzo Café. Nothing official, just a bunch of blokes enjoying coffee and yarns. Come along and try it - you will be made very welcome. Wangaratta Appin Park Combined Probus PRESIDENT Denny Wagstaffe opened the April meeting, welcoming members who were present. The club currently has 77 members and four non-active members. Apologies were accepted and birthday wishes sent to Adelina, Bob, Robyn, Maureen, Charlie, Peter and to two ladies celebrating their 80th. Congratulations to Elaine Broadway and Terry Clark. In general business, notice was given to members regarding updates to the constitution and standing resolutions to be dealt with at a future meeting. Several members recently enjoyed a relaxing cruise and lunch on Lake Mulwala after stopping at the turf farm on the way for Devonshire morning tea – thanks to Terry Brew. A 50/60s Rock n' Roll night at Masonic Hall is planned for Saturday, 14 June. Dress in your rock n' roll gear and BYO nibbles and drinks; make sure to have lots of fun. Cost for the event is $20. The club is celebrating Christmas in July at Remel in Whorouly on Thursday, 17 July at 12pm. Cost is $35 pp for a two-course roast lunch with tea/coffee and Christmas treats. A two-night stay in Melbourne is planned for 9-11 September, where a variety of different places will be visited during the trip. A trip to Castlemaine by Caravan & Cabin Crew is planned for 20-24 October. Guest speaker at the meeting was celebrant Dr Roxanne Bodsworth, who talked about her time conducting weddings and funerals. She had many interesting tales to tell, with members feeling both joy, intrigue and sadness. Ros Ferres was the lucky number winner. The next meeting is Tuesday, 13 May at 10.30am. There was no report for Wangaratta Ladies Probus due to their meeting date coinciding with Easter Monday.
