Some 75 members and friends gathered at the Box Hill Golf Club, where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch with good company and considerable fun and were treated to some wonderful entertainment by our own Barber Shop Baritone Boys (Ralph Lewis, Peter Aynsley, Bernard Lyons and Morris Gould). What would we do without them!

During the lunch our club president spoke of the contributions of many members over the years and the history of the club by picking out milestone events that lead to what is our club today. How this has given our club a unique comrade amongst members and in the activities that all members enjoy today.
During the afternoon our Men’s Probus Club recognised the contributions over the past decade by a number of members. The importance that the club attaches to these awards can de shown by the fact only fourteen “Certificates of Appreciation” have been awarded in the 25 year history of the club.

To present these awards our two Life and Foundation Members Col Hamley and Bill Evans presented the certificates to Peter Cook, Frank Devlin and Charles Povey.

Then Julian Nance cut our 25th Birthday Cake made by Maria Dowling and pieces were distributed to all present.

A Twenty Five Year Story Of A Mission, A Commitment and Of Fellowship and Fun

Members, wives and partners; we are here today to celebrate the Men’s Probus Club of Surrey Hills 25th Anniversary and I hope you all enjoy this special occasion.

The club as we know it today is the work of many members who have given much -me and effort over the past 25 years, to build a Probus Club that can attract members and expand its activities in line with members interests and needs.

At all times we have been guided by the mission of Probus which is for the advancement of intellectual interests of active retirees in the spirit of friendship, fellowship and fun.

When I talk of the early history of the club I am relying heavily on Bill Evans excellent history of and the extensive data that he has collected and collated for our benefit.

He states that notices to form a Probus Club by Canterbury Rotary were placed in local newspapers inviting expressions of interest from retired or semi retired men in the district and inviting interested par-es to attend a meeting. This took place on the Saturday morning of May 23, 1992 at the Salvation Army Centre in Guildford Road, Surrey Hills with some 25 men attending. It was jointly chaired by Rotary members John Eddison and Geoff Brooks.

By a show of hands the group decided to form a Probus Club and the mee-ng elected Peter Branson as the first President, with Dudley Robin as Secretary and Col Hamley as Treasurer, together with six commiTee members. Just over one week later, on Thursday June 4, 1992 they had their first general mee-ng with 20 members.

From the founding of the club in May, 1992 with 20 members – these members made personal invita-ons to others – and so by December 1992, seven new members were added and there was one resigna-on. All who joined in 1992 were deemed to be “Foundation Members”.

The club struggled for members in the early years of its existence growing to 30 members aQer one year, June 1993, and remaining at 30 members in June 1994, moving to 43 members in June 1995 and 46 in June 1996 and by the fifth year, June 1997 there were 65 members.

Progress was more rapid over the next 5 years growing to 90 members in the tenth year June 2002. However growth slowed again with numbers fluctuating and reaching 94 by the fifteenth year, June 2007. The growth since that time has been static, with member numbers varying around 90-100 and the number today currently stands at 93.

But numbers don’t tell the whole story of the club, as it responded in various ways to the needs of members.

From the start, the club under the stewardship of some 25 Presidents – it would take too long to name all the club’s presidents and their contributions here; but all have provided great leadership and all their delibera-ons were made keeping the values of Probus and the welfare of members in mind.

These Presidents also continued to try various activities some being highly successful –and they remain; whilst others struggled to gain traction. But none were failures as they demonstrated a club engaging with the members to meet member’s aspirations.

It is impossible in a short space of time to cover all activities and detail today how the club developed. So I will pick out certain moments that stand out as being pivotal in the development of the club – not in a good or poor sense; but simply they could be regarded as -pping points or maybe milestones in the clubs history.

In 1992 the Christmas Lunch was commenced and con-nues to be highly successful. This has proved not only successful but is such an important part of the club’s annual social life bringing all members, wives and partners together in fellowship and fun. Forming strong lasting friendships and continues to do so today.

In 1994 certain members proposed our constitution be changed to allow both male and female membership. This was discussed at length and finally voted down by a clear majority; but unfortunately two members resigned as a mark of protest. Numbers however soon recovered which endorsed the decision to con-nue as a “men’s club”.

However while this exclusiveness remains, it only applies to our Monthly General Meetings; with wives, partners and friends being encouraged to join members and be part of any of the club’s activities as can be seen today.

In 1994 a Walking Group was started by Bill Evans with modest numbers but quickly became a core activity within the club and is strongly supported by members to this day under the leadership of Ed. Cohen and Graeme Greaves.

In 1999 it was decided to introduce a regular segment in our Monthly Meetings called “Gettng To Know You” –GTKU- where members, particularly new members were invited to give a 10 minute potted history of their life; and in this way to accelerate the inclusion of a new member into the club. This has proved to be a most useful and rewarding part of the club’s life and continues to assimilate members today.

In 2002 the use of the established Salva-on Army-Meeting Room in Guildford Road, Surry Hills was reviewed as it had become apparent for financial and other reasons our continued use could not be assured. It was then decided that from 2003 our meetings would be held at St Aidan’s Uniting Church in Duggan Street, Balwyn North where we remain today.

A golfing group was started in 2003 by Austen Ekburg and continues today under Peter Aynsley, so each month a group of Happy Hackers takes to the course to enjoy a challenge and companionship.

In 2010 Peter Cook introduced what is now called the Book Exchange where members with an interest in reading can take several books for their use from some 300 donated books to the club. No records are kept of books taken, nor how long they are held by the member. This keeps the system simple.

Bruce Wilson introduced Photography as a group acvvity in 2011. This was a small but energetic group, with film shoots at various locations and afternoons spent critiquing one another’s photographs. It continues on a needs basis from time to time.

In 2011 a Cycling Group was established by Andrew Wood. This has developed along similar along lines to the walking group. And a regular group of cyclists hit the streets and trails around Melbourne, demonstrating vigour and youth and along the way they “sample” a local coffee to keep their spirits and body warm particularly in the colder months.

More recently in 2016 with support from Frank Devlin the club introduced a cinema group, which has a commiTed group of film buffs who enjoy an evening at the ”flicks”, viewing films of all genres.
Finally an important change took place in the club during the years 2013-2017, with the introduction by Bruce Wilson in 2013 of a Membership Directory-with a member’s photograph and all contact details, and interest details being provided to members.

Bruce then joined with Bill Roberts to run a series of monthly meetings to encourage members to purchase iPads and support them in their initial use. This resulted in increased member numbers that could receive club communica-ons electronically – now up to 95%.

At the same time Ross Campbell began work on the club’s webpage to improve a number of features. Later as editor of the clubs monthly newsletter, which is now a highly professional publication that is transmitted electronically to be in members hands 24-36 hours after our monthly meeting with all of the meetings and following months activities details.

Separately Bill Roberts worked on a system to hold all member details electronically – called “MemberKeep”- which would enable general committee to obtain information to assist the club to take actions to benefit the club and its membership. This work was competed in early 2017 with the assistance of Doug Westcott, who also has brought has talents to bear during Monthly Meetings in opera-ng our digital projector and computer.

This is by no means a full history of the club or its development; so I will jump in time to today, where we now have 93 members.

Most of the club’s membership is drawn from the City of Boroondara –some 75%; with the balance having lived in the City of Boroondara, but due to increasing age have down sized; and now live just outside the area.

The club today offers a range of diverse activities each month; with some 90 events over any calendar year being developed and organised for members to enjoy. With some additional events organised on an irregular basis – such as live theatre and 2-4 day trips.

This provides members the opportunity to enjoy a rich diversity of ac-vi-es and plenty of chances to socialize with a broad range of members from different backgrounds and allow friendships to develop.

Currently our monthly activities can be listed
• Monthly Meeting – Invited Speakers and Lunch
• Walking Group
• Cycling Group
• Golfing Group
• Dine Out Group
• Outings Group
• Cinema Group
• Book Exchange
We also have a Welfare Officer.

Whilst member welfare has always been integral to the club’s life it was probably ini-ally formalized by Ralph Lewis and supported laTer by Peter Cook and Bill Roberts. It has been brought further to members attention by Donald Swain who through constant contact with members, and by his unique blend of concern, sensitivity and humour has been able to convey a members health or welfare situation to the membership in such a way that brings a concerned and active response from all members.

To run all these activities; including the Monthly Meeting requires some 22 members to give willingly of their time.

Over the course of the 25 years the diversity of activities has grown with the interests of members and membership numbers; and more recently with changes in physical abilities of some members.
The age of the membership continues to increase, which is only to be expected, with the members’ average age now in the low to mid eighties and ranges between high sixties to low nineties.
With this ageing, more members are facing at least some restrictions than ever before, causing difficul-es in accessing public transport and no longer being in a position to drive.

In this respect we have been fortunate to receive Grant Monies from the City of Boroondara, which have been used in part, to subsidise transport and therefore attendance at outings – these outings can be day trips; which are as diverse as trips into the Yarra Valley or aTendance at museums and galleries and widely appreciated by the older membership.

Whether we will be in a position to continue with some of these subsidised activities requiring transport is uncertain, as the Boroondara Council has recently altered rules regarding Grant Monies. Yet these activities are critical in having our elder members attend and maintain a social contact with our community.

Finally, I wonder whether any of the Founding Members could have realised when forming a Probus Club in 1992, that it would exist some 25 years later and secondly it would continue to provide
such friendship, fellowship and fun to the current members.

But I hope Bill Evans and Col Hamley, our two Foundation Members who are here today and sat in that Salvation Army Hall in Surrey Hills and made the decision to form this club; can take some satisfaction at what they brought about.

And how it continues to provide a place for retired men in the Boroondara community to gather and share their stories; sometimes their difficulties, and open their laughter with others, and to walk away feeling just a little better  for the experience.

I would now propose a toast to the Men’s Probus Club of Surrey Hills for a prosperous future and may it attract members who will enjoy the benefits of fellowship, friendship and fun.
Geoff Jewell, President

The Men’s Probus Club of Surrey Hills celebrated its 20th Anniversary at a luncheon at The Kew Golf Club on Friday 20th July, 2012. 78 members, partners and friends joined in the celebration including David Proud, representing Canterbury Rotary, as well as Foundation members Bill Evans, Colin Hamley and Austin Sureda. David proposed a toast to Probus and Bill Evans responded with a run down on the club’s history. Light hearted musical entertainment was provided by a group of members known as the Il Divos.

Formed by the Rotary Club of Canterbury in 1992, the club has expanded to 96 members. It meets on the first Thursday of each month at St Aidan’s North Balwyn. It has an outstanding speaker program, regularly visits places of interest, provides activities for walkers, golfers, cyclists, photographers, technical training in computers and frequent ‘dine-outs’.

The Men’s Probus Club of Surrey Hills presented a Life Membership to long time resident of Surrey Hills, Bill Evans. The club is celebrating 20 years since being chartered on the 23rd of June 1992 and Bill is the first member of the club to be recognised in this way.

Bill is a foundation member, a past President and a committee member for 9 years.

In 1993 Bill decided that he and his retiree members of the local probus club needed to undertake some serious walking. A walking group was formed under Bill’s leadership and this group has been walking 6 to 8 km every month since.

Bill has now travelled along, and mapped, over 70 different walking trails around Boroondara and neighbouring municipalities. These walks have enabled members to enjoy the many wonderful parks and native bush areas so carefully preserved by our Councils and residents. Bill arranges each walk on a five-year rotation basis so it’s rare to find a walk you’ve done before. Bill Evans is also the club’s Historian and has written 2 large volumes of club history. There is a biography of each of the club’s 180 members who have been in the in the club since it began 20 years ago.

Surrey Hills Probus held its Annual General Meeting on March 1st and the President Peter Cook, in presenting the award said, “Bill has been a wonderful member who has given outstanding service to Surrey Hills Probus and its many members. He is the sort of person that makes our community such a great place to live.”

The meeting also presented Certificates of Appreciation to two long serving members Ken Burr and Julian Nance. These men have both given great service to the club through their involvement in the committee and as Past Presidents.

Peter Cook
President 2011-12

At the Annual General Meeting held on the 6th of March, the outgoing President of the Men’s Probus Club of Surrey Hills, Bruce Wilson, presented a Life Membership to foundation club member, Col Hamley.

The citation for Col Hamley on his Life Membership Award read as follows:

“A Foundation Member, Colin served the club in its early days as Foundation Treasurer for four years, President in 1996, and Auditor from 1999 to 2006. Colin has organised the bowls competition teams for the Victorian Probus Association tournaments.

Colin remains an active member, often counselling newer officers in the club”.

The meeting also presented Certificates of Appreciation to two long serving members Jim Marsden and Arthur Spencer.

As Secretary and Public Officer since 2007, Jim has been a constant contributor to the Club, ensuring that correspondence, newsletters, reports and agendas for our meetings are produced accurately and on time.

Arthur is a long term club member who has assisted in liaison with St Aidan’s Church Board and has helped ensure that the hall and equipment are set up for our use. He has been instrumental in arranging refreshments during the meeting, thereby assisting in ensuring the convivial nature of our club.