PROBUS ASSOCIATION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA INC Website: http://probuswa.wordpress.com/ Email:probuswa@gmail.com President s Report Hello to all As the year draws to a close we need to reflect on what has happened during the year and what we wish and hope for in the future. Unfortunately during the year we lost three small clubs due to them not being able to form committees to enable the club to continue, however, on the positive side we have had three country clubs formed with Bridgetown near their ceiling on members and Denmark River already full at 60 members. We welcome Toodyay who have just received Accreditation breaking the mould of meeting times of most clubs and meeting in the evening. A sincere Welcome to Toodyay. We are also looking forward to at least one additional club in the Mandurah area. If your club has a waiting list it is possibly time for you to consider if an additional club is required in your area. Please let your respective RDPC know of this and they will meet with you to consider the possibilities. We hope this continued growth in new clubs and increasing membership of clubs which still have vacancies will continue into 2015. This allows more people to enjoy the benefits of being involved in Probus and involved in the Fun, Fellowship and Friendship that the organisation provides. We are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the current PSPL Board Meeting to allow us to move to the appointment and training of Field Officers to better service the clubs here in WA. We will progressively keep you informed as soon as all approvals to proceed are received. Much work has taken place on the introduction of the contents of the Memorandum of Association between PSPL and PAWA, however, it will take time to ensure the recommendations are implemented in the best possible way for the utmost benefit of all WA Probus Members. The time is also with us to start considering your committee for the next Probus year. Encourage newer members to take on board a committee position. I have not come across any Probus member who has not enjoyed their time serving on their club s committee. It is a time of learning, giving and assisting the club grow from strength to strength. I take this opportunity to pass to all WA Probus members Seasons Greetings and may you all have a joyous Christmas sharing with those who are close to you and may 2015 bring to you all the love, fun, friendship and fellowship you so desire. Graeme TABLE OF CONTENTS THIS EDITION. President s Report Great Southern Report PAWA Information Villa Report Club Information South West Regional Report PAWA Diary News & Notes Editor - Please contact Rosemary on 9523 2430 or email rojohn22@dodo.com.au 1
There are no special Anniversaries in December However, We Wish Everyone Of You A VERY HAPPY FESTIVE SEASON and a HAPPY & HEALTHY 2015 GREAT SOUTHERN REPORT CLUB NEWS At the recent Albany Show Probus had its own little display for the first time. A great deal of interest was shown by the local community and some clubs have already been visited by potential new members. Club members from a range of local clubs manned the stall over a two day period. Thank you to all who generously offered their time. Some dates have already been set for next year s functions. The Great Southern Information Day will be held at the Albany Club on the 25 th May. Our regional Past Presidents lunch will this time be organised by the Port of Albany Ladies Probus Club. The date has been organised for the 16 th September which is most suiting as it will be wild flower season. Not only can visitors attend out lunch but also take advantage of some wonderful wild flower displays. A recent guest speaker at the Albany Ladies Probus Club was Dean Lee who is currently working with the City of Albany as the General Manager, Albany Heritage Park. Over the last 12 months, Dean s mission has been to create a major visitor destination serving the community and furthering Albany s tourism attractions into the future. He has a long history of working with major tourist complexes in Australia and around the world which are testament to his skills in project management and marketing strategies. Importantly for us he was responsible for planning and directing the launch of the Albany Heritage Park and its main feature, the National Anzac Centre, which kicked off the Anzac Centenary commemorative events to take place over 2014/15. The spotlight was on Albany with 40,000 visitors to our town and live news coverage seen nationally under blue skies!! Albany is now known as where things start, not end! Thank you Dean for helping Albany put her best foot forward into the future as a must see destination. The Denmark River Probus Club was initiated only a couple months ago, 33 members signed up on the day. Since that time the club committee set a ceiling of sixty members. As a testament to the need for a second club in Denmark membership has increased to the point where the club has not only reached its ceiling number but now has a waiting list. What a wonderful effort by all those who have worked so diligently to form this second club. As this is the last report for 2014 I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Probians for your support. Next year will undoubtedly bring new ventures and one never knows maybe more new clubs in the Great Southern. Graham Kirkwood - Great Southern Regional Representative It is wonderful to welcome another WA Probus Club. The Probus Club of Toodyay President: Peter Healy Tel - 08 9574 4778 Secretary: Ardina Vandeven: Phone: 08 9574 2931 Mobile: 0417578653 Email: avandeven1@bigpond.com The Club meets at 7.30 pm on the 2 nd Tuesday of the month at the Community Resource Centre, Toodyay. The Club s current postal address is: c/o PO BOX 1528. TOODYAY, WA 6566 We wish you all great success. 2
*** SOUTH WEST REGION REPORT *** 2014 SOUTH WEST GET TOGETHER Just a final word on the recent event at Dardanup heritage Centre. Everyone I have spoken to since the day has said they had a wonderful time. Once again congratulations to all the members of South Bunbury Combined Probus Club and thanks for your efforts. The Venue and the weather combined with the fun, fellowship, friendship and food made it a day to remember for all. COMING EVENTS Next year s 2015 South West Region Get Together is off to a flying start already. Glenda and I had the pleasure of meeting with some of the organizing committee for the 2015 Get Together in Mandurah last week. The host club next year is Mandurah Island Probus Club and they impressed us with their enthusiasm and determination to present a fantastic event on Tuesday 17 th November 2015. The Chairman of the committee is Terry Gilchrist and Secretary is Joy Shadbolt. You will be hearing a lot more from them as time passes but put the date in your calendar now and encourage all your friends in Probus not to miss it. The 2015 PAWA South West Region Information and Friendship Day will, as previously reported be at a new improved venue. The Parade Hotel in Bunbury has served us well for many years but members asked us to find another venue because of a number of risk management and comfort factors. Our venue for 2015 will be the recently refurbished Lighthouse Resort in Bunbury. The day chosen is 7 th May and all club committees new and old will be urged to attend. More information will be sent to clubs in the New Year. By the way, a note to all Probians. Although the Regions have been developed to help manage all the clubs in our great state, there are no barriers or fences separating us and any members from any club are most welcome to participate in any of the events we hold. You have to book in of course. That said I would just like to wish all my fellow Probians: A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Don Faulks PAWA South West Regional Representative 2014-2015 A SPECIAL INVITATION TO ALL PROBIANS from Manjimup Combined Probus Club We have recently heard that a number of Probians from other clubs are planning to come Manjimup for the MANJIMUP CHERRY HARMONY FESTIVAL on Saturday 13th December 2014. This fun event which celebrates the start of the season for the fabulous cherry crop from Manjimup and the huge range of food and wine produced in the area, is attended by thousands every year. One of the main events is the closure of the main street and CBD for the day and features market stalls and displays of all the wonderful produce from the region as well as all day entertainment and fun for all ages. More information is available on www.cherryfestival.com.au. Manjimup Probus Club are going to arrange a venue in the central area near the Manjimup Visitors Centre on the Saturday and set it up as a welcome and drop in centre for Probians visiting on the day to :- * Welcome Probians to Manjimup and share some fellowship,shade, a cold drink or a cup of tea. * Promote Probus in Manjimup. So if you are planning to come on down to Manjimup for the fabulous Cherry Harmony Festival look for the venue with the Probus Logo proudly on display. Rest your feet enjoy some fellowship and we might even have a cherry for you. PS Bring your badge. For more information contact: Chrissie Young on 97771747 or email:chrissy1950@bigpond.com Or contact the Manjimup Visitors Centre. 3
Probus Association Western Australia * * * * INFORMATION * * * * PAWA DIRECTORY UPDATES: CHANGE: Combined Probus Club of Scarborough now meet at Trigg Island Surf Club, 360 West Coast Drive, Trigg. WA 6029 The meeting day and time remain the same. GUEST SPEAKER UPDATE: CHANGE: Sonia Bray will assume the Client Liaison Officer position at the Silver Chain Group at the beginning of December. Best to contact Customer Centre 9242 0242. CHANGE: Perth Zoo Zoo to You Program Please contact the Discovery and Learning Bookings Officer to make a booking. Phone: (08) 9474 0365 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Email: discoveryandlearning@perthzoo.wa.gov.au DELETE: Please remove the following names Elaine Khan Ean McDonald Hilary Peart Should you wish to recommend a Guest Speakers please send details to Patricia Owens email: patricia.owens@westnet.com.au or phone 9332 8569 All we want for Christmas is a list of Probus Members willing to take on one of the following roles on the PAWA Committee for 2015/2016. Vice President - 2nd Vice President - Secretary - Treasurer Probus West Editor - Committee Members. With our recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with PSPL there are great times ahead so why not join in and help create a new era of Probus in Western Australia. 4
Probus Association Western Australia * * * * INFORMATION * * * * Please note that the instructions for creating you own website and generic email address can be found on the PAWA website information page PAWA EVENTS FOR YOUR 2014-2015 PROBUS DIARY Event Venue Date PAWA AGM Lake Karrinyup Country Club 30th March 2015 Information Day North Metro Lake Karrinyup Country Club 15 th April 2015 Information Day South Metro Venue TBA 29th April 2015 South West Information Day Bunbury Lighthouse Resort 7th May 2015 Great Southern Information Day Venue TBA 22nd May 2015 Please add these events to your 2015 calendar and also remember to register by due date. (also please see attachments) HO, HO, HO 5
Villa Carlotta Travel Magical Musical Holidays in 2015 Why not get yourself the Christmas present you want this year? Treat yourself to one of villa s magical musical short break holidays to Sydney! Choose from two amazing getaways. Firstly, the incredible story of Aida, a tragic Egyptian love story of epic proportions. Set on Sydney Harbour itself, with the opera house in the background and the glittering lights of the city as your backdrop. This is truly a spectacle of the ages with a cast of hundreds, eye-popping sets and costumes and a grand finale of fireworks over the harbour. If that s not enough, this holiday also includes a guided tour of Hyde Park Barracks, walking tour of The Rocks, Observation Deck, Sydney Tower Eye, Sydney Olympic Park, Newington Armory tour, famous Manly Ferry, Sydney Showboat Dinner Experience and free time in Manly and the Rocks. Departing on Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 April 2015, this 5-day holiday starts from just $3025 pp twin share and $460 for the single supplement. Second is Villa s Vivid Sydney holiday. This includes the amazing spectacle of Sydney transforming into a canvas of colour for the annual Vivid Festival of Lights. Your accommodation in Darling Harbour is perfectly located to be one Vivid s most colourful precincts offering entertainment and fun. Not to be missed is the fabulous Les Miserables matinee performance. From your premium seats, enjoy this world-renowned musical at the Capitol Theatre. Your holiday also includes a feast of Sydney sights and guided experiences. Explore the history of six generations at Rouse Hill, cruise down the Hawkesbury River on a classic Paddlewheeler, step into the magical grounds of a Chinese Garden, board a heritage train and so much more! This 6-day getaway departs on Thursday 21 to Tuesday 26 May 2015 and prices start from $3225 per person twin share with your single supplement only $575. To book on either of these two wonderful musical getaways, FreeCall 1800 066 272 or email villa now at PAWA is proudly supported by www.villa.com.au Free Call 1800 066 272 Printed copies of PAWA News and Notes courtesy of the office of Dr Dennis Jensen, Member for Tangney 6