A LOT has changed in the 40 years since local men met to launch the Probus Club of Beaudesert, but what has remained is the fun, friendship and fellowship members share.
The social club for retirees celebrated 40 years with a lively lunch at The Club on October 2.
They swayed along to tunes played by the U3A ukulele group, cut an anniversary cake, heard from Probus Queensland President Carwyn Arnold and welcomed three new members.
New members Penny Sherrin, Karen Lane and Gae Slater joined a club that is now made up predominantly of women, a far cry from when the group was initially formed in 1984 and membership was restricted to men.
In the document ’40 years of Probus in Beaudesert’ shared at the celebrations, former president John Bartlett OAM reflects on the popularity and longevity of the group.
In the document, which includes extracts from the ’25 years of Probus in Beaudesert’ by the late Peter Cloonan, Mr Bartlett documents the history of Beaudesert Probus.
He charts the club’s rise from the first meeting called by Beaudesert Rotary on May 1, 1984, at the Railway Hotel to launch Beaudesert Probus, to women eventually being accepted as full members in 2012 and the club’s membership limit being increased to 120 in 2022.
Mr Bartlett also reports on the group’s many outings in Australia and abroad over the years and the dedication of the volunteers who organise those trips.
Mr Bartlett thanked everyone who has contributed to the success of Probus, from founding President Jack Enright to current President Lynne McKechnie and everyone in between.
“For the past 40 years, Beaudesert Probus has provided a source for retired and semi-retired people to enjoy fun, friendship and fellowship in their retirement years,” he said.
“Special thanks is offered to those members who gave their time, in some instances several years, to serve on the Management Committee. It is their dedication which has allowed the Club to become a successful and respected organisation.
“We look forward to other members taking on these roles in the years ahead so the Club can enjoy continued success.”
