Echuca-Moama Probus Club welcomes retirees from across the region. Pictured are Elizabeth Hedditch, Geoff Hedditch, Neil Luke, Ann Luke, Karlene Cockerell, Brian Cockerell and Liz Baxter. Photos: Supplied.
Echuca-Moama is a thriving community that is only growing. One of the many reasons people love the region is the multitude of groups they can be a part of.
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To help you find the right group, check out our ‘Why not join ...’ series each week, where we focus on a community group.
In today’s edition, Emily Donohoe speaks to the Echuca-Moama Twin Rivers Probus Club.
Retirement presents plenty of opportunities to explore the world and connect with the community, particularly though organisations like Probus.
Entering the silver jubilee year, retirees have created strong friendships and made exciting memories together through the club.
David Humphreys, the club’s first president, has been heavily involved since its inception, particularly through the 3Cs — the caravan and camping crowd, and indoor bowls.
“We had a meeting to consider the formation of another Probus club,” he said.
“You can virtually do anything ... I think I started bowls in about 2003.”
Publicity officer Helen Taverner echoed the flexibility Probus provides to its committee and its members, with a range of activities hosted regularly.
Among these are cards, coffee meet-ups, indoor bowls, garden lovers, out and about club and breakfast events, along with monthly meetings.
“You don’t have to go to every single one,” Mrs Taverner said.
“It depends on what your interest is.
“You couldn’t do everything, you’d never be home.”
One activity that has proven to be a hit is the 3Cs, a twice a year event that sees members travel to a caravan park where they stay for a few days, exploring the region and spending time together.
Members camp, caravan or stay in cabins at destinations including Lakes Entrance, Wagga Wagga, Swan Hill, Mansfield, Mudgee and Port Fairy.
These trips have helped to form strong friendships in the club.
“You can’t be friends with 93 people, but you have got a bond there,” Mrs Taverner said.
“That’s what being part of a club does provide, so the highlight ... is the friendships and support that you have.”
Mr Humphreys even met his partner on a trip with local Probus clubs.
The club hosts a range of acitivities and events throughout the year, including their Christmas lunch, where Julie Hosken, Lorraine Lucic, Nancy Betts, Judy and Kim Wallace, Bruce Haines, and Barry and Irene Thompson are pictured.
Probus attracts people from a range of backgrounds and for many reasons, particularly new residents or widows.
While the word Probus itself is a portmanteau of ‘professional’ and ‘business’, anyone retired or semi-retired is welcome to join.
“(Those who have) lost their partners so they can still get out and do things,” Mr Humphreys said.
Being a widow herself, Mrs Taverner has found the connections and opportunities provided by Probus to be invaluable.
While some activities would be overwhelming alone, she has felt comfortable through being accompanied by her Probus community.
“I’ve been widowed for many, many years,” she said.
“I would be reluctant to go to a club or a dining place on my own, whereas ... I could go out with the other members and feel quite at ease.”
Each month at their meeting they hold ‘Probian behind the badge’, where a member shares their life story and experiences with attendees.
They also have a guest speaker join, with past presenters including representatives from Uniting AgeWell or The Camel Milk Co.
With 93 current members, the Echuca-Moama Twin Rivers Probus Club welcomes new faces to join.
Meetings are held at Echuca Workers Club on the first Monday of each month at 10am, with the next scheduled for March 3.
Those who are interested in joining the club should contact Helen Salter on 0417 307 082.
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