Double decade

07 Dec 2012

Stokes Valley Probus Club, the oldest of its kind in the Hutt Valley and second oldest in the Wellington Region, celebrated its 20th birthday on 9 May with a well-attended luncheon at the Stokes Valley RSA. Among the special guests were six foundation members Bronwyn Williams, Mavis Garrett, Iris Bush, Arthur Bush, Audrey McDonald and Rene Toyer.

Guest speaker was Murray Jensen (pictured with cake creator Gaye Martin), South Pacific Board member and District Probus Chair, life member of Raumati Probus Club and member of Waikanae Central Probus Club. He spoke of the tremendous growth in popularity of Probus in the region, particularly mixed clubs like Stokes Valley and said more and more people were appreciating the fun, fellowship and friendship offered by this organisation.

The club tried to start by inviting the “men of the valley” to a meeting, but “when no man came”, it was decided to be a combined club and 20 founder members signed up. No 59422 Probus Club of Stokes Valley came into being 1 May, 1992, with meeting bell, gavel and chain of office all gifted by Stokes Valley Rotary, which marked its 25th anniversary that founding year.