KIMBA PROBUS RALLY REPORT
01 Sep 2021
The annual PROBUS Rally was hosted by the Kimba Combined PROBUS Club on Tuesday 17th August and was attended by representatives from each of the other ten clubs in the Eyre Region. They were Quorn, Port Augusta (3clubs), Whyalla (2clubs), Port Lincoln (2clubs), Streaky Bay, and Cleve. Considerable distances were covered by members to attend. Quorn members travelled a round trip of 392Ks, Port Augusta’s 300Ks, Whyalla’s 280Ks, Port Lincoln’s 416KS, Streaky Bay’s 466Ks, Cleve’s 136Ks. Some members travelled up the day before by bus, private car and either stayed at the hotel, motel or in their caravans. Approximately 50 members met at the hotel on Monday Night for the Meet and Greet to enjoy a meal and a catch up, others came just for the day.
The function was set up for 180 people, including 32 members from the Kimba Combined club, in The Kimba Districts Football and Netball Clubrooms. Unfortunately, several people were unable to attend, and the final number was 160 including Bill Paues the newly elected Probus President for the Eyre Peninsular Region.
The day began with morning tea after which the national anthem was sang by one member.
The Mayor opened the Rally and the Banner Parade was held with each club hanging their banner and giving some details about their club.
Three Guest Speakers. Namely Cecilia who is the chair of the World Heritage Nomination of the Northern Flinders Ranges. She spoke of their quest in seeking world heritage listing to protect its Fossil Deposits. These include the Ediacaran Fossils which date back 500 million years.
Gladys Fleming who is known widely in our region for her work with mental health. She trained as a teacher originally before returning to tertiary study and became a community health coordinator. She had a captive audience for her talk on Enjoying Life as We Age.
John Read an ecologist and author who has set up a sanctuary at Secret Rocks a former pastoral property approx. halfway between Kimba and Whyalla where he lives with his wife and family. They have fenced a large area of the property in an attempt to save some of the rare wildlife and flora of the area such as Mallee Fowl and Bandicoots. It is amazing the difference in the vegetation inside and outside of the fence. The damage caused by the kangaroos and wild cats along with bush fires is very evident.
Light entertainment was provided by Secretary Brian Pain who entertained us with several songs during the day and a group of lady members who performed a skit.
A delicious meal was provided by the ladies of the Buckleboo Club.
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