Probus South Pacific Limited (PSPL)
PSPL is the service and support centre for Probus Clubs across Australia and New Zealand.
PSPL is made up of the PSPL Board of Directors and the PSPL Team based in Parramatta NSW. PSPL Directors are all volunteer Probus Club members who are dedicated to promoting the development of fun, friendship and fellowship and the advancement of delivering PSPL’s vision.
PSPL is a not-for-profit organisation that does not allow the distribution of surpluses. Any surplus PSPL makes is put back into providing services to Probus Clubs and Probus Club members. Like Probus Clubs, PSPL is governed by a constitution which outlines the objectives and role of PSPL as well as its membership and Board structure.
Meet Our Directors
Michael Ransom
Chairman and Representative Member for Victoria and Tasmania
Michael is a foundation member of the Mitcham Nunawading Probus Club in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. He has been a Probus member for over ten years and has served as President, Membership Officer and Tours and Outings Officer.
Michael has had nearly forty years’ experience in Government, working in a range of locations around Victoria with the state Government in a range of senior roles with the Environment Department and the Department of Primary Industries. He has been actively involved in community organisations for many years, and more recently has spent time enjoying golf, and served as captain of the Box Hill Golf Club for three years. Michael is married with three adult children and five grandchildren.
Jennifer Law
Vice Chairman and Representative Member for South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Jennifer is a member, Past President and former Secretary of the Victor Harbor/Granite Island Combined Probus Club in South Australia. She is also the Probus District Chairman for the South Country Area. Jennifer’s working life was spent in the local government sector in Western Australia, and she held executive positions both within the sector and the State Department of Local Government. Post retirement she operated a small consulting business for rural and remote local governments providing assistance on governance and policy matters. She also delivered training and support programs for local government officers and elected members.
Margaret Drake
Director and Representative Member for New Zealand
Margaret Drake is a Representative Member/Director for New Zealand. In 2005 she became a foundation member of the Rolleston Combined Probus Club and has served as its Secretary and President (twice). She has also been speaker organiser and newsletter editor. Margaret has served on the PSPL Board previously, from 2016 to 2020 and was its Chairman in 2020.
Prior to retiring Margaret spent most of her working life as a legal Secretary/Executive in Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North and Auckland so is familiar with the whole of New Zealand. She had been actively involved in Inner Wheel for many years, serving as Secretary and President of Howick Inner Wheel in Auckland and she also completed three years as District Secretary. Margaret has been awarded a Paul Harris Fellow twice and has also been Treasurer of her local Residents Association.
David Ekert
Board-Appointed Director and Treasurer
David is a Foundation Member and Past President of the Cornubia Probus Club in Southeast Queensland and has held all Executive positions in his Club. David is an Appointed Director. He is a past Rotarian, a Paul Harris Fellow and has been granted Honorary Membership of his former Rotary Club. David currently serves as a Director of a listed financial services company and has held Committee and Board positions with a number of community organisations.
David is a qualified accountant and has held executive financial and general management roles in Government and industry, as well as program and project management of major business change initiatives.
Nicholas Erby
Director and Representative Member for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory
Nick is a past president of the Probus Club of Kingscliff in NSW. He had a long career in broadcasting, managing radio stations and then specialising in country music where he was recognised for his service with a number of Australian and International awards. Throughout his career Nick served on the boards of both radio and country music industry bodies.
Brian Hoult B. Bus , CA
Director and Representative Member for Western Australia
Brian is a member and current president of the Probus Club of Mandurah Peel. He is a past Rotarian and currently sits on the committee of the Probus Association of Western Australia.
Brian is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and spent 40 years in Public Practice working largely with small businesses. He has also acted as Treasurer for a number of sporting and community groups over the years and is currently the Treasurer of his local croquet club.
Caroline Nelson
Director and Representative Member for Queensland
Caroline joined the Paddington Probus Club in 2020. She enjoyed the social benefits so much that she accepted nomination as President in 2024 and is currently immediate past President. She has been actively involved in many aspects of the Club’s management.
In her remunerated working life, she was responsible for the development and management of comprehensive community-based Mental Health Care in rural NSW and Southern Queensland. Her qualifications and experience in Psychiatric and General Nursing and Psychology have equipped her with enormous respect for the capacity of human beings to not just survive, but thrive, regardless of what life throws at them. She remains fascinated by human behaviour and the ability of individuals to endure despite adversity.
Judith Maestracci AM
Board-Appointed Director
Judith is a foundation member of the Indooroopilly Probus Club and has served as that club’s President, Secretary, Newsletter Editor and Guest Speaker Officer. Judith is also a foundation member of the Paddington Probus Club.
She has also served two terms on the committee of the Probus Association of Queensland (PAQ). During a business career spanning five decades, Judith has owned and operated her own businesses and served as Chairman and Director of numerous government and private company boards, commissions and organisations. She was recognised for her contribution to community, sport and tourism industry in 1996 appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Peter Turner
Board-Appointed Director
Peter Turner is appointed to the PSPL Board and has many years of business experience in the private sector in Australia and overseas.
He held senior positions in the Royal Philips Electronics Group, Foster’s Group Limited and the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association.
He is Past President of the Toorak Men’s Probus Club Inc.