Formed just under three years ago, the Mildura Probus has quickly grown into a vibrant club of friendly, like-minded members who actively participate in its meetings, events and activities.
In May, the club embarked on its inaugural group getaway to Berri in South Australia’s Riverland. With approximately 75 per cent of the club’s available members attending, the strong turnout reflected the enthusiasm, commitment and camaraderie that have become hallmarks of the club.
The journey began with a 153-kilometre drive from Mildura across the Victorian border into the Riverland, with members making their way to the Big4 Berri Riverside Holiday Park. Many chose to carpool, providing additional opportunities to socialise and strengthen friendships along the way. Five members travelling by caravan and motorhome arrived a day earlier to settle in before the rest of the group.
The Big4 Berri Riverside Holiday Park proved to be an ideal destination for a large group, offering apartment-style accommodation, cabins and caravan sites, along with a spacious, well-equipped camp kitchen and undercover outdoor seating area that became the hub for many of the group’s activities.
Day One
Members met in Renmark for a relaxing lunch at the Renmark Club, enjoying picturesque views of the Murray River. The afternoon included a stroll through the town, a visit to the historic Renmark Hotel and its museum, followed by a stop at the visitor information centre to explore the paddle steamer PS Industry, moored nearby.
After arriving in Berri and settling into their accommodation, members gathered for a communal dinner in the camp kitchen before enjoying a lively game of bingo filled with fun, laughter and friendly competition.
Day Two
Following a hearty communal breakfast, the group set off to explore more of the Riverland.
The first stop was the Olive Grove Homestead Museum in Renmark, where members spent several hours exploring the extensive collection of historical displays. The visit sparked many fond memories before concluding with a welcoming morning tea.
The group then travelled across the river to Paringa, browsing the treasures at Cammies Antiques before enjoying a hearty lunch at the Paringa Hotel.
The afternoon continued at the Woolshed Brewery, an original shearing shed transformed into a boutique brewery overlooking a scenic bend of the Murray River. The peaceful setting provided the perfect opportunity for members to relax together, enjoy the surroundings and sample the local products.
Back at the holiday park, members prepared their own pizzas using bases and sauce supplied by the park, while the club provided a variety of toppings. The pizzas were cooked in the park’s wood-fired pizza oven, creating another memorable shared experience. The evening concluded with a club quiz night, where teams competed for nothing more than friendly bragging rights.
Day Three
Although the final day had originally been planned as a simple breakfast before heading home, members were treated to one final Riverland experience with a visit to a private garden in nearby Barmera. The impressive attraction featured beautifully maintained gardens, colourful parrots and an extensive collection of classic cars.
The owners’ passion for their collection, while raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, left a lasting impression on the group. Members also enjoyed another delightful morning tea before beginning the journey back to Mildura.
The club expressed its appreciation to the management and staff of the Big4 Berri Riverside Holiday Park for helping make the inaugural getaway such a success.
The trip was widely praised by those who attended, with many members commenting on the friendships strengthened and new connections formed throughout the three days. After such a memorable first club getaway, anticipation is already building for the next adventure.