Just the two of us
17 Feb 2018
Barry Cooling and David Walker have been friends for more than 40 years and are now enjoying retirement.
Barry and David have been friends for 40 odd years and they’re still going strong. When he first moved to Taree, Barry was the co-owner of one of the major car yards in Taree. David worked as a senior surveyor with the Lands Department.
They both joined the Taree Lions Club and became good friends as they pitched in and helped with community projects for many years.
With a strong love of the outdoors, David and Barry have always been keen on golf, fishing and going to the beach.
They helped start up a group of local men, called ‘The Joggers’ who met every morning in the main street of Taree and then drove to the beach for a jog and a dip. They all kept this local tradition up for many years, and it was a big part of Barry and David’s friendship.
Now that they’ve both retired, Barry and David are members of Taree Probus Club and they say they find going to Probus gives them the social outlet and contact with their friends that’s so important.
Retirement: a well- earned break
Barry was the first to join Taree Probus about 20 years ago. He says he’d been working hard as a businessman and a member of the local Lions Club for many years. He decided it was time to have a well-earned break.
As he recalls: “A friend took me to a Probus meeting. They had a speaker there who said ‘we have morning tea and we’re gone by 12 because at this stage of our lives, we want some time to enjoy ourselves.’
“So being a lazy sort of a bloke, I thought that sounds good to me!” laughs Barry.
“And so I joined up and I’ve never regretted it."
“Lions was all about work and projects but Probus is more social. It’s great because I didn’t want to lose contact with the guys – I still wanted to stay in touch with my friends.”
Through thick and thin
Over 40 odd years, as David and Barry have maintained their strong friendship, there’ve been great times and there’ve been some less fortunate times. As Barry explains, David experienced a difficult time when his wife of 50 years, Elaine, passed away a few years ago.
“Elaine was sick for quite a long time with Alzheimer’s and David looked after her,” says Barry, “So it was important that we kept in touch while he went through that difficult time.”
Barry filled out an application form for him to join Probus. Barry remembers he simply gave the form to David and said “Sign this.”
Not content with his best mate being a fellow member, late last year, Barry nominated David for President of Taree Probus Club.
It was a great move and David says he’s enjoying the position very much.
Friendship stands the test
About 15 years ago, Barry developed macular degeneration in one of his eyes and, over the years, his eyesight has deteriorated to the point where he’s unable to drive.
But David says it’s been important to both of them that despite Barry’s failing eyesight, he’s still been able to attend Probus meetings and keep in touch with David and his other mates.
“He still comes to all of our Probus meetings so I still see Barry on the second Tuesday of each month – we’re able to catch up quite a bit,” David says.
“Plus, a friend of ours drives Barry to the golf club every Wednesday so he can join in for a drink and a meal at the end of our game – something we’ve all been doing for years,” he adds.
Social aspect is the key
When it comes down to it, everyone seems to enjoy the social aspect of Probus. David says this is the best part for him and the fact everyone mixes in.
“It doesn’t matter what the people at Probus used to do – we have doctors and teachers and railway men. It really doesn’t matter because it’s a social thing,” he explains.
Both David and Barry agree, being members of their local Probus Club continues to be a great asset to them in their retirement.
It’s helped them maintain their own strong friendship and, at the same time, it’s given them a venue where they can make and keep in touch with many other local friends
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