Probus is a social club for retired professionals and business people.

The name Probus is derived from the words professional and business, and also from a Latin word meaning honest and virtuous.

Probus originated in the UK in 1965, when the first clubs were formed by members of Rotary.

The movement spread to New Zealand in 1974, and to Australia in 1976.

Probus is now a world-wide movement with thousands of clubs.

Probus South Pacific 

The first Probus Club in the South Pacific region was the Probus Club of Kapiti Coast, New Zealand.

The Club was formed in 1974 and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Paraparaumu.

This was soon followed by the formation of the Probus Club of Hunters Hill, NSW in 1976.

The first Probus Club for women in the region was the Ladies Club of St Heliers, New Zealand in 1982.

This was closely followed by Bateau Bay, NSW later that year.

Following the advent of single gender Clubs, the concept of combined gender Clubs was developed.

Today, there are men’s, ladies’ and combined Clubs.

Since the first Clubs were established in New Zealand and Australia, Probus has grown at an astonishing rate, and is administered by Probus South Pacific Limited, based in Parramatta NSW.

The Probus philosophy – Fun, Friendship and Fellowship – lives on.