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Guest Speaker - October 2024

October guest speaker was Carwyn Arnold, President, Probus Association Queensland, who spoke about the history of Probus and what the organisation can offer to members. 

Guest Speaker - September 2024

September guest speaker was Leonie Walsh, Chief Horse Steward and Ring Master at the Beaudesert Show. Leonie is an International Horse Judge, having judged in the UK and New Zealand. Leonie gave members an overview of the very rich and colourful history of the Beaudesert Show.

Guest Speaker - August 2024

We were delighted to welcome Sally Eeles, producer and writer of The Lady Vanishes podcast, to our August meeting to speak to members about the investigation into the disappearance of Gold Coast School Teacher, Marion Barter, in 1997.

Sally has 30 years’ experience as a broadcast journalist, producer and writer, at all of Australia’s major television networks. She now works in International Development, helping to build the skills and careers of women journalists across the Indo-Pacific.

Sally is also one of four co-authors of The Lady Vanishes book, which was published in May. It is a great read that keeps you hanging on to the end. In June, the book reached #1 in Australia in the true crime category bestseller. Some of our members were lucky enough to purchase a signed copy of the book. President, Lynne, was fortunate to receive a copy signed by all four authors.

Guest Speaker - July 2024

Kristina Gant, Manager, Beaudesert Branch of the National Australia Bank, addressed members about online banking and security. Kristina gave a very informative talk which covered scams and fraud, and how to keep personal information safe with regard to PINs, signatures and contact details, using ATMs and EFTPOS, and shopping online.   

Guest Speaker - June 2024

Following on from National Volunteer week at the end of May, we welcomed three guest speakers to our June meeting from UnitingCare: 

  • Sharon Batstone, Volunteer Experience Coordinator
  • Victoria Bansey, Better Impact Volunteer Experience Lead, and 
  • Leanne Lane, Supervisor, Beaudesert Lifeline Store

The team gave a brief history of UnitingCare, BlueCare and Lifeline, as well as the impact volunteers have on both the organisation and the volunteers themselves. At the end of the meeting, they had some giveaways for our members and stayed to enjoy some fellowship over lunch. 

A big shout out to all Probians who volunteer in their respective communities. 

Guest Speaker - May 2024

Author, Rob Shackleford, from Tamborine Mountain, spoke to members about the challenges involved in being an author and publishing novels. Rob has written 5 books:

  • The Historical fiction Traveller trilogy asks the question “If you were sent a thousand years into the past, would you survive?” It is the story of a group of highly trained travellers who are sent back in time 1000 years to Saxon England in the first book and the Byzantine Empire in the second book.

  • Quantum Crystal is about an invention for the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress.

  • Drowned Paradise, published in 2023, and written while Rob lived in Burleigh Heads, explores the question, “What would happen if the Gold Coast was to experience a big tsunami?”

Rob also spoke to members about his experiences whilst house sitting overseas. His next destination will be Alaska in December.

Full details about Rob and his books can be found on his website