Probus Club of Bobbin Head
General Meeting
When: Monday 11th August 2025 from 10.00am to 12.00pm
Where: Turramurra Bowling Club, Bobbin Head Road North Turamurra
Guest Speaker: Merv Rosen
Subject: CSS SHENANDOAH
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The CSS Shenandoah began life in 1863 in Scotland as a merchant ship named the Sea King. In 1864, the Confederate Navy secretly acquired the ship to use it as a commerce raider—essentially, a naval vessel meant to attack Union merchant shipping.
The ship was formally commissioned as the CSS Shenandoah on October 19, 1864, in the Indian Ocean. It was placed under the command of Lieutenant James Iredell Waddell, who would lead the ship on its historic journey.
The Shenandoah’s mission was to disrupt Union commerce, especially targeting U.S. whaling fleets. The ship travelled across vast stretches of ocean—from the Indian Ocean to the South Pacific, and finally into the North Pacific. In total, it captured or destroyed 38 Union ships, many near Alaska.
Here’s where things get controversial. The ship continued attacking Union ships after the Civil War had officially ended. Due to poor communication at sea, Waddell didn’t learn of the war’s conclusion until August 1865—four months after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.
Waddell knew his crew could be charged with piracy. So, instead of returning to the U.S., he sailed all the way to Liverpool, England, and surrendered to British authorities in November 1865. The ship was handed over to the U.S. and eventually sold.
The Shenandoah holds a unique place in Civil War history. It was the only Confederate ship to sail around the world and is considered to have fired the last shots of the war. Its journey shows how far the conflict reached—even into the remote Arctic.
The story of the CSS Shenandoah reminds us that war doesn’t always end when the surrender papers are signed—it can linger on, even at sea, on the far side of the globe
Book Club
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Book club meetings: Jane Dale 02 9487 6642
Pymble Golf Club 10.30am
Friday 1/08/2025 Long Island by Colm Toibin
Friday 5/09/2025 “The Siege” or “The spy and the traitor” by Ben Macintyre
4th August Welcome to all
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Come along and join in with your fellow members and friends for morning tea at Hornsby RSL Club at 4 High Street Hornsby at 10:00am.
The Hornsby RSL Club opens at 10:00am. We meet in the Courtyard dining area.
Pay for your own everything. John Hunter 0417 658 849
Probus Social Walk
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MONDAY. 18th August
Meet at Hornsby Station, platform 3 for the 8.49 fast train to Strathfield, then platform 6 for train to Westmead.
We’ll walk into Parramatta Park to the Domain Creek playground for morning tea. We will then continue through the park to Wisteria Gardens then past Little Cogee to the historic Dairy & Rangers cottages, Boer war memorial, the Bath House , Observatory site then onto Old Goverment House. Governor Phillips Bathhouse.
We then walk to join the Parramatta River walk past the new Powerhouse Museum , to the ferry terminal seating area for lunch then cafe for coffee. From there we walk to get the new light rail to Carlingford, bus to Epping Station for Metro home. Paths and level some grass.
Bring snacks, drinks and lunch. Approx 7 ks.
Sue Fairclough. Walks Coordinator
Register at the meeting or Email. [email protected]. Text. 0417 278 044
Entertainment Group
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Entertainment Diary Update: August 2025
Live at Lunch Concert series
at the Concourse Chatswood
Sept 10: Ladies of the Night: Street Walkers, Strumpets & their Suitors!
Payment for tickets must be in the Probus account by August 11, 2025 as I have to pay for them before 4pm on that day.
Tickets will be distributed on Sept 08, 2025.
October 22, 2025:
Cantabile! Italian and English Songs for Baritone, Flute, Guitar & Violin
Jane Rutter and Guiseppe Zangari celebrate their new album “Cantabile” in a program that features works by Donizetti, Puccini, Paganini, Tosti, Vivaldi, Pergolesi, Vaughn Williams, Dowland, Britten and Corelli. They are joined by award winning baritone David Greco and sensational violist, Jemima Littlemore, to showcase the best of popular and classical Italian and English music.
Payment deadline: September 20 . Ticket distribution: Oct 13
November 26, 2025:
Meditations on Australia – Rainforest, Desert, Sand and Sea
Beloved Australian actor/ singer/song writer Drew Forsyth is joined by cellist Susan Blake, flautist Jane Rutter, Lachlan Youll on the didgeridoo and special guest Terence Clarke on the piano. The program celebrates our country with music and poetry drawn from the entire Australian continent.
Payment deadline: October 20. Ticket distribution: Nov 10
November 26: Meditations on Australia
Payment deadline: October 20
Ticket distribution: Nov 10
Pymble Players Productions – Zenith Theatre Chatswood
Featuring the final production in the Pymble Players 2025 program.
November 01: The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race
Inspired by true events, Melanie Tait’s affectionate Australian comedy is an effervescent and big-hearted tale about women taking action to show the world there’s more than one way to win a race. When Penny returns to the small country town of her childhood just in time for the famous Appleton Potato Race, she discovers the prize for the male winner is $1,000 while the winning woman’s prize is a mere $200. As a result, she decides to take steps to restore gender parity and coax Appleton into the 21st century. In her wildest dreams she could not have anticipated the spiralling, hilarious culture war that would follow.
NB: Payment Deadline is September 15 and ticket distribution on October 13,2025.
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Pymble Players Productions – Zenith Theatre Chatswood
November 01: The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race
Inspired by true events, Melanie Tait’s affectionate Australian comedy is an effervescent and big-hearted tale about women taking action to show the world there’s more than one way to win a race. When Penny returns to the small country town of her childhood just in time for the famous Appleton Potato Race, she discovers the prize for the male winner is $1,000 while the winning woman’s prize is a mere $200. As a result, she decides to take steps to restore gender parity and coax Appleton into the 21st century. In her wildest dreams she could not have anticipated the spiralling, hilarious culture war that would follow.
NB: Payment Deadline is September 15 and ticket distribution on October 13,2025.
If you have any queries, please call Rhoda 0424 480 964 or Mentie on 0407 945 038 .
Loose Enders Coffee Group
J. J.’s – ST IVES VILLAGE
Sunday 17th August 2025
10am
Anyone is welcome to come along for coffee, tea, cake and a chat! We have a group of regular attendees but there is always room for more!
As I book the tables in advance, please let me know if you would like to come along.
LOOSE ENDERS has now extended to LOOSE LUNCHERS!
(Decide on the day if you would like to stay on for lunch).
Photography Interest Groups
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"Cyclamen Bud"
Photo Dennis Cowell
During August, both groups will meet to judge entries in the competition for “Macro (Close-up) Photography”, the topic we discussed in July.
SmartPhone Group:
Date/Time: Thursday 14 August 2025, 3.15pm at the Turramurra Bowling Club.
Camera Group:
Date/Time: Thursday 28 August 2025, 3.15pm at the Turramurra Bowling Club.
Please have your entries to me by the Monday prior to your meeting date.
New members always welcome.
For more information contact:
Dennis Cowell Ph 0438 534 824 Email [email protected]
Lunch in August
JOIN US FOR LUNCH !
VENUE: DEE WHY R.S.L. CLUB
Cnr Pittwater Road & Hawkesbury Avenue, Dee Why
There are two carparks at the rear of the Club in Clarence Street. The carpark on the right is accessed via the main entry driveway in the centre of the Club. The second has a separate entry on the left hand side. THIS CAR PARK IS PREFERABLE! It is multi-level and every second level has lift access to the Club. There are also several disabled parking spaces.
DATE: Thursday 21st August 2025 at 11.45am for 12 noon
Come and experience this large, very modern club and enjoy good food and great company!
PLEASE PHONE OR SMS ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
ROS TYLER - 0417904630
Camden Valley Inn - Photo Gallery
UPCOMING SHOWS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO YOU – BOOK YOURSELVES IN
Australia’s Best Male Vocal Performer will be swinging up a storm in his brand new show
Las Vegas Nights at Hornsby RSL Club on Saturday 1st November at 7.30pm. Charlie will be joined by his All Star 5-piece Band, led by music maestro and guitarist Clive Lendich and some of the country's best musicians!
Get in early & buy your tickets today!! www.hornsbyrsl.com.au/ticketedevents/
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