Formation of Mitcham Hills Combined Probus Club Inc.
(taken from the history of “The First 10 Years February 1993 – March 2003")
Early in 1993 the then President of the Blackwood Rotary Club, Don Collier, was made aware that the four existing Probus Clubs in the Blackwood Rotary Club’s area (Belair Ladies’, Blackwood, Blackwood Ladies’ and Hawthorndene) had all reached their membership capacity with some clubs having waiting lists. Consequently, Don appointed a committee, Bob Manypeney and Ron Herriman, to canvas the idea of another Probus club, possibly a mixed gender club.
The Rotary District 9520 Chairman of Probus Club Extensions, Des Elsen, was opposed to mixed gender clubs, so in order to find out the feelings of people wishing to join a new Probus club, all reference to gender was omitted from advertisements about the “interest” meeting. 33 people of both sexes attended a meeting held at the Belair Hotel on 22nd February 1993. The attendees mainly comprised married couples, with some wives already members of a Ladies’ Probus club, who were interested in joining a club where both could belong. There was a predominance of females at the meeting.
It was decided by those present that a mixed gender club could be formed, to be called the Mitcham Hills Combined Probus Club. This was the first mixed gender club in Rotary District 9520. Applications from the 33 persons present, together with 3 absentees, were received. It was agreed that applications for foundation membership would remain open for 3 months provided membership did not exceed 75.
The Probus Club Standard Constitution was adopted.
The following members were elected to the first committee, to act until March 1994.
President – Ron Herriman
Vice President and Almoner – Margaret Ramsay
Secretary – John Fenton
Treasurer – Jill McAuliffe
Guest Speakers – Lorna Aplin
Outings – Brian Hicks
Bulletin – John Hall
Membership – Wolf Seith
Club Service – Anne Belton
Annual Subscriptions of $15 and a charge of $3 to cover the cost of the meeting venue and morning tea were agreed. Monthly meetings were to be held at the Belair Hotel on the 4th Monday of each month from 10am to 12 noon, with the first meeting to be held on 22 March, 1993.
The office of President was to be held by male and female on alternate years.
The President of the Blackwood Rotary Club presented the President’s Collar and lapel badge to Ron Herriman.
As a new Probus Club it was necessary to establish the club by taking out Public Liability Insurance and under the Associations Incorporated Act 1986 to appoint an authorised Public Officer. John Fenton was elected by the Committee to this position.
A gift of $100 was received from the Blackwood Rotary Club which was deposited in the new account opened with the Co-op Building Society, Blackwood Branch.
Membership reached 76 by May 1993.
The membership ceiling is currently set at 110.
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