Port Douglas & District Probus Club was an idea that sprang from a conversation between David Campbell, our inaugural treasurer, and Chrissie from the Neighbourhood Centre in Port Douglas, sometime in 2024. After gathering more information from Probus South Pacific, the two of them set up a meeting for any interested parties.
The first meeting was held at the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre on the 12th of August 2024, and was attended by 16 people. A zoom meeting was held with Probus South Pacific, who were very helpful in telling us how to go about setting up our new club. Some members volunteered to join the new Foundation Committee on the day.
By October there was a full committee in place, with several committee members taking on dual roles.
The initial Foundation Committee were as follows:
Susan Stafford - President and Newsletter Officer
Julie Borbiro - Vice President
Christopher Saint - Secretary and Newsletter Officer
David Campbell - Treasurer
Darryl (Dusty) Howman - Guest speaker Officer & Publicity Officer
Toni Hickey - Outings / Activities Officer
Lorraine Potter - Outings / Activities Officer
Emily Morgan - Membership Officer
Wendy Crossman - Welfare Officer
November - Monday 25th 2024
Our first speaker was Gary, or Gazza, as he is known, from the local radio station, Douglas FM 101.5.
We quickly built up a number of people who were willing to be guest speakers, and as the new year arrived soon had guest speakers lined up for most of the year, both from within and also outside of the group.
Our First Outing as a group!
On Friday 17th January 2025, 26 Probus members or interested prospective members met at the Lady Douglas for an hour and a half cruise up Dixon's inlet and a cruise down to opposite Rex Smeal Park. It was a huge success with most of the interested parties joining Probus shortly after.
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