September - Monday 22nd

Rita Merrick 

Rita as always was a much antipated speaker. The title of her talk was, "It's never too late". Rita had the audience chuckling away as she described her adventures of dating older 'gentleman' when she was in her sixties. Rita had quite some adventures until she finally got her man!

August - Monday 25th

Rhiannon

Rhiannon stood in for Ryan MacNeill, the Operations Manager at EQ Resources’ Mt Carbine Tungsten Mine, located just outside of Mt Molloy. Rhiannon gave a presentation showing us how the team at EQ Resources have been able to revitalise Mt Carbine, now one of the few tungsten-producing mines in Australia. Her presentation gave an insight into the site’s history, current operations, and the strategic role critical minerals like tungsten play in global supply chains.

July - Monday the 28th July 2025

Our guest speaker for June was Damian Meadows

Our guest speaker for this meeting was Cr. Damian Meadows, a former Police Sergeant in the Shire until his retirement last year. Damian told us about his early life and what ultimately drove him towards a career in the Queensland Police.  Damian shared some fascinating and often poignant stories regarding his various encounters with people on both sides of the law.  He also spoke of his dealings with tragic circumstances, where he and colleagues had a vital role to play in assisting those members of the community affected by such events.

June - Monday the 25th June 2025

Our guest speaker for June was Sharyn Anisset

Sharyn Anisset, the Engagement Officer of the National Electric Ant Eradication Program for Biosecurity Queensland, Department of Primary Industries, gave a very interesting and educational digital presentation. She also passed around some live electric ant specimens for members to view. Members were given the opportunity to register for their own yard/garden inspections.

May - Monday the 26th May 2025

Our guest speaker for May was Lynn Annich

Lynn Annich from the Port Douglas Historical Society gave a well-received presentation on the history of Port Douglas and its surrounds. Lynn has lived in the area for most of her life and was very knowledgeable on the history of its development, including agriculture, tourism and heritage buildings.

April - Monday the 28th 2025

Our guest speaker for March was "Garry McIlroy ("Gazza")

Back by popular demand our local radio identity Gazza regaled the members with more stories on his exploits as a radio presenter, both here and formatively in the UK and NZ.  Gazza was active in Christchurch, NZ, when the earthquakes struck and played an important part in supporting community information.  He spent some time in Mt Isa before settling in Innisfail for a few years, where he presented on local radio for the Cassowary Coast, before relocating to Port Douglas.  He currently presents a weekday show on Douglas FM 6:00am to 9:00am.

March - Monday the 24th 2025

Our guest speaker for March was Emily Morgan.

Em is our newest member on the committee at Port Douglas & District Probus, so many of you will have seen her around. Em had a very intesting story to tell. Over 35 years ago she went into the male dominated industry of IT in her native NYC. After a transfer to Australia she soon found herself as one of few woman in IT in her company in Australia. She had many stories to tell us of her times and her career in the IT business, spanning many different countries and a lot of flying back to the UK or US for meetings when she was working in Sydney.

February - Monday the 24th 2025

Our guest speaker for February was Graeme Mehegan.

Graeme is the General Manager of the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia.

Graeme explained to the audience exactly what a stem cell is and how they can be used in the development of remedies. He also described the very important role that Stem Cell Foundation of Australia plays in fiancing clinical trials involving stem cells in this country. The audience were given a very good idea of what happens behind the scenes and how important this area of medicine is and how it is enabling breakthroughs which can change all our lives.

Grames's talk was well received by all the audience.

January - Monday 20th 2025

Our first speaker for the year was Rita Merrick. She had in the audience in laughter and totally captivated with the story of her life as a secretary for top London medical doctors. The amazing part was how in later years this was done entirely remotely. The wonders of modern technology.

November - Monday 25th 2024

The speaker was our Club Secretary, Chris Saint.

“From Drip to Top Drop: My Wet‘n’Wild Life in Water”

Chris talked about the long road he took from being the school student least likely to succeed to meeting and working with some of the best minds on earth. The importance of water – lack of it, or too much of it, has never been more important to our survival. Chris spent many years working on some difficult water quality challenges and shared some of the outcomes, wcombined with a few funny anecdotes along the way!

October - Monday 28th 2024

Our first speaker was Gary, or Gazza, as he is known, from the local radio station, Douglas FM 101.5. Gazza spoke about his life in Radio, starting from Hospital radio in the UK right through until today. This was a short talk due to working out the new committee, so Gazza has promised to come back in the future for a more indepth presentation.