Our History

The probus movement had its genesis in two ancestors- both UK and both established by Rotary Clubs.. In 1966 was named the Probus Club for the "PRO" in professional and the "BUS" in business.  Both were formed to meet the need for companionship of their peers and mental stimulation for retired business and professional men.

The First Probus Club in the South pacific region were the Probus Cub of Kapiti in New Zealand in1974, and the Probus Club of Hunters Hill, in Australia in 1976.

Our probus Club was formed in 1979, and at that time was a Men's club only. Our first meeting was held at the Presbyterian Hall at the Entrance, the first Official meeting was August 27th 1980.

In 1998 there were 61 members and our fees were $16.

by 2000, 30 Probus Clubs were operating in the Central Coast. Prior  to 2009, the ladies were invited to the meetings 3 times a year, with their husbands or partners, the men paid $3.00 for their wives morning teas. In 2009 numbers were dropping off and it was harder to fill Committee positions, George Rawlings was given the task of endeavouring to increase the numbers, which had dropped to 76. He was asked by the then President Wal Melish, during that year to put forward the motion for the women to join, 28th April, 2009 a special meeting was held by members and were asked to vote on it. George, was met with resistance as many of the men did not approve of women joining and some left the club. The vote re3sulted in 563 of 59 members voting yes, it was written by an unknown member at the time which read" a sad day for the pioneers of the Entrance Probus Club" Ibn July  of that year 7 ladies were inducted, Carol Becker, Yvonne King, Betty Polson, Robyn Greenway, the others have since passed away. The minutes of the  combined club in November, 2009 recorded membership numbers of 130 80 men and 50 women, the fees then were $50. In March 2011 President George Rawlings started membership of 140.

George set u a charter to put Probus South Pacific for the women to join, the said club couldn't survive without the women members, so regardless of the few men who felt the women would take over....Well here we are today and many of our women members are the backbone of the club. As of October,2024 we have 98 members 33men and 65 women.

The founding members were asked to stand and we acknowledged there presence and thank them for their continuing support of the Entrance Probus Club.

A special thank you to  George, and Wal MElish  for without their intervention myself , Betty Polson, and Jenny Blair would never been given the Privilege of being President .

Thank You ------- Helen Taylor--President - 2024-2025

2009 members:

Carol Becker

Maureen Edwards

Ennis Franks

Robyn Greenway

Betty Polson

Jackie Randall

Diana Cooney

Kerry Sinclair

Nancy Truran

20/10/2012

Jenny Blair

Betty Dirks

Pam Green

Gwen Knowles

Margaret Mahoney

Carolynne Roach.

Kevin Cutmor  Jan 98

Rod Greenway  Aug 02

Ron Masset   Aug 03

David McKew  April 07

Alan Robinson  Jan 91

Edan Stapleton  Oct 02

Thank You ------- Helen Taylor--President - 2024-2025