A brief history of our first year

A Special Interest meeting was called on 11th July 1991 at the Mt Waverley Youth Centre and we became the 10th Probus Club formed in Waverley and was given accreditation on 8th August by the President of the Rotary Club of Waverley Central, Rex Wilmer.  The ceremony took place at the Youth Centre of Mt Waverley.  Mary Allen was elected President, with Ann Palmer as one of the Vice Presidents, Muriel Horsfall as Secretary and Margaret Sutherland as Treasurer.  The commitee members elected were Aileen Cannng, Helen Syme, Norma Casdorff, Margaret Lindholm, Betty Burns and Dawn Meyer.  The annual subscription was $25 and that remained the same for 20 years.  Who said women aren't good managers?!

Probus is a social club and is non-profit making. There were 105 members in the new club with 40 on the waiting list. A steering committee was appointed to find out what kind of activities the ladies were interested in so that a program could be drawn up.  Meetings are on the second Thursday of each month.  Mary, who described herself as a "people person" said that she wanted the club to be a caring club.  It is necessary to keep in touch with people who are not well.

The first Probus Club was formed in England in 1965 to cater for the needs of retired professioals and business people.  The first Probus Club in Australia was formed in NSW in 1982.

The Walking Group's first walk as on 20 November 1991. The group walked around East Melbourne.  Morning and afternoon teas were introduced in the early days of our club and have proved to be an ideal time to mix and get to know one another. Phantom of the Opera was the first big musical we attended.  Our first Christmas lunch was held at the Knox Club.

Our First Birthday

Mary Allen cut the first birthday cake assisted by Committee Members Dawn Meyer, Margaret Sutherland and Margaret Lindholm.