THE PROBUS CLUB OF NORTH SYDNEY Newsletter 394 16 September 2025
PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Barbara B
Since our last meeting a lot of thought and planning has gone into the upcoming Probus Cluster 9 Open Day which will be held on Wednesday October 1 at Mosman Art Gallery to mark the beginning of Probus month in October. We will be joining other clubs from the cluster to promote Probus to the community. It will be a good opportunity for us to showcase what Probus membership offers to retirees, and will hopefully result in the recruitment of new members to our club. Mary Ann Irvin has committed a lot of time and thought to our display, ably assisted by Bill B and Lyn M. We have placed promotional posters in a number of locations in North Sydney and Kirribilli, hoping to stimulate interest from the local community and encourage them to attend the open day and, hopefully, join our club.
Thank you to Bill B for co-ordinating the guided tour of Chau Chak Wing Museum which was fascinating; it was good to have so many people attend.
Thanks also to Lindsay K and Penny W for organising the walk from Watsons Bay to Dover Heights which was spectacular. A few drops of rain did not interfere with a really enjoyable walk, followed by an al fresco lunch at Watsons Bay Hotel.
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WELFARE - Jackie M
Remember to call Jackie (0412 836 997) if you know of any members needing welfare support.
BIRTHDAYS (apologies for repeating the July birthdays in the August newsletter; here are the birthdays for August & September)
August: Jeanette G 7, John W 9, Ian S 10, Maurice O 12, Valerie W 13, Annika T 24, Prue T 30.
September: Paul O 1, Cynthia C 6, Douglas I 17, Annemarie R 18, Patrick W 20, Anne P 21, Peggy B 28, Polly G 29.
SPEAKERS - Patrick W
• This month our speaker is Jess Mudditt who will take us through the steps of Publishing Your Own Book. Jess has written and self published 2 books and will tell us how easy this is.
• The speaker in October will be Kathryn Goozee and her subject is Dementia and Alzheimers.
MEMBERSHIP - Lyn M
Current membership is 55. We have had some interest from a number of people who are interested in joining our Club. Look out for them and have a chat with them letting them know a little of what we do and what a friendly and welcoming group we are.
‘MAGIC NUMBER’ REMINDER For those who need a reminder on how to obtain the Transport Code, please speak to Lyn, who will give you a refresher and a printed handout. Having the ‘magic number’ makes the trip cheaper for everyone.
MOVIES - Peter W
This month’s film is on Tuesday 23 September at a time to be advised. It has been difficult to make a selection this month so I propose voting at the next meeting on 16 September on whether to see: either The Roses or Downton Abbey - The Grande Finale.
The Roses stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch who appear to have the perfect marriage until it nosedives into a fractious relationship and follows a downward spiral - with all that entails.
Downton Abbey is the return of the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930’s. It is the final saga in a long running global phenomenon.
So think about which film you’d prefer and be ready to vote.
OUTING TO CHAU CHAK WING MUSEUM - Bill B
Thirteen Probus members and two guests were treated to a very interesting guided tour including a demonstration of amazing new non-destructive technology which allowed us to see cross-sectional views of an ancient Egyptian mummy in great detail. The digital re-colourisation of a 2,600 year old coffin was also impressive and an exhibition of work by the Australian abstract painter JW Power was another highlight. The design of museum building itself was also impressive in its layout, exhibition spaces and use of concrete. Following the tour we took lunch at 'Sounds' the museum's on site cafe.
NEXT OUTING - Jocelyn M
A tour of the State Theatre will be the October Outing and will take place on Wednesday 8 October at 1.00 p.m . The 15 places reserved for this tour have already been taken up. If anyone wants to be placed on the waiting list please contact Jocelyn. At the next General Meeting we will decide where to meet for lunch or coffee prior to the tour.
WALKS - Lindsay K
Last walk: Watsons Bay to Dover Heights.
Rain threatened for
most of the walk
and we had a
slight shower near
the end. No
whales were seen.
The sun was out
by the time we got
to the Watsons
Bay Hotel. Penny
and myself, Doug
and Mary Ann,
Anne Marie,
Barbara, Carol-anne, Joan B, Robin S, Ivan, Peter W, Enzo and visitor Ruth attended, 13 in all.
NEXT WALK
Barangaroo to Sydney Olympic Park, 14 October by ferry
The F3 Parramatta River Service leaves Circular Quay, Wharf 5 at 10.07 am and arrives at Barangaroo Wharf 1 for pickup of passengers to Sydney Olympic Park at 10.18 am. Meet our group either at Circular Quay or Barangaroo.
We will be having our coffee near the Olympic Park ferry wharf. We will be doing the walk along the Parramatta River passing the Newington Armoury. and back. It is a flat well-maintained path, 3.8 klm about 1 1/2 hours. Unfortunately, we will have to walk around a large
construction complex at the start. We will return to the Olympic Park ferry wharf to catch the 12.48 pm ferry, from which we
will disembark at Meadowbank, where we will have a short walk to lunch at the Fork and Spoon.
REPORT FROM PENNY W ON COOK ISLAND TRIP
The OnCourse Tour to the island of Raratonga in the Cook Islands was well organised and full of varied and interesting things to do. Our tour leader Wayne was excellent.
The hotel was very comfortable with a big pool in spite of it being on the lagoon. Food was a preoccupation of Islanders with a whopping big breakfast; you only needed a snack for lunch! Highlights were a trip to the Botanic gardens, the day markets, a boat trip to a local island with the chance to snorkel along the way(23 degree water) with entertainment on the island involving drums, ukelele and singing.
Then a demonstration on how to tie a sarong on a woman and a man and the ubiquitous demonstration of how get into a coconut for the milk and flesh with a
lethal looking machete. Our bus driver Mike was fabulous, and we went to a primary school where his wife taught and the children sang and danced for us, then a huge morning tea was provided.
A progressive dinner was also fantastic. We went to Islanders' homes, learnt about their way of life, then had a different course at each home. You may remember them from the 70s. Some of the group flew to the Island of Atitiki for the day which apparently was pristine with plenty of time to snorkle and eat lunch on a cruise. Others went on a trip through the mountains on rough tracks. Our final night was in a 1904 home that used to belong to The Union Steamship Coy and then the New Zealand High Commission. Facing the lagoon and reef, we enjoyed a sunset plus fabulous food. A fitting end to a wonderful holiday.
We were sad to leave. Life is so simple compared to Sydney and we had no rain and 19-to-24-degree days!
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30 SEPTEMBER JOINT OUTING WITH WAVERTON PROBUS, PICNIC AT TUNKS PARK 11.30 am - Douglas Irwin
Bring finger food to share, labelled in case of allergies, drinks, your own plate, cup, cutlery, glass and chair.
We will provide hot water, tea bags, instant coffee, milk and sugar ($1.00 per head).
Note: there may or may not be a coffee van in the park.
Beware of kookaburras stealing food. Any suitable outdoor games are welcomed. Please wear name badges to make it easy for the visitors.
In case of rain there will be an advisory cancellation email by 9 am.
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CLUSTER MUSTER - Report from Mary Ann I
Open Day Promotion. Seven clubs from our area will be holding an open day at the Mosman Art Gallery on Wednesday 1 October from 10am until noon. There will be leaflets available at the meeting for members to distribute to any friends and acquaintances that you think might be interested in learning more about Probus and our club in particular. A small committee has been formed to organise our table.
Invitations.
We have been invited to join the following tours organised by other clubs in the Cluster.
1. A two Day Blue Mountains Tour with Alura Coaches organised by Mosman Club. $473 with a single supplement of $110. 23-24 October.
2. A one day tour of Kings Cross called Sin in the City with Lane Cove Probus on October 20. An historian will lead a two hour wander through the streets of Kings Cross and will uncover the sensational stories, secrets and scandals of its many years in the spotlight. $140 includes the tour, morning tea at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and lunch at the Penny Hotel. OnCourse Tours will pick up from the Lane Cove Bowling Club at 9.15am, and return to the Club at 4.00pm.
DETAILS FOR BOTH OF THESE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE MEETING.
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PREFERRED METHOD OF PAYMENT FOR ALL PROBUS ACTIVITIES Probus bank account:
BSB 032-099
Acc number
Information in Description: name of the activity and your name.
Probus Tuesday monthly schedule
1st Tuesday outing
2nd Tuesday walk
3rd Tuesday committee meeting 9.15am followed by general meeting 10.15 am 4th Tuesday movie
5th Tuesday picnic/lunch/other activity
DATES FOR THE DIARY: SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER
Tuesday 16 September, 9.15am Committee meeting, Northbridge Golf Club
Tuesday 16 September, 10.15am Probus general meeting, Northbridge Golf Club
Tuesday 23 September, film, Cremorne Orpheum, TBA, See p.2
Tuesday 30 September, 11.30 am, picnic Tunks Park, See p.4
Wednesday 1 October, Probus Open Day promotion, Mosman Art Gallery 10 am - 12 noon, See p.4
Wednesday 8 October State Theatre tour 1pm, See p.2
Tuesday 14 October, walk Sydney Olympic Park, Circular Quay 10.07 am OR Barangaroo 10.18 am, See p.3
Tuesday 21 October, 9.15am Committee meeting, Northbridge Golf Club
Tuesday 21 October, 10.15am Probus general meeting, Northbridge Golf Club
Probus Cluster events October 20 and October 23-24. See p.4
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