THE PROBUS CLUB OF NORTH SYDNEY  Newsletter 400 21 April, 2026  

PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Barbara Bell 

I want to welcome our new committee  members ( Lis, our new VP; Deon,  membership officer;

Douglas, walks  organiser), and members taking on new  roles (Carole-anne as secretary and Bill as  newsletter editor). 

 The new committee 

I also want to thank all the outgoing  committee members for the efforts they  have put into their roles over the past  several years, especially Patrick, who has  sourced numerous interesting and  engaging speakers for every meeting; to  Lindsay for the variety of walks he and  Penny have scoped out for us and he has  led so ably; to Lyn whose efforts as  membership secretary have seen a  significant number of new members  joining the club over the past couple of  years; and Judy who has produced our  newsletter. 

The committee will focus on planning for  the next 12 months, including activities  celebrating the 50th anniversary of Probus  in Australia. If anyone has suggestions for  other activities they would like to see the  club engage in, please give your ideas to  any committee member so we can look at  how we may be able to incorporate them  into our program. 

I look forward to the next 12 months of fun,  friendship and fellowship with all of you. 

 ❖❖❖❖❖ 

MEMBERSHIP - Deon C

We currently have 59 members. 

In March Sally & Noel Thompson were  welcomed into the club. 

Geoff & Robyn Payne resigned. 

BIRTHDAYS 

April: 5 Bob M, 9 Gillian W, 18 Enzo S, 29 Geoff P

SPEAKERS - Patrick W

In April our speaker will be Alan Lawrenson  who is speaking on Australia’s looming  energy crisis.  

MOVIES - Peter W

The next movie outing is on Tuesday 28  April at the Cremorne Orpheum and the  film I have selected is I Swear. It follows  the true story of a Tourette Syndrome  campaigner, John Davidson and his  journey with Tourette’s through his troubled  childhood, having been diagnosed at 15  years of age in 1980’s Britain. 

I am hoping that the timing will be okay for  the 28th but as yet the screening details  for this date have not been announced. 

 ❖❖❖❖❖ 

OUTINGS - Jocelyn M and sub committee 

• MAY OUTING - Jocelyn - GPO Tour  5 May, 2026 at 12 noon.  

This up-coming tour has now 

reached its limit of 15. Payment of $20.00  should be made to our Probus bank  account, as on page 3.  

If you have missed out but would like to  go, contact Jocelyn Millett and ask her to  place you on the waiting list. Rendezvous  details to come. 

jonem@bigpond.com 

 ❖❖❖❖❖ 

• JUNE OUTING - Robin - ANSTO 2 June, 2026 

We are now visiting ANSTO with  OnCourse Tours. Morning tea and a  guided tour of Lucas Heights Discovery  Centre are included.  

Price Per Person: $55.00 (based on a  minimum of 30 people).  

Pick Up from Northbridge Golf Club:  9.00am  

Drop Off at Northbridge Golf Club:  Approx 3.00pm.    

Members of Lane Cove and Waverton  Probus Clubs are joining us.  Lunch will be  at your own expense at the Lucas Heights  Canteen. 

To reserve your place please now deposit  $55.00 into our bank account (see page  3) with your name and 'ANSTO' in the  details. Payments are due ASAP so that  we know numbers, but MUST be made  before Tuesday 5 May. 

If you wish to pay in cash, payments will  be taken at our next meeting on 21st April. 

PLEASE NOTE: one week prior to the  date of departure ANSTO require a list  of all names (alphabetical surname  order), addresses, date of birth and  Driver’s Licence or Passport number or  Pension Card number. 

Details to Robin 

rsolomon493@gmail.com 

This form of ID must also be brought  with each member on the day. Enclosed  shoes must be worn – no open toed  sandals. 

 ❖❖❖❖❖ 

• NAVAL HISTORICAL CRUISE 10 April  Report Ivan Blake 

On Friday, April 10 at King Street Wharf 28  members boarded the M/V Bennelong for  the Naval Historical Cruise on the western  side of Port Jackson. We began with the  

speaker outlining the history of the Australian Navy as we passed Goat Island  heading to HMAS Waterhen at Waverton,  the support base for six 1960s mine  sweepers. 

We continued to quieter waters in the Lane  Cover River for a sumptuous morning tea  before continuing to circle Cockatoo Island  learning about its fascinating history from  convict prison to girls reform school. In  1857 a dockyard was established to  maintain Royal Navy warships and its ship building and dry dock facilities continued  until its closure in 1991. 

We passed Spectacle Island, once a  munitions store, and sailed close to tiny  Snapper Island which was the base for  training Sea Cadets until the 1960s. We  returned to Barangaroo by 1pm after a  thoroughly enjoyable three hour cruise. 

 ❖❖❖❖❖  

AFTERNOON  

TEA WITH THE  

GOVERNOR -  

Mary Ann 

As the club's  

ambassador,  

Mary Ann  

attended the  

afternoon tea to  

celebrate the 

Golden  

Anniversary of  

Probus in Australia at Government House  Sydney on Monday 23 March 2026 along  with more than 100 other club  

representatives. 

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret  Beazley AC KC, congratulated Probus on  our achievements over the past 50 years.  

Then guests were able to tour the public  areas of the building and the extensive  gardens. As well as the promised tea,  guests were treated to some of Australia's  fine wine and delicacies from the  Government House kitchen. Several  representatives from our cluster were  there, so it was a very pleasant occasion. Government House is an outstanding  building, well worth a tour one day. 

 ❖❖❖❖❖ 

PREFERRED METHOD OF PAYMENT  FOR ALL NORTH SYDNEY PROBUS  ACTIVITIES 

Probus bank account: 

BSB 032-099 

Acc number

Information in Description: name of the  activity and your name 

Page 3

Probus regular Tuesday monthly schedule  

1st Tuesday outing 

2nd Tuesday walk 

3rd Tuesday committee meeting 9.15 am followed by general meeting 10.15 am 4th Tuesday movie 

5th Tuesday picnic/lunch/other activity

Welcome to new members 

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR  

“Bye” from Judy (Ed. June 2023 - April  2026) and “Hi” to Bill (Ed. May 2026 +) 

DATES FOR THE DIARY:  APRIL, MAY, JUNE 

Tuesday 21 April, 9.15am  

Committee meeting, Northbridge  Golf Club 

Tuesday 21 April, 10.15am Probus  General meeting, Northbridge Golf  Club 

Tuesday 28 April, Cremorne  Orpheum, I Swear. Time to be  announced. See p 2 Movies 

Tuesday 5 May, old GPO tour, 12  noon. Details later 

Tuesday 12 May walk. Details to be  announced. 

Tuesday 19 May, 9.15am Probus  Committee, followed by 10.15am  Probus general meeting,  

Northbridge Golf Club 

Tuesday 2 June, 9am, Northbridge  Golf Club pickup for trip to ANSTO.  See p 2 

 THE PROBUS CLUB OF NORTH SYDNEY                          Newsletter 399 17 March, 2026  

PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Barbara B

Thanks to all those involved in planning  and leading this month’s activities. The trip  to Woy Woy, planned and led at short  notice by Robin, was enjoyed by a small  group, who enjoyed it so much they have  suggested a repeat trip - the highlight  appears to have been the fish and chips,  which were followed by a walk. 

Ten members braved the humidity and  enjoyed an interesting walk led by Lindsay  on the Greenway Walk to Dulwich Hill,  followed by lunch. 

A huge thanks also to all the committee  members and their assistants for their  tireless work finding interesting and novel  outings, walks and speakers, and to our  newsletter editor Judy, our treasurer  Elizabeth, and our secretary Bill, whose  roles entail significant responsibility. 

At the annual general meeting next week,  voting for office bearers for the next 12  months will take place. Whilst there are  

members who have agreed to step into  roles which are being vacated, Despite approaching a number  of people, we have been unable to find  anyone who is comfortable taking on either  of these positions. If anyone has a burning  desire to take on either role, please  contact either Bill or myself directly. I would  be delighted to provide information if you  are interested. 

I look forward to seeing all of you next  week. 

 ❖❖❖❖❖ 

MEMBERSHIP - Lyn M

We currently have 59 members. Last  month we welcomed four new members:  Susan Green, Margaret Buckley and  Kathleen and Denis Champion. I am  pleased to report we have two new  members to induct at our March meeting. 

WELFARE - Jackie M

Penny Wade is recovering well. The  physiotherapy is proving beneficial and she is looking forward to returning to our  Probus meetings when she can. 

Noreen Byrne is doing well since her  pacemaker implant and is looking forward  to joining us all again as soon as she is  able to do so. 

 

BIRTHDAYS 

March: 1 Kristina T; 18 Lis  T; 30 Elizabeth S. 

SPEAKERS - Patrick W

• This month Douglas is sharing a video  on speleology. 

• In April our Speaker will be Alan  Lawrenson who is speaking on  

Australia’s Looming Energy Crisis. 

MOVIES - Peter W �� 

This month’s movie is Ride Away which is  showing at the Roseville Cinema on  Tuesday 24 March at 2.15 pm. It’s part of  the French Film festival and is subtitled. 

It is a story about a journey by a father to  retrace the steps of his son whose death  he is mourning. He is travelling with a  lifelong friend and the journey becomes a  human adventure exploring friendship and  marked by laughter and pain. 

Meet either at the cinema or Cafe Saluto  at 1.30 pm. The cafe is just before the  cinema when travelling north up the  highway at 96 Pacific Highway 

LAST WALK - Lindsay K In all 10 of  

us showed  

up for the  

Greenway  

Dulwich Hill  

walk, Mary  

Anne &  

Doug,  

Deon, Bill  

B, Peter W,  

Barbara B,  

Carol-anne, Robin S, Joan B and me. It  was a warm, overcast and very humid  day. The rain held off until after lunch. We  followed the canal for a while. There were  some nice parks, art installations and  historic sites. An excellent lunch was had  at the Busy Bees Cafe. At the moment I  haven't picked out a walk for next month.  Details to be announced. 

OUTINGS - Jocelyn M and sub committee 

APRIL OUTING with Ivan B.  NOTE: ➽ ➽ change of day from  Tuesday to Friday. 

On Friday April 10, 30 members will be  taking a three hour Naval Historical  Society cruise West of the Harbour  Bridge. The sites you will see and learn  about include HMAS Waterhen, Cockatoo  Island, Spectacle Island and Snapper  Island. A comprehensive commentary is  provided supported by information and  photos on TVs to bring the commentary to  life. A complimentary booklet with lots of  information is provided as a souvenir. 

Passengers are requested to gather at  9.30am at King Street Wharf 3, Darling  Harbour. The cruise departs at 10 am  and returns at 1pm. A substantial morning  tea is provided on board. 

 ➟ ➟ ➟ ➟ ➟ 

FORTHCOMING OUTING with Robin  S

SAVE THE DATE, Tuesday 2 June, 2026 Your outings Committee has booked a visit  to ANSTO - one of Australia’s largest  research organisations, widely  recognised as an international player in the  field of nuclear science and technology.  Mary Ann has approached Waverton and  Lane Cove Probus clubs who are happy to  join us.  

More information is to come.  

�� �� �� PROBUS PICNIC - Douglas  (past President & picnic person)  

Tuesday 31 March 5th Tuesday Picnic. Meet at Tunks Park 12.00 noon. Bring your own finger food and drinks to  share. 

Bring your own name badge,  

plate, glass and chair. 

There should be a coffee van at the Park. Bring any suitable games. 

Wollstonecraft Probus Club will be invited  to share the joy with us. 

If the weather is bad it will be called by  9.00 am  

  

THEATRE EVENT Fiddler on the Roof 

Mary Ann has booked 20 seats for the  matinee at 1.00 pm on Thursday 20  August 2026 at the Theatre Royal. I asked for a few accessible seats that will  make it easier for some members to  attend. There will be 6 seats in the  accessible row in the Circle, and the  remaining 14 are booked in the Stalls. 

The pricing for the accessible seats is  $69 each and the remaining concession  group tickets are $84 each. 

There will be an interest sheet at the  activities table at the March meeting. If  there are not 20 people who show an  interest, other clubs in our Cluster will be  invited to join us. 

CLUSTER MUSTER for March 2026 -  Mary Ann 

Waverton Probus Club has places  available on a Naval history cruise on  Friday 11 September 2026. 

Tickets $75 from Christine Lopacinski  christinelopacinski@bigpond.com A poster will be available at the meeting.  

This is the same cruise that Ivan  organised for our club's April outing. So  if you missed out on that one, here is your  chance to experience this cruise. 

Please make payment to: 

Probus Club of Waverton Inc  

BSB 032-298 

Acc number 263108. 

Note your name and 'Naval history' in  the payment and advise Christine by  email that you have paid and that you  are from the Probus Club of North  Sydney. 

 _____________________ 

Lane Cove Probus has organised an  outing with OnCourse Tours for Thursday 30 April. This will be a historical tour, “Remembering old Manly”. The day  includes morning tea at Little Manly Beach,  followed by a stroll around Little Manly  Point to discuss early indigenous  encounters and the haunting history of the  Quarantine Station. Then a coach trip to  look at other historical sites.  

The full itinerary will be available at the  meeting. 

Cost of $120 pp includes morning tea,  lunch at Blue Water Cafe, and a  historical guide. 

 ___________________ 

TOURS 

Waverton Probus and our club are jointly  organising a tour to New Caledonia from  15 to 23 September 2026. There will be  several brochures available at the Outings  and Tours table at the meeting. 

‘MAGIC NUMBER’ REMINDER  

For anyone who needs 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 Community bus trip  outings cheaper for everyone 

PREFERRED METHOD OF PAYMENT  FOR ALL NORTH SYDNEY PROBUS  ACTIVITIES 

Probus bank account: 

BSB 032-099 

Acc number

Information in Description: name of the  activity and your name 

Probus regular Tuesday monthly schedule  

1st Tuesday outing 

2nd Tuesday walk 

3rd Tuesday committee meeting 9.15 am followed by general meeting 10.15 am 4th Tuesday movie 

5th Tuesday picnic/lunch/other activity 

DATES FOR THE DIARY:  MARCH, APRIL 

Tuesday 17 March, 9.15am  

Committee meeting, Northbridge  Golf Club 

Tuesday 17 March, 10.15am Probus  Annual General meeting,  

Northbridge Golf Club 

Tuesday 24 March, Roseville  Cinema, film 2.15 pm, Ride Away See p. 2 Movies 

Tuesday 31 March picnic Tunks  Park, 12 noon. See p.3 

Friday 10 April Naval Historical  Society cruise, 9.30 am King Street  Wharf 3 Darling Harbour. See p.2 

Tuesday 14 April walk. Details to be  announced. 

Tuesday 21 April, 9.15 Probus  Committee, followed by 10.15 am  Probus general meeting,  

Northbridge Golf Club 

Thursday 30 April Lane Cove Probus  outing with OnCourse Travel  “Remembering old Manly”. See p.3