THE PROBUS CLUB OF NORTH SYDNEY Newsletter 397 20 January, 2026
PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Barbara B
Very best wishes to everyone for 2026. This promises to be another good year for our club. Our first meeting for the year will be on 20 January, and I hope most of you will be able to attend. Our walks and outings will start in February, and thanks to everyone who has continued to spend time over the break finalising arrangements, the details of which are in this newsletter.
This newsletter, and every walk, outing and film screening, and every guest speaker at our meetings only happen thanks to the efforts of a tireless group of volunteers on the committee. If anyone is interested in learning the ropes and eventually taking over some of these responsibilities, please contact me, or any other committee member to express your interest.
I look forward to seeing you all on 20 January.
✬✬✬✬
MEMBERSHIP - Lyn M
Current membership is 55.
WELFARE - Jackie M
Remember to call Jackie (0412 836 997) if you know of any members needing welfare support.
BIRTHDAYS
December: Lindsay K 14, Bill C 19, Peter W 27, Deon C 27.
January: Rowena E 4, Carole E 10, Barrie G 11, Judy McD 12, John B 24, Penny W 26.
SPEAKERS - Patrick W
• This month our Speaker is John Cameron on Artificial Intelligence.
• In February our Speaker will be Gabi McCauley speaking on The Life of a First Responder Nurse.
MOVIES - Peter W
This month’s movie on Tuesday 27 January at the Cremorne Orpheum, at a date to be advised, is The Choral, which stars Ralph Fiennes and is set in 1916.
As war rages the choral society in Ramsden, Yorkshire has lost most of its men to the army but the committee presses ahead with recruiting a new chorus master and choir to make music together.
It is a warm and witty film filled with some memorable performances and is a lovely film to start off the year.
�� �� �� ��
OUTINGS - Jocelyn M
MUSEUM OF SYDNEY
Our first outing for 2026 will be on 3 February to the Museum of Sydney, corner of Bridge and Phillip Streets, Sydney, to see their new Exhibition entitled
Unearthed.
We plan to meet for coffee at 10.30 a.m. and at 11.00 a.m. commence our unguided tour of the Exhibition. After the exhibition members can choose either to look at one of the other exhibitions on at the Museum or proceed to lunch in one of the Museum’s eateries.
If you are interested in joining this outing please let Jocelyn know by Friday 23 January.
Unearthed
Between 1983 and 1991, archaeologists excavated one of the most contested blocks of land in Sydney – the site of Australia’s first Government House. They unearthed around 140,000 objects that had lain hidden beneath the city’s streets for almost 140 years.
Unearthed displays a fascinating selection of objects excavated from the site, from remains of the first printing press in Australia, to wine bottles transformed into tools by First Nations toolmakers, and elaborately decorated crockery hidden in a privy. The exhibition explores the tangible and intangible histories embodied in the finds and sheds light on the people who lived and worked at the house, and those whose lives were impacted by decisions made within its walls.
Unearthed also presents the people and stories behind the archaeological digs, from the first excavation in 1983–84, which found remains of the house, to later digs that uncovered foundations of the governor’s guardhouse.
NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY AND NEPEAN ROWERS - Robin S
On 3 March our first destination in the mountains is to the Norman Lindsay Gallery where we will enjoy morning tea, before our guided tour. Norman Lindsay was one of Australia’s most celebrated and prolific artists and the gallery contains a fine collection of his works. Located between Springwood and Faulconbridge in the Blue Mountains the property was the inspirational home of the artist for many years. Now operated by the National Trust, the gallery is set on several hectares and the gardens contain many fine examples of the artist’s sculpture.
After our visit to the Gallery, we will travel to Penrith for a two-course lunch at Nepean Rowers, set beside the Nepean River. After lunch, we’ll visit Penrith Regional Gallery, home of The Lewers Bequest, set in beautiful heritage gardens on the Nepean River at Emu Plains.
Timings: Pick Up: 9.00am Drop Off: 5.00pm
Price Per Person: $105.00pp (based on a minimum of 30 people). Bookings will be made on receipt of full payment, which should be made into the Probus bank account, as below.
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.
‘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 trip cheaper for everyone.
LAST WALK - Penny W
The weather was perfect for our last walk of the year, the Kent Memorial walk on Tuesday 2 December, blue skies and a 21 degree day. We caught the ferry from Circular quay to arrive at Mosman Wharf for a coffee. The Cafe Monstera was packed with a Walk and Talk group of men instigated by Mosman Council.
Our walk to Cremorne Wharf was undulating, going through bushland, fabulous water views, beautiful Arts and Crafts and Federation homes. The Lex and Ruby Grahame gardens, down a steep slope, were very pretty, building the garden base from thrown away rubbish and using plants thrown/ or given away by locals. The final part of the walk was to the lighthouse, overlooking the choppy harbour and a strong southerly wind. Time for a photo from Doug. Lunch was at Minsky's Hotel in Cremorne.
Present were: Annemarie, Bill, Doug, Ivan, Joan Brodie, Lis, Louise, Mary Ann, Penny and Peter. Marie and Lindsay joined us for lunch. An enjoyable time was had.
LUNCH AT THE LITTLE SNAIL - Lindsay K
Tuesday 10 February Lunch 12 noon at the Little Snail Restaurant, 50 Murray St Pyrmont. We currently have 25 seats booked for this lunch. The menu is 3 courses for $48 per head. Bring cash for your lunch and order and pay for your drinks separately. We will need final numbers by the next meeting. First in best dressed.
CLUSTER MUSTER - Mary Ann This is an opportunity to join another club in our local Probus Cluster group. Lane Cove Probus is organising a tour of the GPO on Friday 20 February at 11:45am.
They will meet at the Concierge Desk at the Fullerton Hotel for a midday tour. Cost: $20.00
Lunch: The Place, Fullerton Hotel to follow at your own cost.
Contact: Judi Gowing at 0419284262 or bgowing@bigpond.net.au
There are only a few places left, so be quick if you would like to join them.
Probus usual 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
PREFERRED METHOD OF PAYMENT FOR ALL PROBUS ACTIVITIES Probus bank account:
BSB 032-099
Acc number 000255375
Information in Description: name of the activity and your name.
DATES FOR THE DIARY: JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH
Tuesday 20 January, 9.15am Committee meeting, Northbridge Golf Club
Tuesday 20 January, 10.15am Probus general meeting,
Northbridge Golf Club
Tuesday 27 January, film,The Choral, Cremorne Orpheum, Details TBC. See p 1
Tuesday 3 February, 10.30am, Museum of Sydney, cnr Bridge & Phillip Sts, Sydney. See p.2
Tuesday 10 February lunch at Little Snail Pyrmont, 12 noon. See p.3
Tuesday 17 February, 9.15 Probus Committee, followed by 10.15 am Probus general meeting,
Northbridge Golf Club
Friday 20 February, tour of the GPO with Lane Cove Probus, 11.45 am, $20.00. See p.3, Cluster Muster.
Tuesday 3 March, Norman Lindsay Gallery Faulconbridge, then lunch at Nepean Rowers. 9am pickup, return at 5pm See p.2
