Probus North Sydney

President’s Report 21 May 2013

Good morning to everyone, and an especially warm welcome to our visitors–-I hope you will have an enjoyable morning!

The main event last month was our 30th Anniversary luncheon at the Harbour

View Hotel, North Sydney, which put on an excellent buffet lunch.  We were honoured to have Russell Grove, President of the North Sydney Rotary, join us for the celebrations.  In recognition of their long and distinguished membership of our club, lifetime memberships were awarded to Rhona . (member since September 1985) and Ian . (member since 1991).  Congratulations to you both, and may you enjoy your membership for many years to come!

Hot off the press, the 30th Anniversary Historical Review Booklet was issued at the luncheon, and copies are available at today’s meeting for those members who were unable to attend the luncheon.  I am sure you will all enjoy reading this entertaining history of the Club, and I would like to thank all of the members who were involved in its production, but especially of course Lis T., who did the lion’s share of the work, and managed to get it out in time for the lunch, notwithstanding having many other commitments to contend with.

Our speaker at the April meeting was Julie Alcorn, who gave a most interesting talk on her family’s experience in applying and participating in the ABC program “Outback House”, a historical reality TV series set in 1861, and filmed on a sheep station especially built for the occasion near Dubbo.  Her presentation vividly brought to life the hardships of living on a remote sheep station in the 1860’s, long before motorcars and supermarkets, when everyone had to be totally self-reliant.

I will be unable to attend the May and June meetings, as Dora and I are going to be in Europe at that time, but Lis . has offered to step in and resume her old position–thank you very much Lis!  And I look forward to seeing you all again in July.

PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

MONTHLY MEETINGS: Today Maurine Mulheron will speak about the Willie Wagtail Books, and next month Michael Adams will tell us about Vietnam.

PROBUS WALKERS:

June 11th 2013:  Centennial Park to Coogee via Fred Hollows Reserve.  This walk will start from Centennial Park through some interesting back streets of Randwick (coffee en route) past a lovely 1848 cottage and into the Fred Hollows Reserve.  After leaving the Reserve we continue along streets until we arrive at Coogee Beach.  On this walk there are steps, bush paths and hills.  Walk classed as medium.  Refreshments/lunch at Coogee Legion Club or adjoining cafe.  MEET:  9:30am at corner Pitt and Spring Streets for 9:45am 339 Bus to Clovelly.

OUTINGS:

May 28th 2013:  We have some vacancies on the bus visiting Norman Lindsay Gallery.  This historic sandstone cottage, set in beautiful grounds, displays the work of the artist and writer.  It will be a nice time to visit the mountains.  Lunch is a Springwood Sports Club.  The cost of $40 includes entry to the gallery.  The bus leaves at 9am.

June 25th 2013:  A scenic bus trip to Captain Cook’s landing place in the Botany Bay National park at Kurnell.  We will also visit the Discovery Centre which houses an exhibition of Cook’s voyage.  Then we will take a short drive to Cape Solander where, hopefully, we can do a bit of whale watching along the way. Lunch will be St. George Motor Boat Club.  Cost $30.  Names and money for this outing today please.  Bus leaves at 9:30am.

Membership Report:  The Club membership is 52, consisting of 19 men and 33 women.  We have 3 new applications for membership today:  Don Boyd, Janet Baker and Syd Baker.  All have been accepted by the Committee and will be inducted by the President at this meeting.

Many happy returns of the day for your May birthday:  Rob B. 9, Jean S. 10, John N. 22.

Note:  All our Probus meetings are generally held on the third Tuesday of every month.  The Committee meetings are conducted in the NSLC Bistro area, usually on the first Tuesday of the month.  Members are welcome to observe.