Probus North Sydney

President’s Report, January 21, 2014

Good morning, everybody, and first of all, may I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!  I hope you have enjoyed the festive season.

It was wonderful to see so many members at our Christmas lunch at Bayly’s

Restaurant, and I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.  The location is magnificent, and the food was of a very high standard, and a big Thank You! To Peter Bates, and of course his wife Sandra, for organising the lunch.

And now it is time to turn our thoughts to 2014.  After a busy festive season it is not always easy to focus again on the things we normally do during the year. But the Probus programme starts off again in earnest this month, with our excursion to Kiama on 28 January.

It is also time to start giving some thought to our Annual General Meeting, which will be held in March, following on directly after the normal March meeting.  A new committee will have to be elected.  Several of the current committee members have been on the committee for a number of years, and we feel it is very desirable for some new faces to join us!  All functions (as listed at the top of this page) are open, and we would be really happy if you could give this some thought.  If interested, just talk to one of the current committee members–you will find that most positions are not really too onerous and time consuming, and you are sure to enjoy it!

We have been advised by Probus South Pacific Ltd., that our contribution for 2014 will increase by $3.00 per member, and also the subscription to Active Retirees magazine will increase by $2.00.  This $5.00 increase will certainly impact our finances, but the Treasurer has advised the committee that our situation is sufficiently sound to absorb this increase, and he will therefore propose to leave out membership fee for 2014 unchanged.

I will be away overseas during February, but will be back in time for the March meeting.  In the meantime, Maurice O will be Acting President, so the position will be in good hands!

PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

MONTHLY MEETINGS: Today we welcome Tim Stapleton, speaking on the topic “All Creatures Grunt and Smell.”  Next month Dr. Tom Crow will bring us up to date on Stroke Recovery, and in April our speaker is poet and actor Colin Taylor.

PROBUS WALKERS:

Note:  There are no walks scheduled for January and February 2014, as these months are considered to be too hot/humid for the walk to be enjoyable.

OUTINGS:

Tuesday 28th January:  A Train Trip to Kiama, where you can visit historic sights, quaint cottages in Collins Street, or explore the Blowhole, before enjoying lunch at one of the many restaurants/hotels.  Meet in the middle of platform No. 4 at Town Hall Station at 9 am to catch the 9:24 am train.  Returning on either the 2:55 pm train which terminates at Central, or the 3:55 pm which goes past Town Hall.  Please put your name down today if you will be going on this outing.

Tuesday 25th February:  A scenic drive to Katoomba, visiting the Three Sisters at Echo Point, and the Scenic Railway if time allows.  Lunch details in next bulletin.  Bus leaves at 9 am; cost is $30.  Names and money taken today.   
        
                       Membership report:  We will be inducting one new member this meeting, Jill C from Willoughby.  This will bring our numbers to 61, comprising 36 women and 25 men.     

    January Birthdays: Best wishes to Shelagh K 5, Nita R 5, Jim McK 9, Josephine T 22, Syd B 26, and Peter Mac 29.

Note: Next meeting will be held on Tuesday Feb 18th.