Probus North Sydney

President’s Report April 2014

On behalf of your committee we thank you for your confidence in electing us for this coming year.

At our last committee meeting we noted that we are in a good financial situation, our walks, outings and speakers programmes are going well, and that we agreed to support Valerie’s Probus trip to Armidale.

There was one other item that I would call to your attention.  The Probus Reform Group has not had discussions with Probus South Pacific as was previously arranged.  The Reform Group has informed us why the negotiations did not occur.  It would appear, from the information received to date, that Probus Sough Pacific has not acted in an open manner wishing discussions between them and the Reform Group to be held in secret.  This is not acceptable to the Reform Group or to the North Sydney Probus.

After much discussion the committee has decided to accept the Reform Group’s suggestion not to pay our fees to Probus South Pacific until the situation has become more clear.  We do not usually pay our fees until, I believe, August so we have time to reconsider our position in good time.

The latest message from the Reform Group with more details on the above has been sent to you by email and is tabled at the general meeting.

Membership report:  This month we are inducting Judy  and Judy M, who have been on the waiting list for some time.  This will bring our numbers to 61 members (36 women and 25 men).

Best Wishes for your April Birthday:  Ron H 05, Bob M 05, Gillian W 09, Rhona S 26, and Geraldine P 29.
PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

GUEST SPEAKERS: Our speaker today is Rob Byrne, whose topic is The End Polio campaign.

PROBUS WALKERS:

Tuesday 13th May 2014:  Tempe to Canterbury via Cooks River.  A very pleasant and easy walk along the Cooks River sighting many water birds and a variety of trees.  A chance for coffee will be possible approximately thirty minutes into the walk.  The walk will finish at Canterbury where we can have lunch at the Canterbury Club Hotel.  Walk distance approximately 5.5 klms.  Return to the city by train.  MEET:  At Town Hall Station, Platform 4 at 9:20 am to catch the 9:34 train to Tempe.
OUTINGS:
Tuesday 22nd April 2014:  Money please today for this outing to Belgenny farm.  This is Australia’s oldest set of intact farm buildings.  It was the “Home Farm” of the Macarthur Dynasty.  There we will have a guided tour of historic sites, also view a short DVD about the farm.  Lunch is at Camden Golf Club at Narellan.  This is another great outing not to be missed!  Also a chance to see what life must have been like for the Macarthurs.  Bus leaves at 9 am.  Cost of $40 includes entry fee to the farm.

Tuesday 27th May 2014:  Names and money taken today for this outing to historic Ebenezer Church and the Schoolmaster’s House, near Windsor.  We will have a short talk by one of the volunteers on the history of the Church, Schoolhouse and graveyard which all date back to the early 1800s.  Lunch will be at Wiseman’s Ferry.  Bus leaves at 9 am.  Cost:  $30.  (We will be asking for a small donation to give to the volunteers running and maintaining this site.)

Fifth Tuesday Restaurant Outing:  There will be a Probus Luncheon on Tuesday, 29th April, at 12:00 noon, at the Limelight Restaurant (opposite Anderson Park), 62 Clark Road, North Sydney.  Telephone: 9955-2199.  Bus 263 from Cammeray via Neutral Bay, or from North Sydney Station.  Contact John N, 9929-6054, for further information.