Probus members are active in the local community. Photo: Probus Club of Waterloo Bay.
FROM THE PROBUS CLUB OF WATERLOO BAY
The Probus Club movement began in the UK in the 1960s when two separate clubs were created by members of Rotary Clubs — The Campus Club, formed by retired friends with professional and business backgrounds, and the Probus Club of Caterham.
Australia saw the introduction of Probus in February 1976 when the Probus Club of Hunters Hill was formed with an all-male membership under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Hunters Hill, Sydney. Members of the club recall that, after 15 years, the club had become “a bunch of cranky old men” and soon recognised the need to include women in the club, which has continued to grow and flourish.
Recognising a need for a Probus centre to service Australia and New Zealand, the AMP Society weighed in with a donation of $10,000, arguing that Probus membership would extend the lives of their policyholders. We now have Probus South Pacific Limited based in Sydney with its own Board.
The Rotary Club of Wynnum and Manly formed the Probus Club of Wynnum and Manly – a men’s club – in 1984. The first president was Col Piper, with vice president Leo de Lange, secretary Doug Wallace (all Rotarians) and Cliff Grimley as treasurer. This is now a mixed club.
As local interest increased, the Rotary Club then formed the Probus Club of Waterloo Bay for men and women on August 7, 1997. The first president was Jim Brittain, a Rotarian, alongside vice president Mike Sage, secretary Jann Thatcher and treasurer Cherry Bartlett.
In 2016, Rotarian and Probian Bob de Lange — Leo’s son — assisted the Probus Association of Queensland in development programs for south-eastern clubs.
