PROBUS (short for professional business) is a local, national, and international association of retired people. Members get together regularly and:
make new friends
meet fellow retirees
listen to interesting guest speakers
enjoy regular activities and outings
find new interests to keep the mind and body healthy and active
join in domestic and international travel with the club
enjoy friendship, fellowship and fun
expand interests
This sounds great. Being part of an organisation, especially as you get older, can relieve loneliness, give you a purpose, and remind people that you still have value in contributing.
There is no specific age limit, except you must be retired or semi-retired. The age of members at the Freshwater Claremont Probus club is between late 60s to late 80s. Most events are held during the day. There is a $20.00 joining fee, $40.00 annual membership fee and a $5.00 morning tea fee paid by members at each meeting. For the $5 they get tea or coffee and biscuits. A small outlay indeed for all the possible benefits! Often people are nervous when they first visit. They can come as a visitor to a meeting and see what it is all about, and if it would be suitable for them.
I recently had the immense pleasure of chatting with Paula James from the Freshwater Claremont Probus club in Perth. Paula has been a member since this club's inception in October 2019. She is currently secretary of this local club with about 58 members, 5 of these on the committee. Paula first heard about Probus when she received a flyer in her letterbox about an information evening. She felt very welcomed and is pleased she became secretary, as it makes her go out, which she enjoys. The club gives her a sense of structure and something to look forward to. It also gives her a feeling of fulfillment and achievement by doing something for other people to have a better time. It is rewarding. Paula especially loves the contact she makes with people she would not normally meet. (Paula is on the right far back in this photo of members enjoying a dinner out together)
"Probus is fun,' she said. "The best thing about being retired is that you can do what you want when you want." In retirement Paula has become more content with life that she had ever been before.
At the monthly meetings they have different guest speakers covering a wide range of subjects such as exercise physiology, a retired Royal Flying Doctor Service pilot, Perth historians, drone specialists and stories from people in all walks of life.
Movies, dinners, Christmas functions, quizzes, coffee mornings and adventures around the area are just some of the activities they do. The aim is to organise events that are not too expensive, as retirees are often on a fixed income. Paula said that the club does what the members want to do.
The Probus Club movement was formed in the United Kingdom in 1965 created by members of Rotary Club, specifically created for retirees. They also have interclub activities and clubs enjoy entertaining other clubs. If you are travelling, you are welcome to attend other clubs as a guest. What an awesome way to make new acquaintances. This is an organisation that I look forward to joining when I retire.
Happy Travels!
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