Probus Club of Brighton Inc.

30th Anniversary

1981 to 2011

Messages to the Probus Club of Brighton Inc.

Veronica Semmler, Board Member, Probus Centre South Pacific

I bring you greetings from Chairman Jean Burford and together with the entire board we

congratulate you on reaching your 30th

Anniversary. I acknowledge that Brighton Probus

was the first club to be chartered in South Australia on 27 February, 1981 followed by

Brown Hill/Mitcham twelve months later. The Brighton Ladies Probus Club was chartered

on 31March, 1987.

In South Australia there are now 200 clubs with approximately 12,000 members.

New and exciting projects are planned for Probus members including a new magazine this

month (June) and a new Optional Travel Insurance open to private trips and family

members.

A Probus founding member’s slogan was; Keep it Simple, Keep it Interesting; Keep it

Cheap.

In recent years he added Keep it Going. I urge you to follow the slogan of our Probus

Founding Member and do “Keep it Going”. Congratulations and Well Done!

Anthony Lake, President, Rotary Club of Brighton S.A.

The Probus Club movement has, from its inception in the U.K. In 1965, shared close links

with Rotary International through its many member clubs.

Rotary's vision and role in establishing Probus Clubs, both in Australia and around the

world, was to provide retired and semiretired professional and business men and women an

opportunity to develop friendships, foster fellowship, relax and have fun while at the same

time contribute to the life of their club as they so chose. In 1981 the Rotary Clubs of

Brighton and Glenelg established The Probus Club of Brighton to fill a community need and

the membership of The Probus Club of Brighton today indicates that this need still exists

and that the Club has been continuing to fulfil the goals of its founding members.

Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Brighton in particular, congratulate The Probus

Club of Brighton on this special occasion and wish it every success in the future and look

forward to continuing our close relationship in the years to come.

Brian Sexton, President, Probus Club of Brighton Inc

It is extremely rewarding to be acting in a significant role in an organisation that is thriving

after thirty years of healthy existence. This booklet attempts to portray that thirty years. The

current level of enthusiasm and activity within the club are testimony to the organisational

skills and wisdom of our predecessors. It is now my lot and that of my fellow latter-day

members to keep the pot boiling.

2011 and the short term future beyond, should not see a decline in our doings. All of the

main movers of recent years and certainly since I joined in 2008, are still either on our

committee or nearby and available to lend their collective experienced heads and hands.

Looking forward I sincerely hope that,at the end of our next period of review, our President

can be as warmly satisfied as I am with the state of affairs at hand.

The beginning of Probus in South Australia By definition, Probus comprises “a group of autonomous clubs for retired people with professional, business and executive backgrounds and others of similar interests.” Probus clubs are not service or fund raising clubs and are formed only by Rotary Clubs which, according to the principles of Rotary, are charged with a duty to the community of seeing a need and endeavouring to fulfil that need. The first Probus Club was formed in Caterham, England in 1966 by a group of retired professional and business men; the name coming from the words PROfessional and BUSiness. A few months earlier, a group of retired men in Welwyn Garden City, England, formed the Campus Club. Those two clubs, having the same objectives of improving social contact for their members, were both sponsored by Rotary Clubs and were the two ancestors of Probus. In February 1976, Probus came to Australia when a club was formed at Hunters Hill, New South Wales. In July 1980 , the Vocational Service Committees of the Brighton and Glenelg Rotary Clubs were investigating the establishment of Probus Clubs in their respective districts. Murray Stodart, chairman of Glenelg’s Vocational Service Committee, met with Tom Paxton, then President of Brighton and from their discussions arose the suggestion that the two Rotary Clubs should combine their efforts and form one Probus Club. This was agreed to and three members from each club were appointed as a committee to implement the proposal. That committee, which first met on 12th January 1981, decided the name of the proposed Probus Club and that membership should be restricted to men. The committee, having also decided that any initial costs should be shared by the two Rotary Clubs, convened a meeting of interest in the Brighton City Hall. The meeting took place on 27th February 1981 and was attended by 55 persons including John Mathwin M. P. (Member for Glenelg), Jim Crawford (Mayor of Brighton), Arthur Wenzel (Mayor of Glenelg), Gwyn Adams (District Governor of Rotary), Tom Paxton (President of Brighton Rotary), Len Greenslade (President of Glenelg Rotary), and other representatives of both Rotary Clubs. At that meeting a decision was made to form the first Probus club in South Australia - the Probus Club of Brighton and Glenelg - and that the first meeting of the Club would be in the Brighton City Hall on the 27th March 1981. Bryan Trott was elected Foundation President and Jim Richardson Foundation Secretary.

Arthur Wenzel, Mayor of Glenelg, addresses the meeting of interest in forming a probus club

held at the Brighton City Hall on 27th February 1981.

The proposal to “form the Probus Club of Brighton and Glenelg” was carried unanimously.

This was followed by 50 applications for founder membership.

Some of the 55 men attending the meeting.

First Probus Club in South Australia early days The first meeting of the Probus Club of Brighton and Glenelg was held at the Brighton City Hall on Friday, 27th March 1981. 46 members attended and four apologies were recorded. A constitution was adopted in July 1981 allowing a maximum membership of 75. Bryan Trott was President for 18 months following the adoption of the constitution which set the date of the Annual General Meeting as September and the subsequent re-election of all officers and committee members who had then served for six months. In July 1983 the constitution was amended and the date of the Annual General Meeting was shifted from September to March and that of the financial year from the end of August to the end of February. In January 1984 Committee membership was limited to five consecutive years and written nominations were prescribed for all Committee positions. Quentin Davidson, the second President, also spent 18 months in that office because the change of the date of Annual General Meeting from September to March occurred during his term. At the very first meeting, two suggestions which were important in the later development of the Club were discussed. The first, the possibility of dividing the Club into two, came to fruition within 18 months but the other, the possibility of incorporation, rumbled around for more than six and a half years before being adopted. In December 1981 Glenelg Rotary Club advised of its intention to start a Probus Club in Glenelg, but it was not until 24th June 1982 that the Probus Club of Glenelg held its inaugural meeting. On 24th September 1982, by amendment to the constitution, the Probus Club of Brighton and Glenelg became the Probus Club of Brighton with a maximum membership of 80. Membership rose to 80 as soon as the maximum was increased. The annual subscription remained at $5. The right of the 75 original members to remain in the Club, regardless of residence outside the City of Brighton boundaries (then newly prescribed for giving priority of entry to local residents) was also provided by the amended constitution. At the committee meeting held on 9th July 1982, it had already been decided that all members who had joined the Probus Club of Brighton and Glenelg before 24th June 1982 should be regarded as “original members” . After three meetings in the Brighton City Hall, the Club met at the Esplanade Hotel, Brighton until January 1985. From February, 1985 the Club met at the Windsor Theatre, Brighton. In August 1985 the Club moved its meetings back to the Esplanade Hotel.

Probus Club of Brighton and Glenelg President Bryan Trott is congratulated by Rotary District

Governor, Gwyn Adams watched by Brighton Rotary Club President Tom Paxton and Glenelg

Rotary Club President Len Greenslade.

Probus Club of Brighton and Glenelg - first office bearers

President: Bryan Trott Vice-President: Milton Pointon

Secretary: Jim Richardson Treasurer: Colin Bennett

Committee: Colin Butcher, Gerald Cotton, Athur Taylor and Frank Redstone.

Probus Club of Brighton members 1982/83 Foundation members are indicated by *

*Jim Allen, Ernest Bambury, *Bill Bate, *Jack Bedford, *Colin Bennett, Bill Blanks, *Bill

Botting, Hugh Branson, Peter Brebner, Roy Brown, Kevin Burke, *Colin Butcher, Colin

Campbell, *Chas Coombs, *Gerald Cotton, *Sidney Darby, *Quentin Davidson, *Charlie

Dodgson, *George Durney, *Ron Draper, Harvey Ebbs, John Everett, *Len Glass, *Rod

Gollan, *Gordon Grimmer, Max Hand, *Perc Hardy, Dick Haren, *Ken Harries, Ron

Healey, Bill Hemsworth, Roland Hockley, Ron Holden, *Fred Hughes, *Dick Hursthouse,

Geoff Hutchings, David Kennedy, *Lang Kavanagh, Jack Leaker, Bill Lewis, Warren Lloyd,

*Lawrence Mart, *Allen May, Douglas MacCormac, Ivan McKellar, *Bill Mellowship,

*Bill Newnham, *Douglas Nunn, John Oxley, George Packham, George Pain, Rex Parham,

*Milton Pointon, *Bob Pritchard, *Arthur Pybus, *Frank Redstone, *Jim Richardson,

*Donald Roach, *John Roach, *Neil Robertson, Geoff Roe, *Reg Rugless, *John Rutter,

Ray Russell, Keith Smallacombe, Ern Smith, *Gerald Smith, *Alec Sowden, Jack Stain,

Harry Statten, *Andy Stompe, *Arthur Taylor, *Harold Taylor, *Bryan Trott, Harold Urch,

Dudley Webb, *Alan Williams, Donald Williamson, Bill Yates, Gordon Yuill.

In the 1980s

1981/82

- Two months after the first meeting of the Club, a Newsletter was published and this has

continued on a monthly basis since then.

-Special interest groups for theatre, music and bowls were formed during the Club’s first

year and they were followed later by a golf group.

-The first visit arranged by the Club was to the Mitsubishi Works and 30 attended.

-The Christmas luncheon was attended by more than 100 people. At a luncheon after the

Annual General Meeting 42 members and 33 wives were present. From March 1981 to

March 1982 membership rose from 50 to 62 in July, to 69 in January and finally to 74.

-Harold Urch became the first Honorary Auditor.

1983

- January - Quentin Davidson made and presented to the Club, a Bowls Trophy Shield.

-May - Arthur Taylor presented a gavel to the Club and later that year Quentin Davidson

made and presented four gavels to the Club. One of them, suitably inscribed, was presented

to Bryan Trott to mark his service as Foundation President. Two were presented to the

Probus Clubs of Berri and Glenelg.

-July - The first of the Probus Profiles ( biographical sketches of members) appeared in the

newsletter. These profiles and the distribution of lists of members’ names showing

addresses, phone numbers and wives’ names as well as lists of leisure activities helped

members get to know each other, which was becoming increasingly difficult as the Club

grew in size.

-A special association was established with Berri Probus Club and newsletters were

exchanged with that club.

-December - Brighton members and wives made an overnight visit to Berri Probus Club.

1984

- Permission was received from the Brighton City Council to use the Coat of Arms of the

City on the Club letterhead and Newsletter.

-The Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton were invited to and attended the Christmas luncheon.

-Jim Richardson has been secretary and editor for the first three years.

-At the March Annual General Meeting the subscription was raised to $10.

1985

- It was decided to appoint an Almoner and Ern Bambury accepted the position.

- Quentin Davidson made and presented to the Club an adjustable lectern and a stand for the

speaker of the public address system purchased during this year.

-November - The constitution was amended to allow a maximum membership of 90.

-A set of conditions for booking excursions was adopted.

1986

- At the March Annual General Meeting the subscription was raised to $15 which included

the cost of morning coffee and tea, previously paid for separately.

-June - The Club resolved a short silence be observed to mark the death of a member.

-October - Bryan Trott presented a President’s Collar to the Club.

1987

- Neil Robertson made two wooden table-top Probus Emblems, one of which the Club

presented to the Brighton Ladies Probus Club, then newly established.

-July - The Club was incorporated and a public liability insurance policy was taken out.

-November - The constitution was amended to allow a maximum membership of 100.

-The social programme included attendance at local hotels for “snitzel nights” and

“roast nights”, the former in collaboration with Kingston Park Probus.

-The Club combined with Kingston Park Probus at a picnic outing at National Park, Belair.

1988

- A barbecue luncheon for members and wives was held at the home of Bryan Trott.

-Membership reached 100 for first time. However, despite this increase and the

establishment of several new Probus Clubs in nearby districts, a waiting list soon formed.

-The Club was represented at the Probus Church Service in April, the Annual

Seminar at Renmark in November and the Probus Convention held in Brisbane.

-The Club accepted the invitation to join seven South-Western seaside Probus Clubs in

regular meetings of Presidents and Vice-Presidents and to exchange Newsletters.

-To assist him with his work as Editor of the Probus News, Quentin Davidson was invited to

attend all Committee meetings. At the Christmas lunch a citation was presented to Quentin

for his work for the Club and for preparing and printing the Probus News since April 1984.

- The 1987/88 President, Neil Robertson, suggested that as the Club had been the first in

South Australia, a record be made of its foundation and early years. A history of the Club

covering the seven years from its formation until March 1988 was written by Committee

Member, Wal Grant. Copies were made available to members for a small charge and were

given to the Brighton Council, Brighton Historical Society and the Mortlock Library.

1989

- Members attended the West Zone Bowling Tournament in March, the Probus Golf Day in

April and performances of the St Jude's Players' plays. Jack Leaker began his fifth year as

Treasurer. Meetings started at 9.30am from June and a roster of members to arrange and

replace seating was introduced. The annual subscription was increased to $20.

Programme Officers 1981 to 1989 Gerald Cotton, Ron Holden, John Roach, Arthur Taylor, Bryan Trott and John Westover.

Presidents 1981 to 1989

Bryan Trott, Quentin Davidson, Milton Pointon, Gerald Cotton, David Kennedy, Neil

Robertson, Ron Draper and Colin Butcher.

In the 1990s

1990/91 President Ray Stubbs

The Club’s 10th year, attendance averaged 69 per meeting and the venue of the club’s

monthly meetings was changed from the Esplanade Hotel to Clubrooms at the Brighton

Oval. To improve fellowship there was a “Getting to Know You” program where each

member was encouraged to talk to many other members throughout the year. Gerald Cotton

arranged talks on Sola Optical, the State Emergency Services, the Southern Cross Aeroplane

and our last UK tour (Jim and Hilda Richardson). Members visited Adelaide Gaol, Carrick

Hill and the Grand Hotel. Well attended mid-year and Christmas lunches were at the

Victoria Hotel. Bryan Trott has been secretary five years.

1991/92 President Dudley Both

In March 1991 the Club celebrated 10 years of service. Membership was at the limit of 100

for most of the year. The attendance record was broken in March when 84 members

attended. Our photographer, Frank Herring, has supplied photographs of all Presidents,

Secretaries, Treasurers and Auditors for inclusion in the historical records. A group photo

was taken of the first ten presidents. In his years as editor Quentin Davidson has included

103 Probus Profiles about members in the Probus News. Guest speaker topics included

Adelaide Earthquakes, Glenelg Football Coach coaching and Investment Strategies for the

90s. The Annual Subscription was reduced to $15, (Treasurer John Minns), which included

tea/coffee and biscuit at each meeting.

1992/93 President Peter Bishop

The programme officers' duties were split into two categories. Norm Stacey arranged the

speakers and Alan Vowels the outings. In a survey members were asked What do you

expect from Probus ?. The overwhelming answer was - Fellowship, Friendship and

improving knowledge and outlook. A list of “Octogenarians” (80 years & over) was

included in the history records. There are 13 members in this category. Almoner, Peter

O’Connor, reported on sick members at each meeting. The annual Probus seminar was held

at Broken Hill on 17th November 1992 and 360 members from 64 clubs attended. Brighton

Delegates were Peter Bishop, Wes Southwell and Brian Scrymgour.

1993/94 President Wes Southwell

Members enjoyed a champagne breakfast on Brighton beach, a barbeque lunch at Bryan

Trott’s home and an evening garden party on Dudley Both’s tennis court ( not all on the

same day ! ).

Rendezvous 1993 - 1800 Probians from 250 Clubs were present at Port Macquarie. Our

club was represented by 3 members and their wives. The Probus constitution was reviewed

by Ray Stubbs, Jack Leaker and Fred Johnson. Their recommendations were considered by

the committee and presented to members, who, after discussion, unanimously passed the

amended constitution on March 25, 1994. Vice-President Brian Scrymgour was named

Brighton Citizen of the Year.

1994/95 President Brian Scrymgour

Membership was 100 and attendance averaged 67, with numbers down in winter as some

members travelled north to warmer parts of Australia. During the year members were

reminded that through the constitution “Associate Members Status” was available.

Foundation member and octogenarian Milton Pointon became an Associate Member.

Speakers were arranged by John Mathwin and topics included: cross cultural

understanding, oral history, ants, astronomy, meteorology, historical use of poison and

injury prevention. 18% of members were foundation members.

1995/96 President Norm Stacey

Members attended the Echuca Probus Rendezvous, the South Western Probus meeting at

Kingston Park, Probus Friendship Day at Morphettville racecourse and the Annual Seminar

at Renmark. Talks were on Uganda, Israel and small ships (Ken Peterson ). John Minns has

been treasurer five years. The club formed links with Probus Clubs of Mumbles in Wales,

Belleville in Ontario, Canada and Ballina Waters, N.S.W. Michael Conry, President of

Brighton Rotary, joined 118 members at the Club's Christmas lunch at the Marion Hotel.

1996/97 President Alan Vowels

Bryan Trott, the Club’s foundation president, received the Club’s first Life Membership

Award. Jack Physick celebrated his 90th birthday and was the first nonagenarian. Fred

Johnson has been secretary four years. Don Bennett arranged visits to Quorn, the Pichi

Richi Railway and Monarto Zoo. Talks were on solar cars, Operation Flinders, cycling in

Europe (Alan Marriage) and the Stock Exchange . 23% of members had wives who

belonged to the Brighton Ladies Probus Club. $500 was donated to the City of Brighton

Jetty Appeal.

1997/98 President Don Bennett

A survey found that about 50 members were involved in the running of the Club. The

computer group was started by David Wilkinson in January 1998. Other interest groups

were golf, bowls, walking and St Jude's Players' Plays. Members visited Charlesworth Nut

factory and Flinders University. There were talks on films, Kingsford Smith, the Olympic

Dam, the Police Force, Gardens of the World and the sinking of the Titanic. After receiving

a Canadian flag from Belleville Probus Club of Ontario, Canada, the Brighton Probus Club

has sent that club an Australian flag.

1998/99 President John Minns

Mayor Brian Nadilo spoke about the future of the City of Holdfast Bay. Other talks were on

the rugby tour of South Africa, peace keeping in Egypt, the State Library, the SA Museum

and Community Dog Care. Members visited Kingston House for Devonshire tea at the

invitation of Brighton Ladies Probus Club. Members attended the Probus Friendship day in

the Pharlap room at the Morphettville Race Course. The number of associate members

increased from 3 to 5.

1999/2000 President David Wilkinson

Life Membership was bestowed on Jim Richardson at the 1999 Christmas luncheon at the

Thaxted Park Golf Club. Membership was 94 and average attendance was 63. 11 members

had displays of their hobbies and interests at the October meeting Expo. Colin Chiverton

arranged talks on Antarctic Adventure, Donkey Derby, Naval Aviation, growing old can be

fun and Brighton Then and Now. Members visited Football Park, the University of

Adelaide and the Maritime Museum.

In the 2000s

2000/01 President Fred Johnson

It was the club’s 20th year. The photo album covering all the years of Brighton Probus was

completed by Frank Herring. Glen East arranged visits to the Don Bradman collection at the

State Library and the Norwood Traffic Control Centre. John Mathwin received a

Commonwealth Recognition Award for Senior Australians. Bert Richardson received The

Silver Wattle Award for outstanding service to scouting in South Australia. Talks were on

Rolling in Dough, Life in India, Technology and Theatre Personalities. There were 2052

Probus clubs with 178,092 members in Australia and New Zealand.

2001/02 President Colin Chiverton

In March 2001 the Club celebrated 20 years of service. Life Memberships were awarded to

John Minns and David Wilkinson. John Mathwin was awarded an Order of Australia Medal

in the Queen’s Birthday Honours' List. The club has three nonagenarians Bert Moyses,

Lang Kavanagh and Milton Pointon. Talks were on St Jude's Players, following the Old

Ghan Track and from members Al Bartlett, Adam Jablonskas and Ian Grace. Subscriptions

increased to $25.00 for Full and $15.00 Associate Members.

2002/03 President Glen East

Ten foundation members are in the club. Average attendance was 56. Six members were

Justices of the Peace. Outings included the Probus Church Service at Maughan Church, a

Regency Park TAFE tour and Brighton Secondary School concerts. Ray Stubbs booked the

St Jude's Players' plays. Talks were on getting to know you (Colin Chiverton), tobacco

industry (Ian Grace), Muslims in a modern world and the Brighton smugglers' tunnel.

Subscriptions $28.00 for Full, $10.00 Associate Members.

2003/04 President Ian Grace

Present Membership is 83. New groups are the caravan/touring group (Ted Hayman) and the

musical appreciation group (Fred Johnson). Members enjoyed a lunch at Regency Park

TAFE and Father Christmas came to the Christmas Lunch at Flagstaff Hill Golf Club.

After monthly meetings members enjoyed lunch at the Warradale Hotel. There were talks on

Australians in the American Civil War (Ken Hayes), the Road to Happiness, early life in

London's East End (Harry Marks) and the early history of Broken Hill (Gordon Yuill).

Subscriptions $30.00 for Full Members and $15.00 Associate Members.

2004/05 President Graham Wight

David Wilkinson arranged talks on the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, Adelaide to Darwin

Rail Link, Special Vehicles and reversing the Ageing Process (there was a lot of interest in

this talk). Fred Gubbins completed five years as secretary. Members heard the City of

Holdfast Bay Concert Choir. Adam Jablonskas arranged visits to Urrbrae Wetlands, Vili's

Pies Factory and Fort Glanville and a beachside lunch at Angas Niell Reserve. St Jude's

Players' plays included Relatively Speaking and Brilliant Lies.

2005/06 President Alan Marriage

New Standing Resolutions were approved at the Meeting on 25th August 2005 to be read in

conjunction with the Standard Constitution of Probus Clubs dated February 2005. Ron

Sawade completed four years as treasurer. Members enjoyed visiting Patritti’s Winery,

Keswick Army museum, SA Brewing at Thebarton and the Australian Submarine

Corporation. Talks were about the Somerton Beach mystery death, riding the Space Shuttle,

the musical memories of Brian Porter from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and members'

memories from Ray Bodey and Graham Gurry.

2006/07 President Fred Gubbins

In March 2006 the Club celebrated 25 years of service. The 25th

anniversary luncheon was

at the Marion Sports Club. Fred Johnson was awarded life membership. Doug Wallis

presented a 25 year club history and Dudley Both a 25 years of photographs DVD. There

were talks on forensic dentistry, DNA replacing fingerprints, sailing on Lake Eyre, my life

(Silano Viverit) and Libby Kosmala spoke about her life. At the September meeting music

group members played recordings in honour of Fathers' Day.

2007/08 President Liam McKeough

At presentation ceremonies during general meetings 20 year and 25 year service pins were

awarded to more than a dozen members. There were public transport trips to the Willunga

Courthouse, Semaphore and Mount Barker and visits to the Art Gallery and ABC Studios.

Talks were on court experiences, caring for primates and banking precautions. After many

years of dedicated service as club photographer Frank Herring handed over to Bert

Richardson and his digital camera. Subscriptions were $35 for Full Members and $15 for

Associates.

2008/09 President Eric Field

Foundation President Bryan Trott died on 26th

March 2009. At the next meeting members

observed a minute's silence and there were many tributes for Bryan for his great

contribution to Probus. Life membership was awarded to Graham Wight. Outings included a

nostalgic movie show at the Ingle Theatre and visits to Coopers Brewery and the Advertiser

Printing works. Club meetings were moved to the Brighton Masonic Centre. David

Wilkinson started emailing the newsletter to some members.

2009/10 President Rod Parkin

Life membership was awarded to Dudley Both and 20 year pins to Wes Southwell and

Bryan Dowling. Members received a Mars Bar in their birthday month. Ted Hayman

arranged caravan/cabin holidays at Robe, Moana and Port Elliot. We had a Port River

Dolphin cruise, a tour of the Adelaide Oval just before the big changes and public transport

days to the hills in Autumn and to Gawler to see a movie. Talks were on Jazz in South

Australia, life in the army band and Oberammergau (Jeff Carey). Santa and his Elf brought

gifts and Christmas cheer to the Christmas lunch at the Flagstaff Hill Golf Club.

2010/11 President Graham Gurry

It was the club’s 30th year. An anniversary lunch will be held in June 2011. A 25 year

service pin was awarded to Ted Long. Richard Venable led members on a weekend cruise on

the Murray and a bus tour to Bright. Dudley Both arranged public transport days to the

Entertainment Centre and to view public art in Adelaide. Members heard talks on Angel

Flight, the Christmas pageant, the Wayville Showgrounds, the role of the defence force and

mental health for seniors. After 12 years as walking group leader Bryan Dowling handed

over to Rod Parkin. Graham Wight completed a record combined total of seven years as

treasurer. There was an 80% attendance at the 30th

anniversary general meeting on 25 March

2011. Computerising the club history and the annual reports has been completed.

The first 10 Presidents together in1991

Back row L-R ; Ray Stubbs, Milton Pointon, Bryan Trott, Quentin Davidson,Colin Butcher,

Ron Draper, Gerald Cotton, Neil Robertson, David Kennedy

Front : Dudley Both

Foundation Members at 20th

Birthday Meeting 23rd

March 2001

Back Row L-R :John Rutter, Lawrence Mart, Harold Taylor, Colin Chiverton (2001 President), Jim

Richardson, Charles Dodgson, Colin Butcher, John Bedford.

Seated L-R ; Arthur Taylor, John Roach, Bryan Trott, Milton Pointon.

Absent : Neil Robertson

Life member Fred Johnson reflects on 30 years of the Probus Club of Brighton

The vision of Rotary International to establish Probus has meant new friends, good speakers and

memorable outings for many thousands of men and women.

It is my understanding that in South Australia the ‘trigger’ was a conversation between the

Presidents of Brighton and Glenelg Rotary in late 1980 which resulted in them taking the

suggestion to their Clubs of combining to found a Probus club.

The early records of Club members reveal that over 50 professions and businesses were

represented in the first 2 years - and ‘outside’ interests were also diverse – sport, community

service, politics, believers and unbelievers, and the list goes on !!

Our current foundation members, Jim Richardson, Lawrie Mart, John Roach and Neil Robertson,

were part of the group who 'set the standards’ for those of us who followed. Well done and thank

you !!

They, and those who joined in the first 15 years, lived through the Depression, many served

Australia in WW2 and saw the beginning of the unparalleled advances in science, technology,

communications and travel possibilities etc.

What made the Club ‘tick’? Member ‘backgrounds’ at work - where to succeed they had to work hard, be part of teams,

participate and when necessary to accept change –this Club was the first -there was no earlier

‘model’ in SA. So, joining a new club was not all that different from their working years – they

needed to accept and work with others !!

For many - new and close friendships were made with others who were strangers before.

Memorable Events

In 1987 Bryan and Mary Trott invited members to a BBQ at their Seacliff home – this became an

annual event and only ended when Bryan passed away in March 2009.

In 1993/94 Brian Scrymgour was named ‘Brighton Citizen of the Year’.

In 1996/97 the Club donated $500.00 to the City of Brighton’s Jetty Appeal.

In 1999/2000 David Wilkinson organized an Expo – it was here we saw firsthand the creative and

imaginative talents of so many members as they displayed their exhibits.

In 2000 Mary Both, wife of Dudley, had the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch.

In 2001/02 Bert Richardson received the Silver Wattle Award for services to Scouting

and John Mathwin was awarded membership of the Order of Australia.

Ian Grace has represented Rhodesia in the both Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

What makes the Club ‘tick now’ ?

We do !! and we are as diverse in ‘backgrounds’ and interests as the Founding Fathers were – our

current membership comes from 40 different backgrounds.

We are proud to belong to Brighton Probus – not only because it was the first in S. A. –

it happens to be the best.

Happy 30th

Brighton Probus – Let's enjoy our time together today!!

Probus Club of Brighton members at 25 March 2011

Probus Club of Brighton committee 2011/12

Elected at the 30th

anniversary meeting on 25th

March 2011

Back row:

Richard Venable, Liam McKeough, David Wilkinson, Ken Hayes, Dudley Both, Fred Johnson

Front Row:

Alan Marriage, Brian Sexton, Graham Gurry Inset: Rod Parkin

Bob Anderson Eric Field Alan Marriage Brian Sexton

Al Bartlett lan Grace Harold Marks Chris Somers

Don Bennett Fred Gubbins Lawrence Mart *** Wes Southwell *

Peter Bishop * Graham Gurry Geoff Matthews Norm Stacey *

Bill Blair Ken Hayes John Minns * Jack Stain **

Ray Bodey Ted Hayman John Murdoch Michael Varnish

Dudley Both ** Frank Herring * Rod Parkin Richard Venable

Bill Brassington * Adam Jablonskas Bert Richardson Silano Viverit

Jeff Carey Fred Johnson * Jim Richardson *** Alan Vowels *

Dean Chellew Len Johnson John Roach *** Graham Wight

Ken Chinner Jack Leaker ** Neil Robertson *** David Wilkinson.

Ted Coote * Ted Long ** Ron Sawade. * Gordon Yuill **

Bryan Dowling * Liam McKeough Brian Scrymgour *

Associate Members Ian Melbourne John Ritchie

Member for 20 years *, Member for 25 years **, Member for 30 years ***