PORT Macquarie’s oldest Probus Club is preparing to celebrate 45 years of friendship, fellowship and community connection.
The Probus Club of Port Macquarie will mark the milestone with an anniversary celebration at Port City Bowling Club on 23 September.
At the club’s monthly meeting, Port Macquarie MP Robert Dwyer presented members with a 45th Anniversary Certificate from Probus South Pacific, recognising the organisation’s long history in the Hastings.
The milestone reflected almost half a century of Probus activity in the local community, according to club president William Quaglio.
“This Probus Club is the oldest in the Hastings, accredited with Probus South Pacific Ltd in 1981,” Mr Quaglio said.
“It’s a proud achievement, as in 1981 there were only 44 Probus Clubs in all of Australia and New Zealand.”
The Probus movement continued to develop in the years that followed.
The first clubs for women only formed in 1982, and combined clubs began in 1990 across Australia and New Zealand.
The club’s anniversary celebration will also recognise the 50th anniversary of Probus on 1 October.
The date coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons, which was designated by the UN General Assembly in 1990.
Probus clubs provide opportunities for retired and semi-retired people to meet, hear from guest speakers and enjoy social activities.
The Port Macquarie club continues that tradition through its regular monthly gatherings on the first Wednesday of each month at Port City Bowling Club from 10am.
New members and visitors are welcome to attend.
By Sis HIGGINS
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