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Local Legend
22 | iNarrabri Magazine | October 2016
What is ‘Probus’?
Probus is an anagram for
“professional business people” and
is an association of retired and
semi-retired business people who
join together in clubs, the basic
purpose which is to provide
regular opportunity to keep
minds active and expand their
interests.
When was the Probus established
and what are the main goals of the
Narrabri Probus Club?
The first Probus Clubs started in
the UK in 1965, Australia in 1976
and in Narrabri in 1988. There
are a number of other local clubs
to be found in Moree, Gunnedah,
Inverell, Tamworth, Armidale
and Coonabarabran. All have the
same main goals or concept... to
provide opportunities for those
who have retired or are semi-
retired to meet regularly without
pressure and with minimum cost,
in circumstances which provide
new interests and new friends.
They are autonomous, simple in
structure, non-political, non-sec-
tarian and non-fundraising.
When and where do you get
together and what actually
happens at the meetings?
Our meetings are held at 10 am
on the first Tuesday of the month
at the Narrabri Golf Club. The
meetings are quite informal...
though follow a normal meeting
procedure, with minutes and
correspondence read,
introduction of new members, a
guest speaker presentation,
general business, welfare report
and morning tea. The duration of
the meeting is dependent on the
guest speaker’s presentation but
usually take one to two hours.
Is there a criteria for membership
and what are the costs?
New members are sponsored and
introduced by a Probus member
with costs of $25 per year.
I understand you have local and
not so local trips!
Yes we have enjoyed a number of
bus trips with wives and friends
that might run for a day or more.
Some recent trips have included
visits to Inverell, Dubbo, Manilla,
Katoomba, Tamworth, Newcastle,
Sydney and the South Coast.
What are some of the activities
your club members get involved in?
We have enjoyed numerous fun
days, film nights, ‘Xmas in July’
and Christmas parties, bowls days
and interaction with high schools
students in the use of mobile
phones.
What have been the personal
benefits for you as a member of the
Narrabri Probus Club?
Obviously the many new friend-
ships I have formed over the years
not only at a local level but also in
communicating and joining with
other clubs. We all learn
something about other members
and our guest speakers with the
variety of topics that are covered.
You could say it’s life-long
learning which is what Probus is
all about.
If someone was interested in
coming along to a meeting who
should they contact?
Any member or our President
Eric Gordon on 6792 2822.
Bill Heath - Narrabri Probus
photo: John Burgess
92 year old Bill Heath was the inaugural President of the Narrabri
Probus Club when it was formed in June of 1988. Bill is still an
active member and provided iNarrabri Magazine with an insight
into yet another interesting local institution that helps keep minds
active, friendships rekindled and opportunities for retired or semi-
retired men to join together on a regular basis.
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