The overarching link between Rotary and Probus was the topic of the first Combined Probus Club of Whittlesea meeting for 2024.
Michael Hall, Whittlesea Rotary president, was guest speaker at the meeting and recounted the formation of Probus in the United Kingdom in 1965, by members of Rotary.
A Probus Club needs to be nominated by Rotary and Mr Hall as President of Whittlesea Rotary had no hesitation putting the seal of approval on the Combined Probus Club of Whittlesea when it was formed.
A Probus club is a local association of retired and semi-retired professional and business people, and others who have had some measure of responsibility in any field of worthy endeavour, who are of character and respected in their communities.
Mr Hall is the director of Halls Funeral Service located in Diamond Creek and Whittlesea and the company offices in Whittlesea provide accommodation for Whittlesea Rotary and a knitting group.
Whittlesea and other Rotary clubs are self-funded and all is reinvested into the community either in kind or basic support. Some funds come from donations, but the majority are from the hard graft of volunteering members.
The sources of monies at Whittlesea have been a Christmas raffle, provision of BBQ at events such as the Garden Expo, annual golf day and the sausage sizzle at Bunnings Store.
During the past year, the Club has supported the local Men’s Shed and provided scholarships to the local schools. These scholarships culminate with a $3000.00 tertiary fund.
The “outsider” supported is Cottage by the Sea Australian charity for children which states its mission is to enhance the lives of more children by providing inspiration, fun and opportunity within a holiday environment.
Members of both Probus and Rotary will get together again on July 16 at the combined emergency service and service club dinner. This year it will be held at the Agricultural Society rooms in Whittlesea.
