THE Combined Probus Club of Whittlesea (CPCW) celebrated its 25th anniversary last week.
The club was formed on May 17, 2001, after being sponsored by Whittlesea Rotary. Probus is a community service activity of Rotary clubs.
The planning of several months to mark the silver anniversary came to fruition, and a special event was held at the Whittlesea Bowls Club in Whittlesea on May 15 to mark the milestone.
Whittlesea Bowls Club is the venue where the monthly meetings of CPCW are held and the committee arranged a high tea at the club for the event. The bowls club donated the venue as acknowledgement of the occasion and past patronage.
Formalities revolved around the foundation members and benefactors. State Member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage was required at “the house” but provided a generous donation. Electoral officer Pam McLeod deputised for Ms Kathage.
CPCW is part of Probus South Pacific Limited and Chairman Michael Ransom sent a congratulatory letter. A certificate from PSPL was presented to the 2026 president. Chair of Whittlesea Bowls Club Geoff Aldous accepted a certificate of appreciation and gave a short address about the history of both clubs.
Special acknowledgement was made to thank two people who assisted in the planning, but were unable to attend. Sue Holland made a birthday book for members to ascribe and Shelly Paxton helped decorate the otherwise sparse conference room.
A distinctive table was set aside for the seven foundation members who attended. The years have been kind to them and their memories of the last quarter of a century are strong. There was a lot of personal reminiscence at that table recalling things that have happened at the Probus Club.
A birthday cake was especially baked and decorated by life and founder member Mary Wood. A secret ballot was held and Shirley McKenzie gained the honour of cutting the cake. Roma Harris extinguished the candles in a novel way by using a handheld fan.
The golden anniversary of The Combined Probus Club of Whittlesea will be convened in 2051. It is uncertain how many of this year’s assembly will be in attendance.
On a positive note, a survey of attendees gives hope that one of the club members will mark their 100th birthday in the intervening period.