Current Rose City Probus president Ian Capp and original president Lock Lidgerwood cut the cake to celebrate the club’s 15th birthday.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Last week, a Benalla club marked an important milestone.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
On Thursday, April 16, Benalla’s Rose City Probus Club celebrated its 15th birthday.
Original president Lock Lidgerwood came back to speak at the event, which saw former and current members get together at Benalla Bowls Club.
He said at its original meeting, around 60 people attended.
“So we went for it,” he said.
“We got up to about 105, 106 members at times.
“It's a good organisation, and you don't have to put any money in except membership.”
Lock said the group enjoyed a drink at meetings.
“You don't have to drink to be a member, but if you do drink, you have got to behave yourself,” he said.
“We used to take members down to matinée shows in Melbourne, and we’d often have a wine on the bus coming home.
“So we did a wine appreciation course, and that became a regular thing.”
Lock said it was a great group of people who had a lot of fun.
“It’s changed a bit. There are more ladies than men now. I guess that’s because we drop dead before the ladies,” Lock said.
The Rose City Probus Club’s original board: Bernie Sanders, Ken Shaw, Lock Lidgerwood, Joan McKinlay and Pamela O’Connor.
“It’s been a great day today. I hope I'm still alive for the 20th birthday.
“I'm getting older now, but I’ve still got most of my marbles. They haven't put me in a home yet.”
Current president Ian Capp said he was having a great time at the celebration.
“I am very, very privileged to be here,” he said.
“I've only been in the club for a few years. We came back from Melbourne, as my wife was from here.
“So we joined the Probus and we've had some great fun.
“And I’m very honoured to be president at this celebration.”
A lot of hard work went into the day, with member Barry O’Connor putting together a history of the club.
“I’ve been a member since day one,” he said.
“It was very interesting when the club first formed because I started to get involved in a few activities for senior people in the town that had not been done before.
“We had trips to the theatre, trips to the movies and social outings.
“We had ‘bring your own picnic’ days, French days and that sort of thing, which always gave people in the district a bit of an activity, especially the older ones that might have been at a loose end.
“It’s great. We’ve got a great group of people who get on well with each other and enjoy each other’s company.”
23°C