50 Years of Probus in Australia

Probus South Pacific Director and Representative Member for Queensland, Ms Caroline Nelson; President of the Probus Association of Queensland, Mr Merv Richens OAM and Treasurer Mrs Margaret Richens; Probus South Pacific Director and Chair of the 50th Anniversary National Committee, Ms Judith Maestracci AM; Director and Treasurer, Mr David Ekert; Ambassadors, Mr Barry Read and Ms Lindy Morrison; Probians; distinguished guests.

I acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbul and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this evening.

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to Government House for this celebration of 50 years of sharing friendship and fun through membership of Probus in Australia.

I know that several of my Vice-Regal counterparts, including the Governor-General, are hosting receptions to mark this significant anniversary, and I am very pleased that Graeme and I have been able to play our part in recognising the enormous contribution Probus has made to the wellbeing and quality of life of Australian retirees over the past half-century.

It is remarkable to have representatives of a majority of Queensland’s 160 Probus clubs here tonight.

At the outset, I congratulate the Board of Probus South Pacific and the national 50^th Anniversary Organising Committee–particularly the Chairman, Judith Mastraecci AM and her fellow Queensland committee member, Caroline Nelson,on their success in planning not only tonight’s reception, but the many events ahead this year.

Thanks to the committee’s efforts, the blue and gold of Probus will be highly visible in communities across the country through an impressive range of special activities and events organised by individual clubs or coordinated through State and Territory associations, including an anniversary cruise and a nationwide picnic on the first of October to mark the start of Probus Month.

Declaring the month of October ‘Probus Month’ in 2023 was just one of the many astute decisions this organisation made in recent years to boost awareness of Probus. By cleverly aligning itself with the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, Probus has also found a way to amplify its voice and use that unifying event to draw attention to the value Probus not just to older Australians, but to society at large.

Graeme and I have seen that value demonstrated every time a busload of Probians arrives here for a guided tour, and–compared to other groups
–that is very often! Over my four-and-a-half years as Governor, and during the term of my predecessor, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey, Government House has welcomed Probus clubs on a regular basis —from as far away as the Darling Downs and Gympie, with some returning for a second time.

I always take the opportunity to greet visiting groups if I am able, and I know our team of Volunteer Guides particularly look forward to sharing the story of Fernberg with Probians because of their high level of engagement and appreciation for our history.

Some of the Guides are members of Probus themselves, and one of them is regularly invited to speak to clubs about the House.

Probus is even more important now than it was when the first ‘ancestor’ groups were founded by British Rotary clubs to meet the need for companionship and mental stimulation for retired members.

Today, when our population is ageing, many older people live alone, and virtual contact dominates our interactions with others, that need for involvement, connection and friendship is more vital than ever.

Rotary proudly claims that Probus is their greatest achievement. I think everyone here would agree.

Happy 50^th anniversary!