Day Trips are ongoing, usually monthly. They are convened when opportunities arise for members to visit galleries, museums, institutions and tourist destinations. Travel may involve train, bus or carpooling.
Scroll down to view examples of day trips:
Police Museum
Congratulations Pauline! You did a fantastic job of herding us all around the city and returning us safely to our home stations! In light of the recent deaths of two police members, a visit to the Police Museum in Spencer Street, Melbourne seemed a fitting Probus excursion. It gave us all a chance to give a silent nod to the men and women who face danger every day and call it “their job”.
Geoff Bakes and Gary Strahan put their heads together and conspired to give us real life experiences of Missing Persons dramas. First challenge was at the DFO which we cut through on our way to the museum. Gary quickly ducked in to the mens’ leaving Beryl waiting patiently for him at the door for his return. Unbeknown to her, he stepped outside through a different doorway – and so the first Missing Persons activity began. Thankfully mobile phones played their part and it wasn’t much more than ten minutes before they were reunited and we were a cohesive group again.
Time spent in the museum was impressive. Lots of displays detailing the importance of our police force. Interactive activities were great fun, although proved some of us have the memory of gold fish when trying to complete identikit resemblance of criminals.
Some sobering moments too as we contemplated what was left of the car used in the bombing of the Russell Street Police station in 1986, and very close to home – the photos of Gary Silk and Rodney Miller – we all remembered where we were that night when the news came through of their deaths.
And then Part 2 of our Missing Persons challenges. Geoff sat waiting so patiently on his comfy seat under the larger than life paintings of police in action. He pretended to miss the call to depart for the Mail Exchange Hotel and lunch. Luckily his ever-alert wife (and a few observant Probarians) realised he was missing and a search party was sent back to the museum. Well done Brenda – a time lapse of less than ten minutes before he was found!
Lunch at the Mail Exchange Hotel was fantastic and we loved the privacy of our own dining area where great service and beautiful food choices had us all salivating.
Missing Persons challenge Part 3 – our president Gary again! Lunch completed and everyone milling around waiting to leave. We knew it was a loo visit for some, but not one of us suspected Gary of going in to the ‘Ladies’ to complete his ablutions!!! We still have no idea how he bypassed the giant “L” or indeed the many colourful pictures of women that lead to the doorway of the facilities. Full credit to the group of unknown women standing chatting to him at the hand basins – they certainly took it in their stride!
Thank you again to our two Masters of Discovery tour leaders. Janette and Pauline, as always, your careful forward planning and attention to detail meant another fantastic Big Day Out for the rest of us.
Reporter: Michele Backholer Sept 2025
Beleura House Tour
On Thursday 31st July, 18 of us made our way to Mornington for a visit to this historic 19th century mansion, set in magnificent gardens. It all started with a delightful devonshire tea in an elegant setting then an introductory talk. We were then divided into two groups for a tour filled with fascinating stories of art, architecture, antiques and the Tallis family who once lived there. Nothing sterile about the rooms it was as if they just walked out and left everything as it was then. It really was a very special and memorable experience for us – no doubt the winter sun helped .
And a big thank you to our willing drivers .
Janette James 5 August 2025
Immigration Museum
14 Probus members braved the cold morning on Thursday 10th July to visit what was Customs House formerly the gateway into Melbourne – a place that determined who could and could not belong to Australian society – now home of the Immigration Museum.
So many stories of power, loss, trauma, hope, struggle and triumph – we sure needed our glasses as lots to read.
I heard Mike say an hour was enough for him – in fact we were all grateful to wander up to the modern area with its bright lights.( See photos ).
I remember visiting that museum some 25 years ago ( it only opened to the public in1998 ) and it had a big impact on me but this time I felt like the messages were speaking to the converted or is it just being older and living in our multicultural country ?
Many of us lingered in the upstairs video room reminiscing over the days when we would go out and hire a video for the night – so many familiar titles. Meanwhile Lyn and Jan were doing some serious searching for the lost mockup sailing ship only to learn that it was dismantled 7 years ago. Milly wanted to track down the Fairsea migrant ship but seems it was easier to just google it !
And then it was lunch at the Williams Bar and Cafe – a very pleasant hotel cafe with rather large servings. Just ask Christine who received one big sandwich while Marilyn agreed to cancel her order so that I could share my bagel with her . So lucky with the rain holding off until most of us got home .
Janette James July 2025
Freda Kahlo Exhibition
19 Probus members made it to Bendigo either by train or car on Thursday 12th June for a quick lunch at the Bridgewater Bakery then a walk in the sunshine to the gallery.
It was an intimate account of this artist’s life – we were all captivated by the life she lived in spite of her disabilities. Those of us who had the opportunity to watch Frida ,the movie on Netflix beforehand, commented on how helpful that was as we delved further into her fascinating love affairs and two marriages with the renowned artist Diego Rivera.
This precious collection of her personal belongings, clothing ,make-up, accessories and medical items had been sealed in a bathroom for 50 years – and Bendigo is the first Australian gallery to offer this exhibition to the public.
Janette James Convenor
Fire Museum
Janette James, you are a superstar! Yet another fun filled, interesting adventure organised to the minutest detail! Somehow even the weather was induced into providing us with a beautiful, late autumn sunshine day.
As per usual on our Probus outings, the raucous calls of those already in the rear carriage of the train greeted each and every one of us alighting at the different stations. And as per usual, our mother hen was cheerfully rallying the troops and organising our first challenge – changing trains at Richmond. Having successfully kept the crew together, we charged forward to the Fire Services Museum where we were greeted by every woman’s dream – a fireman in uniform.
So many interesting facts and of course so difficult to recall most of them – but consider this. Back in the previous century or two, if called to a fire, firemen had to dig up wooden pipes in the roadway or footpath, chop a hole to gain access to the water flowing through and then attach hoses to use the water to fight a blaze. Then the hole was plugged and a “FP” (fire plug) sign painted on a nearby fence or tree so in the event of future fires, they knew where to start digging. I guess this was an improvement on the buckets of water passed from hand-to-hand as was the case previously. Lots of interesting questions were answered, although Nola Smith’s query as to whether we would see any fireman sliding down the pole seemed to stump our tour guide.
The Ecco Café was perfect for a quick bite to eat and after singing a very rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” that had birthday boy John Backholer sliding under the table, we set off to the Metro Tunnel HQ. There the presentation of information was very slick, and the three speakers must have been impressed with the range of questions asked. We can confirm that all Metro Tunnel trains will have humans driving them; all new trains do in fact fit in the tunnels and most interestingly, a lot of travellers will have to change trains at Richmond to gain access to the CBD. And consider this – in our current throw away society, the giant tunnel borers (120 metres long) will remain buried underground as they are too huge to be brought to the surface.
Our mother hen managed to shepherd everyone back to the correct train platform for our trip home – still with her cheerful, warm persona – and maybe just a little relief that we returned home unscathed. A huge thank you, Janette, we know you tested the route beforehand and made sure our lunch location was perfect for our large group. You are very much appreciated.
Reporter: Michele Backholer (pictured above in blue jacket) June 2025