This month I had a lengthy meeting with the Chairman of the Probus South Pacific Board, Mr Michael Ransom. I wished to meet with him to discuss my concerns that Probus Australia seems to have lost 34,000 members over the past four years and because of this our capitation fees have risen 27% over the past two years. We now pay 38% of your membership fee to Probus South Pacific, and this seems certain to continue to rise steeply unless the PSPL Board does things differently. My comments were received graciously, but unfortunately, I am not optimistic that they will instigate any change.
On another note, we continually hear that the spoken word and face to face contact is dying out, and that electronic devices and social media are taking over. Well, I went to the four day Club event at Daylesford (April 29-May 3), and can tell you that that group still knows how to make a noise and enjoy themselves. There was plenty of laugher and fun, especially when Steve McColl stirred things up at the two Quiz nights. At the end of the four days I am certain many of us came away from Daylesford having learnt a lot more about each other and formed stronger friendships. The event certainly embraced to Probus aims of friendship, fellowship and a whole lot of fun.
I encourage you to read the Memory Book of the Daylesford trip, which includes Michele Backholer’s excellent account of the of the event. You will find it on the website under Club Events/Special Events or in this month’s Waves Newsletter
Mike Simmons President May 2024
