SMALL CAN BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS LARGE!

If perhaps your Probus Club is concerned that shrinking numbers might lead to its ultimate closure, then take heart from the story of the Probus Club of Avoca. Formed in 1997 with a membership of around 30 members, recent years have seen a rapid loss of members due to members relocating, developing health problems, or passing away.

Jill Hunter, the current secretary, spoke about her Club at the May delegate meeting, and told delegates that her Club has a membership of eight, going on nine, members! Members still meet regularly, enjoy guest speakers, and enjoy the occasional outing. Hiring a bus has become a very expensive luxury, but the local Shire have been persuaded to allow the members free use of their community bus once a year provided they return it with a full petrol tank after use! Car-pooling covers other outings. The Club is organizing a program through to year’s end and is obviously determined to survive.

Small towns are, without doubt, more community conscious, and realized that they have to do things for themselves, hence the continuing success of Avoca Probus. Large numbers in a Probus Club are not essential and, even with a very small membership, an energetic committee can run a successful program.

Jill Hunter, secretary, Avoca Probus Club, which currently boasts a membership of eight - going on nine, with PAV past-president Irma Dymke.