Member Benefits Scheme for Australian Probians
The following listing provides details of discounts and benefits available to
Probians throughout Australia.
They include Travel, Finance, Lifestyle & Entertainment, and Health.
Appropriate contact details and websites are provided. Copy website and e-mail addresses into your browser.
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PAV – From The Beginning
A Brief History of Your Association
On 21st November 1984, the Dromana Men’s Probus Club and the Frankston Probus Club sponsored a ‘handshake’ meeting of Probus Clubs in the south-east of Victoria with the aim to form an Association. This became the Victorian Association of Probus Clubs South East Region, and later changed to Probus Association of Victoria South East Region. After two years, in 1986 the Association became incorporated.
Ted Lewis had discussed the idea of forming an Association of Probus Clubs in Victoria with Cliff Johnson, Chairman of the Probus Centre South Pacific. Included in the discussion were suggested aims and objectives. Cliff Johnson was most enthusiastic, and even suggested that, if it would help, he would come to Melbourne to chair the meeting and guide the discussions in support of the proposal. Cliff Johnson did attend and opened the meeting with an address to those in attendance in which he outlined the suggested Aims and Objectives of the propose Association.
In 1995, the words ‘South East Region’ were removed and the name became simply The Probus Association of Victoria Inc.
The first meeting of the Association was held in 1996 at Dingley International Conference Centre, and the Association continued to meet there until 2011 when, due to increasing costs, the Association’s quarterly meetings of club delegates were moved to the Village Green Hotel, Springvale Road, Mulgrave.
As Probus has flourished, so has the Association’s membership which currently, in 2014, includes over 400 Probus Clubs.
Life memberships have been conferred on three members – Ted Lewis, secretary for 17 years, and Bill Walters and Bob Osborne, who were long serving presidents. Also in 2003, Bob Osborne was elected as a member of Probus Centre South Pacific.
A guide to Guest Speakers and Outings was the first objective of the Association. Stan and Joyce Hawken undertook this project and it was first issued to twenty four clubs. Today this publication continues, and the guide is provided to over four hundred clubs.
In 1985, the first newsletter was produced in A4 size. This has now grown to the publication known today as the Victorian Probian.
In 1990, President Stan Hawken introduced the section of ‘Open Forum’ at meetings of delegates. From this, a suggestion was put forward to issue a medical card – now the Vial of Life.
A diary was designed and there were 4000 required required in the first year.
The first Arts, Crafts, and Hobbies Exhibition took place in 1990 at the Masonic Hall, Chelsea, with 28 clubs submitting 350 articles for display. Since then, successful exhibitions have been held at Mornington, Langwarrin, Whitehorse Centre at Nunawading, Williamstown Town Hall, and the Glen Ira City Hall with up to 900 exhibits.
The first of many Friendship Days was held at Mossfield Park, Leongatha in 1992. Twenty-seven coaches and over 2000 Probians attended.
Friendship days have continued and are held mostly by region.
The first Musical Afternoon Concert took place in September 1995, and became the forerunner of our annual Variety Concert. In 2008 and 2009, successful concerts were held at St Arnaud and Maryborough. A further concert was held in 2012 at Bendigo. The most recent concert was held in March 2014 at the Whitehorse Centre, Nunawading.
During 1999, Ken Heaslip suggested for those interested in holding a caravan meet to contact him. From this, the Caravan Wanderers group was formed. This group now holds meets every six months in various locations throughout Victoria and caters both for caravaners and those wishing to stay in cabins.
Lawn bowls tournaments have been taking place for some 30 years, and in 2004 these became mixed tournaments.
The Association has sponsored these two groups over recent years, which has been much appreciated.
More recently, the Association sponsors an annual Golf Tournament Challenge, and an annual Croquet Tournament Challenge.
In 2000, Australian Pacific Touring offered a sponsorship deal to the Association. Nowadays, the Association receives sponsorship from two travel companies, Trade Travel and Grand Pacific Tours. The latter caters exclusively for tours of New Zealand.
To further awareness of the Association, in 2010 the Association commenced developing a website (www.probusvic.com.au) so as to publicise the Association’s functions and activities, both to club officers and members, and also to the world at large.
The first regional meeting of the Association to be held in a country district was held at Traralgon with 78 Probians representing 22 clubs attending. The agenda for the meeting followed along the lines of the city meetings of delegates, and the discussions raised many of the same issues. Regional meetings continue to attract great interest and have become a part of the Association’s program.
The 20th and 25th Anniversary Luncheons that were held at the Caulfield Racecourse were deemed a huge success.
Over 30 years there have been more that 80 Probians elected to the committee.
Foundation Office Bearers
President Bert Seymour
Secretary/Treasurer Jim Greig
Committee Bert Enno, Jean Wood, George Raphael, Laurie Wain, Allan Coombe, Ted Lewis
Past & Present Office Bearers
Presidents: Bert Seymour, Wal Rattray, Stan Hawken, Jean Wood, Bill Walters, Bob Osborne,
John Mitchell, Wal Fordham, Irma Dymke, Jim Frew
Secretary Jim Greig, Laurie Wain, Joe Ratcliffe, Ted Lewis, Fay O’Toole
Treasurer Jim Greig, Laurie Wain, Joe Ratcliffe, Ted Lewis, Jack Francis, Monica Sheffield,
Ian Grahame, Ken Falconer
Life Members Ted Lewis (deceased), Bill Walters (deceased), Bob Osborne
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PROBUS MEMBERSHIP CARDS
Quite some months ago, all Probus members were, through their clubs, issued with a Probus Membership Card similar in size to a credit or other similar card. This card shows the name of your club, your name, and a membership number. The card was issued by Probus South Pacific Ltd.
Your committee and many club members have been unaware of the use or value of such cards.
We can now tell you that there is now available information on a variety of deals, and refer Probians to the PSPL website. Go to:
www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/members_offers_member_benefits_scheme
or use the menu heading ‘Members’ Offers’.
There you will find the following sub-headings: Travel; Finance: Food and Beverages: Lifestyle and Entertainment; and Health. Use these to do your searches for deals.
It is noted that PSPL’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager is seeking information on deals, and if you know of any worthwhile deals for Probians, you might refer the relevant company to katie@mahlabmedia.com.au, or phone 02 9556 9118.
In the meantime, check the deals currently available.
Probus South Pacific Ltd has published an informative booklet entitled ‘Your Passport To Probus’ which is a valuable resource for all Probians. We quote verbatim below the following important information from page 23 of this booklet, entitled:
‘What You Can Do For Your Club’
As a Probus club member, you are encouraged to:
•Pay your annual membership fees in a timely manner
•Attend meetings regularly
•Get to know your management committee
•Participate in discussions and club decision making
•Understand your club’s policies on risk management, apologies and privacy
•Attend club activities and special events
•Join club special interest groups
•Act as guest speaker
•Bring a friend or neighbour along to a meeting
•Bring new ideas to your club
•Encourage other active retirees in the community to join a Probus club
•Be welcoming to new members
•Promote Probus awareness in your own community
•Submit newsworthy articles to Active Retirees™ magazine and your local newspaper
•Post Probus information on community notice boards
•Promote the Probus Jingle to your local community radio station
•As some stage, during your membership nominate to take an active role and serve as a member of your club’s Management Committee. If you are interested in becoming a member of your club’s Management Committee, discuss it with a fellow member; you’ll find it both fun and rewarding.
Your Association considers this an informative pocket booklet containing a great deal of useful information with which all Probians should be aware. The booklet is available free of cost through your club. Ask your club’s management for your copy.
Probians should also be aware that newsworthy articles, club news, and other relevant information can also be submitted for publishing in the Victorian Probian journal which is available free of cost to members of all Probus clubs affiliated with the Probus Association of Victoria. See ‘Victorian Probian’ webpage on this website for details of how and where to submit your articles.
Club Activity Sheets – Clubs – and in particular, committee persons who arrange club outings or activities separate from Club monthly meetings – please note that it is their responsibility to ensure that individual members participating in an activity ensure that they are recorded on an activity sheet to ensure that they are covered by Probus insurance in case of accident.
PROBUS CLUBS WEBSITES
Bentleigh East (C) Probus Club
Berwick Village Combined Probus Club
Blackburn Central Combined Probus Club
Doncaster East Combined Probus Club
East Malvern Combined Probus Club
Glen Eira Combined Probus Club
Glen Waverley Combined Probus Club
Manningham Combined Probus Club
Mitcham Nunawading Probus Club
Montrose & District Probus Club
Mount Martha Valley Combined Probus Club
Mount Waverley Combined Probus Club
Moorleigh Probus Club Inc. East Bentleigh
North Balwyn Heights Probus Club
Notting Hill Combined Probus Club
Reservoir Combined Probus Club
Ringwood Clocktower Probus Club
Southern Peninsula Probus Club
Templestowe Valley Probus Club
Traralgon Combined Probus Club
Waurn Ponds Combined Probus Club
Waverley Gardens Combined Probus Club
Waurn Ponds Combined Probus Club
Waverley Central Ladies Probus Club
By post PO Box 246, Chirnside Park, Vic 3116
By e-mail treasurer@probusvic.com.au
By phone 0409 038 240
For matters relating to directories for outings/speakers.Vice President Anne Vick
Please e-mail vicepresident@probusvic.com.au
By Phone 0418 175 436
Guest Speakers & Outings: Please contact Brenda Rose
By e-mail delrose4@bigpond.com.au
By phone 0447 647 566
***** Attention Club Secretaries *****
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED PAV CONSTITUTION, REFER TO THE PAV MEMBERSHIP TAB ON THIS WEBSITE