By Parker McKenzie
The Emerald Ladies Probus Club will be celebrating 35 years of existence this May, offering a place for retired women to meet for “friendship, fellowship, fun” and almost as importantly: “Food.”
The Star Mail caught up with the Probus Club at Proserpina Bakehouse in Ferny Creek on Wednesday 3 May, where members were taking part in their regular meetup at rotating cafés and spots throughout the Dandenong Ranges.
Emerald Ladies Probus Club President Anne Simpson said she has been a member of the club for 22 years and has made some of her best friends through it.
“It’s about retired women getting together for companionship, friendship and having a bit of fun,” she said.
“It’s no risk, getting together for a chat and listening to new speakers at monthly meetings because you never stop learning.”
Founded in 1988 by the Emerald Rotary Club, the club has continued to offer a place for retired women to socialise for 35 years.
Sue Hornby said after retiring, she was invited by a friend to attend.
“I just clicked with the people involved and we ended up doing a lot of things together,” she said.
“You get to talk to different people and you quickly learn what their interests and capabilities are.”
The Probus Club has 41 members and meets monthly alongside regular catch-ups for coffee and lunch.
Ms Simpson said after retiring, often your social life will dwindle and it can be difficult to make new friends.
“We had eight new members join last year as they retire,” she said.
“It’s just getting the word out there and letting people know that we exist.”
Members don’t just come from Emerald either, with some coming from other parts of the Dandenongs, Croydon and Pakenham.
Ms Hornby said connecting with other people in the community is an important aspect of the club.
“In January we went around the table and just had a quick chat about how many children everyone has had, what their backgrounds were and got to know each other better,” she said.
People are very shy now, you can’t push them, but it was nice to get to know everybody.
At the Club’s general meeting on Monday 15 May at 10am, The Emerald Rotary Club President Marcus Adams will present a ticket to congratulate the club on its 35th year.
Ms Simpson said while the club was originally created to support retiring Rotarians, most of the members haven’t followed that path.
“A lot of people think we’re in fundraising because historically, members were retired Rotarians,” she said.
“You can look at everyone around this table, that’s what it is all about. Coffee and cake, the motto is the three Fs: Friendship, Fellowship and fun, but we added a fourth one: Food.”
The Emerald Ladies Probus Club can be contacted at ladiesprobusclubemerald@gmail.com.
