Welcome to a new Probus Year of Fun, Friendship and Fellowship
2022

Annual January Picnic/Barbecue

We had a fine turnout for our annual PICNIC/BBQ at Ruffey lake Park on Tuesday,18th January. The new location in the park turned out to be perfect as we were the only people using the seating and BBQs, even though a few of us had some difficulty finding the different spot. We hadn't read the newsletter correctly, and were relying on past knowledge, but we all met up in the end.

​

It was so good to see people face to face after so much time spent on Zoom, just to sit and chat and catch up on life after the past months was great.  We were very happy to see Joy who was visiting her friends in Melbourne after having moved to Queensland a few years ago to be close to her family.  She was pleased to be able to attend a Probus function again.

​

The friendship and fellowship was so good that many people were happy to stay on and enjoy the company of our Probus members and didn't finally pack up until after 2pm.  It was a simple, free get together, but it was a great success.  Thank you to our organisers and all participants.

​

AMBLER'S REPORT:

The Ambles are back! On 4th February, 2022, we had 6 ladies join in on our first Amble at Halliday Park, Mitcham. This is one of our regular spots and is a lovely park with the most magnifient oak trees.  I bet they could tell some stories. The weather was perfect and afterwards we enjoyed a good chat and cuppa. It was great to see everyone and catch up. Hopefully, the year will continue on with no lockdowns and we look foreward to seeing many of you join in.  A great way for our newer members to get to know some folk and ,yes, men are allowed to come along.

​

I (Sue) think I am done with Supermarket Ramblings, although they have been fun and informative.  Let's try some random thoughts for the day.  This one appropriate for an Amble -

"With a cup of tea in your hand, anything is possible".

Ros and Sue

SUE'S WALK REPORT:

Hello! The walkers are back.  We had 5 members join in for a walk from Pettys Orchard to Eltham Park, returinng to the Orchard Cafe, where we had a lovely catch up with our "cuppas" sitting in the Rotunda. very pleasant.  It is good to be back on the track, and look forward to seeing a few of you on our next walk which is along the Mullum Mullum Track from Ringwood.  Please note that the walk clashes with the Probus Breakfast outing, so be sure not to double book yourselves.

​

As you may have noticed on the Amble's report, the Supermarket Ramblings have gone, to be replaced by Sue's Random Thoughts for the Day!!!  So, "If you're embarrassing your children, you're probably not enjoying yourself!!!"

​

​

FEBRUARY BARBECUE:

How great it is to be back at our monthly twilight barbecues!!! The fun and fellowship was thoroughly enjoyed by the 20 members who attended.  The wine was freely flowing and the nibbles kept coming. As a result the barbecues were not used.

Stories from teenage years created much laughter and brought back many memories.  

A very enjoyable barbecue.

​

​

BREAKFAST AT 'THE FOOD REPUBLIC '

Twenty four members enjoyed a long,lazy brekky on a beautiful morning at Food Republic, Blackburn Rd, Blackburn. Lots of good (un) healthy food like bacon and eggs and strudel were consumed as well as numerous cups of tea and coffee.  It was just great to be able to once again catch up with good friends at a function like this.The venue was very popular with many other tables occupied by other customers, so the staff were a little stressed.  However everyone got fed and watered in the end.

​

Many thanks to Lyn and Helen for arranging this lovely morning.

SUE'S WALK REPORT:

On the 22nd Feb (22/02/2222) we had 5 members and 1 visitor (Noelene, soon to be a member) walk along the Mullum Mullum trail in the Ringwood area.  This is a very pretty spot and the weather was pefect for a nice walk with friends.  After the walk we enjoyed our "cuppa" at "Bean in the Woods" Cafe in Ringwood Square shops.

​

Our next walk is Bushy Track Nth Box Hill (not really bushy) on Thursday 10th March.  I look forward to seeing you there.

​

Also, there is an Amble on Friday 4th March at Mullum Mullum Reserve. (Some of you will be away on the Queenscliff trip)

​

Here's a bit of trivia I found inside the lid of  bottle of orange juice. 

​

                                             "The Bible is the most shoplifted book in the world".

AMBLER'S REPORT:

You only need two people to have an Amble, and that's what we had on the Mullum Mullum Reserve Amble on the 4th March. Peggy was held up and running a bit late, so I had a lovely amble around the area while waiting - it was very hot- and when Peggy arrived we decided to go straight to the rotunda, take out our thermoses, and had a delightful hour just chatting.

As we were the only two ambling, I attempted a Selfie - well - as you can see in the attached photo, we look like we are in a line up after a big night out!!

Our regular Amblers were spread far and wide and having a wonderful time too we hope.  Ros is in Tasmania, and a few at Queenscliff.  We hope to see you on our next Amble at Birrarung Park, Templestowe, Friday 1st April - that's a worry!!

I thought I would give you a joke today.

                    "What do you call a dog who does magic?"            "A Labracadbrador"

​

​

​

​

​

SUE'S WALK REPORT:

What a wonderful turnout we had for our Bushy Track walk  on 10th March. We had 12 walkers including 1 visitor (my hubby) on a very pleasant weatherwise morning.  Especially pleasing was the great turnout of our menfolk -five- well done lads!!  It's good to see more joining in.

​

This is a very pretty walk, heading to the wetlands area of Elgar park - we were on the watch out for mosquitoes as the water did seem a bit murky.  On our return we headed to Middleborough Latte Cafe for our much earned "cuppa" and chat. Friendly service and nice coffees.

​

Our next walk is part of the Anniversary Trail, starting in Kew on the 22nd March.  I look forward to seeing many of you there.

​

Sue's saying for the day!

​

"To my children! Never make fun of having to help me with Computer stuff!  I taught you how to use  a spoon!!"

QUEENSCLIFF - CARAVAN AND CABIN TRIP

                QUEENSCLIFF REVISITED
      Mon 28th February - Fri 4th March 2022

Lyn and I decided that for our 15th year of organizing the Caravan and Cabin trips that we could revisit Queenscliff, which was the destination of our first trip in 2007.  Over the years we have developed a formula which seems to work quite well which includes Happy Hours, sharing a meal on our first night, a variey of organised outings, a lunch and a farewell dinner.

​

So, on Monday we met at the camp kitchen for Happy Hour after settling into our very comfortable accommodation at the Big 4 Beacon Resort in Queenscliff.  We met our three new visitors Tony and Val and Phil and soon settled to do what we do best - talking and eating.  We followed up our Happy Hour with the traditional casseroles and desserts, which was up to the very high standards that have been set over the years.  At one stage in the evening, Susan's smart watch indicated that the decibel reading was so high that there was a chance that she would damage her ears if she stayed in the vicinity of our noisy Probus group.

The next morning many travelled to the Jirrahlinga Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary In Barwon Heads where we viewed the rescued and hand-reared animals before being treated to a hands-on display of reptiles from the reptile section.  The group of creatures can cause fear and repulsion for some people. but others love to stroke the smooth skun of snakes and lizards. Check out Trevor an Raklph in the photos.

The afternoon was free to explore while 7 of us chose to play golf on the tranquil Swan Island course. Later that afternoon we were treated to a sudden thunderstorm, but all managed to escape the worst of it.

The following day was perfect for a tour of the Fort. The guide was very knowledgeable, and her stories kept us interested for 2 1/2 hours as we wandered around the buildings and instillations. From the Fort you get a splendid view of Point Lonsdale, Point Nepean and The Rip at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.  We watched a large container ship travel through the rather peaceful waters on tthis beautiful calm morning.  Interesting though it was, we were all pleased to finally sit down for lunch at Van Loons Nursery.

​

Another active excursion was planned for Thursday, as most of us set off with 3 guides for a Heritage Walking Tour of the beautiful buildings in the township.  Again, the guides tell interesting stories that bring the area to life.  This was concluded with a cuppa and a huge scone, jam and cream in a quaint cafe in the parklands.  We were again lucky to have a lovely day so for some a dip in the water, or in Lyn's case a body surf at Ocean Grove was the choice for the afternoon activity.  We needed to be back in time to get down to the wharf area in time to catch the lift up to the tower to get a 360 degree view of Queenscliff town, wharf, marina and beach before we headed into 360Q Restaurant next to the marina for our farewell dinner.  Judging from the happy faces in the photos, everyone enjoyed their short break in Queenscliff.

Jan A.

Yvonne and Alan wish to thank Jan and Lyn for organising the Queenscliff revisited outing.  We enjoyed it very much and we think everyone else did too.  We took the Queenscliff ferry to Sorrento and had a good crossing.  Our friend met us there and we had a good chat and coffee - then set off homeward bound.

Once again thank you for a good time.