Newsletter No. 18 - March 2018
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President's Report

Tony Coote President
Welcome to the Newsletter for March 2018.
Its an early Newsletter this month, as a group of us are going on the first WPHD Probus Cruise to the South Pacific Islands for 9 days. For those who remain behind, our March General Meeting will be chaired by our new Vice President David Antonjuk. The MC for the meeting will be Colin McGowan and I’m sure it will be a great meeting.
Please note that the April General Meeting will be held one week earlier than usual on 18th April, because ANZAC Day falls on April 25th.
We have the Annual General Meeting behind us once again, and I want to thank all the committee members who have so kindly volunteered to serve our club once again, to welcome David Antonjuk to his new role of Vice President, and to thank Ian Roberts for laying the groundwork for us all to follow. Ian remains on the committee for this year as the Immediate Past President. Its hard to believe that our club has been operating for over 2½ years.
With the start of the new Probus year, you will shortly receive notification of renewal of annual fees for 2018/19. We have kept the fees at the same level as previous years. ($60).
A glance at our Activities Calendar shows what an active group of “Probians” we are. Please make the effort to come to as many activities as you can. The activity leaders put in a lot of work to find new activities and then to make them happen. It’s disappointing when only a small number of people turn up to an activity.
Marilyn Savic is our Club Welfare Officer. When you become aware of members who are unwell or going through tough times, please let Marilyn know. She will ensure that our thoughts and best wishes are conveyed to that person, and will make any other support arrangements that are required.
I’m sure it will be another fabulous year as we embark on exciting new activities, and the friendships we have already formed become stronger and stronger.
I look forward to seeing you at our meetings and activities.
Tony Coote
Welcome to the Newsletter for March 2018.
Its an early Newsletter this month, as a group of us are going on the first WPHD Probus Cruise to the South Pacific Islands for 9 days. For those who remain behind, our March General Meeting will be chaired by our new Vice President David Antonjuk. The MC for the meeting will be Colin McGowan and I’m sure it will be a great meeting.
Please note that the April General Meeting will be held one week earlier than usual on 18th April, because ANZAC Day falls on April 25th.
We have the Annual General Meeting behind us once again, and I want to thank all the committee members who have so kindly volunteered to serve our club once again, to welcome David Antonjuk to his new role of Vice President, and to thank Ian Roberts for laying the groundwork for us all to follow. Ian remains on the committee for this year as the Immediate Past President. Its hard to believe that our club has been operating for over 2½ years.
With the start of the new Probus year, you will shortly receive notification of renewal of annual fees for 2018/19. We have kept the fees at the same level as previous years. ($60).
A glance at our Activities Calendar shows what an active group of “Probians” we are. Please make the effort to come to as many activities as you can. The activity leaders put in a lot of work to find new activities and then to make them happen. It’s disappointing when only a small number of people turn up to an activity.
Marilyn Savic is our Club Welfare Officer. When you become aware of members who are unwell or going through tough times, please let Marilyn know. She will ensure that our thoughts and best wishes are conveyed to that person, and will make any other support arrangements that are required.
I’m sure it will be another fabulous year as we embark on exciting new activities, and the friendships we have already formed become stronger and stronger.
I look forward to seeing you at our meetings and activities.
Tony Coote
Secretarial
Cathy Turner & Sue Calabrese
Correspondence for March General Meeting
Correspondence In
Nothing to report
Correspondence Out
Nothing to report.
Details of the Probus Member Benefit Scheme are at: www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/members_offers_member_benefits_scheme
(click on link)
Correspondence for March General Meeting
Correspondence In
Nothing to report
Correspondence Out
Nothing to report.
Details of the Probus Member Benefit Scheme are at: www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/members_offers_member_benefits_scheme
(click on link)
Treasurer
Treasurer’s Report for February 2018
General Account for February 2018
Opening Cash Balance 1-Feb-18 $4,771.86
Total Deposits nil
Payments $1,270.00 $60 to activity, balance for hall hire
Closing Cash Balance as at 28-Feb-18 $3,501.86
Activities Account for February 2018
Opening Cash Balance 1-Feb-18 $1,527.37
Total Deposits $3,580.00 various activities
Payments -$724.00 (-$150 Wolfe, -$550 Port Hacking boat)
Closing Cash Balance as at 28-Feb-18 $4,383.37
Activities as at 6-Mar-18: Receipts Expense Balance
Book of Mormon $2,640.00 $0.00 $2,640.00
TAFE dinner $980.00 $0.00 $980.00
Museum trip $420.00 $360.00 $60.00
Lunch – Fig $750.00 $750.00 $0.00 Closed
Mt Tomah $24.00 $24.00 $0.00 Closed
Mama Mia $2,713.00 $2,183.85 $529.15
Lunch Wolfe $150.00 $150.00 $0.00 Closed
Port Hacking lunch cruise $550.00 $550.00 $0.00 Closed
Misc. (interest+surplus) $327.82
Bank Balance: $4,543.37
There are no unpresented cheques, so bank balances equal cash balances.
The three activities in process are Book of Mormon, Mama Mia and TAFE dinner. Museum trip requires a member refund (double payment) and the lunch at Fig was paid and closed early Mar.
Paul Hendry completed the audit in time for the AGM on 28th Feb 2018. It was a clean audit with no issues raised.
Bob Davison - Treasurer
7th March 2018
General Account for February 2018
Opening Cash Balance 1-Feb-18 $4,771.86
Total Deposits nil
Payments $1,270.00 $60 to activity, balance for hall hire
Closing Cash Balance as at 28-Feb-18 $3,501.86
Activities Account for February 2018
Opening Cash Balance 1-Feb-18 $1,527.37
Total Deposits $3,580.00 various activities
Payments -$724.00 (-$150 Wolfe, -$550 Port Hacking boat)
Closing Cash Balance as at 28-Feb-18 $4,383.37
Activities as at 6-Mar-18: Receipts Expense Balance
Book of Mormon $2,640.00 $0.00 $2,640.00
TAFE dinner $980.00 $0.00 $980.00
Museum trip $420.00 $360.00 $60.00
Lunch – Fig $750.00 $750.00 $0.00 Closed
Mt Tomah $24.00 $24.00 $0.00 Closed
Mama Mia $2,713.00 $2,183.85 $529.15
Lunch Wolfe $150.00 $150.00 $0.00 Closed
Port Hacking lunch cruise $550.00 $550.00 $0.00 Closed
Misc. (interest+surplus) $327.82
Bank Balance: $4,543.37
There are no unpresented cheques, so bank balances equal cash balances.
The three activities in process are Book of Mormon, Mama Mia and TAFE dinner. Museum trip requires a member refund (double payment) and the lunch at Fig was paid and closed early Mar.
Paul Hendry completed the audit in time for the AGM on 28th Feb 2018. It was a clean audit with no issues raised.
Bob Davison - Treasurer
7th March 2018
Membership
Lynne Henderson & Kim Nichols – Membership Officers
Please remember to notify the membership officers Lynne Henderson or Kim Nichols if you will be absent for an extended period of time, or if your personal details change.
For any membership issues please contact Lynne or Kim or please email the Membership Officer at [email protected]
Please remember to notify the membership officers Lynne Henderson or Kim Nichols if you will be absent for an extended period of time, or if your personal details change.
For any membership issues please contact Lynne or Kim or please email the Membership Officer at [email protected]
Risk, Safety and Insurance
Colin McGowan - Risk Management Officer
Nothing to report this month.
Nothing to report this month.
Guest Speaker - Brian Powyer - Australia: Almost French

Bio
Brian Powyer is a retired school principal, and former Assistant Director Curriculum in the NSW Department of Education.
Currently he is: President of the National Trust NSW; President Australian Council of national Trusts; President of the Parramatta and District Historical Society; Member of Parramatta City Council Heritage Advisory Committee; He is a volunteer guide at Old Government House Parramatta and Hambledon Cottage Parramatta.
His other interest include: President of the Parramatta Community College; Secretary of Retired Principals Association; Chair of the Bidjigal Reserve Trust Board; Treasurer of the Cumberland Land Conservancy Group and Secretary Institute of Senior Educational Administrators.
Today Brian is talking about the French exploration of Australia and how close our nation came to being a French rather than British colony. His presentation is titled, Australia: Almost French.
Presentation
In his presentation, Australia: Almost French, Brian Powyer examines how close our nation came to being a French rather than British colony. Why is it that there are over 400 French names around the coast of Australia? What were La Perouse’s secret orders about New South Wales? Did Napoleon Bonaparte plan to invade Australia? Which Frenchman in 1820’s said that Sydney defences were negligible? What is the Connection between Matthew Flinders and the French? Should Western Australia be a French state? These questions and a lot more will be answered during this presentation.
Brian Powyer is a retired school principal, and former Assistant Director Curriculum in the NSW Department of Education.
Currently he is: President of the National Trust NSW; President Australian Council of national Trusts; President of the Parramatta and District Historical Society; Member of Parramatta City Council Heritage Advisory Committee; He is a volunteer guide at Old Government House Parramatta and Hambledon Cottage Parramatta.
His other interest include: President of the Parramatta Community College; Secretary of Retired Principals Association; Chair of the Bidjigal Reserve Trust Board; Treasurer of the Cumberland Land Conservancy Group and Secretary Institute of Senior Educational Administrators.
Today Brian is talking about the French exploration of Australia and how close our nation came to being a French rather than British colony. His presentation is titled, Australia: Almost French.
Presentation
In his presentation, Australia: Almost French, Brian Powyer examines how close our nation came to being a French rather than British colony. Why is it that there are over 400 French names around the coast of Australia? What were La Perouse’s secret orders about New South Wales? Did Napoleon Bonaparte plan to invade Australia? Which Frenchman in 1820’s said that Sydney defences were negligible? What is the Connection between Matthew Flinders and the French? Should Western Australia be a French state? These questions and a lot more will be answered during this presentation.
Sue Hackett & Donna Fraser
Welfare
Marilyn Savic – Welfare Officer
It is important, as members of Probus that we care for the welfare of one another.
Anyone with information about an illness, bereavement or physical disability affecting a member please advise me, in order for me to make contact, and offer moral or physical support where appropriate.
Please be assured that all information provided will remain completely confidential.
It is important, as members of Probus that we care for the welfare of one another.
Anyone with information about an illness, bereavement or physical disability affecting a member please advise me, in order for me to make contact, and offer moral or physical support where appropriate.
Please be assured that all information provided will remain completely confidential.