Newsletter No. 60  - February 2022

THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING  WILL BE HELD  AT THE CHERRYBROOK COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 10.30AM ON WEDNESDAY 23rd FEBRUARY - There are no restrictions on numbers for the meeting

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President's Report

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President’s Report - February 22

To be included at a later date......

Bob Carritt President

Secretarial

​Correspondence In

​Invoice from Australia Post for PO box renewal - forwarded to Ian Roberts.
 
Email from Noel Phelan, Naval History Society of Australia regarding historical maritime cruises around Sydney Harbour - forwarded to Helen Games (Day Trips) and Rene Beutler (Men's Group)
 
PSPL 2022-23 Capitation report and payment forms

Correspondence Out

None

Bev Dona

Details of the Probus Member Benefit Scheme are at: www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/members_offers_member_benefits_scheme
(click on link)

Treasurer's Report

Ian Roberts
Treasurer     18th February 2022​​

Membership

Just a reminder of our Club policies for attendance at meetings and activities.
  • Members are expected to attend a minimum of 10 functions (meetings and/or activities) per Probus year (April to March).
  • Visitors may only attend a maximum of 3 functions (meetings and/or activities) per Probus year. 

Our membership is currently full, at the agreed maximum of 110.

Jeff Swan – Membership Officer

Welfare

February 2022 Welfare Report

It’s been a busy month welfare wise. It is good to know that so many of you watch out for and care about your friends and fellow members. It is even better when you get the good news things are improving!

We are slowly getting back into our activities which is giving everyone the opportunity to catch up, enjoy the activity and friendships.

Please let either Terry or myself know if there is anyone we should make contact with or help out.

See you at the next meeting.
​​
Cathy Turner
Terry Ridge (assistant)

Cathy Turner & Terry Ridge – Welfare Officers

February Meeting Speaker - Nicholas Cowdery QC - Some Current Issues in Criminal Justice in NSW​

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​Nicholas Cowdery AO QC FAAL was the Director of Public Prosecutions for NSW from 1994-2011. He is a former President of the International Association of Prosecutors and was Founding Co-Chair of the Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association.

He is a former President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties. He is now an Adjunct Professor at the Sydney Institute of Criminology and teaches at the University of Sydney and at UNSW as a Visiting Professorial Fellow.

​He has been a criminal law practitioner since 1971 (until 2017) in Australia and Papua New Guinea, was an acting Judge of the District Court of NSW and continues his engagement in criminal justice and human right 5 issues

No January Meeting - Photos 

Birthday  Celebrations

Happy Birthday
 To all our members
Celebrating a birthday in February

February
Santo Calabrese
Paul Day
Enio Dona
Bill Graham
Sue Hackett
Jeanette Roberts
Bain Shenstone
Jeff Swan 



Activities & Leaders

As a result of the sign-up sheets at the Foundation Meeting and expressions of interest on application forms we have set up numerous activities and interest groups.

Club Covid 19 Policy

We have set down a Covid 19 policy for the club. Essentially we will abide by the NSW health guidelines. We ask all members to respect the health and wellbeing of their fellow members, and therefore do not attend activities unless they are fully vaccinated. We have no desire to get into a situation where we need to physically check every attendee to determine their vaccination status. We are relying on the integrity of our members and the fact that they are endangering their friends if they do not abide by this policy.
Newsletter Copy Deadline

Please provide your contributions for the February Newsletter by Friday 18th March 2022.

Please email to Enio Dona or Bev Davison for activities or direct to Andrew Little for other articles.

Alternatively place directly into Dropbox under WPHD Probus Activities / Activity Newsletter Contributions / Contributions – 2022 03

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To go to the Activities Calendar - click HERE!

Click on activity to go straight there!
Activity Group    Leaders
Book Challenge Sue Calabrese
Book Club Bev Davison
Bridge Looking For Leader
Cards David Turner 
Cycling Bruce Bartle
Day Trips (Bus/Train/Ferry) Helen Games
Dining Out Looking For Leader
Domestic Travel Max Henderson
Gardening Sue Small, Lorenza Powyer
Golf Terry Ridge
Investment Group David Antonjuk
Mens Club Rene Beutler
Mixed Social Group Kim Nicholls
Movies Sue Small and Lorenza Powyer
Overseas Travel Looking For Leader
Photography Rob Clarke
Ten Pin Bowling Douglas Matthews
Tennis Bob Davison
Theatre and Musicals Bruce Bartle
Walking Group Enio Dona
Wine & Cheese Julie Shenstone, Susan Antonjuk
 
For an activity group to start, a member needs to step forward to lead the group
                              
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COVID SHMOVID – WE’VE GOT BOOKS! And only one week to go!
67 Books done and dusted! Some very good reads this month too.
The new challenge starts in March so how about joining us?
Since mid-January:

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent: Historical fiction set in Iceland in 1829, where Agnes became the last woman executed in Iceland – she was condemned to death for her part in a brutal murder of two me. Agnes is sent to an isolated farm to await execution. The desolation of her surroundings, the fear and hatred shown towards her because of her past, of what she had apparently done, and because of the superstitions and small mindedness of the people around her, keeps her alone. Gradually views change, as the family charged with keeping her until her execution, and the priest she chose to be her spiritual guardian, learn of her past suffering and hardships. A ✮✮✮✮✮ read.

The Rose Garden by Tracy Rees: London in the late 1800’s. There is a huge divide between the wealth of the upper class and the extreme poverty endured by many. The story tells of four women and the difficulty they had in a world where they wanted independence. An interesting book.

The Coast-to-Coast Murders by James Patterson and J.D. Barker:  a phycological thriller, mildly confronting at times, but you can’t put it down. Filled with so many twists, and captivating to the very last word.  

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth: The author always delivers! Lucy marries Oliver, but from the moment she and her mother-in-law, Diana meet she there is no love lost on either side. Lately thought, they’ve become closer. Then the very well-off Diana is found dead, and despite the suicide note, police suspect foul play. Who has motive? Oliver and his brother’s business is going down the gurgler – but the brother appears to be mysteriously carefree about the finances – their sister Netty wants a serious amount of money so she can realise her obsession to have a child via surrogacy – Netty’s husband is unfaithful – and Lucy blames Diana for a serious accident to her young child. And of course, the Will leaves everything to Diana’s charity. Some of them take this very badly!  

The Land before Avocado by Richard Glover: a light-hearted and occasionally very insightful look back in time. Australia in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Loads of nostalgia and fun, but also showing a much darker side to our past. The treatment of women, aborigines, immigrants, anyone who was different, reminds us how far we have come and how much further we MUST go. The Whitlam quotes are a hoot!

The Twentieth Man by Tony Jones: the Book Club read. Enjoyed by almost everyone, and reviewed in the last newsletter.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman: enjoyable with a good writing style – light-hearted and chatty. In a peaceful retirement village, on a Thursday evening, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes. A local developer is found dead, with a mysterious photo beside him. The Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves embroiled in their first live case. Bodies begin to pile up – can the Murder club catch the killer before it’s too late.

The Lost Children by Coral Edwards and Peter Read: The personal experiences of our Indigenous People unfolds, and shows the impact of being taken from your family by the well-intentioned but mistaken authorities. It is a reminder of how important it is for an individual’s need to have a sense of belonging – of knowing from where you come.

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman: The second novel in the Thursday Murder Club series. One of the members of the club, Elizabeth, has just had a visit from one of her ex-husbands – but she thought he was dead! Now he’s being hunted – diamonds, spies and an angry mobster are after him. She doesn’t believe him, but then the bodies pile up. It becomes clear that the murderer wouldn’t bat an eyelid at killing the septuagenarians as they set out to hunt him down.

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty: Reviewed in a past newsletter, but everyone agrees that this book is one of her best. Very clever storytelling that kept you guessing to the end.

The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth: Anna Forster, age 38, has early onset Alzheimer’s disease. She his moved to an aged assisted living facility – Rosalind House and meets Luke, another resident close to her in age, and also with a kind of dementia. Love blossoms between them. Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.
Eve is a young widow with a child who, after her husband’s suicide, finds herself at the home as cook and cleaner. She and her daughter are ostracised by old friends, and others who had been impacted by her dead husband’s financial mishandlings. Eve risks her job help when she realises the bond between Anna and Luke. Their families are totally misunderstanding and fearful of the whole situation and want them to be kept separate. At times the writing is very insightful, such as the well meaning but patronising way people in this situation are treated – the sufferer often treated as a child to be kept in line. Then at times the story can be very cheesy with a lot of assumption on the part of the writer. Still a very good read. 

​
Sue Calabrese
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Book Club - February 2022 Report

We had a very lively and fun meeting on 3rd February.  We discussed The Twentieth Man by Tony Jones and spent the remainder of the evening having a great, long awaited catch up.
 
Our latest book is The Ghost at the Wedding by Shirley Walker and we will meet again on 17th March to review the book.
 
We now meet every 6 weeks because there has been a change in the libraries lending of book kits.
 
Happy reading
​
Bev Davison 

Leader - Bev Davison
​A story of one family, three generations and two world wars - all told through the eyes of a woman left to wait at home.

Her name was Jessie Walker, and she came from the Clarence River region of northern NSW.
​
Now her daughter-in-law, Shirley Walker, a former lecturer in Australian literature, has written a memoir, The Ghost at the Wedding, to ensure that everything goes on the record.
​
It's a moving portrayal of the impact of war on the generation of women whose brothers and husbands, then later sons, went to fight overseas, all in the space of a few decades.
Back To Activities List
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Bridge Group










Leaders - Looking For Leader(s)
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Cards 500 Report February 2022

Hopefully starting this month Friday 25 February!

Dural Country Club have a new chef/owner running the restaurant.
We don’t think it will be up and running for our next card night on the 25th February.
The club have said they will still open for us and the bar and coffee will be available. To make it viable, we would like to have approximately 20 people playing cards. As there is no restaurant, we will start at 7pm for this month only and finish at 9pm.

If we can’t get the numbers for the 25th there will be no cards.
Please let me know by email or by Wednesday 23 after the general meeting if you are coming.

An email will be sent out to the card group to let you know if we will be playing or not.

From March we should be back to our old routine.

Just a reminder…
$5 per head to play. Please have correct change if possible.

We are playing in the new card room which is on the left hand side of the main entrance as you enter.

David Turner

​Leader - David Turner
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Cycling Group: February 2022

​Cycling will resume after Covid and the summer break on Wednesday, 9 March 2022
 
We will ride around the Olympic Park, meeting at 10am at Wilson Park Silverwater – further details will be communicated by email
 
Please advise (closer to the day) if you wish to join us
 
This group has been growing steadily and new riders are always welcome, so come along and enjoy our next ride as always, mainly on dedicated cycle paths and of course our mandatory coffee break!!

Bruce

Leaders - Bruce Bartle & Tony Coote
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Lunch at Sydney Rowing Club - Tuesday 15th March
To download the flyer as a PDF click HERE.

Leader - Helen Games
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Dining Out – February

Looking for leader.

Leader - 
Back To Activities List
Kiama Trips

Sun 20 - Wed 23 and Sun 27 - Wed 30 MARCH 2022

No more delays or postponements, we are locked in and ready for lift off. Our lucky participants are: 
​Please advise Max if you missed out and would like to be added to a standby list, in this regard we currently have one room available for each trip.
Accommodation:
We have booked the “Park Ridge Retreat” Gerringong, just south of Kiama, providing circa 4 star accommodation) and is adjacent to the local shops.                https://www.parkridgeretreat.com.au
Except for single and triple rooms (refer table) our room only “group booking” tariff is $465.00/room for three nights ($155.00/night). Room allocation is mainly on the ground and middle floors.
Motel Meals:
  • Hot Breakfast (Bacon & eggs and other choices) at $15.00 per person, tea, coffee, and juice.
  • One Course Dinner at $25 per person, or 2 courses $35 choices of meals to be confirmed.
Motel payments
Advisedly everyone has now paid their $100 deposit, whilst the majority is refundable, there is a $300.00 non-refundable group booking charge. We  require your accommodation balance of $365.00 (single $320 and triple $557) by the end of February, preferably ealier. We have recently confirmed our booking.
All payments should be paid into the Activities Account and identified with your Surname & Kiama.

Evening Meals
We have booked the following:
  • Sunday; Gerringong Bowling Club, Pacific Ave, Werri Beach (7.00pm).
        https://gerringongbowlo.com.au/
        Large modern club, and our own first floor room.
  • Monday; Cronin’s Hotel, 29 Belinda Street, Gerringong (6.30pm)
        Lynne and I dined here in 2019, very good bistro

  • Tuesday; Olive & Vine, 87 Manning Street, Kiama (7.30pm)
        Highly recommended by one of our members

Note; links are to existing menus and are not necessarily what will be available in March.
Also due to our numbers we have a 7.30 booking and a set menu for Olive & Vine, currently two courses $40 or three courses $50. Send me an email if you require a copy of the menu.

We have made reservations assuming full attendance by our respective groups. Therefore can you please let me know by the end of February if you will not be attending any of these venues and we will adjust our reservations.

Activities
Whilst the numbers on these two trips grossly exceed previous trips (12 to 20) making it extremely difficult to organise as our numbers exceed what most tourist operators can cater for without making reservations.
I have provided two day trips suggestions, departing say 8.00am to allow for group travel, car-pooling etc.

  • Monday - Scenic Drive; Jamberoo, Minnamurra Falls, Macquarie Pass and Kiama
  • Tuesday - Scenic Drive; Berry, Kangaroo Valley, Shoalhaven Heads, Seven Mile Beach and Gerroa
        An alternative to a scenic drive is (or Wednesday morning before returning home):
  • The Kiama Walk

Refer below as to details for these three activities, plus there and return trip suggestions.
There are numerous other alternatives and recommend you do some homework (at least check out some web sites etc.) to ascertain any preferences.

Regardless, we should all come together as one group for the evening meals.
The hotel webpage includes a number of links to various local attractions.

https://www.parkridgeretreat.com.au/attractions.html
 
Costs
Except for the stated accommodation costs, it is best if all other costs, e.g. breakfasts, lunches, dinners and all activities are paid for separately, by the participants.
COVID 19 Guidelines
"As a minimum, our Club at all times will abide by the COVID 19 guidelines set down by NSW Health.
This means only club members who are fully vaccinated can attend activities and events organised by the club.
We expect members to respect the health and wellbeing of their fellow members and not attend club organised activities unless they are fully vaccinated."

Other
  • Any suggestions or questions please give me a call.
  • I would also welcome any thoughts for future trips.
Attachments

Below are four detailed activities which include photos and maps just to add to your interest. 
Please click on eache to see the PDF of each one.
Max Henderson
Activity Leader
Broken Hill Wanderer Rail Package - Sunday 22 – Tuesday 31 May 2022
​As previously advised we have transferred this trip from August to May this year and gained four additional travellers, increasing our number to twenty eight.

For those catching the train from Central we will spend Sunday night at “The Great Southern Hotel” at Central. This will provide us with a relatively short walk to Central on Monday morning.
​
On Monday we have fifteen departing from Central at 6.18am and thirteen from Parramatta at 6.40am to arrive in Broken Hill at about 7.10pm (CST):
Then Tuesday week 31 May, we will be transferred to Broken Hill Railway Station to depart at 7.45am (CST) on the Outback Explorer.

Activities
“2022 Broken Hill Wanderer Rail Package”, refer link:
​
https://railholidaysaustralia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Broken-Hill-Wanderer-Brochure-2022.pdf
 
Costs
Except for the stated package costs, it’s best if all other costs are paid for separately, by the participants.
Updated costs were emailed to participants on 30 September 2021 reflecting return first class train travel (previously return only) plus an annual increase.
The balances paid for the August trip have been refunded to our Probus account and our agent is only holding a deposit of $200 per person.
 
Covid 19 Guideliness
"As a minimum, our Club at all times will abide by the Covid 19 guidelines set down by NSW Health.

We would expect members to respect the health and wellbeing of their fellow members and not attend club organised activities unless they are fully vaccinated."
 
Other
Any suggestions or questions please give me a call.
Always looking for future trip suggestions.
Max Henderson
Activity Leader 
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GARDENING GROUP - February
​As we’re still being asked to stay at home this month, due to this recent Covid outbreak, the Garden Group stayed ‘close to home’ and met a Flower Power in Dural for a l-o-n-g brunch catch up before collecting any gardening supplies we needed.
Hopefully the Covid restrictions will have relaxed a bit more before our March catch up. 
 
Our next Gardening Group day will be on Thursday 10 March.  An email with details of our next catch up will be sent out to Garden Group members closer to the day. 
Please let Sue Small know if you’d like to be added to the Gardening Group email list
Leaders -  Sue Small, Lorenza Powyer
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Golf Report February 2022.

Hi!

Our members this month played at Muirfield Golf Course.
We had a good roll call with 7 players for 18 holes and 5 players for 9 holes on the day with everybody staying for drinks afterwards.

Although some members were absent due to injuries and interstate. All in all, it was a great day of bonding and applying the three “F’s” of Probus.

A Thank you goes to Max Henderson for booking the day and Tony Coote for looking after the 9 holes group.

Yours in Fun, Fellowship & Friendship

Terry Ridge.
Leader - Terry Ridge
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Investment Group - February
 
We will recommence in March. 


David Antonjuk




 
Leader - David Antonjuk
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MEN'S CLUB - February

​On Thursday 3rd March, our men’s group will walk the streets of Woolloomooloo.  Led by Ian Palmer who is a member of “ The Fellowship Of First Fleeters”, we will gain an insight into the history within this unique area. It will be an easy 3km walk and mostly flat.
 
We will meet at 8:45am in the Cherrybrook Community Center Carpark, then car pool to the Domain Car Park behind St. Mary’s Cathedral. ( Arriving before 10am and leaving after 3pm the charge is $25. per vehicle )

We will then regroup outside the lower entrance into the Domain car park.  After a quick coffee, Ian will lead us throughout the interesting historical Woolloomooloo area.

Following the walk we will have lunch at Harry’s Cafe de Wheels or at a local hotel. 
 
Please let me know if you would like to join us on this fascinating tour back in time.

Renee


Leader - Rene Beutler
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Mixed Social group will resume TBA.




 

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Leaders- Kim Nicholls & Sue Cordukes
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​MOVIE GROUP - February

Our Movie Group members were finally able to catch up over a l-o-n-g brunch last month, before heading off to see our preferred movies. 
 
Our next scheduled Movie Day will be on Tuesday 1 March.
 
An email will be sent out confirming movie options and times as well as brunch / lunch details as soon as the Castle Hill Events Cinemas confirm session times.
 
Depending on movie times we’ll either meet for brunch, due to most movies starting in the afternoon, or if the screening times have reverted to morning sessions, we’ll go back to our old routine of seeing a morning screening followed by lunch at Cosmo cafe.

 Please let Sue Small know if you’d like to be added to the Movie Group email list.
Leaders – Lorenza Powyer & Sue Small
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Probus Photography Group

February Photography Meeting

This was held at Perter Stanton's house on Wednesday 16th February, where the monochrome street photos taken by the group were reviewed.

Whilst a "photo of the month" was not chosen, they were all very good (see below)

Our photography group has a Facebook page, all members are welcome to subscribe to this website and view the images posted by our members.
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The link is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/254025278937219/?ref=group_header​
  •   Capertee Valley Photography Getaway We have 19 photographers travelling to the Capertee Valley in April 5-7.
This trip will involve exceedingly early morning starts, sunsets and midnight Astro photography. We are planning to take images of glow worms, canyons, waterfalls etc. For our non-photographer partners, we have booked in at Turon Gates where people can relax or go on a short bush walk. This outing was fully subscribed within a day of being announced, we must all be wanting a break
  • Photography Challenge for the month  - TBA

  • Next Meeting: 7:30pm on Wednesday - TBA
Rob Clarke
Activity Coordinator

Leaders - Rob Clarke & Bain Shenstone

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Monochrome Street Photos

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TEN PIN BOWLING REPORT - February

Ten Pin Bowling recommenced last Friday with a small group of us participating.
 
David was the standout on the day with Jeanette & Toni sharing the spoils for the girls.
 
Our next game is scheduled for 18 March.

It would be nice to see a bigger turnout of those who indicated they would like to participate.
​

Doug Mathews
Leader - Doug Matthews
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Tennis Group Report- February 2022
​
​It’s been getting a little warmer now while we are playing tennis.  The group numbers vary, usually 4 on a Monday and 5 on a Wednesday.

 
We meet on Monday & Wednesday @ 9.00am at Hasting Park Tennis Complex, 44 Belltree Crescent, Castle Hill.



 
If you are interested in joining us, please give me a call.
 
Cheers

Bob

Leader - Bob Davison
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Live Theatre February 2022
 
The Addams Family on Friday, 28 January 2022 at 7:30pm:
A huge thankyou to all who attended the re-scheduled Theatre Party to The Addams Family, presented by Sydney Youth Musical Theatre at Hornsby RSL Club!!  Your support as always is very much appreciated from all concerned with the production.
 
 
 
Moulin Rouge the Musical - Capitol Theatre
Wednesday 22 June at 7:00pm
 
We have reserved 40 stall tickets, expected to be no more than $140.00/pp inclusive of return coach travel (depending on subscription levels). This group booking needs to be finalised by the club no later than 11 April 2022.
 
To date, following my previous email, we have nearly 20 replies

An interest sheet will be available at our next meeting, so please note your interest at that time or confirm your interest to us via email.
 
Australia - About - Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Enter a world of splendour and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Pop the champagne and prepare for the spectacular spectacular... 
 
Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical!
 
WINNER OF 10 TONY AWARDS® including Best Musical, Baz Luhrmann's revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza featuring over 70 songs including many of the iconic hits from the movie, as well as additions from Adele, Katy Perry, Sia, Beyonce, Rihanna and more. 
A theatrical celebration of truth, beauty, freedom, and — above all — love, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical; it is a state of mind.
 
Look forward to sharing that evening with you all
 
Stay safe,

​Bruce Bartle
Leader - Bruce Bartle
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​Walking - February

There will be no walking activity for the first Tuesday in Feb 2022 as Bob Carritt, Lynne Henderson, and myself are all unavailable due to travel arrangements.

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Enio
Leader - Enio Dona
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​W&C will recommence in March.


Julie & Sue
 Leader  Julie Shenstone
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PLEASE NOTE
The Club Newsletter is for the private and confidential use of Club members and is not to be used for any other purpose.  Approval for any form of advertising or promotion not directly related to club activities or general club information must be granted by the club committee.
Newsletter Editor: Andrew Little