Newsletter No. 99 - August 2025

THE NEXT GENERAL MEETING  WILL BE HELD  AT THE CHERRYBROOK COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 10.30AM ON  WEDNESDAY 27th August 2025

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President's Report

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President’s Report - August 2025

Who is sick of this rain?!  Hopefully soon we will have lovely Spring weather.  In the meantime, grab a rug, a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, glass of red wine or a beer, a good book or work on your favourite indoor hobby!

It has been a busy month for indoor activities despite the rain with an interesting outing to the QVB, ten pin bowling, cards, men’s group. movies, photography, dining out, and more. Thank you to the activity leaders and their offsiders for creating opportunities for fun, fellowship and friendship.

The committee has finalised our Constitution and Standing Resolutions. You will receive an email with them in early September for you to read at your leisure.  I suggest bedtime if you have trouble sleeping!  Then at the September meeting, they will be hopefully accepted by the club and then sent to PSPL plus a payment to Fair Trading.  Thank you to the committee for the time spent in reviewing / processing these.

Thank you to all those who attended the Rotary Trivia Night. It was a lot of fun finding out just what we didn’t know!  Our club provided 4 of the 21 tables so a good rollup.  I believe just over $4,000 was raised for Escabags and other Rotary projects.

There have been a few hospital visits, flu and medical issues for some of our members this month.  As I write this, I hope all are making a speedy recovery but please reach out to our Welfare officer, Jan Hookkee, or friends if you need a chat or a catch up.

Harmony is progressing well. Michael is helping many people get on board. Please try it out and respond to the emails. It does make the activity leader’s job easier in the long run.  Many thanks to Michael for all his efforts – he is available to help with training if needed.

You will have noticed that our website is slowly being updated thanks to Andrew Little. It is the public face of our club and it’s great to showcase our active, lively and friendly club.

Next July we will be celebrating out 10th birthday so please start thinking about how we should celebrate. Dinner? lunch? high tea? where? when? Or do we celebrate in September when we were incorporated? So many questions to answer.

Rosemary Clarke
President
 
PROBUS FACTS #5
When women were finally allowed to join Rotary in 1987, so did Probus. To this day there are still some all-male Probus clubs, some all women Probus clubs but the majority are now mixed Probus clubs such as ours.

Secretarial

Correspondence In 
  • ​None
​Correspondence Out
  • None
Bev Watson

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

Treasurer's Report - July 2025

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Michael Stinson​
Treasurer

Membership

Membership August 2025
 
The current membership stands at 111 active members and 3 inactive, with a female to male ratio of 60:40
Replacement badges – We are only ordering these on a six monthly basis.

Can any members who now require replacement Membership Badges, please let me know as soon as possible and I will place a combined order.

Please remember to wear your name badges to the monthly meetings.
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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. 

Paul Day – Membership Officer

Welfare

WELFARE REPORT August 2025

A number of members have caught respiratory illness the past few weeks but all recovering well.

Two members have needed hospitalisation the past month both are on the road to recovery.

I will be away from Tuesday 17 September 2025 returning Tuesday 11 November 2025.  During this time Lorraine Sutton will cover the welfare Officer role.

 Jan Hookkee – Welfare Officer
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Aug Guest Speaker -Peter Plowman ​

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Peter was formerly a lecturer on cruise ships and built up a wide selection of talks, a few of he has given to us over the last few years.  His talks have been informative and well received.
 
He has kindly agreed to of his most recent popular talk on the migrant ships to Australia between 1946-1977.
 

Photos From July General Meeting

Birthday  Celebrations

 Happy Birthday
 To all our members
Celebrating a birthday in August 2025
 ​
Judith Butler 
Beverley Davison
Pamela Godoy
Warwick Hilder
Mary Mitchell
Kim Nicholls
Ron Peterson
Eric Scheeren
Gerard Sidddle
Nikki Sidddle
Ken Smith
Toni Smith
Alan Somerfield
Heather Stewart
Catherine Turner

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 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 Sept 2025 Newsletter by Friday 19th Sept 2025 

 Please copy directly into Dropbox under :-

WPHD Probus Activities / Activity Newsletter Contributions / Contributions – 2025_09

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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
Cards David Turner, Ray Heaton 
Cycling Gerard Siddle, David Antonjuk
Day Trips (Bus/Train/Ferry) Helen Games
Dining Out Looking For Monthly Leaders
Domestic Travel Max Henderson
Gardening Julie Stinson, Sue Small, Lorenza Powyer
Golf Terry Ridge, Jeff Swan
Mens Club Rene Beutler
Mixed Social Group Helen Beulter, Hilda Somerfield
Movies Donna Fraser
Overseas Travel Looking For Leader
Photography Rob Clarke, Bain Shenstone
Table Tennis Enio Dona
Tai Chi Helen Games
Ten Pin Bowling Douglas Matthews, Paul Day
Tennis Bob Davison
Theatre and Musicals Bruce Bartle, Robyn Bartle
Walking Group Enio Dona, Lynne Henderson
Wine & Cheese Julie Shenstone, Susan Antonjuk
 
For an activity group to start, a member needs to step forward to lead the group
                              

Activity Calendar

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‘Books: Uniquely Portable Magic’ - UPM! Challenge

UPM! A new challenge begins, running from March ‘25 to end February ‘26.
Join at any time – set your own challenge for UPM. Calculate the average number of books you would read in a month, multiply it by the number of months up to the end of February ‘26 … +ONE more. And you are in the Challenge! Choose your own books, post about it, and enjoy the rundowns of the other readers’ books. Search WPH&D PROBUS BOOK CHALLENGE on Facebook. If you wish to join but don’t do Facebook, send me an email and I’ll put it into the page on your behalf.
Mid July-mid August reads: 19; total: 61

Bucket List by Russel Jones: A nice feel good story. Pensioner Dot wins the lottery. Her newfound friend Max helps her make a bucket list of all the things she’s always wanted to do. A humorous, feel-good and life affirming novel about the power of friendship, community and lemon drizzle cake.

The Little House by Philippa Gregory: Reviewed in last newsletter. A doozie of a book with a delicious ending. Just desserts.

The Governor, His Wife and his Mistress by Sue Williams: A very enjoyable historical fiction.   

The Witness by Nora Roberts: an Easy read about a young girl defying her mother by going out with friends to a nightclub. This one mistake changed her whole life. It had a shock ending.  

The Greatest Gamble: Irish Thoroughbred; Irish Rose by Nora Robers: Two books in one! Both books based in Ireland. About the difficult poor farming life. Then it moved to the horse racing industry. A light, enjoyable read.

The Margate Maid by Lynne Francis: an overseas holiday read – a predictable storyline but an easy travel read. Molly dreams of a better life. Her one comfort is Charlie, the apprentice gardener. Then the dashing naval officer Nicholas arrives in town and her head is turned.

First Family by David Baldacci: a daring kidnapping turns a children’s birthday party at Camp David into a national security nightmare.  

China Dolls by Lisa See: read this instead of the book club read – same author. A great story with great historical research into the life of Asians in America, Chinese or American born, in early 1900’s, and just before WWII. What prejudices these 3 young women faced as they pursued their dreams, making a life away from families. Highly recommended.

Currawong Creek by Jennifer Scoullar: a quick and easy read by this Australian author. Great writing style. Brisbane lawyer Clare has her life upturned when she returns to her grandfather’s farm for a short stay, and with her small child Jack in tow. Jack is a trouble boy unable to be cared for by his druggie mother, so Clare takes up the responsibility. Love blooms in many ways, and then a big mining operation threatens the farm.  
 
Good Half Gone by Tarryn Fisher: reviewed in last newsletter but this ready found it just as intriguing and enjoyable.

The Secret Year of Zara Holt by Kimberley Freeman: Fiction based on Zara Bates, fashion designer and wife of previous Australian Prime Minister, Harold Holt. A light read which challenges your thinking about where women’s roles in society leads them.

Nightshade by Michael Connelly: a slow read about a detective sent to work on a small island. A body is found in the harbour, and he must find the person wo killed her.

Steadfast, my Story by Lizzie Armitstead: Armitstead was a member of the GB women’s cycling team. A great insight into the world of women’s cycling, its inequities, and what a huge part of your life it intrudes upon. You need to be a special type of person to cope with all the pressures. The reader really enjoyed the book and along the way learnt a lot about the cycling world and the strength you need to survive it. 

The Masterpiece by Belinda Alexandra: enjoyable to listen to but sometimes it may have been easier to follow the timelines if you were reading the book. Revolves around WWII and life in France, the plight of the Jews, Germans looting art collections, collaborators and the resistance. The reader learnt a lot about the famous artists and their technical talents.

Don’t Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs – she thinks I’m a piano player in a whorehouse by Paul Carter: Even the title is a drawcard! True to life but a bit of a surprise to the reader. Revolves around Paul’s time on oil rigs all over the world. Not at all glamourous and definitely very dangerous work. The rigs themselves can be the problem, but also the country involved like Nigeria and Russia would be the worst danger. Very colourful language but a short interesting read. 

Happy Place by Emily Henry: three young women, friends since school, now all with partners who have all become friends. Harriet and Wyn broke up 6 months ago, and they haven’t told the others. They all meet up for one last holiday at the holiday house owned by one of their fathers. It’s up for sale and the daughter decides to finally marry her partner. How can Harriet and Wyn get through this time as ex-lovers sharing a room. And it’s obvious that they actually still love each other. Putting up with that as you read was the frustrating part, but still a good book.

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi: at 17 years of age, Lakshmi escapes an abusive marriage. This is the 50’s in the new independent India. She learns the art of henna in the brothels, and this, along with her knowledge of herbal medicines, brings her a benefactor who wants to use her talents in his home city. She pursues an independent life ministering to wealthy and upper class women. Then she is confronted by her husband, and an unknown sister. A delicious book that enrages you as you witness all the unfairness of being a woman in a caste ridden society.  

Bye Bye Baby by Fiona McIntosh: a very intriguing story about a spate of unsolved murders, and the rape of a teenage girl 20 years before that. 
 
Hope to see more of you join. Sue Calabrese


​Leader: Sue Calabrese
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Book Club Report - August 2025

I have rearranged our next book meeting to Tuesday 25th August at our place.  There is a photography trip planned for Thursday 28th & Friday 29th and most of the book club will be attending that.

Currently we are reading Dusk by Robbie Arnott, we will discuss this and receive our next book The Happiest Man Alive by Eddie Jaku.


​

Leader - Bev Davison



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​In the distant highlands, a puma named Dusk is killing shepherds. Down in the lowlands, twins Iris and Floyd are out of work, money and friends.

​When they hear that a bounty has been placed on Dusk, they reluctantly decide to join the hunt. As they journey up into this wild, haunted country, they discover there's far more to the land and people of the highlands than they imagined. And as they close in on their prey, they're forced to reckon with conflicts both ancient and deeply personal.


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Cards Report for August 2025

Friday 22nd August we had a great night of cards.  Parts of the night we were bopping along to some music from a 21st they were having next door but after a while it felt like it was an assault on your ears!   Luckily it didn’t last too long.

Our next cards evening will be held on
Date - Friday 26 Sept 2025.

Where - Dural Club.
Dinner from 5.45

Cards start at 7pm.  $5 per head to play. [Please have the correct change if possible]

An email will be sent our a few days prior to playing to ascertain numbers for dinner and those playing.
 
Looking forward to seeing you on Friday.


Cathy (David’s PA)

Leader - David Turner
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Cycling Report for August 2025

Due to the unavailability of the Probus Cycling Group Leader, the August bike ride has been rescheduled for September 2025.
 
NOTE: Next month’s ride will start off from the Rydalmere Ferry Terminal Carpark (located off John Street Rydalmere) and head off to Meadowbank via the Carlingford light rail line! The ride will be relatively flat and will follow the bike paths in and around the parklands. (Approx. distance – 15kms).
 
Date: Wednesday 17th September 2025 (To be confirmed pending numbers). 
 
Start time: 9.30am
 
We will stop for a coffee along the way. 
 
Please bring your helmet, water and sunscreen and your OPAL Card.
 
Please let me know, if you are interested in joining the ride.


​Leader - Gerard Siddle
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Two Day Trips available - Sept & Oct

​Photos from the QVB Visit

Leader - Helen Games
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DINING OUT  August 2025

September is appearing as a very busy month with a lot of activities so we have decided NOT to have a Dining Out activity for this month but will continue in October and November.

Question please for all Dining Out members :- do you prefer a Lunch time meal or a Dinner in the evening for this activity ?? (I will ask you at our next meeting)



DINING OUT August 2025
​
On a very rainy Thursday 21/8/25 saw 10 brave Probus members enjoying lunch and drinks at  Club Parramatta.
 
There was much conversation and laughter in the relaxed atmosphere.
 
Thanks to all
Edie and Jeff Swan

Currently Dining Out is being organized on a rotational basis for one month at a time.  Please come and discuss with Stuart Mitchell about taking on this roll for any month in 2025.
Leader - Looking For Monthly Leaders
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Cowra & Lachlan Valley
Sunday 14 to Thursday 18 September 2025

Our pick up and drop off point is the Cherrybrook Technology High School, 28-44 Purchase Road, Cherrybrook at the school bus stop:
  • Pick up Sunday; please be there by 7.30am to allow time to load the coach etc to ensure we can depart by 8.00am.
  • Drop off Thursday 6.30pm, please note this is an indicative time only given we have a long drive with a number of stops.
Trade Travel will post to all passengers their travel documentation and the itinerary.

Participants:

Nelson Bay
Monday 3rd to Thurs 6th Aug 2026

As previously advised given our potential numbers for these away trips, our first priority is to secure accommodation. Once it is confirmed, we will be better placed to organise our activities and evening meals.
 
Accommodation
The Landmark, Nelson Bay, 61A Dowling St, Nelson Bay 2315, next to both the bowling and the golf clubs.  A short walk to Nelson Bay shops and a fifteen minute walk to d'Albora Marina Nelson Bay and Fly Point Marine Reserve.

Accommodation includes 118 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchenettes with refrigerators, stovetops, microwaves and coffee/tea makers. Flat-screen televisions and complimentary wireless internet access.

Hotel facilities include an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a sauna, on site complementary car parking and lift access to all floors.

Room Options & Tariffs
We have negotiated a group booking discount with the following options:
Deluxe apartments are renovated with modern bathrooms and kitchens. The deluxe two-bedroom apartments offer a full kitchen. Refer to their website for more details and photos. https://www.landmarknelsonbay.com.au/

Please Note 
  • An accommodation block has been held. Each person is to call reservations and quote
Probus – West Pennant Hills & District to secure their own accommodation. 
Landmark Reservations 4984 4633.
  • Accommodation rates quoted are in Australian dollars.
  • Rates are non-commissionable. 
  • Rates quoted are for un-serviced apartments.
  • Additional linen such as towels are available at reception, a small fee applies.
  • Check in time is 2pm, Check out time is 10am.
  • All rooms are non-smoking.
  • Breakfast is available from the privately owned onsite restaurant. Pricing and menus are
available direct.
 
Deposit, Alteration & Cancellation Policy/Payment Details 
  • A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to secure each apartment at time of booking.
  • The account balance is payable on arrival. Payment on arrival can be made via cash or credit
  • card, cheque payment on arrival will be refused. 
  • A credit card guarantee is required at time of booking if the deposit is being paid via direct deposit. If one is unable to provide a credit card guarantee, then a bank transfer of the first nights’ accommodation is required.
  • Cancellations made outside of 5 days of arrival will incur a $50.00 administration fee.
  • Cancellations made inside of 5 days of arrival will incur the first night’s accommodation.
  • Pre-payment can be made via credit card or bank transfer.
  • The Landmark Resort Banking Details
    • Account Name: Landmark Nelson Bay Management 
BSB: 084 572
ACCOUNT: 857314156
  • Please note that no-shows will be charged the full accommodation fee for the period of the
stay.
  • No refunds or transfers of monies will be permitted should a group member choose to
depart earlier than the scheduled departure date.
  • For room security purposes a credit card guarantee is required on check-in for all rooms.
  • A cleaning fee applies to all room moves.
 
Reservations & Deposits
Please make your own reservations directly for your accommodation as detailed above.
Once you have reserved your room please advise me:
  • Your surname/s
  • Number of people
  • Room type/s
To allow me to coordinate the trip (make reservations for meals and activities) can you please advise by mid-September.
 
Activities (Draft)
Tuesday, we chose August to coincide with whale watching, our potential key activity with an indicative price of $80pp for a 2.5-hour cruise, departing Nelson Bay Marina 9.45am.
Wednesday, our best group option appears to be the ferry to Tea Gardens with lunch at the pub (opposite the wharf) or alternatively the Fish Co-Op (5-minute walk). Group rate for the ferry is $32.00pp return. Departs 11.30am (60min trip) and return trip departs 2.30pm (Nelson Bay 3.30pm).
As with previous trips, we will suggest group activities and venues for evening meals (WIP). We will also provide some options you can do at your leisure. For example:
 
 
Monday on the way there:
  • Fighter World for fighter aircraft aviation heritage, 10.00am to 4.00pm, adjacent the RAAF base at Williamtown.
  • Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae
Tuesday afternoon:
  • Nelson Head Heritage Lighthouse & Reserve, offers panoramic views, gift shop and a museum
  • Gan Gan Lookout for 360-degree views, Nelson Bay
  • Tomaree Headland lookout, to enjoy striking views of Port Stephens and the off shore islands. A good sixty-minute return walk, Shoal Bay
Wednesday before or after the Tea Gardens trip:
  • Port Stephens Community Arts Centre, Nelson Bay
  • Art Walk, Nelson Bay, twelve galleries within the CBD, not to mention some retail theory
Thursday on the way home:
  • For those who enjoy Barramundi, how about The Cookabarra Barramundi Farm, Restaurant & Function centre. Includes a daily tour 11.00am $12pp (need to book) and lunch from 12.00pm
  • Play at round of golf at the adjoining Nelson Bay Golf Club, maybe stay an extra night. We can have a closer look at this option later
Other options:
  • Tilligerry Habitat Reserve, 9.00am to 4.00pm
  • Tanilba Bay Heritage & History Trail
  • Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters, 9.00am to 5.00pm, Anna Bay
  • Mambo Wetlands Walks, Salamander Bay
 

Queensland Great Central Outback Trail
Sun 1st to Wed 11th Aug 2027

Announcing details of our major ‘Domestic Travel’ trip for 2027.

We were hoping to undertake this trip with Trade Travel next year; however, the major tour operators have taken block bookings for some of our key accommodation and attraction options. Subsequently we elected to try for 2027.

Success, whilst Trade Travel has secured our trip as per their itinerary, some of their suppliers are still to determine their rates for 2027. Therefore, until they can provide a ‘Tour Cost’ we are not seeking a deposit and suggest their Itinerary is viewed as a DRAFT.

Whilst their minimum number is twenty, our accommodation at Longreach (three nights in sixteen luxury glamping tents), will restrict us to thirty-two.  I’m confident, once we have a ‘Tour Cost’ it will sell out quite quickly.

Whilst we don’t have a costing, a 2025 similar Trade Travel trip (whilst the same number of days it excludes Longreach and a flight back to Brisbane) to Southwest Queensland is $5,000. Therefore, expect to pay more.

If interested:
  • save the date
  • sign the interest sheet at our August meeting, or
  • if absent send me an email

Once we have a costed itinerary, we will then seek deposits in order to confirm attendees.
Any questions, please give me a call.

To download the PDF of the flyer, click HERE
Leader - Max Henderson
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Swanes Nursery Probus Group happy faces.
Leader - Julie Stinson
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PictureTerry & Jeff
Golf Club - August 2025  (otherwise called The Bunker News)

Friday the1st August North Ryde Golf was cancelled due to rain.
 
Plan B was held at the Dural Driving range.
Large buckets of golf balls were hit on to the range with varying levels of success.
The weather was wet!! fun was had by all.  This was followed by lunch across the road at the Vicor Hotel Dural.
 
Our next game will be in Friday 5th September see email to confirm the details.
 
We play social golf catering for all levels, please let us know if you would like to join us.

Yours in Fun, Fellowship & Friendship

Yours in Fun, Fellowship & Friendship

From Team Golf
Terry Ridge and Jeff Swan
WPH&D Probus Inc - Golf Coordinators
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Men's Club - August 2025

After a great turnout at the Vicar, it was decided for our next lunch to try out the Fiddler Hotel.  Situated on the corner of Windsor & Commercial Rd. Rouse Hill.

Guys, put it in your diary, Wednesday 10th September, FIDDLER HOTEL,  12 noon.

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​Leader - Rene Beutler
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 August Coffee Morning

Join us for a coffee, a great chat and lots of fun.
Everyone Welcome!

We meet on the last Monday of the month.
PLACE : Castle Hill RSL, Bistro Area

The next morning tea will be:

Monday 25th August at 10:30am


All members are welcome.  Looking forward to seeing you there!
Leader- Helen Beutler
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​Movie Group - August 2025

​​We meet on the first Tuesday of the month in the foyer area of Event Cinemas on the Piazza side of Castle Towers usually around 9.30am, depending on session times.

As the newsletter comes out earlier than the session times are advertised, we email members who have advised their interest in being on our Movie Emailing List with the relevant movies for the following first Tuesday of the month Movie Day.  Also, we usually meet at Cosmo Café after the movie for lunch.  When you receive the Movie Email, could you please advise by return email whether or not you will be joining us for lunch after your movie.

Please note that there will now be a Movie Sign-In Sheet placed on the table at the back of the hall at our monthly Probus meetings for members to sign their Intention to Participate at the next movie day.  If you would like to be added to the Movie Contact List please add your name and contact details at the bottom of this Intention to Participate sheet and we will arrange to have our Movie Emailing List updated accordingly. 

Similarly, if your name is on our list and you would like it removed, could you please draw a line through your name and it will be removed accordingly.
Leaders – Donna Fraser
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Probus Photography August 2025 Report

All our meetings start with some socialising over a glass a wine and some nibbles, if it is nice weather we often sit around the fire pit.  At our last meeting we started the meeting with a music video and concluded with different dances over the years.  This is not photography but adds some fun to the night.

Besides the opening and closing music videos we look at the open and set subject images and have a discussion on a particular aspect of photography.  As most of the group will be in the Blue Mountains taking images of waterfalls and a canyon a significant portion of the evening was dedicated to running through the trip notes for the areas being visited.  This was done as each person is responsible for assessing their own risk as the whether they can do the walks or enjoy being in the snug hotel.

Images of the Month and Facebook Site Banner Image
An image of the month is awarded for both the set and open categories. The set subject for the month was textures. The open category is any image taken over the past that does not meet the set subject criteria. Each month is getting harder to select the image of the month as outstanding images are submitted.

Set Subject Image of the Month
Congratulations to Bev Davison for the image of the horse and girl done in straw. The texture of the straw makes the subject stand out and it contrasts with the textures of the walls behind, the pebbles and plants. The use of textures in photography can be a good tool to have the subject stand out in an image.


Set Subject Image of the Month: Bev Davidson
Open Subject Image of the Month
The open subject for the month was won by Gerard Siddle for this beautiful image taken in Bali.

The composition is excellent with good foreground, middle ground and background.  The image is balanced with the girls on the left with the volcano and trees on the right. Besides the excellent composition there is very good colour contrast throughout the image.

​Open Set Subject Image of the Month: Gerard Siddle
Facebook Site Image

OOur Facebook site has a banner image that we change each month.  We require a landscape image that fits in the banner space on the Facebook page.  For this moth Bev’s image became the banner image for our Facebook site.

The link to our Facebook site is:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/254025278937219/?ref=group_header
To view the site with all the images “ctrl+left click the mouse button” on the link above.


Upcoming Photography Outings

Blue Mountains Outing

We have a two-day trip planned in the Blue Mountains where we will be taking images of hidden waterfalls, vistas of the mountains and walking through a canyon. We are hoping to see some great images at next month’s meeting.

Rob in the Dry Canyon
Scone Warbirds Air Show March 27 – 30, 2026
Sixteen of our photographers will be travelling to Scone from March 27 – 30 for the Warbirds air show.

This is the largest airshow in Australia and we will be staying at the Redbank Estate   (Redbank Estate | Prestige accommodation for your escape in Scone Hunter Valley ) which is situated in the middle of the Wakefield Stud.  For those who are joining us please purchase your own tickets and if you get in early (before Sept 8) then you could win a ride in a spitfire. Due to the limitations on the accommodation this outing is fully booked.

The link to the ticketing information is below:
Warbirds Over Scone 2026 Tickets, Sat 28/03/2026 at 9:00 am | Eventbrite

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday September 3 at the Clarke’s residence at 7:30pm.

Rob Clarke
Activity Coordinator
Leaders - Rob Clarke & Bain Shenstone​
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Table Tennis August 2025

This activity is to be held on the fourth Thursday of the month (which is ’the day after the General Meeting)  10am for 90 to 120 minutes (dependent on numbers) at the Dural Squash Court, 895 Old Northern Rd Dural, for only $5.  

Coffee afterwards at Bezin Café 242 New Line Rd Dural.

​All members are welcome.  There are both male & female players, suiting all level of play.
​
If you are interested and not already done so, please contact Enio Dona
Leader - Enio Dona
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To download the flyer click HERE
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August Report 2025

​There were 8 starters for 10 Pin Bowling on Friday last and it was a perfect mix with 4 boys and 4 girls

Beverly Watson won the first game for the girls beating Hilda Somerfield but then had other commitments leaving Rosemary Clark to win the second game from Julie Stinson.

Business as usual for the boys with David Turner winning  by 7 pins from Eric Scheeren in the first and running away with the second by 46 pins from Eric who pipped Terry Ridge by 4 pins and Greg Holmes a further 6 behind Terry.

The next game will be held on Friday September 19th with more details to be sent out.

Thanks Eric Scheeren for supplying this report.

Leader - Doug Matthews
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​Tennis Group Report- August 2025
​
We are back in the swing of things again but we have been rained off a few times.  We will be very happy when all this rain stops.
 
There is good news in that we have a new player who has recently joined us, this will help with our numbers greatly.
 
We play on Monday & Wednesday, 8.30am at Hasting Park Tennis Complex, 44 Belltree Crescent, Castle Hill (weather permitting).
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Leader - Bob Davison
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​Live Theatre August 2025

​ 
Back to the Future the Musical:
 
We have been looking at options for our next theatre party and will gauge interest in attending Back to the Future the Musical coming to the Sydney Lyric from September for its Australian Premiere. Take an electrifying ride back in time with London’s Olivier Award-winning best new musical, adapted for the stage by the creators of the original movie trilogy.
 
Stay tuned!!
 
Many thanks,

Leaders - Bruce & Robyn Bartle
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Walking August 2025

The last walk was a well-attended walk around Parramatta Park and then into Parramatta noting a number of churches and a special cemetery.  The walk was short, flat and very enjoyable in the sun (yes we had sun back then).  Most joined us for lunch at the Parramatta Club.

Please see photos.  Many thanks Susan Hackett for her contribution

The next walk will be on Tuesday Sept 9th 2025.  Details will be emailed as they come to hand.
 
Please bring a hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes & water and a smile.

Leaders - Enio Dona / Lynne Henderson

Photos From Last Walk

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Wine & Cheese August 2025
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Did not receive a report for Wine & cheese for this month, please attend the General meeting to be advised of the latest exciting news.



Leaders  Julie Shenstone & Susan Antonjuk
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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 for this month: Enio Dona