Page 54 - Friendships Through the Years

The fourth criterion added was that there must be conference facilities for the ‘happy
hour’.
(In 13 years we have never paid more than that amount – frequently less and twice the
tariff included breakfast.)

nd
Picnic lunch at Bright during the first annual car trip to Wangaratta on May 2 1989. (L
to R) Jean Aird, Bert Walker, Peg Lillie, Albert Aird, Aileen Coffey,Keith McLennan,
Nance Mackay, Joyce Walker, Evelyn McLennan, Lex Lillie and Jack Coffey. (Absent
John and Joan Coffey )

Bert handed over to President Elect Lex Lillie at the annual general meeting on
th
Thursday 13 July 1988. He presented a very detailed President’s Annual report
(No. 6). Amongst a lot of other things that he discussed, Bert said:
“The basic purpose of Probus is to provide regular gatherings of men and women
in retirement, appreciate and value meeting others in similar circumstances and of
similar interests. During one’s working life, there is a tendency for friendships to
be confined largely within one’s business or profession and the opportunity to
make new friendships is, as a general rule, limited in that area. In retirement,
access to the group of people with whom friendships were possible in the past, is
no longer readily available and the normal basis of meeting others and forming
new friendships becomes very restricted. In the circumstances it is understandable
that former professional men and women and others, quite shortly after retiring,
commence to seek to meet others. Clearly there is a continuing need for the social
fellowship and intellectual stimulation that Probus offers. We record our
appreciation of the Rotary Club of Lilydale for their initiative in sponsoring the
formation of this Club in 1982 and it’s eventual inauguration in 1983.”

Bert went on to thank his office bearers and committee and the members for a successful
year, and singled out Carl Adamson as his role as Recreational and Entertainment
Officer, and Keith McLennan for getting the car trips off the ground, plus the ongoing
R.A.C.V. Christmas Luncheons.
Membership at the end of Bert’s Probus year was 50, with two pending; New
members for the year were 7, with 4 resignations (2 to Interstate).