Join in... with the men's probus club of Murray Bridge
Long time members Ian Rick and Len Lawson invite you to become members of Murray Bridge's men's probus club.
Every second Thursday of the month you'll find around 80 men gathered at the Murray Bridge RSL.
For a few hours semi-retired and retired men share stories, coffee and biscuits, purely to build and keep connections.
The word Probus comes from professional and business, but you don’t need to have worked in either field to join.
The Murray Bridge branch celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2023, with members from other probus club's around the region all coming together to celebrate.
Among the members are former president Ian Rick and life member Len Lawson.
When did you get involved with the probus club?
Ian: I was invited by a friend of mine in 2014, who approached me to come along.
Len: I've been involved since 2000.
What do you do each month?
Each month, on the second Thursday, the group gather at the Murray Bridge RSL. A 'Who am I?' speaker gets around 45 minutes to tell their life story before they break for morning tea. Then a special guest speaker shares a tale, adventure or information on a topic in depth to the group. Last week Rob Theile shared his adventures climbing Mt Kilimanjaro at 61-years-old - no easy feat. Afterwards, many members stick around for an inexpensive lunch.
What do you get out of your involvement?
Ian: It's good companionship for people. It's such a diverse number of people here. I've got up and spoke a couple times of my life experience in the police force. It's just so interesting to know everyone's story... a comment was made that's this is just a glorified tea and bicky club but that's not giving it justice. You can never judge a book by a cover.
Len: Oh, well, camaraderie. And, the guest speakers we've had are magnificent. It's a friendship group.
Do you have a standout memory of your with the club?
Ian: The 40th anniversary. It was a lot of work for me as I was the bulletin editor at the time. I had to print a bulletin which was 33 pages thick. It basically contained a full history of when Probus first started in Murray Bridge. I had to do a lot of research. The boys loved it.
Len: Helping organise the day trips or week long tours we used to hold. We've done trips to all over the state, even some interstate. One of my favourite trips we did was to Lake Entrance in Victoria. It's a beautiful spot.
Why should people join the probus club of Murray Bridge?
Ian: A lot of men when they retire suddenly find out... there's suddenly a void. You've lost that comradery. You have to form a special bond with all your workmates and you lose that. So you feel like a fish out of water. I don't have any mental health problems, but probably because of this. Because of the fact that you're meeting people. And you look forward every month to coming.
Len: For the friendships... and what else are you gonna do.
- Contact: President Barry Dillion: 0432 862 522, or secretary Lynton Hall: 0417 827 750.
- Who can join: Retired or semi-retired men.
- Where to go: Murray Bridge RSL, LOT 2 Ross Rd, Murray Bridge East SA.
- When to go: Second Thursday of each month from 9.30am.
- What you need: Just yourself.
To express an interest in promoting your community or sporting club with a Join In feature, email peri@murraybridge.news. To express an interest in sponsoring this feature, email jane@murraybridge.news.
