It was a joyous celebration as the Lilydale Probus Club came together for its end-of-year Christmas lunch on Thursday 27 November.
The gathering of 60 members at the Chirnside Park Country Club was a fabulous turn-out for the 80-member strong club.
Unfortunately, Probus Clubs across the Yarra Ranges are becoming few and far between, with many either already folded or about to.
One of the activities organisers, Margaret Monk, said with people not retiring until much later and with so many other clubs and activities around, it can be challenging to find members.
“Finding new members takes work but finding new members who are prepared to take on official positions to keep a club running is very difficult to source,” she said.
Throughout the year, Probus Clubs organise get togethers, walks, lunches and weekends away trying to give every member an option to join in.
“On a regular basis we have activities and it might be just something like going for a walk and then to a cafe,” secretary Bill Sutherland told Star Mail in October 2024.
“It’s a connection that a person can have with a community without it being intense. It can be social, fun, whatever they want to make it.”
As a non-fundraising organisation, Probus is designed purely as a social club to give retirees a sense of belonging and connection when they disconnect from working life.
For more information about the Probus Club of Lilydale, visit lilydaleprobus.club or contact probuslilydale@outlook.com
