General News
10 July, 2025
Keeping the social spark alive
THE Stawell Gold Reef Probus Club is opening its doors to new members as it looks to keep its club vibrant and thriving well into the future.
Boasting a healthy membership of over 70 people, the club offers a strong social network for retirees and semi-retirees in the region.
But with an eye to the future, the group is now putting the call out for fresh faces to join.
Publicity Officer Kath McClintock said the committee was always looking for new ways of engaging members with outings and activities.
“We are trying to do a bit of publicity so that we can actually get new members,” Kath said.
“We’ve updated and started to do a few more outings, so we have movie days, a birthday lunch, and once every two months we’ll have a dine out.”
Kath said the club has benefited from recent support through the Ararat Wind Farm grants program, which allowed them to purchase a new printer.
“Our printer died, and the reason for the grant was because 80% of our members like to get a hard copy of our newsletter,” she said.
With monthly meetings and a lively calendar of events, Probus is proving to be an important social lifeline for many in the area.
“It’s a big social event for people to come once a month,” Kath said.
The group regularly draw in speakers on a range of topics, this month’s guest speaker was artist Mayhla Howells, known for transforming recycled materials into eye-catching costumes and textile art.
“We get interesting speakers. She makes costumes and textiles out of recycled materials,” Kath explained.
Coming up next is the club’s annual Christmas in July celebration, set for 25 July at the Kookaburra Hotel in Halls Gap.
Kath assures that everyone will be in the festive spirit with even a few dress-ups involved.
The Stawell Gold Reef Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 10am, at the Stawell Harness Racing Club, 78 Patrick Street, and warmly welcomes new members to come along and see what the group is all about.
To join, the interested person needs to attend as a guest with a member for three meetings before being inducted.
This can all be arranged by contacting the secretary, Elizabeth Lindsay, at 0419 548 937 or by speaking with someone who is a member.
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