Nearly half a century of finding friendships and fun

As one of Australia's oldest Probus branches, Northern Illawarra has much to look back on – a story of individuals creating a true community based on maintaining health and wellbeing.

All Probus branches will celebrate the network's 50th anniversary in October, and Northern Illawarra has existed for 47 of those years.

The Northern Illawarra branch meets at the Woonona-Bulli RSL every Tuesday at 10am, when they socialise over coffee before a meeting at 12pm.

At every meeting, they invite guest speakers to give educational, informative or practical information tailored for the members.

Northern Illawarra president Shelley Tough said club progress had changed over the 47 years since its establishment, especially in recent history.

“We started 47 years ago, and we have been going strong ever since,” Shelley said. “Twenty-one years ago, women were allowed to join the club, and we still have four members from those original women who come to the meetings.”

“We used to have a lot of membership, but especially after Covid we dropped off.”

Shelley is proud of how the club gives back to the community and creates a friendly environment for participants.

“A lot of them, they really enjoy it; it gets them out. They’ve made great friendships, and when we’ve gone on bus or other tours, everyone, thanks to Yvonne (committee member), has totally enjoyed them,” Shelley said.

“Our lunches are usually fairly well attended, and it's a way for everyone to get together, to meet, to join, get to know each other and have a good time.”

Club members have made memories and friendships at social events.

“When we started Probus, we met a lot of good friends,” Shelley said.

“We know that a lot of people have moved down from different places, and by joining a Probus club, they have made these friendships.”

Shelley is grateful to Woonona Bulli RSL for providing a venue for their meetings.

“We used to have the meetings at Shamrocks (Woonona Shamrocks Rugby Union Football Club), but after Covid we couldn’t have that anymore … so we moved here, and it's been a lot better,” Shelley said.

“It is so much easier; [previously] everyone had to set up tables, chairs, get the urns going, make the morning tea.

“Our members now come and have coffee before the meeting, and then we all have lunch after. With that, you get to meet everyone and talk to them more, and it makes a big difference to get everyone together,” Shelley said.

“Yvonne does a wonderful job of getting us extended tours, and Yvonne and John (committee member) over the last few years have brought a games day where we had a pick-a-box… and then another one we had was sports day, bocce and putt-putt… and then we had a barbecue after it.”

Committee member Yvonne Hepper specialises in organising trips for the members, most recently to Temora in September.

“We went to Newcastle by train; we’ve done Jindabyne ... Crescent Head was the first one we went on, Mudgee, Orange; we have done quite a lot,” Yvonne said.

Joining the club gives members a chance to learn from a diverse group of people.

Secretary John McQuiggin said there had been "quite a large number of people, 60-odd members at the moment, and we have been as high as 80 in the last few years”.

“As you get to talk to those people, they’ve all got an interesting story to tell, and they’ve all given to the community in some way, so there is something to be gained from that history and that fellowship as people.” 

Talk by classical music teacher

On Tuesday, 13 October the club will meet at Woonona Bulli RSL at 10.30am. The guest speaker is cellist Tanya Phillips of Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. Like-minded retirees and semi-retired people welcome. For more information, chat to Shelley Tough on 0418 218 959.