Address - P.O. Box 22 Nowra 2540

Telephone - 02 4423 0785   - President

E-mail - probus@shoal.net.au

Owen Quinn commenced our year with a 45 minute promotion of Lions International Sight-First program which undertakes extremely valuable work, particularly in Asia and Africa, dealing with 5 major areas of eyesight disease and disability.
In April Allan Baptist the Shoalhaven City Council Arts Development Manager, gave a detailed report on the new Multifunctional Cultural and Convention Centre, which is due for completion in April 2008. It will provide a venue for conventions, expos, trade exhibitions, lectures, product promotions, movies, shows, music and lunchtime performances etc.
In May our speakers were Ray de Rooy from the RTA and Richard Merrett from Maunsell AECOM. Their presentation was essentially about the planning preceding the 32 km upgrading of the Princes Highway between Gerringong and Bomaderry.
The June meeting was very well attended to hear Mr Movies Bill Collins, take us on a trip down memory lane. His memory for actors, producers and movie composers was nothing short of phenomenal and he described the transition from silent, through black and white films to the present TV and DVD entertainment facilities.
Graeme Mann worked for a company that supplied computers to the US Air Force so in 1967 he was sent to Vietnam as a civilian contractor to service these machines. He described his harrowing experiences as a civilian in a war zone, operating on a Tourist Visa . He had no diplomatic protection and becoming involved in CIA directed programs that had begun at least a year before the war officially commenced.
August gave us Linda Laidlaw and Dr Narelle Bramich from Continence Control Systems International, a company comprising the University of Melbourne, Biotech Venture Capitalist and Cochlear Ltd to commercialise a new process to control incontinence. This involves creating a new ring of muscle around the urethra using the patients own muscle tissue and then controlling it with a pacemaker device implanted within the pelvic girdle.
September again involved water works, but this time John Bell from Oceanlinx, gave us a fascinating account of generating electricity using the energy from ocean waves. The patented Oceanlinx turbine uses variable pitch blades, which with slower rotational speed and higher torque, improves reliability and reduces maintenance problems, John informed us that an average city home has a daily electricity consumption of 20 kwh, and the daily water consumption of 350 litres. One Oceanlinx unit is expected to produce enough power for more than 1500 homes and enough water for 9,000 homes.
CEO Lyn Locke (right) of Shoalhaven Turf Club came to our podium to give a rundown on the beginnings of the club, its funding, functions and management. Lyn told us the flu epidemic had been devastating not only for the club but also for our community, which has strong ties with racing.
November introduced us to Professor Ian Bickerton who claimed that wars tend not to end up with the signing of a treaty, or the laying down of arms; they have unpredictable and chaotic aftermaths that often completely subvert the wars original purpose. He examined 10 major wars fought by the US from the Revolutionary War through to Iraq and analysed each conflict’s unpredicted consequences. Sharply departing from the traditional way of thinking about wars, Bickerton challenged us to understand that war raised more problems than it has solved.
At our December Christmas meeting we were again privileged to host two of the School Captains from one of our local high schools—St John the Evangelist. Tom Roose and Jacalyn McArdell presented a comprehensive image of their school and the many extra curricular matters it embraces. These contribute to intellectual growth and development and help raise awareness of the need for everyone to live in a sustainable manner, respecting the past and preserving the earth’s resources. Divine Guidance saw them leave our Christmas Barbecue just before we were unexpectedly washed out by very heavy rain!
In January 2008 the Club’s own hardworking Editor Geoff Spencer was our guest speaker who delivered a talk on “Computers can be Fun”. He traced the development of today’s PC from the enormous electronic computers of yesteryear and demonstrated the use of today’s software to change landscapes, colour, depth and width of picture presentations in a most entertaining way. Geoff concluded with a fine picture of his dream home, new car and a fireworks display that completed a first class presentation.
February brought together the old and the young. George Auld (90 years) and Haneih Turner from the Nowra Youth Centre. Haneih gave us a well prepared PowerPoint based presentation on the operation of the centre, its organisational arrangements and funding. The Centre is intended to provide services to youth between the ages of 12 and 24. The majority of the clientele is between the ages of 13 and 17. Due to severe funding constraints the Centre is not open 24 / 7, indeed the Drop-in facility only operates 3 days a week, generally out of school hours from 3.00pm to 9.00 pm. The Centre provides art and craft options, computer training, Music, etc. It gets its funding partly from the Department of Community Services, the Department of Housing and some external sponsorships. It gets no direct funding from State or local government.

Report prepared by Neville Stephenson

New Zealand travels
13th October to 1st November 2007

We departed Sydney and arrived in Auckland three hours before we left, due to New Zealand time and daylight saving, arriving mid afternoon. Upon booking in to our hotel we joined the tour party made up of Probians from Gosford,
Brisbane, Melbourne, Bright, and Adelaide. A group of 3l, with our hostess Dianne and driver, Eugene of Grand Pacific Rail tour making 33 happy travellers.
Days 2 & 3, commenced with a tour of the Auckland city sights and surrounds, capped off with a view from an extinct volcano overlooking the city. Next morning a trip to the Kauri Park and museum, Matakohe, and to Paihia at the Bay of Islands and a cruise through the bay out to the “Hole in the Rock”; then the Maori Treaty Grounds at Waitangi, and a Maori greeting ceremony and re-enactment.
Day 4, back to Auckland and more sight seeing, museums and gardens. Day 5 we had a trip on the Glenbrook Railway and a vintage steam train ride to Glenfield, then to Longland’s dairy farm for a lunch and tour of the dairy and gardens.
Days 6 & 7saw us at Rotorua, the geothermal town, sulphur smell, boiling mud, geysers, and a tour of the thermal power station. There were steam vents all over the countryside.
Day 8, started with a breakfast atop a mountain via a gondola, to the restaurant with great views over Rotorua. A trip through the countryside to the Agrodome, a display of the sheep types in New Zealand plus a shearing demonstration and sheep dog skills. We went on to the Paradise Valley Springs and wildlife park, beautiful gardens and lions, and large trout swimming in the stream. Later there was a Maori Hangi feast and concert where "chief' Gordon performed the `Haka' and Barbara the `Poi' dance.
On Day 9 we travelled to the `Huka' Falls and on to Lake Taupo and the Tongariro National Park, with its snow capped mountains, water falls, and forests. We proceeded on to the fabulous Southward’s car museum and along the scenic coast highway back to Wellington.
On Day 10 we toured Wellington’s highlights and next morning we were off to join the Inter-Islander Ferry and cruised to Picton across the Cook Straight to Picton, through the scenic Marlborough sounds, and boarded the trans-coastal train. We journeyed through magnificent scenery, vineyards, sea salt mountains and river valleys with the high Kaikoura Ranges on one side and the Pacific Ocean the other, then to the northern Canterbury Plains and Christchurch.
Days 11 & 12, we toured the picturesque city and botanic gardens, museums, a vintage tram ride through the city. After lunch we were off to Oamaru and Dunedin, a 'victorian' city. A tour of the beautiful historic Olveston House and gardens, and back to the hotel for a Scottish evening including a `Haggis' ceremony and banquet.
Days 13 & 14, we toured around the historic city of Dunedin, and then to Lanach Castle, a magnificent stone home atop the headland of the harbour entrance, then on to the Glenfallock Gardens, to be seen and much admired. We took the historic Taieri Gorge steam train through rugged scenery which is accessible only by rail, through tunnels, over viaducts of lattice iron, and views unimaginable, to Pukerangi. It was then back to Dunedin and the bus and on to Te Anau which is the gateway to Fiordland . There we joined a cruise boat to the glow worm caves across the lake. The glow worms were located in magnificent limestone caves. We traversed over waterfalls and narrow walkways, to special boats for viewing the glow worms in the grotto deep in the mountain.
Days 15 & 16 a drive through rain forests to Milford Sound , where we boarded a ferry and cruised up the Sound past many waterfalls out to the Tasman Sea. One word sums up the trip, amazing! Then we went back to Te Anau .

The following day it was on to Fairlight where we boarded the `Kingston flyer', for a ride on this historic steam train , then to Arrowtown, and along Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown.
In the evening we boarded the `TSS Earnshaw' an old steamship built in 1912 and cruised across the lake to Colonel's Homestead, on the Walter Peak Station. After a sheep shearing demonstration and sheepdog show we adjourned to the beautiful homestead for a sumptuous dinner. The return trip on the ship was brightened with a sing-along of all passengers which could have been heard all around the lake.
Days 17 & 18, we had various tours around the Queenstown area including the skyline gondola ride up the mountain, and Skippers Canyon, which was via a 4 wheel drive small bus along a gorge and breathtaking scenery to the historic village of Skippers, and a return with thousands of sheep along the track to contend with. This was a truly amazing trip along which is the site of the original `bungy jump' suspension bridge. We travelled via the Haast Pass to the Fox Glacier and the town of Franz Joseph. We took a trip out to view the glacier and water falls among high mountains with snow capped peaks.
Day l9, we journeyed through fabulous west country to Hokitika and on to Greymouth and boarded the Transalpine Railway which took us right across the top of the south island through magnificent scenery of mountains, ravines, gorges, rivers across viaducts and through tunnels and pastures to Christchurch.
The last evening was a get -together with other tour groups for a sing-a-long and entertainment and re-living our trip highlights and saying farewell to our new friends.
Next morning saw us flying home to Sydney after a truly memorable holiday.

Story by: Bernard & Jean Bailey

THE TEMORA TRIP

Early Saturday morning 15 September, a beautiful day, a Culburra coach left Nowra with Tony as “steering wheel attendant”, Charlie in charge, and a load of 43 eager travellers. Morning tea in brilliant sunshine at Fitzroy Falls, and lunch at Yass RSL, the town dominated by a beautiful display of main street trees in full white blossom. We are starting to get to know each other by now, even before Charlie’s instructions to move two seats clockwise each day, subsequently amended to four seats each day, and keen to discover what has been planned for us. Next stop the JD Fruit Farm at Young, a brief tour of the factory and time to buy exotic jams to take home. On to the Cherry Blossom Motel at Young, for an early arrival after a quite leisurely day, and time to settle in there for the next three nights. A quick exploration of the town on foot for most, then the first of three wonderful three course dinners provided by our host Diane and her friendly staff, over the next three nights. Representatives of the Young Probus Club joined us for dinner the first night.
On Sunday the highlight of the whole trip, a day at the Temora Air Show and the Temora Aviation Museum. A day of nostalgia (Tiger Moth, Harvard, Spitfire), and terror as we sat only a few metres from the large F/A 18 Hornet as it roared into life at the hands of the youthful pilot, then buzzed us several times at what seemed like only twenty feet above ground level before an effortless vertical climb to 20,000 feet directly above us. Also on display, and all flying in turn during the day, Vampire, Kittyhawk, Canberra and others. A memorable day, even for those who had no previous interest in military aircraft. The Temora Rural Museum is another very good reason for a visit to Temora. You need at least several hours there to fully appreciate it.
Monday started with a very cold morning in Young, but with local identity Lyster, age 100 and very much not out, boarded as our guide for the day. We spent the day visiting the Chinaman's Dam Gardens at Young, the historic town of Grenfell for lunch, and Iandra Castle, with pleasant country driving between them, and a good commentary on local highlights and history from Lyster. As we passed the local cemetery he told us he had lots of mates in Young, but they were all in there now.
Later he told us that he had recently tried to renew his car insurance, but was told he didn’t have the required Green Slip. On enquiry at the insurance company, he was informed that they hadn’t issued the necessary form this year, as he was over 100, and they assumed he wouldn’t be still alive. Wrong!
It had warmed up on Tuesday, for more pleasant driving, with stops at Cowra for morning tea, and to see the Rose Garden and Cowra Breakout display. Then on to Mount Panorama, and a sedate drive around the racing circuit at 50 kph. We had Free time for lunch in Bathurst, then to Lithgow for a tour of Esbank House, and on to the Skyrider Motel at Katoomba for two nights and another two nights of fabulous dining.
At Katoomba on Wednesday the traditional visit to Echo Point and the Three Sisters in beautiful sunshine. Then the not so hair raising rides down the Scenic Railway, a fine bush walk at the bottom, and back up on the Sceniscender cable way. On to Leura for a walk through the attractive Leuralla Gardens and Toy and Model Railway Museum, and back to
Katoomba for a stroll down, and back up, the main street.
Thursday was the last day, took in visits to Govetts Leap and the Zig Zag Railway, including a ride all the way down, and back up the Zig Zag on an old Brisbane deisel railcar, with a tour of a real steam railway museum at the bottom. We found our own lunch at Blackheath (far too cold to sit outside eating a pie), then all aboard our comfortable coach for the long ride home to Nowra.

Highlights? All of the above were highlights, but that doesn’t do justice to the companionship, friendship, bonhomie, and plain good fun we all had. Altogether a thoroughly enjoyable time, and demands already for another such trip in 2008. Book early! Finally, it was just great to have Gerry and Beryl with us, and to share their enjoyment of the trip. We all love and admire you both. An unforgettable experience for many was to share with Gerry, as he “saw” with his finger tips the wonderful carved woodwork at Iandra Castle and Esbank House. Tony, our Coach Captain, went far beyond the call of duty, in seeing us oldies on and off the coach at each stop, in driving it so expertly and comfortably for us, having it groomed for us early each morning, and in caring for those who needed help with bags, steps, and cable cars, etc. Charlie – well all we can say is that there were no hitches whatsoever, and you know who we can thank for that! Well done Charlie.

Story contributed by David Larsen