Probus Club Shoalhaven

Activities are generally only planned a few months in advance but an indication of the range of speakers can be gained from the following annual report for 2008. Organised trips and other functions are discussed below in the Events section.

The April meeting was addressed by Paul Warren who explained the operations of the Nowra Men’s Shed. The “Shed” provides an opportunity for individuals of all ages to meet in a friendly environment and engage in productive activities. Opportunities are available to develop members’ practical skills and also provides mentoring for young unemployed persons.

The May meeting heard Patrick Corrigan, the manager of the new Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, tell us about “the best theatre development in the last 15-20 years”. Patrick, former chair of the NSW and ACT Performing Arts Centres Association, proved to be an excellent appointee to guide our $23.5 million investment into a leading position in the country.

June brought us the first lady Director of Shoalhaven Water and the first woman Civil engineering graduate from UTS, Carmel Krogh. Carmel has a staff of over 120 and runs a business involving 4 water treatment plants, 29 pump stations and 12 sewerage stations. Extensive re-use of both liquid and solid wastes has attracted numerous awards for Shoalhaven Water.

July introduced Louie Kelbert, president of the Australian Bee Keepers’ Association and raconteur extraordinaire. Keeper of 3.5 million bees in 48 hives which produce 10,000kg of honey annually, Louie disclosed the life of the honey bee and its important role in our lives in the pollination of crops. He artificially inseminates Queen Bees for sale at $700 and sold many punnets of honey to our members (and the Bingo ladies who happened to be nearby!) after a most interesting talk.

August brought home a few sobering thoughts as Paula Smith gave a graphic presentation of the role of the Mercy Ships, in bringing world –class health to the forgotten poor. Approximately 7,000 operations per year are carried out on the “Africa Mercy” by a crew of some 400 volunteer professionals from 30 nations which includes doctors, dentists, nurses, teachers, builders, cooks etc etc. A great presentation

September saw us meeting in the main theatre of the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre together with our partners, the widows of past members and members of the Shoalhaven Ladies Probus Club. Patrick Corrigan and his staff guided us through the various areas of the Centre including the back stage dressing rooms and the amazing folding seat mechanisms for transforming the floor layout for different functions. The Centre even provided us with morning tea.

October introduced us to the Australian Equestrian Olympian Mervyn Bennett OAM. Merv represented Australia in the 1976,1980 and 1984 Olympics and gave us first hand knowledge of the origin of equestrian events and their place in the Olympic Games. He also described the transition from an amateur event, where participants paid their own expenses (including transportation for themselves and their horses) to a highly politicised, professional activity involving enormous money transfers.

In November, Brian Hanley, the Manager of Shoalhaven Starches, brought us up to date with the expansion program now undertaken by the Manildra Group. This involves a new flour mill, a new spur rail line to service a new packing and distribution centre and more fomenters to increase ethanol production from 120 to 300 million litres per year. There will be more of everything including cooling towers and a bigger water treatment facility.

In December Bomaderry High School Social Arts teacher Scott Andrews introduced School Captains Alex Mounsy and Westley Madge. As usual, those exceptionally bright teenagers impressed us with their youth and vitality as they shared their experiences and ideas about issues that face society. Wes mentioned that he intended to graduate from Duntroon and become and officer because he was impressed with the lifestyle.

January, Commander “Dickie Bird” spoke with some authority about the technological advances that are generally made during times of war. He saw active service in Korea, Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam, serving at sea on aircraft carriers, attack class Patrol Boats, Minesweepers, Frigates and Destroyers. His flying experience involved many types of aircraft both rotary and fixed wing. Much of what he had to say resonated strongly with many in the audience who were reminded of their own naval experiences. Commander Bird was Executive officer HMAS Albatross for two years before retiring.

In February we were treated to a very emotionally charged personal account of the Beaconsfield Mine Rescue operation by Darren Flanagan. Darren is a local explosives expert who was flown to Tasmania in the middle of the night by the Tasmanian Authorities in a specially chartered Lear Jet. Seventeen miners were trapped underground and though fourteen were soon rescued 3 were still missing. In the end only one had lost his life and after 3 weeks underground two others were rescued in what can only be described as miraculous circumstances. Darren had his audience spellbound and could have spent a lot more time telling his story. For the last 2 years he has been a speaker in great demand, travelling the world sharing his experiences.

Report prepared by Neville Stephenson

The name Probus is derived from the words profession and business. It is thus an organisation set up to cater for professional and business people. It is not a Service Club or a fundraising club. Religion and Politics are left outside the door. It is a club for retired professionals who seek to utilise their retirement leisure in travel and fellowship with their peers. Shoalhaven Probus Club Inc. is a men's club only but every second month spouses are welcome guests as they are also welcome participants in functions and excursions. The club meets on the first Monday of every month holidays included at Nowra Golf club. Though there is a ceiling on membership aspiring members are welcome to attend a couple of meetings as guests. Almost every meeting there is a guest speaker who is usually sourced from a University, Government organisation, Community organisation or profession. The club has a large committee to handle routine business so only essential matters are brought forward to general meetings.

As at the 30th January 2009 the annual membership fee is $30.00 due to be paid by the end of February, but of course aspiring new members can enrol at any time during the year.

Membershipform

This year 2008 –2009 was again a fun filled year with about 30 activities for members to enjoy. The year started with the Changeover Dinner on March 11th 2008. Barbecues were held at various locations in April, June, August and October.
In May 2008 we enjoyed a dinner at Destiny’s Restaurant. Thirty six happy members travelled to Aunt Molly’s at Morriset and the Hawkesbury for a trip on the last riverboat postman. A second group of 36 went in June.
In July we day tripped to Lake Bathurst to see the Woodlawn Bioreactor. A planned trip to the Illawarra Fly was postponed because of bad weather.
August was the month Albion Park became our destination for a visit to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Museum.
In September our Mystery Trip tour took us to historic Windsor and the settings for the TV show “A Country Practice”. We also made our trip to the Illawarra Fly, on a day when we were blessed with clear skies and no smog which allowed wonderful viewing.
This year for the Melbourne Cup we joined the residents of the Illawarra Retirement trust at the hall for a fun filled day.
Our December luncheon at Gray’s Beach was blessed with good weather and the Christmas dinner was well attended at the Nowra Gold Club.
For our dose of culture we attended four performances by the Nowra Players and three shows at Nowra’s new Entertainment Centre.
Sporting Challenges for the year included the Vic Levitt Golf Shield at Sussex Inlet, Vic Levitt Bowls at Bomaderry, the John Wills Bowls at Nowra and BOCCE at Greenwell Point. We started 2009 with the Past and Present Committee dinner at Buffet Fusion then in February a car rally / sausage sizzle.
To finish the year, a coach trip to the Festival of Steam at Thirlmere was organised for March the 1st 2009.

Report by Gordon Elford

Woodlawn Bioreactor and Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre

Who would pay $58 to inspect a garbage tip? A busload of Shoalhaven Probians did precisely that and were amazed at what they discovered at Lake Bathurst. The Woodlawn Mine formerly produced copper, silver, lead and zinc ore between 1975 and 1998 from both open cut and underground mining. The site is now a land fill project like no other in Australia. Accepting over 1,000,000 tons of mixed solid waste from Councils and commercial contractors in the Sydney Metropolitan area since 2004, this Bioreactor produces Methane which is used to generate renewable electricity using giant gas engines.

The reactor has the capacity to power a city of 30,000 people for more than 50 years and is the brainchild of Veolia Environmental Services, a French multinational offering a full suite of environmental services. Other projects under development at Woodlawn include a 50 MW wind-farm and rehabilitation of the former mine site using composted organic material from their Woodlawn Alternative Sorting and Processing facility (WASP).On our return trip we enjoyed lunch at Lavenders Restaurant and a wander through the gardens to the nearby St John’s Anglican Church. Lake Bathurst had obviously been a thriving town during the mining period but with the closure of the mine came the demise of the town. Our guide took us to the World War 2 fuel stores at Lake Bathurst after which we visited the Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre to experience a part of Goulburn’s rich industrial history. A working roundhouse and locomotives and rolling stock being refurbished by dedicated volunteers was something to remember. It was an action packed and most enjoyable day.

Story contributed by Neville Stephenson.