By Lucy Waldron
In celebration of Probus Month, the Rose City Probus group hosted a special fellowship day, bringing together members from Warwick Combined, Stanthorpe, and Beaudesert for a day of camaraderie, networking, and fun.
The event was held in Warwick on 9 October, aiming to foster stronger connections among the clubs and highlight the value of Probus within the community.
Rose City Probus president Mick Ryves opened the event by welcoming members from all four clubs and shared the significance of October as Probus Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the contributions of retirees and promoting active and healthy aging.
The event featured a special guest presentation from Greg Hopper of Trade Travel Franchisees, who provided attendees with a lively overview of their services and valuable travel tips.
Greg emphasised Trade Travel’s specialisation in senior group touring, highlighting the company’s attention to detail when catering to older travellers.
“For our clients, we make sure to book accommodations with walk-in showers instead of step-over baths and ground-floor rooms wherever possible.
“We also include fully cooked breakfasts and two-course dinners, so everything is taken care of.”
From small-ship cruising to walking with lions in Mauritius, Greg’s presentation highlighted the variety of travel experiences Trade Travel offers.
“We visit fantastic Mediterranean destinations, and we recently launched a 16-day tour to Croatia that costs only about $50 more per day than a domestic tour. It’s a great opportunity to explore the world affordably,” he added.
His presentation got the attendees excited about all the travel opportunities and how they can see the world in comfort.
But the day didn’t stop there. Rob Neary, president of Probus Queensland, shared insights about the organisation’s efforts to grow and strengthen Probus clubs across the region.
He described how they’ve been working to establish new clubs in areas like Gatton, Pittsworth, and Southbrook, with plans to expand further.
Rob also spoke about the challenges in growing participation in Probus clubs and ensuring members are actively involved.
“It’s not just about getting new members; it’s also about encouraging current members to participate more. A club’s success depends on everyone, not just the management committee,” he explained.
He urged clubs to think outside the box when addressing leadership roles and participation, adding, “Einstein said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. If your club is still doing the same thing to encourage participation, maybe it’s time to think laterally.”
Rob stressed a reminder that leadership and club management are shared responsibilities.
“I’ve seen clubs with 96 members close because no one was willing to step up. It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure the club continues to thrive.”
Probus, a non-profit organisation for retirees, has a long-standing tradition of promoting healthy minds and bodies through regular gatherings, guest speakers, and various social activities.
With the theme of “Friendship, Fellowship, and Fun”, Probus offers retirees a chance to stay socially connected while participating in events tailored to their interests.
For more information about Probus and how to join, visit the Rose City Probus Club’s Facebook.
