History of Club - Cranbourne Probus Club Inc

History of Club

History of Club - Cranbourne Probus Club Inc

The History of the Cranbourne Probus Club

from DECEMBER 1983 to now

          The Club was formed on 16th December 1983. A record of the initial meeting of prospective members held at the Old Shire Chambers in Sladen Street is set out in an early history of the Club from December 1983 to March 1987. Until March 1987 new members were issued with a copy of this history together with a copy of the Rules of the Club which replaced the original Club Constitution when the Club became incorporated in December 1986. In 2003 the club adopted the standard Probus constitution and in 2004 adopted a set of bylaws. A copy of the early history of the club and the club constitution and bylaws are now included in the induction folder.

       

In line with conditions governing the formation of a Probus Club, this club was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cranbourne. The meeting at which it was formed was chaired by Rotarian Graham Wood supported by fellow-Rotarians Frank Canobio, Governor of Rotary District 9820 and Rotarians Des Dean and Tom Paxton.

       A Committee of Management was formed at that meeting, and a motion passed to the effect that foundation membership be held open for three months. As a result, the first President, Arthur Borden, held office from December 1983 until March 1985. The Annual General Meeting is held in March of each year, the Financial Year ends on 31st.December each year.

 The first Committee of Management comprised:

                President: Arthur Borden;

                Vice President: Michael Thisdall     

Secretary: Bert Ward

                Treasurer: Fred Deverall               

Program Chairman: Tom Gabriel

There were 35 foundation members. Of this number, only four now remain, as Life Members of the Club. They are: Arthur Borden, Ted Elton, Allan Fricke and Norm Gordon.

       The Club met for the first time at the Old Shire Chambers in December 1983 and again in February 1984. Meetings were then held at Kelly's Motor Inn Hotel until December 1984 and February 1985 when they were again held at the Old Shire Chambers. No meetings were held in January in 1984/85. From March 1985 until August 1995 meetings were held in the Presbyterian Church Hall. From September 1995 until December 2005 meetings were held at the Cranbourne RSL and in January 2005 the Cranbourne Masonic hall  became the venue.

 Incorporation: The Club was incorporated in December 1986

Change from Club for Men only to Combined Club:

When consideration was originally given to admitting ladies as  members, there was some opposition, and the proposal was not pursued. As a result, local ladies decided to form their own club, and Cranbourne Ladies Probus Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cranbourne, was formed in October 1988. Subsequent to these events the Men's Club began to experience difficulties and its future became uncertain. Discussions were held with the Ladies Club with a view to possible amalgamation, but this proposal was not acceptable to the Ladies Club.   At the Annual General Meeting of the Men's Club in March 1992 a motion was passed that ladies be admitted to the Club. As the rules did not specifically define membership as being limited to males, there was no necessity for any change in the rules and the passing of this motion was sufficient. Since ladies have been admitted, the Club has shown stability in membership.

 Presidents since inception:

1983-85 Arthur Borden;

1985-86 Michael Thisdall;

1986-87 March to August Bert Hill   1986-87 August to March Ted Elton

1987-88 Matt Lawrence       

1988-89 George Crees         

1989-90 Harry Larder

1990-91 Maurice Bland        

1991-92 and 92-93 Malcolm Foster (The original Constitution expressly provided that a new President be elected each year. In the new Rules as required for incorporation, this specific rule was not included. Rule 21.1 provides that elected officers shall hold office only until the next election, but shall be eligible for re-election. Malcolm Foster was deemed to have been the first President of the Club after ladies were admitted)

1993-94 Russell Lambert                                                2005-06 Ray Wentworth     

1994-95 Charlie Hutchinson                                           2006-07 Thelma Stratov      

1995-96 Fred Parker                                                         2007-08 Patrick Murphy

1996-97 Irene Lambert              2008-09 Ann Haylock   December 19th 2008 was celebrated as the Club's 25th Anniversary

1997-98 Bob Wilkinson                                                    2009-10 George Nicol

1998-99 Mary Gay                                                              2010-11 Heather Kent

1999-2000 Ron Haylock                                                   2011-12 Ed Price

2000-01 Doreen Lawrence           

2001-02 George Nicol

2002-03 Eileen Frost   

2003-04 Arthur Watson               

2004-05 Kath Parker