There were 61 members present with 18 apologies.

The reading of the July Minutes by Secretary, Dot Fitzpatrick, was followed by the correspondence which included an invitation from Cowra Ladies Probus Club to attend their birthday luncheon on  October 12, with a cost of $25 and RSVP by September 28 and an invitation to attend the Young Bowling Club on October 14 to  hear a Court Reporter Address at a cost of $25.

The Treasurer’s Report for the month of July was presented by Treasurer, Brian McDonald.

Sue Simpson won the draw for birthday of the month, after Social Secretary Rosalie White read Birthdays and Wedding anniversaries.

Tourist Officer Nola Nobes announced that payment of $80 for the Mystery Trip organised for Tuesday November 13 is due at the October meeting and this will include morning tea, 2 course lunch and all tours, leaving Loaders Coaches at 8 am.

Brian McDonald reported that 4 members attended West Wyalong Probus Birthday luncheon on 10th August, held at the Metropolitan Hotel and enjoyed a ‘top’ day.

Beverley Kelly reported that 2 Probians had attended the 40th Lion’s Changeover Dinner on July 22 with the interesting comment that the Lions, with a membership of 18, had raised the amazing amount of $43,000 – an incredible service to the Grenfell Community.

After morning tea our Speech Contest Co-ordinator Jan Holland introduced our Annual Probus Speaking Contest for The Henry Lawson High School students, with 11 participants - 6 in the Junior Section and 5 in the Senior Section who all displayed knowledge and excellent preparation with a wide variety of topics.   

Junior participants were Anna Hunt – “Refugees”, Terri Dodaro – “Power of Knowledge”, Acacia Huxtable – “Peer Pressure”, all in Year 9, Amelia Squires in Year 7 – “A Letter to the Common Cold”, Tyler Byron in Year 8 – “Modern Schooling” and Joshua Carpenter in Year 10 – “Drought”.

Senior participants were Sarah Knight – “Joy to the World”, Jessica Pereira – “Inequality”, ZiYin Xia – “Reasons to visit the Caribbean”, all in Year 12, and Connor Day – “Why do we read” and Ethan Reid – ‘Appreciating Music”, both in Year 11.

The judges, Oriel Draffin and Diane Donohue, saying it had been a very close contest and congratulating all contestants, then announced the winners–Sarah Knight First and Connor Day Second in the Senior Section with Amelia Squires First and Anna Hunt Second in the Junior Section.

Janice thanked all those involved, especially Sarah Higgs, the School Co-ordinator, Pam Holland for time keeping and the two judges, presenting gifts of appreciation.

Jessica Pereira, School Captain, speaking on behalf of the School, thanked the Probus Club and all those involved for providing the opportunity to participate in training for public speaking, a privilege she has enjoyed for her 6 years of secondary schooling.

Our next meeting will be our Birthday Luncheon to be held on Monday, September 17, commencing at 12 for 12.30 pm at the Country Club, with Jim Neill and Elaine Hocking on the Door Roster – please note change of venue.

Probus always welcomes expressions of interest to join us for Friendship, Fellowship and Fun.

We meet monthly and visitors are welcome at the regular meetings at the Bowling Club at 10am.

For enquiries please phone President Coral Mitton on 02 6347 8118.