The October 2018 meeting of the Grenfell Combined Probus Club, held at Grenfell Bowling Club, was chaired by president Coral Mitton, who welcomed 56 members with 19 apologies.
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Following the reading of the August minutes by secretary, Dot Fitzpatrick, the correspondence was dealt with and the treasurer’s report for the months of August and September was presented by president Coral, as treasurer, Brian McDonald, was absent.
Dot also read a report of the very successful Birthday luncheon.
Ruth McKellar won the draw for the September birthday of the month and Esma Baker for October after social secretary Rosalie White read birthdays and wedding anniversaries for both months.
Congratulations Esma and Ruth.
Tourist officer Nola Nobes reported plans for a trip of 4 nights to Barrington Tops Area next year.
Members are reminded that the Grenfell Combined Probus Club’s Christmas luncheon will be held on December 10 at the Grenfell Country Club with payment of $20 in an envelope, please, due to be paid at the November meeting.
Janice Hunter presented a comprehensive report of the recent trip to Broken Hill, travelling out on the XPT and visiting the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Silver City Mint and the Big Picture, Memorial to Miners, 145 hectares of Solar Panels, Silverton and the Mundi Mundi Plain Lookout, then to Wentworth and Mildura with a Paddle Wheel Steamer Cruise on the mighty Murray.
A big thanks to Loaders Coaches and Nola for a great trip enjoyed by 46 participants.
Dot Fitzpatrick gave a report on the visit of 6 Grenfell Probians to the Forbes 30th Birthday luncheon, where an attendance of 112 enjoyed a Bush Band from Trundle and two dancers.
After morning tea, entertainment officer, Gwen Clark, introduced Michael Nobes, from Cowra, and his special service dog, a therapy and companion dog called “Lola”.
Michael was in the Navy from 1981 to 2006 and shared with us his experiences such as involvement with the children overboard incident, bomb disposal for the Sydney Olympics and in Cambodia and cleaning up bombs in Vietnam as locals were being killed by 500 lb bombs while they were digging for gold.
In 2008 Michael was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and earlier this year he was interviewed for a Service Dog and said that “Lola” has saved his life.
The dogs are trained by low risk prisoners at Bathurst jail.
The training involves 500 hours of training, 24/7 over 9 months and they are told they will have to give the dog up to a Veteran.
It usually takes a week to train the dog to transfer devotion to a new master and it has been proven that prisoner’s lives are improved by participation in the program.
Dogs are also used in hospitals and dementia units.
“Lola” was born in 2015 and is a Labrador with a life span of 14-16 years so Michael hopes to enjoy her company and the many skills that he demonstrated to us, such as her jumping to show Michael affection if he shows signs of anxiety, for many years to come.
Michael is now a Cowra Shire Councillor.
Max Walter, on behalf of the club, thanked Michael and presented him with a small gift of appreciation.
The next meeting of the Grenfell Combined Probus Club will be held on Monday, November 19 at 10 am, with a committee meeting at 9.15 am.
Max Walter and David Cobham are on the door roster and Allen and Beverley Kelly and Ken and Sally Norrie are on the morning tea roster.
Probus always welcomes expressions of interest to join us for Friendship, Fellowship and Fun and visitors are very welcome.
For further information please contact president Coral Mitton phone 02 6347 8118.