PO Box 40452, Casuarina.  Northern Territory  0810
Secretary: Gwenda Smallacombe 8927 3005

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Probus Club of Darwin Inc. is non-profit and non-sectarian. It is non-fundraising. It's objectives are to stimulate thought, interest and participation in activities at a time of life when it is easy to become complacent and self centred.
Our Patron is NT Administrator, Her Honour The Honourable Vicki O'Halloran AM

Correspondence and meetings to form the club

The first recorded move to form the Probus Club of Darwin came in an undated press release in 1985 from the Rotary Club of Darwin North, quoting the president of that club, Dr. Guan Yeo, as saying that;
"... the basic purpose of a Probus Club is to provide regular meetings and fellowship for those retired and semi-retired men who appreciate and value opportunities to meet others of a similar level of interest... "
The press release went on to issue a general invitation to those interested to attend a meeting in the Palmerston Room at the Don Hotel at 7.30 pm on the 8th May, 1985.
In addition to the press release, personal letters of invitation were sent to various prominent members of the community. Included in this list was Mr. Jim Gallacher who was elected convenor by the meeting.
In this role Jim Gallacher sent form letters to a number of people inviting them to attend a meeting to bring about the formation of the Probus Club of Darwin. This meeting was scheduled for 10 am on Wednesday 29th May, 1985 at the Darwin Bowls Club.
Fourteen people attended that meeting, including Mr. George Fyson who was the Director, Vocational Service with the sponsoring Rotary Club of Darwin North. In addition ten people sent an apology.
In attendance: G. Fyson, R. Chin, R. Eddy, N. Field, B. Hingson, S. Kennon, J. Larcombe, L. MacGregor, W. McLaren, L. Penhall, C. See Kee, T. Thamarajah, J. Wright and J. Gallacher.
Apologies: A. Clarke, T. D'ambrosio, J. Fisher, R. Franklin, K. Frey, H. Geise, H. Harrison, N. Lynagh, E. Milliken and E. Evans.
After an address by George Fyson, detailing the purpose and functions of a Probus club, the Probus Club of Darwin was formed on a motion put by Bill McLaren and seconded by N. Field.
Office bearers elected were: PRESIDENT: Harry Giese, VICE PRESIDENT: Bill McLaren, SECRETARY: Jim Gallacher, TREASURER: Noel Field
It was agreed that eligibility for classification as a foundation member would remain open for a period of three months.
Annual fees were set at $10, with meetings to be held at the Darwin Bowls Club at 10 am on the first Wednesday of each month. The first such meeting was scheduled for 3rd July, 1985.

The First Meeting

Dr. Guan Yeo, president of the Rotary Club of Darwin North, and Mr. George Fyson, Director, Vocational Services attended the July 3rd meeting representing their club as sponsors of the Probus Club of Darwin.
Dr. Yeo presented the president, Harry Giese, with the Collar of Office, and provided the members with Probus pins and stickers.
It was reported that His Honour the Administrator was happy to accept the position of Patron.
The meeting was advised that at that stage the club had 22 financial members.
It obviously had not taken long for the word to spread, for at that July 3 meeting there was a letter from the Marriage Guidance Council seeking assistance in the form of $1000! In reply, it was pointed out to that Council that the Probus Club was not a fund raising service club.

Foundation members

At the meeting of 4th September, 1985, the following people were declared to be Foundation Members of the Probus Club of Darwin.

Photo Gallery of Past Presidents Click on the thumbnails to see a full sized picture.
Harry Giese 1985 to 1986	Bill McLaren 1986 to 1987	Noel Field 1988 to 1989	Jim Gallacher 1989 to 1990
Ed Ferrier 1990 to 1991	Martin Ford 1990 to 1991	Keith Thompson 1991 to 1992	Dr. Alan Bromwich 1992 to 1993
Eric Simmons 1993 to 1994	Lionel Dennis 1994 to 1995	Kenneth Frey 1995 to 1996	Joe Fisher 1996 to 1997
Richard Dimery 1997 to 1998	Hugh Roberts 1998 to 1999	Bernie Plew OAM 1999 to 2000	Ashley Dally OAM 2000 to 2001
Allan Thompson 2001 to 2002	Doug Steven 2002 to 2003	Bill Kerr 2003 to 2004	Malcolm Scott 2004 to 2006
Eean Thorne 2006 to 2008	Ken Cohalan 2008 to 2009	Neil Prosser 2009 to 2010	Janet Elliott 2010 to 2011
Bill Porte 2011 to 2012	John Scott 2012 to 2013	Jeanette Graham 2013 to 2014	Bob Schulze 2014 to 2015
Meryl Morilly 2015 to 2016	Ian Dawson 2016 to 2018
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