What We Do

Once a year trips are arranged for members to have a holiday together, to enjoy the company of others and visit places of interest. These trips are always very popular with the members. Previous trips have included a trip on the Murray, New Zealand, Slovenia, Kangaroo Island and a trip to Japan is planned for October 2023.

This is an opportunity to spend time enjoying the wonderful Galleries and Art offerings of Melbourne. This group meets on the fourth Saturday of the month at 2.00 pm at a predetermined venue to explore a special exhibition or a collection in one of Melbourne’s Galleries. Members take time to share thoughts and insights over a drink following the tour.

There are two Book Groups in the Club. Both groups meet on the second Wednesday of the month in the Convenor’s home.  The daytime group meets from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm and the evening group from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm. The books read are selected by the members of the groups and each month the session is led by the member whose selection is being discussed.  Books selected by members cover a range of styles and genres. Discussion is always vigorous and enjoyable. A glass of wine is had while discussing the book and the session ends with afternoon tea/supper.

As these groups are held in Convenors’ homes the size of the group is determined by accommodation available and therefore a place in a group depends on a vacancy.

Twice a year members can ‘Getaway’ for three nights starting on the Sunday afternoon and finishing on the Wednesday morning. Accommodation is chosen that allows for caravans and cabins. Activities including visits to places of interest are planned, plus there is time for personal exploration. Sunday and Monday nights’ meals are a shared BBQ and Tuesday is dinner at a local hotel or other suitable venue. Some past locations have been – Castlemaine, Lakes Entrance, Bendigo and Ballarat. These trips are not only a great way to see parts of Victoria but also a wonderful way to get to know fellow members.

Once a month members meet at the Palace Cinema Balwyn to see a movie that has been selected from the program supplied by the cinema.  Members pay for their ticket at the preceding Probus meeting and meet at the cinema at the allocated time.

Lunch at a local café follows the movie.

What better way to chat and get to know a fellow member than over a cup of coffee!!!  The Coffee Club meets once a month at a local café. Dates may vary but the venue, date and time are advertised. These are always very friendly and relaxed occasions.

If you enjoy trying out new restaurants then the Dine-Out nights are for you. Dine-Outs are held in the third week of the month, the night may vary due to the opening days of the selected venue.

This is one of the most popular functions of the club and enables members to dine together in a friendly atmosphere and judging by the laughter a good time is had by all.

The cuisine is varied, and BYO restaurants are booked that have individual billing.

At each General Meeting one of the newer members has the opportunity to introduce themselves to the club through ‘Face Behind the Badge’.  Members are allowed between 5 -10 minutes to give some information of their personal history.  Although sometimes daunting members appreciate knowing a little of one’s background and it is to be remembered that you are amongst friends.

An activity which provides interest and some fun for many of our members is our annual football (A.F.L.) tipping competition. Tips are submitted weekly (or in larger blocks) via various communication means, and recognition of very good achievement during the season, is acknowledged. The season concludes with a Presentation where success is recognized, and the all-important trophy awarded.

To date, this activity for both the skilled and perhaps unskilled has generated a considerable level of discussion, fun and camaraderie amongst many club members.

A yearly program for the Garden Group is arranged each February and this ensures a variety of activities to meet many interests. Garden Group meets on the fourth Friday of the month. Activities have included trips to gardens (Allowyn Gardens), nurseries (Rivers) and Botanical Gardens (Cranbourne). The destination may require a bus or car-share. Lunch may be included, or a venue selected for lunch at own cost.

Join members for a friendly and leisurely lunch on the first Wednesday of the month. A variety of venues and cuisines are chosen to give members an enjoyable dining experience. Some venues provide a Seniors Menu.

Consideration is also given to easy accessibility, convenient parking and public transport where available. An excellent activity for current or new members who enjoy good company and conversation over a relaxed lunch – everyone most welcome.

This is an opportunity to meet other members and enjoy amateur and professional theatre productions. A Sunday Matinee is often chosen for local productions and a Wednesday matinee for a production in the city. Where possible group bookings are made which can offer a discount.

A popular venue with excellent productions has been The Athenaeum (Lilydale). Whitehorse Theatre has also been a venue for noteworthy productions, and we look forward to the new theatre opening.

The convenor also alerts members to upcoming productions.

For the more energetic, long walks from 8km up to 14km are organized throughout the year. Walks are located within an hour of the area. A coffee break is included when appropriate where members chat and share their friendship.

The Mahjong Group meets every second and fourth Monday of the month at the convenor’s home. Players meet at 2.00 pm and play until 4:40 pm. If you have thought of playing Mahjong this is a wonderful time to learn as there are willing teachers. New members are very welcome.

Each month a challenge is posted into the Club Newsletter to test the mathematics skills of our members. It is a great way to keep those with a numeracy orientation up to the mark!

This is an opportunity for the men of Mont Albert Probus to get together and ‘chat’. Breakfast is at Churchills in Hamilton Street, Mont Albert in the fourth week of the month. The day may vary to accommodate members who have specific commitments on particular days.

This is an opportunity to share your favourite piece of music with fellow members. This group meets on the first Sunday of the month at 2.30 pm at the convenor’s home. Members bring along a piece of music or YouTube tag. After listening/viewing a short discussion is held. Another feature of this group is to alert membership of upcoming musical events and where suitable arrange a group booking for an event.

Outings are arranged for the third Thursday of the Month. The convenor organizes a range of day or half day trips to interesting destinations. Previous trips have included the Fire Museum, Montsalvat, Pentridge and Tyabb. The trips can be by bus, car-share or public transport. Lunch maybe included in the day’s activity. Often this is an opportunity to visit somewhere you have always wanted to go to.

Once daylight saving is over and the Twilight BBQs are temporarily suspended, our Thursday, twice monthly Pizza Nights take place. These are held in the homes of members who offer to host the night. The host purchases the Pizza, and the costs are covered by those attending. The convenor manages the bookings and the details.

The Rambling Group outings occur on the third Friday of every month (except December). The rambles typically last about two hours and the distance varies between four and six kilometres. The rambles are designed as an easy walk and talk activity. Participants are encouraged to enjoy the fellowship and a coffee break along the way.

The Solo Group meets on the fourth Sunday of each month at 1.30pm at home of one of the players. New members are welcome, so come along and join us for a game & some afternoon tea! If you do not know how to play tuition is available.

Continued education is an important value of Probus. The task of the convenor is to provide a speaker for the General Meeting who can give an interesting and informative talk. Past speakers have come from varied careers, research and interest areas like Forensic Science and the Australian Wine Industry.

This group gives members an opportunity to come together and through short oral presentations share their interests with others. Two sessions are held each month – a morning session 10 am on the first Tuesday of the month and an evening session 7.30 pm on the first Wednesday of the month. These sessions are held in the convenors’ home.

Usually, three speakers per meeting prepare and present a short talk on a topic of interest e.g., a hobby, work, the arts, history, science, travel, current affairs, personal reflections, memoir, biographies, family history, television program, theatre, book review, links or copies of newspaper or magazine articles, an excerpt from an author or poet’s work, a piece of their own creative writing – fiction, non-fiction, poetry etc. The session is followed by a cuppa and chat.

Twilight BBQs are on every Thursday from 6.00pm during Daylight Saving Time (weather permitting) at the Moselle Street Reserve, Mont Albert North. Free use of BBQ, BYO everything.

Dog friendly. Why sit at home?  Come and enjoy some good conversation and fellowship.

“Up and Down the River” is a card game played each month at 4:00pm on the second and fourth Tuesdays at a member’s home. It can be easily learned and it has proven to be popular and good fun.

The Weekend Coffee is held on the third Saturday of the month at 9.30 am at a local Café. Many members choose to have breakfast and it is a great way to start the weekend. This activity is well supported and it is good to have a chat over Breakfast/Coffee.