Whether it is a fashion parade, Friendship Day or a mystery trip, Cowra Ladies Probus has been giving retired women the chance to see new places and meet new people for the past thirty years.
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The group celebrated three decades of fun, friendship and fellowship last Friday, with birthday celebrations at the Cowra Services Club.
Rotary Club of Cowra President Bill Murphy told the audience about the early beginnings of the Cowra Ladies Probus club.
“Rotary was a men’s club,” he said.
“In the late 80s, in 1987, US Supreme Court ruled Rotary clubs may not exclude women from membership.
“Cowra Rotary was hugely reluctant, it wasn’t until 2010 that women were admitted.”
Mr Murphy said Rotarians in the late 1980s did recognise the need for women to have their own group, with Probus clubs aligned to Rotary districts.
"In 1988, under Cowra Rotary President Gary Finlay… they decided there was a real need in Cowra for a ladies’ service and fellowship, so a committee of Rotarians formed to establish the Cowra Ladies Probus,” he said.
“The basic purpose of this is to keep their minds active, expand their interests and enjoy the fellowship of new friends.
“The vision of the Probus South Pacific specifically, is to coordinate the growth, development and ongoing support of Probus clubs as the most widely recognised organisation for active retirees and fostering the true spirit of Probus – friendship, fellowship and fun.”
Cowra Ladies Probus President, Sandra Anthony-Cox, discussed how the Probus Club came together and revealed the contents of a time capsule.
“A meeting was held at the Cowra Services Club on Wednesday, October 19, 1988, to form a Ladies Probus Club… members of Rotary and Young Ladies’ Probus also attended,” she said.
“It was unanimous that club formation proceeds.”
At their first AGM in March 1989, there was a membership of 13.
This number grew to 145 members in 2000.
