THE CLUB’S BEGINNINGS & HONOUR ROLL

The Hallidays Point Probus Club was formed in March 2003 under the sponsorship of the Taree-on-Manning Rotary Club and was chartered by Probus South Pacific in May 2003 with 72 Foundation Members. Current club members are indebted to these original members for establishing a very successful and worthwhile club.

The following is adapted from an address given by Foundation Member Walter Bolin to club members on 5^th February 2019 and published in Hallidays Point local newsletter, News of Our World, in March 2019.

Walter Bolin, who moved to Diamond Beach in 2000, was a Foundation Member of our club. Walter’s late wife, Meryl, who was also a Foundation Member, went on to become the club’s 8^th president in 2010-11. Walter spoke eloquently about the early days of the club, in particular, the events that resulted in the club’s formation.

Walter had knowledge of the Probus movement, having previously been a member of the Narrabeen Lakes and Avalon Beach clubs. He befriended another local resident in Bill Crockett, who was a member of the Taree West Probus Club, and Walter was soon travelling with Bill to meetings at Taree. On one such trip, Bill proposed that we should have a club of our own. On the next trip, Bill produced a list of 35 prospective members and it was not long before a steering group was meeting at Bill’s place. Under the sponsorship of the Taree-on-Manning Rotary Club, the club came into being in March 2003, with local resident Eileen McMullen elected its first president.

The first venue for meetings was the old Blackhead Bowling Club, the monthly preparations for which were facilitated by Allan Buckingham. This venue was available on a Tuesday and meetings have continued to he held on Tuesdays ever since. The size of the clubhouse meant that maximum membership had to be set at 80. Whilst the venue was not entirely suitable it was the club’s home for the next five years until 2008, when meetings were moved to the newly renovated surf club premises.

We’re here primarily as a result of the vision of one Bill Crockett, undoubtedly supported by Walter and those other early members of the club. (Whilst Bill has passed, his wife Evelyn, also a Foundation Member and now in her 90s, lives in nursing care in Taree).

See also: The_Clubs_Beginnings.pdf

CLUB HONOUR ROLL

Following are lists of Foundation Members, Presidents and Life Members of the club.