Previous Guest Speakers

7^th April – Ms Loan Chow

She is Director of Wills and Estates at YHC Lawyers, and presents sessions about Wills and Estates at retirement villages, for community groups and in partnership with education organisations.  Loan will share her insights about: Wills gone wrong - or no Will at all – what happens next? Tips and Traps about  Enduring Powers of Attorney, the Importance of Advance Health Directives, How to protect yourself and the people you're meant to be looking after and What Happens When Someone Passes Away.

3^rd February 2025 – David Upperdine, Department of Transport and Main Roads

David Upperdine is a Road Safety Officer in the SEQ North Region of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast.  The subject of his presentation on Monday, 3rd of February on Road Safety and included: The Fatal Five: Key contributory factors in road crashes and specific considerations for older drivers to enhance safety, Safe Driving Tips, Medical Requirements for Driving, Medical Condition Reporting, Queensland Road Rules: Commonly misunderstood rules, Transition from Driving and Motorised Wheelchairs/Mobility Scooters.

4th November 2024 - Richard Kinnon - Outback Pioneers

Richard Kinnon’s bio – https://mailchi.mp/outbackpioneers.com.au/enews-february

Outback Pioneers video - https://vimeo.com/697244683

2nd September 2024: Lisa Mead - Life of a Luxury Yacht Chef

Website: https://lisamead.com/

Chef, Lisa MEAD and assistant, Kaye, demonstrated how to make Lisa’s prize winning Mascarpone and Berry Flowers. This recipe and many other gourmet dishes are published in Lisa’s book: Fine Dining Made Easy: Galley Gourmet with Chef Lisa Mead available through Amazon.

Recipe abridged from Lisa Mead’s cooking demonstration.

Prepare oven tray by spraying with oil or brushing with butter. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Prepare filo pastry by cutting into squares – cover with a damp tea towel until ready to use.

Layer filo pastry squares into muffin tray, rotating each square to form a flower. Brush each layer with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake 8 – 10 minutes. Cool.

Combine a tub of Mascarpone Cream, a dessertspoon of vanilla bean paste, 2 tablespoons of golden syrup in a bowl and mix well. Spoon mixture into cooled flowers, decorate with berries, add a swirl of golden syrup and dust with icing sugar to serve.

5th August - Peter Dunn OAM – Brisbane @ War – Military locations in Brisbane during WWII

1^st July 2024 - Dr Christopher Reynolds - Australian History as you've never heard it

        Dr Christopher Reynolds, his new Book in hand.                                            Rob thanking Dr Reynolds

Dr. Christopher Reynolds completed his Ph.D. and Masters degrees at Claremont Graduate University, one of America’s most prestigious universities, where he was heavily influenced by leading academics, Peter Drucker and Alvin Toffler.

Dr Reynolds has held appointments with both the United States Senate and House of Representatives. As Senior Professional Staff with the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary, he worked under Senators Teddy Kennedy and Mitch McConnell. Dr Reynolds worked on several projects with White House staff receiving a Commendation from President Ronald Reagan for his ‘excellent work. He was first listed in the International Who’s Who Historical Society in 2006.

Having launched his new Book - What a Capital Idea - Australia 1770-1901, with the Hon. Tony Abbott, in Sydney in May, Dr. Reynolds brings an exciting and fresh look at Australian history - with all its wonderful stories, revealing information that will surprise you. Indeed, he lifts the lid off Australian history like never before and confronts the myths and misinformation that the media and academics have come to rely on.

Christopher is a charismatic speaker and draws from his global experience and knowledge to make him truly exciting to hear.

Contact: 0422 467 842 Website: https://drchristopherreynolds.com/

3^rd June 2024 – Rick Maher - Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Dancer

Rick has served in the Australian Army for more than three decades and is also an enthusiastic, yet ungainly, ballet danseur. Up until a few years ago Rick’s regular soldiery gig included standing around looking cool as a Combat Aviation Officer. During this time, Rick served in a number of roles that included Regimental Command, operational deployments to East Timor, overseas service to both Singapore and Israel, and an ADF appointment to the Australian Senate. In 2019, whilst otherwise minding his own business, his career made an unexpected turn, and he was posted to Joint Health Command as a research officer. In what Rick describes as a cosmic level act of kismet, Rick’s two worlds of the military, and of dance, collided and he commenced his PhD research at QUT with a focus on designing dance-based quality-of-life enhancements for war veterans with trauma based mental health injuries.

1^st May – Bec Redsell – Associate Producer, QPAC

Bec is an Associate Producer in the Curatorial Team at QPAC. Her primary focus is in managing the projects for Digital Stage, QPAC’s digital platform aimed at making art accessible to all. But she also works on other live events presented by QPAC such as creative developments of new shows and Friends of QPAC special events.

Bec shared information about Digital Stage and some exciting highlights coming up in QPAC’s 2024 program. She was joined by QPAC’s Philanthropy Manager, Sara-Jane Dean, who shared information on QPAC’s new theatre.

They are calling on their community to help grow this support so that QPAC can continue as a thriving arts centre for everyone - well into the future. 

QPAC’s fifth theatre will be the jewel in QPAC’s crown and its construction is well underway. The new 1500 seat theatre will elevate Queensland’s reputation, positioning them as the largest performing arts centre in Australia.

To support the new theatre, there is an upcoming philanthropic opportunity where you can have your name, a loved one’s name, or even a club or organisation name and message engraved on a plaque on a seat in this new theatre, where it will remain for the next ten years. You may wish to use the opportunity to highlight your support of the arts, mark a milestone in your life, honour the memory of a loved one or give a memorable gift to a loved one.​ Please get in touch with the QPAC Philanthropy team to learn more.

Please visit the Digital Stage website to browse the catalogue and sign up for a free account to start watching:  Browse - Digital Stage (qpac.com.au)

3rd April - Dr James Lergessner - Ageing Down Under: Is 70 the New 50?

Dr James G. Lergessner is one of Queensland’s most distinguished historians, biographers and memoir writers. Formerly a university professor of education and an academic consultant within Australia and Canada, James is also a passionate observer and recorder of life and events in Brisbane. He has published twenty-four books – fiction and non-fiction - related to early Queensland. He says his presentation to our Club will be humorous and appropriate to our membership, that we will all go away “pumped” for the interesting senior years ahead. 

5th February 2024: Shae Miller. Topic: MyCare, MyChoices

Visit https://metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/acp

6th November, 2023: Kate Richards.

Topic: A Female Construction Management Expert in a Man's World

4th October, 2023: Milly Blakely: Topic: Music in Silent Movies.

Milly, who came to Australia in 1965, will be talking about her father’s life as a musician in the US.

Monday 4th September - Mark and Wilna from the Cross River Rail Project

Kaye introduced our guest speakers from The Experience Centre of Cross River Rail, Mark and Wilna. Mark gave a very informative overview of the Cross River Rail Project with visuals and answered questions which were many and varied. The project is expected to be finished in 2025 and operational in 2026. This lead in time will allow security and fire systems to be thoroughly checked before opening to the Public.

A Vote of thanks was given by Darryl Rossberg.

For additional information check out the Cross River Rail webste: https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/

A great experience for the whole family (lots of activities for the young and the young of heart) is to visit the Cross River Rail Experience Centre. For details visit:  https://crossriverrailexperiencecentre.qld.gov.au/ 

Monday 7th August 2023 - Bec O’Connell, Manager BOQ Kenmore

Topic: Scam awareness.

BOQ Kenmore is headed up by Owner-Manager Bec O’Connell who has owned and operated the business for the past 5 years. Bec works alongside a dedicated, long-serving team that many of you may know Jenny, Katherine, Kym & Grant who between them have over 100 years of banking experience to support the banking needs of the Kenmore community. The team at BOQ Kenmore has grown welcoming Peta, Anita & Byron over the past 12 months. They are close knit team who genuinely care about creating long-term relationships with their customers. Not just passionate about banking, Bec and her team created the idea to share their knowledge around how to protect yourself as a direct impact of more and more of their clients being the victims of fraud. The opportunity to present their Scam Awareness Presentation to the members is a way to share their knowledge, inform and support more members of the community.

Monday 12th June - Brad McGregor

Clinical and Operations Manager, UQHealthy Living (for Seniors) - Topic: STRENGTH TRAINING AND THE OLDER ADULT: HOW TO IMPROVE FUNCTION & BUILD BONE MASS

https://www.uqhealthyliving.org.au/

8th May 2023 - Robyn Gattera

Regional Coordinator (South) and Team Leader (Corinda Library). Robyn has worked for Brisbane City Council libraries for over 30 years. She has worked in a variety of different role including Team Leader, First 5 Forever Outreach Officer and her most recent role as Regional Coordinator, South Region.

Topic: Brisbane Libraries – a place to discover new worlds, learn new skills and enjoy social connection.

6th February 2023 - Paul Hobbs

Paul Hobbs is Business Development and Operations Manager for Meals on Wheels North West. 

The objective of Paul’s presentation to the Probus Club of Kenmore Gardens was to focus on the critical role home delivered meal services plays in supporting older Australians to live independently.

• Most older Australians aspire to lead independent lives in their own home
• Home delivered meal services help older Australians achieve independent living
• Understanding the options may be useful for Probus Club members in supporting friends or family who have such needs
• Some Probus Club members may wish to consider volunteering

Paul provided us with sample muffins cooked by the Meals On Wheels Chef. These were well received and delicious.

7th November 2022 - Philip Castle

 Philip Castle, is an Historian and his topic is The Stinson.

Philip in the middle of his talk. Our own retired pilot, Bob, thanking Philip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AFDwwHW9sY

10th October 2022 - Greg McGahan

Greg has a Masters in Mental Health Nursing and qualifications in Health Management. He has worked extensively in mental health  for over 25 years. He has managed Adolescent Mental Health units in Queensland and has also had project and policy roles focusing on mental health. For the past 7 years he has been planning commissioning and managing Mater Young Adult Health Centre Brisbane which provides a range of health, mental health, restorative justice, alcohol and other drug services to young people aged 16-25. Greg also manages Maters mental health services and has been key in planning Maters newest service - Catherine’s House for Mothers, Babies and Families, due to open in early 2023.

Greg McGahan, Head of Adolescent Health at the Mater, spoke on Youth Health and Care. 

5^th September 2022 - Rod Preston

https://www.rodpreston.com.au/

Rod Preston on Mysteries of the Mail. We were entertained by Rod as he told us about the early years of Mail deliveries. Rod has had experience in the Public arena as: "Executive Manager Communications, Australia Post”; "Former trouble shooter for members of Parliament”; “Assisting with various bodies - Transport, Energy, Justice, Local Government, Consumer Affairs & environment”; "Lecturer at University of Technology, TAFE, School of South Pacific Administration”; “As member of the Australian Institute of Management & Public Relations Institute of Australia”. He has made presentations at Corporate  Seminars and as a guest speaker on board Cruise Ships.

1st August 2022 - Annalies Nutley

Annalies Nutley is a Genealogist and Founder of Bygone Days Genealogy, https://www.familyhistory.net.au/, and her topic was Who do you think you are?

An informative talk about researching family history. I am sure that this talk will inspire all members to research and document family history for future  generations.

4th July 2022 - Brian Herd

Brian entertained us all for a full 45 minutes with his THING theme with most people doing noTHING to plan fully for finality.

6th June 2022 - Amanda Harvey from Queensland Rail

Visit QLD rail website: https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/

4th April 2022 - Allan and his dog, Alya, from the Guide Dogs Association.

Allan kept us engaged with his lifecycle description of a guide dog, from the moment they are born, to when they are retired.

1^st November 2021 - Diane Carter CPCS

Topic: “Events That Happened To Me In Africa, including an attack by a hyena”. 

Diane is an internationally recognised speaker and author. She has spent most of her life in Africa and is a ‘gutsy’, ‘never say die’ woman who has achieved success by embracing adversity and winning against all odds.

She looks at herself as a survivor and thriver. She has led an exciting and varied life on four continents, experiencing many adventures  has canoed on the Zambezi River, been on safari in Africa, crossed the Tanami Desert, raced saloon cars, climbed glaciers, was an instructor at Outward Bound, swum with dolphins, been deep-sea diving, climbed the Chimanimani Mountains, arrested in Mexico, married and brought up two children. She has survived a wild animal attack, has lived with tyrannical persecution within the oppressive Zimbabwean regime, coping with political harassment, brutality and bullying by Mugabe’s henchmen. She followed her heart and ‘eloped’ with her first love whom she hadn’t seen for over forty years.

Diane uses many of her life’s stories in her talks. Audiences love to hear what comes from the heart and from personal experience. In her own passionate way, Diane weaves her strong message about the power of positive Mindset Energy in between these real-life stories, with a generous sprinkling of humour to keep her audiences enthralled with laughter and totally spellbound. Her presentations are entertaining and inspirational. Diane engages and entertains her audiences to show them how to use Mindset Energy – the Diane uses many of her life’s stories in her talks. Audiences love to hear what comes from the heart and from personal experience. in her own passionate way, Diane weaves her strong Message about the power of positive Mindset Energy in between these real-life stories, with a generous sprinkling of humour to keep her audiences enthralled with laughter and totally spellbound. Her presentations are entertaining and inspirational. Diane engages and entertains her audiences to show them how to use Mindset Energy – the attitude to propel their life and their business forward.

Diane's keynote speeches demonstrate how a positive attitude leads to happiness and success that can change personal and business life and also demonstrates how a positive attitude affects not only them and the way they look at the world but also their whole environment and the people around them.

Diane's energy, passion, humour, and ‘can-do’ attitude show audiences how to live a successful life and build successful family and business relationships.

Diane will illustrate: how to turn problems into challenges; how to focus on solutions; how to make the most of any situation; and that attitude is the essence for ultimate success

Diane challenges her audiences to be who they really are and dares them to succeed in all that they do.

The main takeaway was: dementia is not curable, but it may be delayed if people do simple things like socialize, eat well, exercise and try to get enough sleep. Dr Kailas Roberts has developed an acronym called BRIANSCAN about key points to preserve brain function:

Be calm and happy. Restorative sleep. Active body. Investigate vascular health. Nurture friendships and socialise. Say what? Correct hearing loss. Complex mental activity. Alcohol awareness. Nourishing food.

5th July 2021 Nicky Niemandt

Our guest speaker for the July meeting was Nicky Niemandt, on the Topic “My Experiences of Living in Kazakhstan”. We will remember Nicky as the speaker wearing many hats:

7th June 2021 - Ted Duhs

Our guest speaker for the June meeting was Ted Duhs, Author of “Crucial Errors in Murder Investigations” and “I Know Who Killed Betty Shanks” who spoke on “People Who Have Been Wrongly Jailed for Crimes they didn't commit”. Ted covered many historic world-wide cases dating back to the 1800’s and then talked about some more recent Australian solved cases such as Lindy Chamberlain. He finished off talking about some current running investigations such as the Max Sica and the Singh children murders.   Visit Ted’s website: http://www.miscarriagesofjustice.com.au/index.html