The first meeting of Moonta & District Probus Club for 2024 heard a Royal Automobile Association representative speak about a contemporary RAA re-acting to the needs of a contemporary society.
Tony Ey, introduced by Marilyn Hards, then explained the diversity of modern SA motorists and the services required to match that diversity.
Emergency road service to members is still the core business but has expanded beyond that issue into Travel Advice, Insurance programs, solar energy provision, motor workshops and extensive, appropriate education of motorists to cope with today’s complex technologies, road rules, safety and health issues for driving safely.
Road use-age is expanding to include E-scooters, electric wheel chairs (scooter/gopher) as well as pedestrians, bicycles, regular traffic and trucking haulage. RAA presently has 710,000 members and plans are afoot to re-site the Mile End complex when it is lost to Highway expansion in the near future.
A most interesting aspect was his video presentation relating to elderly drivers and health issues. The taking of medications, habit changes, re-arranging time-tables for night time and heavy traffic driving, the increasing purchases of electric cars and the Refresher Courses being offered to re-enforce good driving habits/techniques were explained.
Offered in good humour with a sprinkling of nostalgia (the old RAA BSA motorcycle outfits for road service in early days) the Q&A time was as informative as the presentation. Mary Greven gave a sincere thank you to Tony with generous applause to suit.
President Richard Herbert announced lucky numbers winners, Anita Woods, Joyleen Trezise, Richard Bastian and Ian Archibald. Birthday wishes also offered to Faye Roesler, Lynette Williams, Doug Warmington, Rosina Gould and Gregory Gerblich.
Dianne Bourne gave comprehensive report about our members excursion to Pt Pirie Northern Festival Theatre for the “Big Band Bash” Morning Melodies Show.
A shared finger-food lunch was a fitting conclusion to a enjoyable and informative morning.
Next meeting on February 5th. has a representative from Drakes Supermarkets as guest speaker. Any Retiree interested in Probus activities is invited to speak to Club Secretary Marg Bastian on 0417 826 703.
David Sloper spoke to the Moonta Probus Club meeting on Monday April 8th. about Australian Native Plants.
A former TAFE horticulture lecturer, David has been in Wallaroo since 2006. The Australian Native Plants Society formed in 1958 has Regional gatherings in South Australia biennially and a NYP Group was commenced in Kadina in 1994.Conservation of threatened species and the re-planting of native plants, including orchids, has been an activity ever since. The Nursery site in Kadina conducts plant sales, maintains the Farm Shed gardens, has Field Trips to such places as SYP (giant grass tree country) Flinders Ranges, the Arid Land Gardens and the spectacular Moochra Tower area near Carrieton. The upgrading of Kadina Plant Sales property and, propagation facilities for experimental plantings, has been extensive.Ronda Hall gave a sincere vote of thanks to David for a splendid illustrated presentation.
President Helen Colliver inducted Don and Lorraine Underlin as new members. They were warmly welcomed.
Visiting Probians from the Hawthorndene and Belair Clubs were welcomed also and Paul Tol, Hawthorndene Mens Club Secretary, invited local members to share occasions with them.
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