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How the club grew

There were already three Probus clubs in 2005 in or near to Somers, a ladies, mens and a newly formed combined club in Balnarring. However, waiting lists were reasonably long so with the view of forming a Combined Probus Club in Somers, the Hastings -Westernport Rotary Club was asked to evaluate the level of interest and assess viability.

On 14 January 2005 interested residents attended a meeting at the local R.W. Stone Pavilion. The response was so overwhelming that the Somers Combined Probus Club held its first meeting on 11 February, was chartered on 11 March and officially incorporated on 13 July 2005. The Rotary Club of Hastings-Westernport was the sponsor.

At the March 2005 charter meeting, membership had reached 72, the cap was 100. Enthusiasm was high and activity groups were quickly formed. Many of the activities were held in members' homes and they generally ended in a drink, meal and lots of fun and fellowship. Word spread and the waiting list grew rapidly.  

By 2023 membership had grown and a limit of 120 members was introduced. This limit was dictated by the capacity of our meeting venue, Somers Yacht Club.

Foundation Committee members were -

President - Anne Danne, Vice President - Meg Merton, Barry Price, Secretary - Denise Kempster, Treasurer - Kingsley Culley, Membership Secretary - John Ashby, Newsletter - Alan Havelock, Speaker Seeker - Mark Stokes.      

Anne Danne being congratulated by Bob Summersof Hastings Westernport Rotary Club.