Probus - Speakers from around the globe

From Beve Smith

 

Business for the day

• Another good turnout despite the flu. A warm welcome to members and four visitors.

• A new member, Jean Massey, inducted into the club.
 

Reminders

• Thursday September 20 bus trip to Matakohe Musuem. Leaving Fagan Place at 9.30am, returning around 3pm. Contact Jim Wintle on 431 4766 or Beve Smith on 431 5777 by September 10. Cost $10 per head, buy your own lunch.

• Friday September 21 Disability Resource Centre visiting the diabetic group at the Riverside Holiday Park promoting their equipment at 10am.

• Wednesday December 12 Christmas lunch. Don’t forget new date.
 

Mini speakers

Mini speakers for the day turned out to be 11 members selected at random from the club who were asked to stand up, advise where they were born and say a line or two about their birth place and themselves. Amazing, because not only were some born in various parts of New Zealand, but also in Holland and England. We certainly had some very, very interesting information and it was a lovely way to get to know a little more about them. 

 

Wheelchair no handicap

Following afternoon tea, Margaret Whitaker introduced main speaker, paraplegic Rhett Brown from Whangarei. Rhett spoke about his 20 years in the NZ police force before deciding to go into the building industry where he fell off a scaffold and has been a paraplegic for the last eight years, requiring 24/7 care.

Rhett has a very positive attitude – he’s never given up, travelling to Greece, writing a book called This Way Up, and now writes short stories as well as spreading the construction site safety message as a professional speaker. 

It was humbling to hear a person speak so positively and professionally. We wish him every success in the future. 

 

• Visitors and new members are welcome. If you need transport contact either Petronella Brom 431 4700 or Beve Smith 431 5777. For more information contact Barry Lumsden 0274 881 161 or Beve Smith 431 5777.