The Probus Club of Barrie-Huronia is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, a big milestone that comes with a sense of pride in providing seniors with a better and healthy life.
"For the past two decades, retirees with diverse backgrounds and interests, with a strong feeling of cordiality, have been brought together to meet for fellowship, friendship and fun," said Erryle George, charter member and past president of the club.
She explains that the club is an opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and discover new interests.
Founded in England in 1963, Probus Club — which stands for the short form of ‘professional and business’ — was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Barrie in 2004.
“Several retired business men and women from the Barrie Rotary Club knew that they could no longer take up a spot at the Rotary Club and they did not want to end the friendships built there," George added.
When the club started, she says, there was already a ‘men's only’ Probus Club in Barrie and for this reason it was decided that women and men would be welcome to join.
“We provide a monthly gathering for those who appreciate and value opportunities to meet others with similar interests," George said.
The club also is a place to listen to interesting speakers talking about a range of topics from travel to artificial intelligence, she added.
For instance, the guest speaker in September was Rich Johnston, Barrie’s chief of police, who shared a personal story about how his parents instilled in him the importance of aspiring to a ‘life of service.'
He also spoke about the day-to-day challenges of the local police force.
George and her husband, Tom, also a charter member, like to attend the monthly presentations to "challenge their minds."
“During the pandemic, we were able to have speakers from Italy and Australia on Zoom," she added.
The club also promotes volunteer work in the community.
“As a matter of fact, our new president, Anne Wilson, is a member of May Court and our past president is active in the Salvation Army," George added.
Other Barrie-Huronia Probus Club members are active volunteers with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) and Hospice Simcoe.
Another highlight of the Barrie-Huronia Probus experience is the special interest clubs.
“We have enjoyed a trip to Chicago, a car rally and scavenger hunt, our monthly lunch bunch, a film club, a 50/50 draw and perhaps a future euchre club," she said.
George noted that the club is non-political, non-profit and there is no fundraising involved. “Nothing to buy or sell!”
The Barrie Huronia Probus Club held its meetings every fourth Wednesday of the month at the Royal Canadian Legion at Ferris Lane and Cundles Road, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“The building is accessible and there is plenty of free parking,” George said.
For more information about the Probus Club of Barrie-Huronia, call Erryle George at 705-737-2207 or email [email protected].
There's also a second club in Barrie, called Kempenfelt Probus, which meets the third Thursday of every month at the Royal Canadian Legion.
