The Probus Club of Bairnsdale held its July meeting last Wednesday at the Bairnsdale Bowls Club.
There were 34 members plus three visitors and a newly elected member, making a good gathering for the meeting.
This month’s profile speaker was Judith Robbins.
Judith was born in Melbourne but the family moved to East Gippsland early in Judith’s life and she did all her schooling in Bairnsdale.
After completing her secondary schooling she attended teacher’s college and after graduating returned to teach at Paynesville Primary School before moving to teach at Lakes Entrance.
After meeting her future husband, Peter, they married and settled on their farm just out of Bairnsdale.
By sheer chance Judith was asked to do the wedding decorations for a friend and this developed into a thriving business for 30 years.
In 1990 Judith and Peter started Annie’s Cottage, a retreat for families with disabled children. Annie’s Cottage has now been operating for 35 years.
In 2015 Judith and Peter were both awarded OAMs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for their wonderful work.
Judith is a visitor guide at St Mary’s church and after Peter’s death raised $26,000 to supply and outfit a “Cuddle Bed” for the Palliative Care ward at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.
Guest speaker was Wayne Stagg, proprietor of the Help Driving School.
Wayne has had many years experience as a driving instructor both at the RACV in Melbourne and in Gippsland.
Wayne’s talk was both informative and educational. He clarified a number of road rules that are somewhat ambiguous, plus advised on changes to some rules and the introduction of new rules.
He also gave good advice to older drivers as to what they should be aware of when driving to ensure that they were able to continue to retain their licence and save themselves the inconvenience of having their licence suspended and cost of reinstatement.
It was a well presented talk and enjoyed by all present.
