The Probus Club of Bairnsdale held its monthly meeting at the Bairnsdale Bowls Club last Wednesday, April 8, with 27 members and four visitors in attendance.
The meeting began with the deferred installation of incoming president Jeff Fuller by outgoing president June Owen.
Jeff had been unable to attend the annual general meeting in March due to a prior commitment. He thanked the outgoing committee and welcomed the new committee, highlighting the dedication of members who organise the club’s social events and guest speaker activities.
Adding to his responsibilities on his first day as president, Jeff was also the profile speaker for the month. He shared that he grew up on a dairy farm in South Gippsland, and one of his career highlights was earning his commercial pilot’s licence while actively running the farm. Jeff and his wife moved from South Gippsland to Paynesville nearly 30 years ago.
Following a cup of tea or coffee, the gathering was entertained by local gold enthusiast Trevor Hancock. Trevor spoke about the large amount of gold jewellery that ends up being melted down and stressed the importance of protecting jewellery made from Victorian Gold.
Among his achievements, Trevor and a friend accumulated approximately 500 pieces of jewellery crafted from Victorian Gold by Melbourne and regional jewellers, mostly in the 1800s. The collection included pieces made for weddings, births, deaths, and even economic milestones. It now resides in the Museum of Victoria as the State of Victoria Gold Jewellery Collection. Trevor is also working with the Art Gallery in Bendigo to ensure more Victorian Gold jewellery is collected, preserved, and protected for future generations.
The club’s upcoming activities include Morning Coffee, a Sunday lunch, and a visit to Annie’s Cottage followed by lunch, along with the next monthly meeting on Wednesday, 13 May, at the Bairnsdale Bowls Club.
