The Parksville Probus Club was formed on Nov. 1,1993 with the Parksville Rotary Club as its sponsor.
The club celebrated its 30th year of existence at its meeting on Nov. 20, 2023 at the Parksville Community Centre on Mills Street, according to a news release by the club.
Ian Kennedy, the Probus Canada Director for BC District 1 (Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands) was present at the meeting. He presented a plaque to President Doreen MacKay-Dunn recognizing the occasion.
He also congratulated the two longest-serving directors in the club — Judy Wood (18 years as Social, President, and Newsletter), and Helen Shaw — 11 years as Social, President, and Treasurer. Also recognized were the six members who have been in the club for more than 25 years — Fred Collins, Bill Stoddart, Wayne Stewart, Gerry Schofield, Jim Nash and Judy Wood.
Ten past presidents attended the meeting.
When the club opened in 1993 as the only club in the area it quickly reached maximum capacity and other clubs followed in a few years. Currently there are 22 Clubs in District 1, with a total of 2,700 members,
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Probus originated in the UK in 1965 as a club for PROfessional and BUSiness people and has now spread to many countries in the world.
Clubs now are for retirees to enjoy interesting monthly speakers, as well as social outings. Probus clubs are non profit, non service and non political and operate under the umbrella of Probus Canada.
The AGM was also held on this occasion with the four returning officers — MacKay-Dunn, Shaw, Sherrin Upgaard and Wood being joined by three new directors — Mike Paterson, Mandy Boersma and Harry Boersma.
— NEWS Staff, submitted