Motions

Probus Month

Adjourned debate on motion of Mrs Pearce (resumed on motion).

Mrs PEARCE (King) (15:48): It is an absolute pleasure to be able to continue my remarks on such an important motion recognising the hard work and the impact of the work of our local Probus clubs across our state. Whether you are a Probus club member or you are involved in Rotary, Lions, RSLs, church groups, or even your local sporting club, each club and organisation throughout the state gives an immense amount to the community that they serve. These groups are more than just social groups; they are the backbone of our local communities. They provide vital volunteer hours, they raise funds for local causes, and they create the bonds that forge our communities closer together.

Rotary clubs drive important local initiatives and international humanitarian projects. Lions clubs support vision care, diabetes prevention and respond to local community needs. Our RSLs preserve our military heritage while providing crucial support services to veterans and their families. Our sporting clubs help members of our community, both young and old, to live healthy, active lives, and the list goes on. Every single group plays an essential role in combating social isolation, particularly among our older residents, through regular meetings, shared activities and volunteer opportunities. They give members a sense of purpose and belonging that is absolutely fundamental to healthy ageing.

The relationships formed within these groups often become lifelong friendships, creating support networks that extend well beyond the club's meetings and events themselves. Moreover, the organisations serve as repositories of community knowledge and experience, with members often bringing decades of professional and life experience to be able to contribute to a stronger local community. Whether it is organising community events, advocating for local improvements or mentoring the younger generations, these service groups help maintain the continuity of strength in our community bonds. The collective impact on South Australian communities cannot be overstated. They are essential partners in helping to build resilient, caring and connected communities.

With that, I once again would like to thank the incredible members of our Probus who are here today, and all members of local Probus clubs across our state for all that they do to help support active and connected communities. Our communities are absolutely better off for having them. I commend the motion to the house.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (15:50): I rise to support this motion. It is important that we understand the great work that our service clubs do, but particularly the Probus clubs. October was Probus Month, as we have been told. The theme is all about celebrating community and companionship, and the opportunity to celebrate what Probus is all about and to create awareness within our wider community cannot be overstated. Probus creates a sense of belonging. They undertake great companionship via trips, learning skills, hearing from guest speakers and exploring new hobbies. I know that many Probus clubs have come to the Riverland to explore the great wonders of the river and the natural environment, all nestled around one of the great food-producing areas in our state.

What I must say is that the connections and what they contribute to local communities cannot be overestimated, particularly with the great volunteer work and the uplift that they give, particularly when visiting the regions. Those Probus members are dedicated, passionate, proud people contributing to our regions, and they make our communities a better place to live and they provide an invaluable service to our regional communities.

In my electorate of Chaffey, there are quite a few clubs. There are 69 Probus clubs across regional South Australia and 6,800 members across the state. As I said, in the Riverland, in Chaffey, there are eight Probus clubs meeting once a month and they are always on the lookout for new members. It is always quite an opportunity and a great outing for myself to go along and speak to Probus clubs, as I do, and share my story with them.

At the Berri Probus Club, Lila Blades is the President. At the Barmera Probus men's, Ivan Paschke shares the role with Ned McBride. In Renmark, at the men's Probus, Ian McLaren and at the ladies' Probus, Jenny Nattrass are both doing a great job. In Loxton, Dave Kimber is a great community man and he is the president of the men's Probus there, and Judy Falting is president of Probus ladies. Down at Waikerie, at the Probus ladies, Pat Brandon is doing a great job. They are just a few that I have been down to speak to over time.

As I said, it is quite an honour to speak to those community groups, and they have really good numbers at the moment. What it is showing is that they are proactive and a community organisation that really does draw in great membership. As I said, the Riverland is quite a unique experience, not only for the membership base and the guest speakers and some of their activities, but it must provide I guess a level of entertainment when visiting Probus clubs come to regional centres and explore some of the great wonders. I know, looking on the website, that many of the town Probus clubs regularly come up to the Riverland and have a great experience. Riverlanders and their clubs are great hosts and we have a great environment to visit.

The Riverland is quite unique. We have a number of towns, with five major towns all within close proximity to each other. If people are coming to visit and stay, they can actually visit five great communities with great environmental assets and tourist destinations. As I said previously in my grieve, if you want to come up and have a little tipple, we have some very new and exciting wineries that are starting to open up with alternative varieties, European-style wines, that are really capturing the imagination of wine consumers.

The Woolshed Brewery is one of the great unique beer experiences on the banks of the River Murray at Wilkadene. I must say that Tom and Sarah are doing a great job. In Renmark, the 23^rd Street Distillery is almost second to none. Its backdrop is the old Renmano winery, which has a lot of history, and it also has a great dining experience. Not enough can be said about some of these great destinations.

The backdrop to all of this is the River Murray. We are starting to see more investment into tourism offerings, which sits alongside the great hospitality that the people of the Riverland are offering. We know that some of our food producing assets are under a bit of financial strain at the moment so we call on all people from all walks of life to come up to the Riverland, spend a few dollars and make sure you are part of our local economy and enjoy what I consider to be a world-class experience.

The work that the Probus clubs do is invaluable. It is important that we understand the work that they do and understand the support that they give. They are also about keeping communities connected, particularly the older members. As a guest speaker, I speak to a lot of people and they really look forward to coming out to an occasion to listen to a guest speaker, have a meal and have some companionship. There is no better medicine than coming together and talking about the good times and the rough times and it is also really good for helping people, for mental health and making sure that people leave a Probus meeting in better shape than when they arrived.

Our social clubs are making our regions a better place to live, work and enjoy. They also make sure that we connect and make networks. We are talking about Probus today, but all the other service clubs, whether that be Lions, Rotary or Apex, particularly in the smaller regional communities, are very important.

Probus is instrumental in the networking capability of service to community and is helping thousands of retirees stay engaged and connected. I would like to say a big thank you to all the service club volunteers who come together and provide reassurance that they are there to serve the community, that they are there for companionship and conversation and that they are also there to entertain. They are there to keep people connected, to give people a smile and we should make sure those volunteers are commended.

If you see a volunteer doing their work, stop and thank them for their service and the great work that they do. Whether it be in a small regional community or whether it be in a metropolitan branch, they are all volunteers, they are doing a great job, they are keeping our communities connected and long should they serve.

Ms THOMPSON (Davenport) (15:59): I rise today, also, to celebrate Probus Month and acknowledge the incredible contributions of Probus clubs to our communities. This year's theme, Celebrating Community and Companionship, encapsulates what Probus stands for: fostering connections, combatting isolation and enriching the lives of retirees. Probus is not just a social club—it is a vital community lifeline. These clubs offer opportunities to engage, share experiences and, importantly, develop lasting friendships. In my electorate of Davenport, the men's and ladies' Probus clubs of Flagstaff Hill exemplify the very best of this spirit.

I visit these clubs from time to time, and they are always vibrant, social and welcoming. The ladies' Probus club, led by president Patricia Sharpe alongside past president Shirley Alderton, vice-president Rosemary Read and secretary Cheryle Barry, provides a fun and active space for its members. Their dedicated committee—including treasurer, Sandy Rutherford; tea convenor, Marion Winn; service officer, Margie Kimber; speakers' organiser, Leonie Lindsay; trips and outings manager, Margaret Doyle; and bulletin editor, Jeanne Behrens—ensures the club thrives. Jeanne's informative bulletin, which I am proud to print at my office, is a testament to their commitment.

The men's Probus club is equally impressive, with a large membership and a packed social calendar. Vice-president Tim Magor, secretary Darrell Wise, treasurer Brian O'Shaughnessy and committee members Chris Barber, Kym Pennifold, Gerry Kradolfer, Malcolm Keam, Ian Woolley, George Oram and Stephen Lockwood, work tirelessly to keep the club engaging and active. Special mention goes to beer appreciation coordinator, Jerry Vallance, and lawn bowls coordinator, Bill Gates, whose name alone could suggest he is a future treasurer.

The members themselves are the heart of these clubs, bringing their talents, experiences and energy to every activity. I encourage others to join particularly the Ladies Probus Club of Flagstaff Hill, which is actively seeking to grow its membership. I commend the work of Probus to the house and thank them for their service to our communities.

Mrs PEARCE (King) (16:01): I would like to say a quick thank you for the contributions that were made on this motion today. It was wonderful to hear more about the contributions made by Probus and the benefit that it not only brings to members but the communities that they visit as well. It is also amazing to hear about some of the amazing individuals who make up our Probus clubs across the state. With that, I would like to provide a very special thank you to the Couzners. I know you certainly do a lot of work in my local community, which is greatly appreciated. With that, I commend the motion to the house.

Motion carried.