General News
14 September, 2023
Probus close to dissolution
The Dimboola Probus Club, an institution on the cusp of celebrating its 20th anniversary, faces an imminent threat of dissolution. The shadows of closure loomed large over the club during a general meeting held last Thursday, as members failed to...
The Dimboola Probus Club, an institution on the cusp of celebrating its 20th anniversary, faces an imminent threat of dissolution.
The shadows of closure loomed large over the club during a general meeting held last Thursday, as members failed to step forward and fill the critical vacancy of club secretary.
This failure to act could trigger the club’s dissolution by the end of the year.
During the meeting, members were asked to consider taking on this crucial role, but a deafening silence prevailed as none responded to the call for leadership.
Without a secretary the club would be unable to continue its operations, forcing it down the path of dissolution.
In response to the disheartening lack of response, minutes secretary John Moar made it clear that if no members stepped up to accept the roles of secretary by the September 21 committee meeting, measures would be initiated to commence the process of disbanding the club and a motion to this effect was passed.
Dimboola Probus Club has encountered similar challenges in the past, particularly when faced with a vacancy in the role of president.
Probus district representative Ray Duffield had proposed a solution where several past presidents would share the presidential responsibilities within a year.
Current president Jill Moar has followed Joy Nelson and Kneller Lehmann in carrying out this role in 2023.
However with the impending loss of secretary Annette Luckett, who has held the position for four years, the situation has taken a more ominous turn.
Ms Moar, who assumed the role of quarterly president, attributed the current predicament to the ageing membership.
“The position of secretary is widely regarded as the most demanding within the club, said member Bev Gazelle.
“It requires computer skills which most of us lack.”
Joy Nelson also said the absence of computer proficiency discouraged many members from volunteering for the role.
In a sombre conclusion to the meeting, treasurer Bev Collins expressed her regrets.
"The outcome was pretty much what we expected," she said.
Paradoxically, the meeting began with the induction of a new member Glenda King, for whom the proceedings were somewhat confusing.
After morning tea, representatives from Hindmarsh Shire and West Wimmera Health Service delivered an informative talk on Aged Care, shedding light on an important issue for the club's ageing membership and providing resources to help navigate access to services which many will need in the future.