History

In the beginning:

Celebrating Groote Schuur Probus Club’s 20th birthday

A healthy infant it was. The birth of Groote Schuur (GS) Probus Club was expertly managed by a well-known and respected O&G specialist, Dr Cecil Craig.

Cecil Craig had been active in Rotary and as the President of the Probus Council of South Africa, recognised the opportunity of establishing another Probus Club. Through his many roles and activities he had wide connections including the medical and university worlds and the Kelvin Grove Club Bowling section. Cecil made contact with many of his neighbours, friends, colleagues and acquaintances who had recently retired with the intention of forming a new Probus Club. He seems to have primed them by calling small groups together to explain what Probus is all about – particularly its aims, objectives, traditions and ethos. At one such meeting Cecil announced that Derek Chalton would be President, John Terblanche Vice-president and Sheila Kaschula the Functions Secretary (a technique that could be applied to fill committee posts today!) Approval had been obtained from the Western Cape Association and about 30 retired persons were invited to the ‘accreditation luncheon’ held at Kelvin Grove on 9 April 2001 when the constitution was agreed upon. 

The initial membership was underpinned by the medical profession, UCT connections and the Kelvin Grove Bowls Club. Several members resided in Woodside Village, which still applies today. From the records it appears that the the founder members were:

Since the first Lunch talk by Prof Tony Farrell on Cosmology in April 2001, the Club has hosted over 250 speakers on a rich variety of topics.

Those that were first out of the block invited others to join. For example, Guy Nicol reports that “Ellen and I were kindly invited to join Probus by a friend and former colleague, Mike Veary, who was a member of the initial committee. It might have been prescient that the first outing of the club, 2 weeks later, was to the office of the Port Captain in Cape Town harbour. Today, there are 8 members plus some spouses who have a direct connection to the maritime industry.”

The Club tradition of drawing lots to be seated at table based, as far as possible, on alternating male/female arrangement, and to preferably not sit alongside one’s spouse, has proved to be an enjoyable and rewarding arrangement. “The unintended consequence, I have found, is that over the years I have got to know the ladies of the club better than the gentlemen.”

Recruited from the bowls section of the Kelvin Grove Club, Bryan Caldwell soon found himself on the committee, first as secretary to John Terblanche then on to president. As the immediate past president he recommended that this post should serve as the almoner. “Prompted by John Terblanche I organised the first stay away outing, which was at the Beaufort west National Park”. Bryan was also skip of the Probus “…bowls team, which won the Western Province Probus Club competition at the Green & Sea Point Club. The late Johann Barnard, Dennis Whitehead and Mike Veary formed the rest of the team”.

Another common theme was “….I have made new friends, acquaintances and gained more knowledge from talks and outings”. And on the debit side “….I didn’t know – when I joined – that I was letting myself in for 2 decades of Chicken Supreme”.

Another recruit by Cecil Craig from the Kelvin Grove Bowls section (and also Safmarine) was Mike Veary and his wife, Geraldine. As firm friends of the Belonjes, they were co-organisers of several memorable annual car trips. Probus members are often well-travelled overseas though Guy Nicol echoes the sentiments of many members: “It was, however, through Probus trips to various corners of the country (wonderfully organized by Mike Veary and the late Peter Belonje) that we got to discover and enjoy many features of Southern Africa. In fact, those trips were probably a highlight of our time at Probus”.

During the club’s financial year ended February 2005, the committee resolved that the books and accounts of the club should henceforth be audited. Guy Nicol was appointed and only recently retired from this role during which time he is full of praise for “…the hard work of a variety of treasurers…”.

An early President (and elected for a second time later) was John Terblanche, a medical friend of Cecil’s. From copies of the early ‘handout’ (later ‘newsletter’) that he kindly supplied, it is evident that the lunch talks and outings were similar to those enjoyed at present. The committee at that stage put a cap on membership of 60. The lunches cost R45pp.

Many other early members served in various capacities on the committee. A common theme amongst the early starters was “Being a committee member enhanced my enjoyment and understanding of Probus”. All these folks and the members of the GS Probus Club contributed to the infant Probus providing the wisdom and structures that ensure the fellowship and enjoyment of successive memberships.

With thanks to JP van Niekerk