Taree Probus Club members have heard from two diverse speakers in different roles within the community.
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First up was Mr Chris Abbott, secretary of Manning Valley University of the Third Age who in 2013 retired from school teaching at Chatham High School. In 2015 he joined U3A for play reading.
He was elated to discover there was more to it than he was told. There are more than 400 members.
Starting in France this idea has become a community based organisation world wide. The theme is "Life is Long if it is Full". The Taree-based group celebrated its 20th anniversary on July 9.
With members from Taree to Coffs Harbour, the universities promote life long learning term by term with a seven day a week timetable.
Ukulele Strummers, Art in the Gallery, Ti Chi, Silvertone Singers, Modified Linedancing and Open Forum are some of the courses run by members for members.
Courses run for one to two hours at various venues in town. Several Probus members spoke highly of courses they have attended. Bob Beardmore thanked Chris for his contribution to the day's meeting.
Members heard from two of our own, Harry Dreyer and John Farlow, Harry having a lifelong association with Ford Motor Company and John with Bradford Insulation, Manning River Times accountant then to own and manage travel agencies until his retirement.
We then heard from Mr Les Eastaway, known for his knowledge of cricket.
Les grew up in Taree and on leaving high school, he worked at Nelson's Hardware Store. He is a third generation Eastaway, starting with Henry Murray who at 15 became a sea mariner, at 19 a master working for North Coast Navigation Company.
Cricket is les's passion. He spent five years of gathering information to write his book visiting Armidale and Sydney libraries for information.
Les highlighted the many greats of the game. Alan Martin took a team onto Taree Park to play a team from NSW Sheffield shield. Taree Park (later named Johnny Martin Oval) was first to have a turf wicket. Peters Creameries had a team who trained at Chatham Park which was the second turf wicket in the area.
Excellent cricket teams came from outlying villages. Nick Larkin is a current NSW Sheffield Shield representative and the Manning's third, following Johnny Martin and Aaron Bird. Mick McDonald and Di Morrissey promoted his book with 200 attending the launch at Winning Post Function Centre, Taree.
Jack May thanked Les for his contribution to the day's meeting.
New members are most welcome. If any retired men are interested in fun and fellowship please consider Probus as part of your month amongst friends of like minded men. Please phone either President Peter on 6556 1055 or Secretary Tony on 6552 4284 for more information. Thank You