Probus History

Probus Worldwide

Probus is a worldwide movement in 23 countries. The success of the organisation is seen through the commitment of members and the wide recognition of Probus as a community service program. 

Probus originated in the United Kingdom, with the development of two community-based social clubs in the 1960s.

In 1965, the Campus Club was formed by the Rotary Club of Welwyn, Garden City, just north of London.

In 1966, the first Probus Club was established by the Rotary Club of Caterham.

Both Clubs were formed to meet the social and intellectual needs of retired businessmen. When it became clear that the Clubs were servicing the same need, the Campus Club changed its name.

Probus South Pacific 

The first Probus Club in the South Pacific region was the Probus Club of Kapiti Coast, New Zealand.

The Club was formed in 1974 and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Paraparaumu.

This was soon followed by the formation of the Probus Club of Hunters Hill, NSW in 1976.

The first Probus Club for women in the region was the Ladies Club of St Heliers, New Zealand in 1982.

This was closely followed by Bateau Bay, NSW later that year.

Following the advent of single gender Clubs, the concept of combined gender Clubs was developed. Today, there are men’s, ladies’ and combined Clubs.

Since the first Clubs were established in New Zealand and Australia, Probus has grown at an astonishing rate, and is administered by Probus South Pacific Limited, based in Parramatta NSW.

Combined Probus Club of Carindale

The Probus Club of Carindale Inc. was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Stones Corner and the foundation year was 1996. We celebrated our 25th Anniversary in 2021 and are still going strong. The Club currently has 98 members and welcomes new members up to a ceiling of 120 members. 

Visitors are very welcome. Our members mostly come from Carindale and surrounding suburbs in the South-East of Brisbane. The Club meets at 10:00 am on the second Thursday of each month at the Belmont Services Bowls Club, 20 Narracott St. Carina, Queensland. Please contact us for more information.

The Probus philosophy – Fun, Friendship and Fellowship – lives on.