PROBUS - Tomorrow's Vision for Active Retirees

Probus Newsletter December 2012

Editor: Jeff Cahn 84 Smeaton Close

LARA 3212 0419 822-110

smeaton5@netspace.net.au Club No: 57873

Christmas

CHRISTMAS (Old English: Crīstesmæsse, literally 'Christ's Mass') is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ celebrated generally on 25 December as a religious and cultural holiday by billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide. Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world's nations, is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians, and is an integral part of the Christmas and holiday season.

The precise date of Jesus' birth, which some historians place between 7 and 2 BC, is unknown. By the early-to-mid 4th century, the Western Christian Church had placed Christmas on 25 December, a date later adopted in the East. The date of Christmas may have initially been chosen to correspond with the day exactly nine months after early Christians believed Jesus to have been conceived, as well as the date of the southern solstice (i.e., the

Roman winter solstice), with a sun connection being possible because Christians consider Jesus to be the 'Sun of righteousness' prophesied in Malachi 4:2.

The original date of the celebration in Eastern Christianity was 6 January, in connection with Epiphany, and that is still the date of the celebration for the Armenian Apostolic Church and in Armenia, where it is a public holiday. As of 2012, there is a difference of 13 days between the modern Gregorian calendar and the older Julian calendar. Those who continue to use the Julian calendar or its equivalents thus celebrate 25 December and 6 January on what for the majority of the world is 7 January and 19 January. For this reason, Ethiopia, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, and the Republic of Moldova celebrate Christmas on what in the Gregorian calendar is 7 January; all the Greek Orthodox Churches celebrate Christmas on 25 December.

The popular celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving, Christmas music and caroling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore. Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

Combined Probus Club of Lara Inc. (A0041548N)

PO Box 301, LARA, Victoria 3212 Australia home.vicnet.net.au/~laraprobus/

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Diary at a Glance

Wed 5 December Committee Meeting 09:30

Fri 7 December Geelong Historical Walk

Wed 12 December General Meeting Noon to 15:00

Christmas Lunch at Capri

Fri 14 December Revisit to Bisinella Gardens

Wed 16 January Breakfast at Sheraton

Thu 7 February Celtic Thunder

Wed 13 February Committee Meeting 09:30

Wed 20 February General Meeting 10:00 to Noon

Wed 27 February

Maribyrnong River Cruise

Tue 26 March Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Thu 4 April Lunch at Man Bo Tower

Fri 12 April Point Nepean National Park

Editorial Note

Thanks from the Editor

I wish all Probians a happy Christmas with family & friends, also a safe, prosperous and healthy 2013.

Almoner Notice!

MARGARET Allen can be contacted on 5275-2345, if you know of a member who requires a caring call.

Dec Birthdays

01 Mary Grant 04 Max Neagle 06 Alan Smedley 07 Margaret Britton 11 Ken Taylor 19 Jack Darcy 22 Jill Arney 23 Murray Devlin 28 John Frequin 29 Thelma Tucker 30 Frank Schumacher

Jan Birthdays

02 Tom Christou 04 Rennie Cullen 14 Wilma Pettitt 14 Lesley Wallis 17 Christine Billingham 18 Gwyneth Wilson 23 Rick van Gemert 24 Anita Young 24 Lynn Waters 29 Helen Glare

Lara Combined Probus Page 2

From the President’s Desk!

Dear Probians

At our last meeting, we were required to vote on the proposed Amendments to the Standard Probus Club Constitution dated February 2008. The result of our voting will be forwarded to Probus South Pacific Ltd and we will then await their advice as to what changes will take place.

As our calendar year end is fast approaching, we still have a couple of activities to take place including our Christmas Lunch and General Meeting which will be held at Capri Receptions on 12 December commencing at 12 noon until 3pm. Nibbles will be served prior to a 2 course lunch with drinks at bar prices. Please wear your dancing shoes as we would like all our guests, where possible, to join us on the dance floor. If you have any special dietary requirements please phone Lesley Wallis on 5282 8417. Our next “Out & About” will take place on Friday 7 December. Geelong’s history will be detailed during our walk. We will conclude with a ride on the Carousel then morning tea at Four Points. 18 people will be taking part in this walk. The cost is $12 per person. See you at the Wool Museum at 9.30am. Our last event for the year will be a revisit to the Bisinella gardens which should be in full bloom. Please meet at 10am at the front gate with your morning tea and we will walk in and meet Marina Bisinella for our tour. 20+ people indicated they would be participating so hopefully we will have fine weather. We are still in need of nominations for several committee positions; Vice-President, Assistant Secretary, Trips & Tours, Speaker and Lunches so please consider if you are able to assist. We need to have completed nomination forms lodged with The Secretary by 5.00pm on Tuesday 19 February 2013 prior to our February meeting. Each member needs to take responsibility to actively participate in the running of our club. We have several activities already planned for next year and with our support, you can ease into your role. In closing, may I take this opportunity to wish each and every member of our Combined Probus Club of Lara and our regular guests a very happy and healthy Festive Season. I trust you will all have a most pleasant time with family and friends. To those who are travelling to family reunions, I wish you a safe journey. I look forward to seeing you at our Christmas Celebration at Capri Receptions on 12 December where we will have some enjoyable time together. President Val

December 12 Newsletter

Committee Contacts!

5282-3663 Val Tonkin President 5282-2425 Brian Harris Vice President 5282-3936 Marilyn Joyce Secretary 5282-3574 Doug Arney Treasurer 5282-3278 Pam Christou Activities 5275-2345 Margaret Allen Almoner 5282-1741 Brenda Hearn Assistant Secretary 5282-8140 Theresia Klaassens Membership 5282-1245 Barbara Ingwersen Dine-Out 5282-2110 Jeff Cahn Newsletter 5282-8417 Peter Wallis Guest Speakers 5282-1651 Alan Smedley Trips & Tours 5282-2052 John Coggle Immediate Past President

Guest Speaker : Matthew Shanks

HOST Peter Wallis introduced Matthew Shanks, from Life Diabetes who spoke about the Life Diabetes Prevention Programme. Forms were distributed to members for completion to hold a programme for the Club in the New Year.

Theatre

Thu 7 February 7:30pm Start

MEMBERS to make their own way to The Arena for a 7:30pm start. ________________________________________________________________________

Tue 26 March 1:00pm Matinee

BOARD the 10:43 V/Line train at Lara Railway Station to Southern Cross Station. Enjoy a light lunch in Melbourne and the show at 1:00pm. ________________________________________________________________________

Thu 9 May 7:30pm Start

MEMBERS to make their own way to GPAC for a 7:30pm start. Tickets: $33:00 per person.

With Thanks

THANK you to the Hon John Eren MLA and staff for permitting us to utilise his office for the printing of this newsletter on a monthly basis.

Christmas Lunch

Capri Receptions: Wed 12 December Noon to 15:00

OUR Christmas Lunch will commence at noon. A two course lunch will be provided along with other entertainment.

Bring your dancing shoes.

All OK to park in front of Capri; Babytime has gone!

New Year Breakfast

Four Points Sheraton: Wed 16 January 08:15 to 10:00

PLEASE notify Barbara on 0438 821-245 to book. Cost: $22:00 per person

Man Bo Tower Chinese Restaurant: Thu 4 April Lunch

DETAILS later.

Out & About

Geelong Historical Walk: Fri 7 December, 09:30

MEET at Wool Museum prior to visiting Deakin, Johnstone Park, Art Gallery, War Memorial, etc.

We will have a ride on the Carousel prior to morning tea at Four Points Sheraton.

Revisit to Bisinella Gardens: Fri 14 December, 10:00 MEET at front entrance at 10:00. BYO morning tea.

Maribyrnong River Cruise

Wed 27 February, 11:00

VESSEL chartered for a 2 hour cruise on the Maribyrnong River. Depart Footscray 11:00 and partake of a BYO picnic lunch on board. There is a limit of 30, so get your name registered soon. Cost is $20:00 and transport to and from Footscray is by members’ vehicles. Money to Alan at February meeting.

Trips & Tours

Point Nepean National Park: Fri 12 April

THIS round the bay trip will comprise a ferry cruise from Queenscliff to Sorrento, shuttle bus transport inside the National Park including visiting the old quarantine station, lunch at the Rye RSL and home via Melbourne.

Cost: Will depend on numbers as the bus is taxed per metre length

on the ferry. Quoted price for 28-32 starters is $25:00 excluding lunch.

December 12 Newsletter Lara Combined Probus Page 3

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