Welcome to the Combined Probus Club of Belrose Inc
MOCCO’S MUSINGS
Musings definition – a period of reflections or thought.
Greetings All,
As 2024 draws to a close a brief recap is in order. Our numbers have grown manyfold and we are now closing in on our threshold of 140. We have a short waiting list.
It has mostly been a year of enjoyment with lots of entertaining activities, social events, regional touring and a raft of excellent guest speakers, interspersed with some sad moments with the loss of Founding Member John Duce followed by Dulcie Herman and recently David Walker and Wendy Matchett. Large numbers of our Probus family paid their respects at the various “Celebrations of Life Services.”
Looking ahead our AGM and election of office bearers is fast approaching and due in March. The committee is seeking two members willing to fill two vacant positions. Either one or two people could work together on Tours and Outings and one person to take on the Vice President’s position. You would be joining a very friendly and supportive committee, whose members have vast experience and are always available to mentor as required. It is a great opportunity to leave your comfort zone and be well rewarded.
Our last major event for the year was our annual Christmas luncheon at the prestigious Monash Country Club. The function was very ably curated by Marg Lovett and as always assisted by Tony. It was highlighted by the talented musical performance by the granddaughters of the Hartnells and Worboys. Over 100 members enjoyed this wonderful event.
On behalf of the committee I would like to wish all my fellow Probusians a happy and healthy 2025 and look forward to seeing you in the new year.
Cheers
President Peter
Thought for the month.
Look out 2025, here we come!
Probus members were saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected death of long-term member David Walker after a brief illness. Our club was well represented at David’s funeral on 9 December.
David grew up in the small country town of Otautau in southern NZ. He was the eldest of 5 siblings. From a young age he showed a very determined streak and progressed through the local Scout Group and became a Queen’s Scout.
On leaving school, David studied extramurally while working full time and quickly completed a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and soon after became a qualified Chartered Accountant, Chartered Secretary and member (later upgraded to Fellow) of the NZ Institute of Management.
He became a Scout Leader and met Lesley who was a young Cub Leader who lived just round the corner. They married in 1967 and had two children Sallyanne and Derek.
As a young Scouting leader David was ambitious and innovative. He organised trips to climb the West Coast glaciers and go sea kayaking on Milford Sound – 50 years before sea kayaking was even a thing. He also introduced caving as another exciting outdoor activity that his Scouts could try, and he went on to organise national caving schools that Scouts travelled from all over NZ to attend. During one of these schools he successfully organised and led the evacuation of a critically ill Scout in the middle of a wild and stormy night.
In 1973 David and Lesley moved to Wellington when David was appointed General Manager of a huge NZ company called Cornish Investments which had chains of retail shops, department stores, wholesale and manufacturing divisions. The company employed hundreds of people and when it got into financial trouble, the Government passed a special act of parliament to put it into statutory management rather than let it fail. David was immediately appointed Deputy Statutory Manager – a role equivalent to Chief Executive.
Over subsequent years, David managed the various businesses and then progressively sold them off – although Lesley was not too pleased when he sold the shoe factory that had been supplying her footwear for several years!
Following this David was appointed Director General of the NZ Manufacturers Federation – a huge and significant lobby group. In this role he helped negotiate the Closer Economic Relationship agreement (CER) with Australia that would bring economic and free trade benefits to both countries for decades to come.
After a 5-year term with the Manufacturers, David’s career took another turn, and he was appointed as General Manager of Bell Gully – probably the largest law firm in NZ. In this role he managed dozens of partners and hundreds of lawyers and support staff.
While in Wellington, David had a long involvement with the Western Hutt Rotary Club and was made a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also involved with the NZ Crippled Children Society and directed Scout and Guide Gang Shows and other local theatrical productions.
In 1996 David was headhunted to lead Sydney law firm Sparke Helmore and the family packed their bags and started a new life in Frenchs Forest.
Throughout his career David showed outstanding leadership, empathy, planning skills and the ability to solve problems. He commanded respect, inspired loyalty and successfully led large and complex organisations.
David was not averse to taking the limelight and performing. He had a fine bass singing voice, could play the trumpet, organ and harmonica, and was an excellent and funny public speaker.
At the end of 1998, aged only 58, and after a 40-year working career, David retired. He could have had the option of directorships and consultancies but after a lifetime in the limelight of high-profile jobs he just wanted to step back, relinquish responsibility and relax – and this is the David many of you would have known. In retirement he enjoyed working on his stamp collection, photography, woodwork, reading, and gardening. With Lesley he travelled extensively, and they visited 47 countries.
Many will remember David’s skill on the BBQ, his enjoyment of fine whisky and wine, and his dedication to his family and friends. He was an exceptionally talented woodworker and could turn his hand to most handyman type tasks. As Lesley commented, nothing ever stayed broken for long in their house!
David was a good friend to all, a loving husband to Lesley for 57 years – and an awesome Dad to Sallyanne, Derek and Derek’s wife Fleur.
David was given a great send off at his funeral with all four of his siblings travelling from NZ to attend. Fine tributes to a great man were delivered by his son Derek and brother Noel.
Lesley Walker and Noel (David’s brother)
Wendy Matchett 16/11/1943 – 20/12/2024
Wendy Matchett was welcomed into our Probus Club at the May 2024 meeting.
With her bright and friendly personality she would have been an asset to our Club. Sadly she passed away on Friday 20th December.
Wendy and her late husband Michael lived in Belrose and their 3 children attended Mimosa Public School and Davidson High School. She was an active member of the Bush Regeneration and Year 6 Planting projects at Mimosa, under the leadership of Hastings Pawsey. She completed a certificate course in Bush Regeneration at Ryde TAFE during this time and regenerated her back yard area behind the Glenrose Shopping Centre.
The family were very actively involved for many years with the Wakehurst Rugby Club and she and Michael were regular members of St. Anthony in the Fields congregation in Terrey Hills.
Wendy was a very keen dancer and was one of Val’s Gals, a group of adult ladies at the Glenrose Dance Centre, performing in their annual concerts for many years.
Unfortunately Wendy had experienced health issues during latter years but still enjoyed enthusiastically participating in many activities at Glenaeon during her eleven years there.
Helen Miles
Past Presidents
Stroke Information
Facial weakness, arm weakness and difficulty with speech are the most common signs of stroke, but they are not the only signs. Other signs of stroke may include one, or a combination of:
- Weakness, numbness or paralysis of the face, arm or leg
- Difficulty speaking or understanding
- Dizziness, loss of balance or an unexplained fall
- Loss of vision, sudden blurring or decreased vision
- Headache, usually severe and abrupt onset
- Unexplained change in the pattern of headaches
- Difficulty swallowing.
The signs of stroke may occur alone or in combination and they can last a few seconds or up to 24 hours and then disappear.
View the Stroke Information website
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