Farewell Flora
November's probus meeting included a farewell to one of its members, Flora Smooker who is relocating to be near her family.Flora has lived in Orbost for 70 years and is well-known in the community. Members thanked Flora for her friendship and kindness and wish her well.The speaker for this month was Sue Hogeboom, a member of probus who shared her photos and story of a trip her and her husband to Narellen NSW to an event called Good Old Days.Narallen is a small town with the big tennis racket where Yvonne Goolagong was born. The Good Old Days event was held over a long weekend, with scrumptious food cooked in camp ovens, horse and bullock ploughing, camel racing, country and western singers to entertain.For Sue the highlight of the weekend was the harnessing of a 62 horse team. Pulling 10 tonne of wool bales, it took two hours to harness all the horses and the spectators were asked to talk quietly and not clap as the 70 metre long team went by. It was quite a spectacular sight.Listening to Sue and sharing her photos on the presenter made a most informative and enjoyable meeting.The post Farewell Flora first appeared on Snowy River Mail.
The November meeting of the Orbost Probus Club was a bittersweet occasion, marked by both fond farewells and captivating travel tales. Members gathered to say goodbye to Flora Smooker, a beloved figure in the Orbost community who is relocating to be closer to her family.
Flora, who has called Orbost home for an impressive 70 years, is well-known and respected by many. Probus members took the opportunity to express their gratitude for her years of friendship and kindness, wishing her all the best in her new chapter. Her departure leaves a void within the club, but members are happy she will be closer to her family.
Following the heartfelt farewell, the meeting transitioned to a more lighthearted tone with a presentation by fellow Probus member, Sue Hogeboom. Sue shared captivating photos and stories from her recent trip to Narellan, New South Wales, where she and her husband attended the "Good Old Days" event.
Narellan, a charming town notable for being the birthplace of tennis legend Yvonne Goolagong, proved to be the perfect setting for a weekend dedicated to celebrating Australia's rich heritage. The "Good Old Days" event offered a diverse range of activities, including mouthwatering food cooked in traditional camp ovens, demonstrations of horse and bullock ploughing, and even camel races. Country and western singers provided a lively soundtrack to the festivities, creating a truly immersive experience.
For Sue, the undisputed highlight of the weekend was witnessing the harnessing of an extraordinary 62-horse team. This impressive team, tasked with pulling 10 tonnes of wool bales, required a meticulous two-hour preparation process. Spectators were asked to maintain a respectful silence as the massive 70-meter-long team made its slow but powerful procession. The sight was described as truly spectacular, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.
Sue's engaging presentation, coupled with her vivid photographs displayed on the projector, made for a thoroughly informative and enjoyable meeting. The combination of a heartfelt farewell to Flora and Sue's captivating travelogue ensured a memorable experience for all members of the Orbost Probus Club.