Matt Murphy, a fireman who has turned his hand to writing history books, will be the guest speaker when Oran Park Probus club holds its first monthly meeting of 2023.
If his new book, Rum: A Distilled History of Colonial Australia is any guide his talk will be anything but dull.
Some of the cheeky questions raised in the book include:
Could the Rum Rebellion have been averted if Major Johnston wasn’t hung over?
Would the Eureka Stockade have been different if the rebels weren’t drunk?
Why should sailors under 14 be deprived of their 16 shots of rum per day?
Mr Murphy will be joining Oran Park Probus members at Lakeside Camden on Tuesday, February 7 from 10am.
Tony Law, the current president, says anyone can join Probus.
“We have 72 members at this time and looking to boost to around 100,’’ he said.
“Members can be transitioning to retirement or be fully retired.’’
The club was formed in March 2014 at the marketing hub in Oran Park.
“Outgrowing this centre, 15 months later we moved to the NewLife Church in Oran Park until the outbreak of Covid forced us to revert to zoom meetings and talks,’’ says Mr Law.
“Unable to return to the church, we subsequently moved permanently to West’s Lakeside Golf Club.’’
Mr Law said Probus offers fun and friendship in retirement.
“We provide members with the opportunity to join a local social club to meet like minded retirees on a regular basis,’’ he said.
“We listen to interesting speakers at our monthly meetings and join in a multitude of outings, dining experiences and events throughout the year.’’
Meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month from 10am at Lakeside.
“We use the main function room a West’s Lakeside where it’s easy to accommodate the numbers, and the restaurant can handle those who wish to stay for lunch – which is not mandatory – we have plenty of chances for eating out.’’
For enquiries contact Tony Law on 0419 215 199.