A social outing of Christmas in July was enjoyed at Marlo by members of the Orbost Probus Club recently, some who dressed for the occasion.
New member, Harry Berns, was the profile speaker and spoke of his early days and his transition to Orbost working as a paramedic alongside Jim Barnett and former probus member Brian Rayner.
Harry was born in Carlton and after normal schooling applied to become a teacher but was rejected because he could not speak English correctly.
His parents were immigrants and their language had rubbed off on Harry.
But what also rubbed off was beachcombing and prospecting which brought Harry to Woods Point and his selection of a farm in that district.
As the Captain of the Woods Point CFA Harry often attended the many road accidents on those mountain roads and was asked to be a volunteer ambulance driver along with his job driving the mail bus from Mansfield.
By this time Harry was in his 40s but this did not stop him for applying for a full time job as an ambo when it was advertised.
It was a little daunting when he realised that there were 600 applicants for this job, however he passed all the various tests and rookie jobs around Melbourne before the opportunity arose for the ambulance position at Orbost.
The probus members thanked Harry for this insight into his background and are pleased he has joined Orbost Probus Club as well as doing the presidents job looking after the Orbost Senior Citizens and looking for people who could help him run this organisation.
Probus is all about fun, friendship and fellowship and to this end the next social outing is to the Honey Pot in Bruthen on Monday, August 12, and the meeting day on August 15 will be a learn how to play indoor bowls day at the Senior Citizens Club rooms on Gladstone Street, Orbost.
Anyone is welcome to join at any time.
