Pittwater Life October 2023 Issue

Local Probus News in October
The next meeting of the Palm Beach and
Peninsula Probus Club is on Wednesday
18 October at Club Palm Beach, commencing
9.30am. After a short formal meeting
and morning tea, guest speaker, Kez Hasanic
from the Maritime Museum will talk about the
sinking of the luxury liner Lusitania in 1915. A
single torpedo from a U-20 Boat off the coast of
Ireland sank the giant ship in just 18 minutes,
drowning almost all passengers and crew
in what is regarded as one of history’s most
terrible maritime disasters. Retired men and
women are welcome to attend as visitors; more
info 0421 435 792.
At the next meeting of Pittwater Probus
Club, well-known local identity Geoff Searl
will talk about how Avalon Beach grew from
a remote holiday camping site to a thriving
beachside suburb. Meeting at Mona Vale Surf
Club on Tuesday 10 October commences 10am.
Visitors welcome; more info Terry Larke (0412
220 820).
Narrabeen Lakes Probus Club next meets
on Wednesday 25 October at Narrabeen Baptist
Church. Doors open at 9.45am for 10am meeting.
The club has around 80 members (visitors
welcome, no waiting list). The October speaker
will be Matt Murphy, whose subject will be
‘Rum: a distilled history of NSW, from colonial
times to the 20th century’. More info call or text
0424 464 047.
The next meeting of the Combined Probus
Club of Mona Vale is on Tuesday, 17 October,
at Pittwater RSL Club (commences 10am). The
October guest speaker is wildlife photographer
Rita Shaw, who is passionate about nature
and all things living and loves being able to
raffle and your own nibbles,
drinks and glasses. Book your
table of eight or organisers will
place you; bookings zontanb@
gmail.com or call Annette on
0417 236 982. Cost $30, payable
on the door.
Pittwater High ’81-’83
Pittwater High classes of 1981
to 1983 are calling for classmates
to attend their 40-year
reunion. The event is on 22
photograph extraordinary moments in an
animal’s day-to-day life. After many years of
enjoying photography and promoting rhino
conservation as hobbies, Rita went to Africa
for the first time in 2008. She regularly travels
to Africa and other countries, where she specialises
in wildlife photography. “Game drives
in Africa, India and other countries provide an
opportunity to highlight the otherwise secret
lives of these amazing creatures,” she says.
Rita’s book ‘A Rhino Lady in Africa’ is a précis
of her first 12 trips to Africa between 2008
and 2014. Visitors welcome to attend; more
info call Robert (0407 202 266).
The next meeting of the Bilgola Plateau
Probus Club at Newport Bowling Club on
Friday 6 October marks the Club’s one-year
anniversary – in that time it has grown from
eight members to around 100! The October
guest speaker Hans Kunnen, who was working
in New York on 11 September 2000 when
he found himself in the middle of this tragic,
world-altering event. Hans will speak about
his experience and his interactions with
people he saw and leaned upon as they tried
to make their way out of the chaos. Visitors
welcome; doors open from 9.30am. More info
call Shelley (0415 538 864).
The speaker at the next Newport Probus
Club meeting will be Ian ‘Herbie’ Hemphill,
Managing Director of Herbie’s Spices and the
author of The Herbs and Spices Bible. He will
speak about ‘Spices, the plants that changed
the World’. The meeting will be held at Newport
Bowling Club on Thursday 5 October,
commencing 10am. Visitors welcome; more
info Di Burrell (0410 465 303).
November at Mona Vale Bowling
Club. “This reunion is a
chance to reconnect, celebrate
our achievements and create
lasting bonds,” said organiser
Annette Burgoyne (nee Gale).
Event starts 6pm. Tickets $50
via trybooking.com/CKPOS
Vet
on call
with Dr Brown
Spring is truly on its way, and
it is an exciting time of year
for many of us, including our
pets. It is a great time for lots of
outdoor activities and exercise
is hugely beneficial for both
cats and dogs. If your cat is exclusively
indoors it is important
that they have regular play time
or a safe outdoor space where
you can supervise them both
for mental and physical health.
There are also some hidden
hazards to be aware of. Long
walks with your dog are to be
enjoyed but always ensure you
keep a close eye on them as
several spring flowers, bulbs
and mushrooms can be toxic.
Cats can also become a little
too curious so be sure to know
which plants in your garden
are toxic to them. Fertilisers
are also on the increase and
can pose serious danger. Any
concerns of possible ingestion
contact your vet immediately.
Many insects and parasites
start to increase in the warmer
months. Spring is the breeding
season for ticks including the
paralysis tick. Ensure your pet is
up to date with their tick prevention
and check them frequently
every day. Heartworm can
cause serious health problems
and the best way to avoid this is
prevention. If you are unsure of
the best prevention for your pet
and how frequently this should
be given, speak to your vet for
advice. Another insect to be
aware of for both cats and dogs
are bees. They can seem a fun,
enticing thing to chase and bite;
however, stings can be as simple
as a small swelling or cause
a serious allergic reaction.
Snakes are waking up also
and for curious dogs or cats attempting
a little toe tap, it could
result in a rather painful and
potentially fatal snake bite.
Finally, a little harder to avoid,
are allergies. Grass and pollen
are the big ones, and they can
often cause skin irritation and
it isn’t always easy to know the
direct cause.
Although allergies are mostly
unavoidable, they can be managed
with the help of your vet.
For more info call the team at
Avalon (9918 0833) or Newport
(9997 4609).
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
OCTOBER 2023 41