Welcome to the Melbourne Bearbrass Probus Club
Our club vision : Melbourne Bearbrass Probus is an active, engaging, member-driven group who come together to undertake a wide variety of enriching and enjoyable social activities and outings, which enhance their experiences and interests, whilst enjoying the fellowship of an expanding, diverse, network of friends.
President Mel’s Welcome

For first timers, welcome to the Melbourne Bearbrass Probus website and welcome back to regular viewers. What an unbelievable roller coaster ride we find ourselves on!
(Pic left: Pam, grandson Lenny and Mel)
 
One thing is for sure - we are very flexible and responsive to whatever this pandemic throws at us.  Unfortunately we have had to cancel a few events lately, but equally we have ramped up our online presence again and moved face to face activities (wherever possible) to Zoom. Lockdown 6.2 ends hopefully in September (2021!), so we will move as much as we can back to face to face then - watch this space!
 
If you are not currently a member of the club, please feel free to browse the content of this site and learn a little more about what we are and what we do. Should you want to make personal contact go to the “Contact Us “ tab above or if you would like to submit an application to join, go to the “How to join us” tab also above.
Footy Tipping for Grand Final!
 
From President Mel
I imagine you are aware that on Saturday 25th September, the Melbourne Demons and the Western Bulldogs play off for the 2021 AFL premiership, in Perth of all places!
Just for interest sake we will be running a grand final tipping competition (that’s two years in a row – does that make it a tradition?).
All you have to do is pick the winner and a winning margin in points.
Please send your winning team and the margin to me by email at mgra2929@bigpond.net.au
Closest to the winning margin gets 70% of the pool, second closest 20% and third closest gets 10%.  The gent at left is holding our funds ready for distribution.
$10 an entry and no limit on the numbers of entries!
Transfer your entry fee by Friday 24th September, with your name and the suffix GF in the description field (i.e. I would be “GrayGF”), otherwise we won’t know who sent the money and for what!.
The Melbourne Bearbrass bank account details are contained in the email announcing the competition..
 
Go Doggies/Go Dees

 
 
Mike Sparkes Trivia Gala, 5pm Sat Oct 2
Our wildly successful Trivia Nights are on again, this time Saturday October 2 at 5pm and organised by our Renaissance Man Spike.
For the link please check your email.
We'll be using Kahoot again.
It’s simple. On your computer screen, log on to Zoom with our emailed link. Then on your phone or ipad, go to Kahoot.com. At the top of the page is a menu item “Play”. Hit that. Kahoot will then ask you for a PIN number. Spike will generate that PIN when the game starts and you’ll get it from Spike, trust him, he's not a journalist. After that you answer questions on your phone or ipad by tapping various colors. Our suggestion: run a Kahoot test now.
No riots during Naughtiest Trivia Quiz* 
The Naughty Trivia Quiz of Saturday Sept 18 passed without incident or VicPol needing to intrude or arrest any of the 24 attendees on morals charges. We were pleased that everyone eventually got into the  Kahoot system OK, with some novice IT users like President Mel and Pam finally managing the feat.
The winner was Renaissance man Spike Sparkes who kept ahead of the pack almost throughout. Maybe he was self-administering a “jigger” which Question 19 alerted us to the meaning, an electric prod used on cattle, race-horses and AirBNB visitors to Docklands towers.
In second place was Terry O’K and her consort Dan and falling into third was Jim & Karin D. As you can see from the winners’ podium, Spike cracked 42 questions – and so did Jim & Karin. Obviously Spike’s speediness on answers gave him the edge via Kahoot’s relentless timing. 
The first half questions were such benign stuff as the capitals of Tonga and Yemen (Sanaa and Nuku'alofa  respectively) and Australia’s first Prime Minister (E. Barton). The temperature then rose with questions about Victorian Parliament’s mace disappearing in 1891 (by rumor, to a Little Lonsdale Street brothel) and VicPol Police Commissioner Thomas Blamey’s badge being found in a similar bawdy-house 34 years later. Our quizmasters caught most responders out with next question, namely did Blamey have a watertight alibi for being elsewhere at the time. (Answer, yes). 
In the modern era nothing beats the saga of Malcolm Fraser losing his pants in Memphis and this was closely examined. Incidentally Malcolm never thanked or acknowledged the kindly bellboy who lent him his own pants, and Malcolm never returned them or paid for them or tipped the bellboy one cent. There were also questions on what Tourist Minister John Brown used his desk for.
 
Federal Parliament sex frolics from 50-100 years ago were closely examined -- although there is no shortage of current examples we judiciously refrained from more current examples.
US Presidential peccadillos were paraded, from Roosevelt to Johnson to Clinton to Trump. In deference to Democrat-friendly members we left Joe Biden out. Osama bin Laden’s domestic household arrangements proved of interest, as he had five wives simultaneously whereas our male Bearbrass members tend to acquire them consecutively.
All round, a thrilling evening with a repeat likely but not definitely for October 2. 
  • This report contains one deliberate error. 

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Great meeting, great speaker
Tuesday’s monthly meeting involved an excellent speaker and a good attendance of nearly 30.  Mark Cochrane-Holley from the economic strategy department of Melbourne City Council spoke on the disastrous impact of Covid on the city, which will soon become the most locked-down city in the world, ahead of Buenos Aires.  
Mark said this recession will largely be a central city recession, with Melbourne CBD bearing the brunt.
This recession is forecast to be sharper and deeper than any observed since Australia has collected consistent economic data. 
The city’s economy will be about $23.5 billion – or 22 per cent - smaller and with a cumulative reduction of up to $110 billion in municipal output compared to pre-COVID estimates over the next five years. 
Over five years, there will be up to 79,000 fewer jobs than pre-COVID forecasts as an annual average, he said. 
President Mel than announced club event planning in the run up to Christmas:
  1. Footy tipping contest for the grand final with a Zoom “pleasant Friday afternoon” catch up on the Friday before the grand final to discuss the footy or anything else over a few drinks (thanks to the Wine Group for being happy to combine this with their regular get together)
  2. A sweep for the Melbourne Cup and a face to face or Zoom catchup for a few champagnes and fascinators whilst we watch the cup
  3. A Christmas party on evening of Tuesday 14th December, hopefully face to face.
PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR THESE EVENTS ON YOUR EMAILS AND THE WEBSITE.
Please look at all communication channels, FB, website, email to keep on top of all the events that are happening (because there is a lot!!).
Tony advised sadly that our long-awaited Moulin Rouge show for 24 on September 29 has been cancelled by the theatre. Our $3000 booking will be refunded to members soon via Treasurer Mike.
Member guilty of murder (or maybe manslaughter)
 
 
Seventeen brassy Bearbrass-ians and friends investigated the slaughter of fictional Hamstead’s Mayor Westcott on September 12. There were clues aplenty but our thicker members focused on illicit relationships and incest rather than a stone bust of Mr Westcott which dealt the fatal blow. The culprit, journalist Paula Puffleworth played by one of our nameless members, was castigated by the nasty Slade O’Slick as a liar, b—h, and s—t but others believed her cock and bull tale anyway.
Members costumed up brilliantly, especially Spike as medico with excellent surgery background; Jim as gaolbird Freddy Sharp, Jan as Dorothy Vanderburg in lurid pink flapper rigout, and Cliff as butler John Johnston. Debra had a tall orange hat/ostrich plume and showed an uncanny resemblance to Homer’s Marj Simpson. Secretary Sue came as vamp Skye Sharp but no-one noticed she was in costume J
Coral-lee excelled at defeating Murphy’s Law on the technology and will be nominated in the next Honor’s List as AC (Companion of the Order) plus AO for her initiative and enterprise getting this elaborate show on the road. Coral-lee thanks all attendees for attendance and rig-outs.
 

 
 
Bearbrass Writers' Group meets next Thurs 5pm Sept 16
Hi friends!
Our next Bearbrass Writers’ Group is on Zoom  at 5pm next Thursday September 16. The link is has been emailed to members.
Our group has grown to eight with two new arrivals.
Last meeting was partly  a “getting to know about you” and next meeting will continue to focus on our various forms of writing, editing, publishing and learning.
We have a wide range of writing experience and we’re all friendly and supportive of those starting out or revising their journey as writers.
I’ll send you some more examples of Thomas family writing and editing, and we’ll continue to follow the progress of Ros Thomas’s first novel “How to shame the devil” into publication and Perth launch by mid-November.
If you’ve got any drafts you’d like Tony to review/edit please email them over, tthomas061@gmail.com
See you there Thursday!
Pics left: Let's aim high -- Lev Tolstoy standard for our arty members, and JK Rowling standard for those planning a best-seller. (Which is which? The clue is that Ms Rowling doesn't have a beard) :)
Bearbrass Movie Group meets 4pm Wed Sept 22
Hi There Movie Lovers,
As part of our spirited discussion about the films Capote and Infamous earlier this week, the film To Kill A Mockingbird came up. It was referred to in both films and of course it was written by Harper Lee, Truman Capote's best friend.
 
This is the film I am nominating for a Zoom discussion on Wednesday Sept 22.
I have changed the Zoom time to 5pm. If this time is inconvenient to several of you I will revert to 4pm
 
The novel, The Kill a Mocking Bird was published in 1960 and has become a classic of American literature, winning the Pulitzer Prize.
 
The film of the same name was released in 1962 and starred Gregory Peck. Directed by Robert Mulligan ( Baby the Rain Must Fall and Summer of 42 amongst others) and written by Horton Foote (Tender Mercies, The Trip to Bountiful and others)
 
The powerful story deals with prejudice against black Americans and those with a mental illness. It is told from both an adult and child's point of view and remains a favourite today. 
 
The film To Kill a Mocking Bird can be found on You Tube ( thanks Spike) to rent for a small fee.
I hope you can join me to discuss this beautiful film. 
Susan
Free cafe meals as a thank-you!
We thought we'd seen everything during Covid but no.
When a member went to Rose Street, Essendon, to pick up a pair of specs, he noticed a sign at Benny's Cafe next door. The cafe was open but only serving coffees to people on the footpath.
The sign was offering FREE CAFE MEALS on Friday Sept 10 not just to regular patrons but to all their friends and in fact, everyone. They're mustering extra staff for what promised to be a busy day.
What an amazing initiative, and what great marketing. I'd say every free meal dispensed would create a regular customer for the future.
Cracker of a film critics’ night
 
Our movie maven Susan Bower set up a terrific movie discussion theme (Zoom, Sept 8) with ten Bearbrass movie fans evaluating two films Capote and Infamous that came out in the same year 2006 about the same subject – how novelist Truman Capote came  to write his epochal fact/fiction work In Cold Blood. The novel in turn was about two drifters who brutally murdered a Kansas farming family in 1959. Truman Capote, an effeminate exhibitionist but a great writer, seized on the tale and spent years relating to murderer Perry Smith in Smith’s condemned-man’s cell. The conflict of interest between Capote as novelist/fact-fiction writer and Capote as a genuine friend, lover ? and confidante of the murderer made for two subtle and engrossing films.
Our group was split on everything including which was the best film and why, and whether Seymour Hoffman did a better job in the lead role in Capote, than Toby Jones in Infamous. The actors playing the murderer Perry were also dissected as plausible or over-acting their part. Was he too gentrified and empathetic in Capote, and was his true nature more as his sister described him in Infamous, as willing to kill anyone if he was in the mood?
The character Truman Capote was also anatomised by our group. “Nasty and narcissisistic” was the consensus. Susan helped us acknowledge the directorial techniques including, in Infamous, the start in glowing colors and gradual diminution of tones to dark shades as the murderers’ execution neared.
Neil B. remarked that Capote’s work In Cold Blood was on the syllabus when he was in Canadian education realms and he had thoroughly endorsed the decision.
Whatever, the film Capote cost $US7m and grossed $US50m, but Infamous cost $US13m and grossed only $US2.5m, Susan noted. Moral: don’t be second to hit the audience, especially if your rival has the most recognisable title (“Capote”). (Susan’s take: “Neil who pointed out that the possible reason Capote was the more successful film because well, the title gave the subject matter away. There’s only one Capote and several Infamous people. Wish I’d have said it though.”)
Pics Below: Left to right - the real Truman Capote, Toby Jones' version (Infamous); Seymour Hoffman version (Capote).
 
The vexed remaining after our chat was “What the hell was Gwyneth Paltrow doing playing a torch singer in the opening of Infamous that seemed to have nothing to do with the plot?
Susan was congratulated on her great topic selection, her inspired carriage of the discussion and her expert insights into the films.
(Linda R. missed the group portrait above by a whisker). IF this story libels anyone present, we recommend lawyer Zarah Garde-Wilson who has good connections.
Record roll-up for Trivia night
Record Crowd at Trivia Evening 
A massive 35 members, partners and friends were on board Saturday 6pm September 4 for our Galah Trivia Quiz. A possible attraction was the chance to bone up on acquaintances in Melbourne’s gangster community such as Judy Moran and the late Carl Williams and late “Tuppence” Moran. Our member Margaret T was on nodding terms with Tuppence as they both frequented the same café in Union Road, Ascot Vale, sometimes almost simultaenously. The fortified residence of Judy Moran was only two blocks from the Thomas residence in Ascot Vale – we say “was” because soon after her arrest, her lovely home was mysteriously consumed in a freak fire. 
There were some complaints from our non-Catholic members about including Latinate questions, which were readily answered by the orthodox. Non-Latinate members learnt during the night that you’d have to be non compos mentis to be caught in flagrante delicto.There were envious female gasps at questions concerning large divorce settlements such as $US30 billion to Mrs MacKenzie Bezos and $US1.7 billion to Mrs Anna Murdoch.
Read more...
Chat with a top woman crime author!
 
We’re locked down and that’s a good reason to explore new sorts of interest and entertainment. 
Here’s an idea. Let’s Zoom and chat with Australia’s top women crime authors, once a week starting 6pm Wednesday September 8. (Keep in mind that Susan Bower’s movie group is starting two hours’ earlier at 4pm). 
Here’s what you’ll enjoy: BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival presents Paula Hawkins  (20 million best-seller author) in conversation with Suzanne Leal about Paula’s latest bestseller A Slow Fire Burning, in which long-smouldering secrets finally burst into flame and result in murder.
There’s more of these women crime authors chatting about their craft and their plots on Wednesdays September 15, 22 and 29.
Attending costs $10 – book at https://events.humanitix.com/bad-international
Paula Hawkins worked as a journalist for fifteen years before turning her hand to fiction. Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, Paula moved to London in 1989 and has lived there ever since. Her first thriller, The Girl on the Train, has been a global phenomenon, selling almost 20 million copies worldwide. Published in over forty languages, it has been a No.1 bestseller around the world and was a No.1 box office hit film starring Emily Blunt. Into the Water, her second stand-alone thriller, has also been a global No.1 bestseller.
Interviewer Suzanne Leal is the author of the novels The Deceptions, The Teacher’s Secret and Border Street. A regular presenter at literary events and festivals, she is the chair of the fiction and poetry panel for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and former senior judge for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. A lawyer experienced in child protection, criminal law and refugee law, Suzanne is a senior member of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and former member of the Refugee Review Tribunal. She is the host of Thursday Book Club, a weekly online discussion about books and reading.
You can find out more about the women crime authors on their society’s facebook page,   https://www.facebook.com/SistersInCrimeAustralia/
 
 Bearbrass isn’t sponsoring this  – it’s just our way of tipping you off about fun stuff that’s available. Take it or leave it!
 
Would Bearbrass members lie to you?
Coral-lee and Russell Keep’s 6pm Trivia hour on Zoom on Saturday August 21 involved no trivia quiz but was still so exciting that it ran for 105 minutes not the scheduled 60.
Our 13 members and pals who showed up were a lucky number. That’s because we had super fun working out liars and truth-tellers in Would I Lie To You which occupied the whole session.
The Keeps messaged us afterwards, “We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
It was as though we were all in our lounge room, laughing and talking  over each other, trying to get a word in. Much appreciated amid the dreary lockdown landscape.”
In terms of bare-faced lies our President Mel excelled with a fantasy of his great great grandfather Mr MELville striking it rich with big nuggets at Bendigo 1853 and being relieved of the proceeds by a con-man friend. The (in)tangible legacy of the fraud remains in the shape of MELville Road, Brunswick.
Read more...
Bearbrass members tune in
Our Jane Austen fans, including one former member of the Jane Austen Society, tuned in Saturday (14 August) to hear Susan Fullerton interviewing BBC star Adrian Lukis. Adrian played the scallywag and seducer Mr Wickham in the 1995 hit series Pride & Prejudice. The interview was a popular Zoom event with nearly a dozen screens filled with 240 onlookers from Oz, UK, USA, Canada, NZ, and Netherlands.
Adrian is doing his own West End one-man show “Being Mr Wickham” which is another hit, although we’d have to say he’s not so dashing out of redcoat-lieutenant uniform and showing his age a bit (64, compared with 38 when playing the rakish role). But this might have been just that it was 7am in London. The USA viewers were tuning in at 2am their time!
Susannah, who is president of the oz Jane Austen Society, had a good first question: How did you get the part? Adrian confessed to coveting the lead role Darcy that went to Colin Firth, and had a fight on his hands against another actor for the Wickham screen test and script read. The producer tried to keep him and his rival separated in the studio but in typical BBC fashion it stuffed up and he met his rival in the corridor – facing off like a couple of gunslingers.
Read more...
New members made welcome
Tuesday's (13/7) meeting was a chance to welcome three of our seven new members to the club, which now has 63 members. The trio are (from left), Gail B., Judy G and Terry O, pictured modelling their Melbourne winter ensembles outside the Dock Library.
Gail's background is administration management and her hobbies are Cooking, Reading, and Jewellery Making.
Judy's background is Secretarial and hobbies, Walking, Gardening, Films & Plays.
Terry's been a secondary teacher and hobbies Painting, Attending Classical Music Concerts, Walking, Dining & Bush Walking. She is a model Bearbrass member because she has already uploaded her portrait to our Clubrunner member directory.
Great Publicity for Bearbrass in Probian!
Thanks to Kerrie Matthee's superb photography our club scored a double-page color spread in The Probian this month. See screenshot.
Probian is the journal of the Probus Association of Victoria. It's published five times a year for close to 400 Clubs – that’s approaching 40,000 Probus members.
Best of all, the published story (below, as sent) includes a recruitment ad for our club with full contact details.
Probian also featured our New Year's Eve Antarctic journey a few months ago. It all helps build our visibility and brand; let's hope it helps grow our club.
Read more...
About Our Club
Bearbrass Probus

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Library at the Dock
Top Floor
107 Victoria Harbour Promenade
Docklands, VIC 3008
Australia
Phone:
0419 134 206
Email:
bearbrassprobus@gmail.com
The club meets on the second Tuesday of the month, 10am for 10.30am start. Speakers offer a presentation at each meeting on a variety of topics. Currently meeting online using Zoom - moving back to face to face as soon as we are permitted.
Venue Map
Apply for Membership
Upcoming Events
Speakers
Upcoming Speakers
Stephen Peterson
Oct 12, 2021
All things Japan - what you might not learn from your travel agent!
All things Japan - what you might not learn from your travel agent!
Mick Warner
Nov 09, 2021
The Boys' Club
Past Speakers
Mark Cochrane-Holley
Sep 14, 2021 11:30 AM
Melbourne’s Thriving Economy of the Future
Dr Rebecca Tunstall
Aug 10, 2021 11:30 AM
Championing commercialisation of Australian medical research into innovative health solutions
Dr Liz Rushen
Jul 13, 2021 11:30 AM
John Marshall and Bearbrass
Professor Briony Dow
Jun 08, 2021 11:00 AM
Ageing Gracefully
Sue Flanagan
May 11, 2021 11:00 AM
30 years of wonder at the Johnston Collection
Robin Bowles
Apr 13, 2021 11:00 AM
My Life of Crime
View entire list...
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