Members can complete the online form (following the text below) if they would like to propose a new event.
A broad range of activity groups are operating to cater to the specific interests of the members. The groups currently include:
Arts Group - Convenor Tony Thomas
Book Club - Convenor Terry O'Keeffe
Coffee Catch-up - Convenor Sue Hoile
Cycling - Convenor Greg Jeffrey
Dinners and Lunches - Convenor Julie Cookson
Golf - Convenor Heather Ablett
Makers Space - Convenor Coral Lee Keep
Mahjong - Convenor Sue Hoile
Movie Group (Monday) - Convenor Cate Thompson/Julie Cookson
Movie Group (Wednesday) - Convenor Susan Bower
Table Tennis - Convenor Shane Mason
Walking Group - Convenor Mel Gray
Wine Appreciation - Convenor Jill de Araugo
500 Cards - Convenor Shane Mason
500 Cards - Convenor Shane Mason
Contact with the group convenors can be made by email to bearbrassprobus@gmail.com.
More detail about each group follows.
Coffee Catch-up
This group is open to all members and meets each second Tuesday for an informal conversational catch-up over a coffee at a variety of cafes in and close to Docklands.
Golf
This group is open to players of all abilities and does not have anyu specific limitations on numbers. Both public and private courses will be used with the opportunity for some overnight trips to country courses as well. The emphasis will be on social play and socialising after the game.
Currently this group is in abeyance and needs a Convenor to get things moving again.
500 Cards
This group is open to players of all abilities. It will include classroom type learning for beginners, providing complete interaction with questions and answers, supervised play for beginners and competitive play for the more experienced.
Cycling
This group enjoys social rides with a friendly low speed and a focus on a coffee stop mid-way, rides are roughly 20 kilometres in total (though this is variable). Numbers may be limited based on the nature of each ride. Bikes can be any type, including e-bikes but must be in good working order at the start. Speed will be as per the slowest participant and we will wait for everybody to regroup at routine intervals. We take bike paths wherever possible and minimal on road unless necessary.
Book Club
This group reads and then discusses books that are freely obtained, as hard copy or able to be downloaded onto an iPad or tablet. The specific books are agreed in advance by the group members and every member has an opportunity to provide their insights into the book during the discussion. Numbers are limited to allow easy discussion of the specific book.
Movies
There are two separately convened Movie Groups. One on a Monday once a month and the other on a Wednesday once a month. There is no specific limitation to the number of attendees.
Both groups attend movies from a wide variety of genres at local cinemas such as the Kino in Collins street, the Nova in Lygon street and the Como in Toorak road and then meet to discuss the movie over drinks/dinner afterwards.
Wine Tasting
Members of this group gather at 5pm on the last Friday of the month to taste wines in a very social setting. One month the meeting is held in a private venue and participants taste six different wines selected on a specific theme. Tasting notes are provided by the Convenor. The next month the meeting is held at a commercial wine bar, where members can choose their own tipple.
Generally the tasters continue on for dinner at a local restaurant.
For those meetings at a private venue tasting a curated collection of wines, the maximum number of attendees is 12.
When the group meets at a commercial venue any restriction on numbers of attendees is determined by the venue's seating capacity, so will vary accordingly.
Dinners and Lunches
This group is generally open to all members. These events tend to be organised ad hoc at local bistros and restaurants in places where members can order and pay individually to avoid the problems associated with splitting bills. For some events there will be a fixed price set menu.
Arts Group
This group organises events on an ad hoc basis including galleries, concerts, theatre and other cultural activities and is generally open to all members, unless there is a specific limitation set by the location itself.
Walking Group
This group meets monthly to walk around various landmarks close to the city. Walks are generally around 5k and certainly no further than 8k with big hills avoided. A suitable stop for coffee is normally part of the walk. It is a good opportunity to get some exercise and have a chat at the same time.
Table Tennis
Come along to the Library at the Dock and have a hit of table tennis together with fellow members.
Come along to the Library at the Dock and have a hit of table tennis together with fellow members.
No need for experience, this is a fun activity. No experience? No problem.
Come along and learn to play or, if you are experienced, hone your skills a little.
NB. This will be a fortnightly event on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
Member (only) form for proposing a new event. (Fill it out online and use "submit" button at bottom)