A broad range of activity groups are operating to cater to the specific interests of the members. The groups currently include:
Book Club - Convenor Kerry Franklin
Coffee Catch-up - Convenor Sue Hoile
Crafty Bearbrassers - Convenor Maryla Juchnowski
Mahjong - Convenor Sue Hoile
Movies - Convenor Susan Bower
Sunday Roast - Convenor Cate Thompson
Table Tennis - Convenor Shane Mason
Tenpin Bowling - Convenor Elizabeth Markwell
Visual Arts - Convenor Coral-lee Keep
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:
Book Club
This group reads the nominated book and then meets to discuss it on the 3rd Monday of the month. The specific books are agreed in advance by the group members and are readily obtainable, either as hard copy or downloadable as an ebook onto an iPad or tablet. Every member has an opportunity to share their insights into the book during the discussion. Numbers are limited to allow easy discussion of the specific book.
Coffee Catch-up
This group is open to all members and meets monthly for an informal conversational catch-up over a coffee at a variety of cafes in and close to Docklands.
Crafty Bearbrassers
This group meets on the 3rd Monday of the month and is open to embroiders, knitters, painters, jewellers and other crafty people who come to share and learn.
Mahjong
This group meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month and is open to players of all abilities and provides teaching for those unfamiliar with the game.
Movies
Members meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month to view 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 meet to discuss the movie over drinks/dinner afterwards.
Sunday Roast
Members are invited to gather together to enjoy a pub lunch and each other’s company on the 3rd Sunday of the month. These events are organised 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.
Table Tennis
This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Come along to the Library at the Dock, 107 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, and have a hit of table tennis together with fellow members. No experience needed - it's a fun activity. Come along and learn to play or, if you are experienced, hone your skills a little.
Tenpin Bowling
The aim of this interest group is to have lots of fun and fellowship with friends. Bowlers meet on the 2nd Friday of the month, except during Victorian school holidays. No experience is necessary – it’s not part of a League - just a fun event. After bowling we adjourn to a nearby cafe for light refreshments.
Visual Arts
This group is open to all members. On the 2nd Monday of the month those with an interest in the visual arts meet to explore one of 3 major forms: Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, at venues in Melbourne’s CBD and suburbs as well as in regional Victoria. Participants meet at the venue for coffee beforehand and those who wish to, stay on for lunch.
Walking Group
This group meets on the 3rd Friday of the month 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.
Wine Appreciation
Members of this group gather at 5pm on the last Friday of the month to taste wines in a social setting. Most months the meeting is held in a private venue and participants taste six different wines selected on a theme chosen by that month’s Lead Taster. Sometimes 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.
500 Cards
This group is open to players of all abilities. It includes classroom type learning for beginners, providing complete interaction with questions and answers, supervised play for beginners and competitive play for the more experienced.