Ulladulla and Districts Probus Club’s ten minute speaker at their June meeting was member Jim Roose. 

Mr Roose’s role at the club is activities and he led a very successful Vivid 2018 trip to Sydney for 47 people at the end of May. Accompanied by stunning photos Jim recounted the trip.  

On the first morning the trippers left Ulladulla by coach and stopped at the Illawarra Master Builders Club in Wollongong for lunch. 

After settling in to the hotel at Wynyard the evening activity for the group was a Sydney Harbour cruise on the Rhythmboat.

Together with a two-course meal, passengers enjoyed spectacular views of Vivid 2018 from the water. 

The coach had an early morning departure on the second day of the trip to Brooklyn to board the River Postman for a cruise on the lower Hawkesbury River which included mail stops at several communities along the river.

All enjoyed the tasty ploughman’s lunch before disembarking at Brooklyn for the coach trip back to Sydney. After a couple of hours at the Powerhouse Museum the group had a free evening.

On the third day the group were bused to Circular Quay to catch the ferry to Garden Island to visit the Naval Heritage Museum.

Many used the opportunity to take in the special views across the city and harbour from the various lookouts on the island. After a lunch stop at the St George Leagues Club in Kogarah, all were back in Ulladulla before 5pm.  

Guest speakers 

The first speaker was Shoalhaven Community Engagement Brigade of NSW Rural Fire Service captain Gary Barton who spoke of ways to improve home fire safety.

First of all he mentioned that “Colorbond fences are a good choice as they are non-combustible and resist the progress of fire”. 

Mr Barton also reminded guests that it was important to maintain smoke alarms by changing batteries on the same day each year and keeping them clean. 

He warned people of using deadlocks if people are home as the locks may prevent escape from fire and that heaters should be plugged directly into a power point, not into a powerboard which could become overloaded. 

Gary showed the group how to use a fire blanket and said “it should be placed on the way out of the kitchen”.

He recommended having a fire blanket in preference to a fire extinguisher which has a limited life and is difficult to use and that the way to escape from a burning house is to keep very low to avoid heat smoke and toxic fumes. 

Gary then answered a number of questions from the floor. 

The second speaker was Margaret Peppitt from the local branch of Red Cross. Ms Peppitt spoke about the need to prepare a survival kit that can be taken with you in the event of evacuation due to an emergency such as fire or flood. 

She showed members all the items to be put in a cheap 30-litre plastic storage crate with a lid and wheels. The box should include a completed REDiKit Emergency Information form about your health status and next-of-kin contact numbers and a My REDiKit Important Contacts form. 

The REDiKit Check list contains 16 items to be stored in the box. Items include personal items such as toiletries, a first-aid kit, a change of clothes, a blanket and a small amount of food and drinks. 

Emergency items include a torch, candles and matches, a phone and charger, spare batteries and a radio. 

As a stay in an evacuation centre could be lengthy include something to pass the time such as reading matter and cards. Photos can be stored on a CD.

Ms Peppitt asked if the REDiKit forms could be distributed and they have now been emailed to members.

Annette Crabtree thanked Gary and Margaret for their talk and presented each with a thank-you gift from the club. 

Future meetings

Ulladulla and Districts Probus Club meetings start at 9.45am at the Milton Ulladulla ExServos Club on the second Friday of each month. Probus is all about friendship, fellowship and fun in retirement. Visitors and prospective members are welcome.