The PROBUS Story

Your Honour and Gentlemen, I am filling in for Bill Sexsmith, a Director and Vice President of Probus Canada and Past President and Honourary Life Member of our Club, who was unable to be with us today. Today as we celebrate the National Probus Month of March and the 30th Anniversary of Probus in Canada, … Read more

September 2022 Newsletter

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August 2022 Newsletter

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July 2022 Newsletter

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Past Presidents

Fred Cotton – 1997- 1998 Pidge McBride – 1998-1999 Roy Williams – 1999-2000 John Hopkins – 2000-2001 Norm Weitzel – 2001-2002 Don Farquhar – 2002-2003 Tom McCusker – 2003-2004 Gordon Thom – 2004-2005 Denis Creighton – 2005-2006 Jack Farley – 2006-2007 Ted Daem – 2007-2008 George Adams – 2008-2009 Nick Thornton – 2009-2010 Bill Sexsmith – 2010-2011 Don Newman – 2011-2012 Wayne Audette – 2012-2013 … Read more

Historical Documents

Please click on one of the links below to view the document. 1996, Oct 23 – Minutes from the initial meeting for the proposed PROBUS Club 1996, Oct 24 – Rotary Club Pres. Tom Calkin’s letter to PROBUS 1997, Feb 11 – Certificate accrediting and registering PROBUS Club of Vancouver 2008 – Tribute to Chris … Read more

December 10, 2019 – Rick Antonson, “Papua New Guinea”

Former President and CEO of Tourism Vancouver, the self-proclaimed “accidental executive” Rick Antonson habitually opts for the path less wandered – or sometimes where there’s no path at all. In his travels, Rick chooses countries seldom referred to as bustling tourist destinations, including the Belarus, Mongolia, Tibet, Nepal, Libya, Algeria and North Korea. This love … Read more

PROBUS General Meetings

MINUTES LIST 2024 14th AGM 2023 13th AGM 2022 12th AGM 2021 11th AGM 2020 10th AGM 2019 9th AGM 2018 8th AGM 2018 Special General Meeting 2017 7th AGM 2016 6th AGM 2015 5th AGM 2014 4th AGM 2013 3rd AGM 2012 2nd AGM

November 12, 2019 – Scott McIntyre, “On Publishing”

Scott McIntyre was a founding partner of Douglas & McIntyre (D&M) Publishers, at one time the country’s largest independent publisher that promoted Canadian authors and earned an international reputation for beautiful books on a range of subjects. What made the B.C. publishing house unique was McIntyre’s interest in works about the history and art of Indigenous … Read more

August 2019 Newsletter

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September 11, 2018 – Cameron Cathcart – “100th Anniversary of the end of WWI”

An amateur historian motivated by a career in journalism Cameron Cathcart has a keen interest in Canadian military history. He spent 30 years with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a Parliamentary reporter in Ottawa, foreign correspondent in Washington, D.C., and TV News Director in Toronto. Broadcasting has given him the opportunity to travel the world, … Read more

August 14, 2018 – Dr. Marilyn Bowman, SFU – “James Legge & the Chinese Classics”

Dr. Marilyn Bowman, Professor Emerita SFU, schooled in Edmonton and at McGill, taught at Queens (1972-76) and Simon Fraser University (1976-2005). She was the founding director of the doctoral program in clinical psychology at SFU and served variously as Chair of Psychology, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Deputy Chair of Senate and Deputy … Read more

July 10, 2018 – Dr. John Esdaile, Professor, Division of Rheumatology, UBC

Dr. John Esdaile, Professor, Division of Rheumatology, UBC Dr. John Esdaile is an internationally respected rheumatologist who spearheaded the creation of the Arthritis Research Centre of Canada. He completed his undergraduate medical training at McGill University in Montreal, P.Q., and went on to post-graduate training in Montreal, Toronto, and London, England. He returned to the … Read more

March 2018 Newsletter

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February 2018 Newsletter

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April 10, 2018 – Professor Paul Evans, UBC – “Dealing with Xi’s China and Trump’s America: What’s a Perplexed Canada to Do?”

Paul Evans (PhD Dalhousie) has been a professor at the University of British Columbia since 1999 teaching Asian and trans-Pacific affairs. Paul is the current Interim Research Director of the Institute of Asian Research. His academic appointments have been as Assistant, Associate and Professor, Department of Political Science, York University, 1981-97; Director, University of Toronto – … Read more

March 13, 2018 – Kevin Desmond – CEO of Translink

Kevin is an experienced executive with a career built in the public transportation industry. Prior to joining TransLink, Kevin was General Manager of King County Metro Transit serving the Seattle metropolitan region. At Metro, he oversaw a mix of transit modes, including buses, trains, vanpools, paratransit vans, as well as approximately 5,000 employees. In his … Read more

February 13, 2018 – Bob Ross – “North Korea—what I learned and didn’t learn during my visit in September ”

In 2008, PROBUS Vancouver member Bob Ross published a book titled The Cucumber Tree, about growing up in Vancouver in the 1940’s and 50’s. This story about his childhood reveals his early interest in adventure and exploration. He built his own canoe and at the age of sixteen survived a week canoeing in the BC … Read more

January 2018 Newsletter

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December 2017 Newsletter

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November 2017 Newsletter

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January 9, 2018 – Dr. Ron Burnett, CM, O.B.C., President & Vice Chancellor, Emily Carr University of Art + Design

To experiment and play and critique and make and then to turn creative work into art or product or process, that is the essence of the engagement of students with our community of staff and faculty. Our academic programs in art, design and media are designed to be flexible and to provide students with many different pathways to learning and research. We are … Read more

December 12, 2017 – Penny Lyons, Executive Director, Seva Canada

Penny Lyons has been the Executive Director of Seva Canada since 2006. Prior to Seva, Penny was a management consultant in Taipei and Vancouver working on projects as varied as a fraud audit for a multinational electronics company and mediating discussions between government, first nations and commercial fisherman on the future of the oolichan fishery. … Read more

October 2017 Newsletter

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September 2017 Newsletter

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November 14, 2017 – Cameron Cathcart, Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association

Cameron Cathcart served as a member of the Royal Canadian Artillery before choosing a broadcasting career. He worked with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for 30 years, much of the time as a Parliamentary reporter in Ottawa and foreign correspondent in Washington, D.C.  Broadcasting has given him the opportunity to travel the world, including war zones. This has … Read more

October 10, 2017 – Fin Donnelly, Federal MP & President, Rivershed Society of BC

Fin Donnelly is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the House of Commons of Canada to represent the electoral district of Port Moody—Coquitlam. He is a member of the New Democratic Party. Donnelly was first elected as a member of parliament in a by-election on November 9, 2009, in the New Westminster—Coquitlam electoral district. In the one year he spent in the 40th Canadian Parliament, he acted as … Read more

September 12, 2017 – Rudy Buttignol, President & CEO Knowledge Network

Rudy Buttignol, C.M. is the President and CEO of British Columbia’s Knowledge Network Corporation, and President of the BBC Kids channel, a joint venture with BBC Worldwide. Since his appointment in 2007, Buttignol has led the transformation of the public broadcaster from a single television station to a multi-platform, digital media service that includes streaming … Read more

August 2017 Newsletter

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August 8, 2017 Herb Grubel, Professor Emeritus, SFU; Senior Fellow, The Fraser Institute – Regulations and their effect on societies

Herbert G. Grubel is Professor of Economics (Emeritus) at Simon Fraser University and Senior Fellow at The Fraser Institute in Vancouver, BC, Canada. He has a B.A. from Rutgers University (1958) and a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University (1963). He has taught full-time at Stanford University, the University of Chicago, and the University of … Read more

July 11, 2017 Elizabeth May “Canada at 150”

Elizabeth May is the Leader of the Green Party of Canada and its first elected Member of Parliament, representing Saanich-Gulf Islands in southern Vancouver Island. Elizabeth is an environmentalist, writer, activist and lawyer, who has a long record as a dedicated advocate — for social justice, for the environment, for human rights, and for pragmatic … Read more

July 2017 Newsletter

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August 30, 2017 – Vancouver Canadians Baseball Game

VANCOUVER CANADIANS BASEBALL GAME AT SCOTIA BANK FIELD IN NAT BAILEY STADIUM AGAINST THE BOISE HAWKS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2017 OPEN TO MEMBERS, GUESTS AND FAMILIES We have booked 50 seats in the facility called The Porch, which is where we were seated two years ago. Located just beyond the left field fence, The Porch … Read more

June 2017 Newsletter

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June 13, 2017 – June Goldsmith Artistic Director of Music in the Morning – “My Wonderful Life in Music”

For decades, June Goldsmith has charmed audiences with her knowledge and enthusiastic approach to classical music. Her lifelong commitment has led to a rich and varied career as a concert presenter, entrepreneur, music educator and pianist and now as a radio broadcaster and lecturer. Her warm style and personality has brought classical music to life … Read more

May 2017 Newsletter

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April 2017 Newsletter

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May 9, 2017 – Christopher Gaze “Bard on the Beach – Then and Now” Note – Meeting is at the Vancouver Academy of Music (not the Planetarium)

Christopher Bower Gaze Artistic Director & Founder Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival Born May 12, 1952 and educated in England, Christopher Gaze was inspired to come to Canada in 1975 by his mentor, legendary Shakespearean actor Douglas Campbell. He spent three seasons at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake and acted at various theatre companies … Read more

April 11, 2017 – Dr. Richard Fedorak, Dean of Medicine, U of A.

Dr.  Richard Fedorak is interim dean of the faculty of medicine & dentistry at the University of Alberta, and professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology. In addition, he serves as director for the Centre of Excellence for Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Immunity Research, and director of the Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research Centre. … Read more

March 2017 Newsletter

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February 2017 Newsletter

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About the Probus Club of Vancouver

Probus Club of Vancouver is a men’s club for retired and semi-retired professional and business persons, former executives and others.  MEETINGS The monthly meetings take place at the HR MacMillan Space Centre, Vanier Park, on the second Tuesday of each month, except for October. Coffee and conversation starts at 9:00 am, and then we convene … Read more

February 14, 2017 – Michael Kluckner, Artist and Writer

I, Michael Kluckner, am a Canadian writer and artist/illustrator. My early books on the history of Canadian cities, heritage, planning issues and art, include Vancouver The Way It Was, Vanishing Vancouver, Paving Paradise, andBritish Columbia in Watercolour. In 1991 I was the founding president of the Heritage Vancouver Society, and served as president of the … Read more

February 28, 2017 – Rennie Gallery in Chinatown

  We have arranged for a private one hour guided tour of the Rennie Collection at Wing Sang. The current exhibit features the Collected Works of Simon Starling. The Gallery will not accept groups of more than 20 so at this time, it is for members only and is strictly limited to that number. The … Read more

March 21, 2017 – Christ Church Cathedral – history, architecture and the new bell tower

Christ Church Anglican Cathedral is an inclusive community of disciples of Jesus Christ serving God in downtown Vancouver through worship, ministry and outreach. Since 1888 people have met on this site to worship God and witness to Christ’s love for the world. The Cathedral is enriched and enlivened by the diversity of its community. It … Read more

January 2017 Newsletter

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December 2016 Newsletter

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November 2016 Newsletter

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October 2016 Newsletter

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September 2016 Newsletter

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March 8th 2016 – Rudy Buttignol – The Growth and Development of the Knowledge Network

Rudy Buttignol is the President and CEO of British Columbia’s public broadcaster, Knowledge Network, and President of the BBC Kids channel. He moderates financing forums in Amsterdam and Leipzig and serves on several boards including the Vancouver International Film Festival. Buttignol was TVO’s Creative Head of Network Programming, Head of Independent Production, and Commissioning Editor … Read more

December 1, 2015 – Board of Directors Minutes

PROBUS CLUB OF VANCOUVER MINUTES OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 1, 2015 ATTENDEES: Jack Zaleski – chair, Doug Jones, Rich Carson, Ray Greenwood, Doug Lambert, Norm Leach, Hugh Lindsay, Brian Maunder, Ian Paterson, David Scott, Peter Scott, Roy Williams. Invited guest: David Pulfrey President Jack Zaleski called the meeting to order at 9:30 am. Rich … Read more

February 16, 2016-UBC-Tour of Centre for interactive Research on Sustainability and Nexterra

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016 OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY The Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS) was developed in response to the challenge of creating a more sustainable built environment. Its intention is to be an internationally recognized research institution that accelerates the adoption of sustainable building technologies and sustainable urban development practices in society. … Read more

January 12, 2016 – Kim Baird – a First Nations insider view of current affairs

Kim is the owner of Kim Baird Strategic Consulting and offers services in relation to First Nation policy, governance and economic development, as well as First Nation consultation, communication and engagement issues. Kim is proficient in communication, negotiation and facilitation among other skills. Kim currently has First Nation and Industry clients on a range of … Read more

Kim Baird – a First Nations view of current issues

Kim is the owner of Kim Baird Strategic Consulting and offers services in relation to First Nation policy, governance and economic development, as well as First Nation consultation, communication and engagement issues. Kim is proficient in communication, negotiation and facilitation among other skills. Kim currently has First Nation and Industry clients on a range of … Read more

October 13, 2015 – President’s Luncheon – Arbutus Club – Speaker Dr Julio Montaner

Annual PRESIDENTS’ LUNCH ARBUTUS CLUB TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 Speaker: Dr. Julio Montaner Probus is very fortunate to arrange as speaker the distinguished Dr. Julio Montaner, Director of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Professor of Medicine and Chair in AIDS Research at UBC, and Past-President of the International AIDS SOCIETY. In 2010, he … Read more

Aug 12, 2014 – Neil Ritchie – “Jazz History”

Neil Ritchie Neil Ritchie, born in Vancouver, attended high school in West Vancouver and graduated with a degree in commerce from UBC. He joined the CBC cataloguing records in the library, and after four years, he became a studio director for CBC radio’s Off the Record with Bob Kerr, and Hot Air with Bob Smith. Ritchie, who was with … Read more

June 24, 2014 – 8pm , Cirque du Soleil , Concord Pacific Place

TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations. Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of … Read more

April 1st, 2014 – Board of Directors Minutes

PROBUS CLUB OF VANCOUVER Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Probus Club of Vancouver held at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club, 1650 West 15th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday April 1, 2014 at 9:30 am. PRESENT: Jon Collins – President Wayne Audette – Immediate Past President Rich Carson … Read more

May 13, 2014 – Dr. Max Cynader – “Maximizing the Brain”

Dr. Max Cynader is Director of the Brain Research Centre and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at Vancouver Coastal Health and the University of British Columbia. In addition, he holds the Canada Research Chair in Brain Developoment at UBC and is Professor of Opthalmology. He is also a Member of the Order of Canada (CM), Member of the … Read more

February 4th, 2014 – Board of Directors Minutes

PROBUS CLUB OF VANCOUVER Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Probus Club of Vancouver held at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club, 1630 West 15th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday February 4, 2014 at 9:30 am. PRESENT: Jon Collins – President Doug Lambert – House Committee Chairman Norm Leach … Read more