In March 2026, 29 members of the Ipswich Probus Club visited Government House in Brisbane. After travelling by bus, we alighted and were greeted by the guides who did an excellent job on the day. They told of the history of “Fernberg” (German for distant mountain) which was purchased in 1911 as the residence for the Governor replacing the old Government House which was built in 1862 at Gardens Point.

We were shown through the residence admiring the furniture, photos of past Governors, paintings and a stained-glass window. The visit was finished off by visiting the garage and admiring the 1972 Phantom 6 Rolls Royce official vehicle. A point of interest is that all vehicles in Queensland must have a number plate but the Rolls has the crown where the number plate goes. The number plate is carried in the boot.

In April, Ipswich Probus Club also celebrated Probus 50th Anniversary with local clubs by hosting a morning tea to which three other local clubs, Goodna-Springfield, Raceview and the newly formed Boonah club were invited.

The morning was a resounding success with sixty-five guests in attendance. There was plenty of food and a celebration cake to share. The morning activities created an atmosphere of Probian friendship, with ready conversation and laughter and with the added bonus of some valuable networking. It was decided to give cake cutting duties to two people…the oldest Probian member and the longest serving Probian member.

The most significant outcome of the morning was that our local clubs were brought together with the consensus that similar combined functions and outings should occur in the future