Probus Club of Sidney - Join Our Community of Friends

Meetings and Events

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Speakers

Past Presentations

About US

At Probus Club of Sidney, we connect retired individuals through engaging speakers, events and interest groups. Join us to explore new interests and enjoy the fellowship of like-minded people. Become a member today and enrich your social life! May 12 (Theatre): Meeting the Wildfire Challenge: The Promise of Ecological and Socio-economic Resiliency &nbsp;Fire is an essential ingredient for healthy forests.&nbsp;Extensive community and economic infrastructure on the same landscape has required human-induced fire suppression which&nbsp;not only disrupts nature’s ecology but promotes the potential for catastrophic fires as we build more infrastructure on the landscape and climate change drives drier and hotter summers. Suppression, as a principal strategy for wildfire management, begs rethinking. This presentation explores new ideas and approaches in the name of “resilience” that are being actively explored by researchers, policymakers and firefighters to address ever-increasing wildfire catastrophes. “Resilience” is a concept founded in an understanding that fire is both a constructive and destruct<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://probussidneybc.org/speakers">Read more about the speakers here</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hZzB-dpLApSuAPJYV8y6US8neNWKbckT/view?usp=drive_link">Read the Probus Story</a><h3>New Members Welcome</h3>Are you looking for an opportunity to make new friends, expand or deepen your range of interests, or simply to enjoy the company of others? &nbsp;Membership is available for either individuals or couples! There are over 4,000 Probus clubs worldwide, 250 clubs in Canada and over 48 in BC.Each month, we feature selected speakers to present a range of topics at the monthly meetings, held at the Mary Winspear Centre.&nbsp; Various activities are also available, such as barbeques, theatre visits, wine club, current events and dining out.Embrace new friendships and shared passions!Join us for inspiration and connection.

Join Our Community of Friends

We encourage members to invite potential new members as guests to our meetings, fostering a welcoming environment for all. Share the joy of connection and community with others.

Guest Invitations

Join us for engaging monthly meetings featuring guest speakers from various fields who share their knowledge and experiences. This is a great opportunity to learn and connect with fellow members.

Monthly Speaker Meetings

Expand your social circle and professional connections through our networking opportunities, designed to help members meet and share their experiences. Build lasting friendships and partnerships.

Networking Opportunities

VISIT to the SIDNEY FIRE HALL A Presentation on Emergency Preparedness and a Tour of the Facility Community Safety Building, 2245 Oakville Avenue TUESDAY, MAY 19 10:00 – 12.00pm Register by Monday, May 11 with Marnie Dennis (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:marniedennis@shaw.ca">marniedennis@shaw.ca</a>)BC Legislature Dining Room and BC Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year ExhibitOn Tuesday, March 24, eighteen Probus members enjoyed an opportunity to meet with other members and to have lunch in the BC Legislative Dining Room in Victoria. The Dining Room is open to the public year round and offers a large menu at reasonable prices. Following lunch members made their way over to the BC Museum to take in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit. As always the pictures were amazing and chosen as the best out of over 60,000 entries from around the world.&nbsp;Tour of Level Ground Coffee Thursday 19th February.Our group of 17 was warmly welcomed by Stacy Toews founder and co owner with his wife Laurie who is company CEOHe gave us a presentation of how Level Ground operates, as an ethnically&nbsp;sourced business buying from countries like Peru Columbia Ethiopia Kenya Brazil and more, supporting thousands of small farmers enabling them to maintain a viable business.Ended with coffee and treats very pleasant afternoon&nbsp;

Events and Activities

As a self-funded and non-political club, we focus on supporting one another and the local community, enhancing the quality of life for our members.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://probussidneybc.org/membership"> Join us in making a positive impact together.</a>Currently we have 154 members. The new members this month are:Diane MacKayDavid MacDonaldJohn SchipperChar De ReusPlease note the blue dot on their badge and welcome them to our club.PROBUS GLOBALYouTube ChannelHave you watched recordings of PROBUS Global Zoom meetings and club videos from Canada, Ireland, and Australia on the PROBUS Global <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://substack.com/redirect/16734216-bbd9-4434-8195-17bc4137c61a?j=eyJ1IjoiMmxqNWYxIn0.1szNgOw6bLSNgzEC18KGeN-pLGTh_lrT3F8FcAjmLn4">YouTube Channel </a>lately?

Community Support

Become part of our <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://probussidneybc.org/interest-groups">interest groups</a> that explore various hobbies and activities, allowing you to pursue your passions with like-minded individuals. Whether it's movies, current events, or wine tasting, engage in enriching experiences.

Our Services

Gallery

Apple harvest day at the Manor in Greatham, Liss! Learn more about English L'Abri - https://www.englishlabri.org/

Saturday. Summer. Beautiful sunny day, so my friends and I decided to make a picnic and watch the sundown. Pretty fun and relaxed day.

I took this photograph of a group of ladies at a photo walk in NYC. It perfectly exemplified the unity that took place among photographers, models and creatives alike.

Shout out to International Women’s Day.

community listening to music on ipad while drinking coffee

Beeswax candles begin to burn at the dining room table at English L'Abri.

Connect with Probus Sidney

Engage with expert speakers on diverse topics each month, enriching your knowledge and sparking meaningful conversations.

Monthly Speaker Series

Participate in organized group trips and outings that explore local and broader destinations, perfect for adventure and camaraderie.

Travel and Excursions

Explore your artistic side through various creative workshops including painting, crafts, and music.

Creative Arts Workshops

Meeting Date Change for AprilOur April PROBUS meeting date will be held on the first Tuesday, April 7th at the regular time; 9:30 AM coffee and 10:00 AM Speaker.Please mark your calendars The Probus Club of Sidney BC holds general speakers meetings on the second Tuesday of each month except August and December when special dinner meetings replace the speakers meetings. The monthly Probus Sidney BC meetings are held in Sidney at the Mary Winspear Center, 2243 Beacon Avenue, Sidney, BC. For a map showing the location of the Mary Winspear Center click here. Sidney’s Probus BC Meetings commence informally with coffee and pastries at 9:30 am, and the formal part of the meeting begins at 10:00.The speakers for Sidney Probus BC are chosen to provide meaningful insight into topical issues that are interesting, informative, thought provoking and follow our principles of being non-secretarian, non-political and not veiled advertising. Information about upcoming speakers and events is provided in the monthly newlsetters

Meetings at Probus Sidney BC

VISIT to the SIDNEY FIRE HALL Community Safety Building, 2245 Oakville Avenue TUESDAY, MAY 19 10:00 – 12.00pmRegister by Monday, May 11 with Marnie Dennis (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:marniedennis@shaw.ca">marniedennis@shaw.ca</a>)BC Legislature Dining Room and BC Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year ExhibitOn Tuesday, March 24, eighteen Probus members enjoyed an opportunity to meet with other members and to have lunch in the BC Legislative Dining Room in Victoria. The Dining Room is open to the public year round and offers a large menu at reasonable prices. Following lunch members made their way over to the BC Museum to take in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit. As always the pictures were amazing and chosen as the best out of over 60,000 entries from around the world.&nbsp;Tour of Level Ground Coffee Thursday 19th February.Our group of 17 was warmly welcomed by Stacy Toews founder and co owner with his wife Laurie who is company CEOHe gave us a clear presentation of how Level Ground operates, as an ethnically&nbsp;sourced business buying from countries like Peru Columbia Ethiopia Kenya Brazil and more, supporting thousands of small farmers enabling them to maintain a viable business. We&nbsp;had a tour of the facility and saw the tons of beans waiting to be processed, saw the equipment required .and could only think what a long way the Toews vision had brought them from roasting&nbsp;those 4 lbs of beans in their backyard over 25 yrs ago to this impressive facilityEnded with coffee and treats very pleasant afternoon&nbsp;

Events

May 12 (Theatre): Meeting the Wildfire Challenge: The Promise of Ecological and Socio-economic Resiliency &nbsp;Fire is an essential ingredient for healthy forests.&nbsp;Extensive community and economic infrastructure on the same landscape has required human-induced fire suppression which&nbsp;not only disrupts nature’s ecology but promotes the potential for catastrophic fires as we build more infrastructure on the landscape and climate change drives drier and hotter summers. Suppression, as a principal strategy for wildfire management, begs rethinking. This presentation explores new ideas and approaches in the name of “resilience” that are being actively explored by researchers, policy makers and firefighters to address ever- increasing wildfire catastrophes. “Resilience” is a concept founded in an understanding that fire is both a constructive and destructive force. The challenge is how to manage both realities with confidence so that a constructive balance can be established.&nbsp;Our speaker will be Dr. Jonathan O’Riordan, a former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management in the British Columbia Provincial Government. Jon served 35 years in the public service, focusing professionally on environmental management and land and resource planning. He was&nbsp;an Adjunct Professor with the School of Community&nbsp;and&nbsp;Regional Planning at UBC and Research Director with the Climate Adaptation Team centred at Si<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://probussidneybc.org/speakers">For detailed information on our upcoming speakers please click this link.</a>

Meetings, Events and Past Presentations

Join our organized group trips and excursions to explore new destinations both locally and internationally with like-minded members.

Give back to the community and share your knowledge by participating in local volunteer projects and mentorship opportunities.

Volunteer and Mentorship Programs

Participate in wellness activities focused on maintaining health and vitality, including walking clubs, yoga, and gentle exercise sessions.

Wellness and Fitness Programs

Thank you for your interest in joining the PROBUS Club of Sidney, BC. Please note that to join the Club, you require: an email address for receiving Club information such as the monthly newsletter, Membership Directory, and news of Club events. Membership dues are currently $55 per member per annum plus a one-time fee of $9 for a name badge. You can pay in one of two ways: (preferred) e-transfer to PROBUS Club of Sidney, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:sidneyprobustreasurer@gmail.com">sidneyprobustreasurer@gmail.com </a>(no security question necessary) OR Bring your cheque, payable to PROBUS Club of Sidney to the next Probus club meeting, and give it to the people at the Membership Table.Currently we have 154 members.&nbsp; The new members this month are:&nbsp;&nbsp;Diane MacKayDavid MacDonaldJohn SchipperChar De Reus&nbsp;Please note the blue dot on their badge and welcome them to our club.

Membership renewals in the PROBUS Club of Sidney are now being accepted. Dues are $55 per member and payable by August 31. You may pay by (preferred) e-transfer to PROBUS Club of Sidney, sidneyprobustreasurer@gmail.com, or by cheque payable to PROBUS Club of Sidney and brought to a monthly meeting (no cash please). By renewing your membership, you are agreeing to the inclusion of your personal information (name, address, telephone number, and email address) in the Club Directory, which is available to all members. You are also agreeing not to distribute or sell this Directory information to anyone or any agency and not to use the information to solicit business or for any commercial purpose. We would appreciate knowing if you do not plan to renew your membership, as that will assist us in knowing how many new members we can accept. We currently have openings for new members so if you know of anyone who would like to join, please direct them to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:sidneyprobusmembership@gmail.com">sidneyprobusmembership@gmail.com</a>.

Renewal

<h4>Why Join the Probus Club of Sidney BC?</h4>If you are looking for an opportunity to make new friends, expand or deepen your range of interests, or just enjoy the company of others, we welcome and encourage your application for membership at Probus Sidney. For more membership information, please go the the ‘Membership’ page from the menu above.At present we have most of the yearly dues processed.&nbsp; If you have not sent in your dues to the Treasurer (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:sidneyprobustreasurer@gmail.com">sidneyprobustreasurer@gmail.com</a>) please do so or advise us Aldy Kristoffy/Brenda Wilson (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:sidneyprobusmembership@gmail.com">sidneyprobusmembership@gmail.com</a>) that you will not be renewing your membership.&nbsp; Thanks.

Why Join the Probus Club of Sidney BC?

Discover More at Probus Club of Sidney

Participate in monthly workshops focused on maintaining and improving health and wellness tailored for retired and semi-retired individuals.

Health and Wellness Workshops

Engage in creative sessions including painting, pottery, and other crafts that foster artistic expression and social connection.

Creative Arts and Crafts

Join a club that explores literature, history, and cultural topics through regular discussions and events.

Book and Culture Club

MOVIE MATINEE Movie Matinee – Third Tuesday of the monthOur most recent movie was The Art of Adventure and we highly recommend it. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to buy and Land Rover and travel around the world in the 1950s? How did Robert Bateman get his start as a painter? Who is Bristol Foster and what is his contribution to British Columbia? Go see this entertaining documentary to find out.Three of us went to the movies and this is what Thora Illing&nbsp;kindly&nbsp;wrote:"The filmgoers’ choice was One Battle After Another, which very recently won several Oscars. It is a long and sometimes confusing political action story, ending with a mesmerizing car chase. The mix of farce and violence is odd but the acting and cinematography are memorable." Thanks Thora.

Movie Matinee

Sidney Probus Current EventsTopics for discussion are selected by a draw from amongst those submitted.&nbsp; We usually conclude the meeting around 3:00.Hello everyone,My recent holiday has put back my Current Events planning somewhat.&nbsp; I have found that our usual meeting&nbsp;place at St. Andrew's is not available&nbsp;for any days during the coming week.&nbsp; I will look for an alternative location, but it would help to know how many people plan to attend our Current Events discussion on Tuesday, April 28&nbsp; at 1:00 PM.&nbsp; Please email me at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:vikayakguy@gmail.com">vikayakguy@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;by Saturday night to let me know if you plan to attend.&nbsp; I will do my best to find&nbsp; a suitable venue.Ken Marsh

Current Events Group

The group meets at 4:00 pm on the second Wednesday of the month, the venue rotating among the members. As a new group, we are looking to welcome additional Probus members who have an interest in sampling wines. If you are interested, but a bit apprehensive about participating on a tasting group, don’t be intimidated: our group is probably better described as wine enthusiasts than wine connoisseurs. Of course I say that on a personal level, but I suspect the other members have a somewhat similar overview. If you are interested, please email me at ‘<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:bob@witzel.com">bob@witzel.com</a>‘

Wine Tasting Group

May 12 (Theatre): Meeting the Wildfire Challenge: The Promise of Ecological and Socio-economic Resiliency &nbsp;Fire is an essential ingredient for healthy forests.&nbsp;Extensive community and economic infrastructure on the same landscape has required human-induced fire suppression which&nbsp;not only disrupts nature’s ecology but promotes the potential for catastrophic fires as we build more infrastructure on the landscape and climate change drives drier and hotter summers. Suppression, as a principal strategy for wildfire management, begs rethinking. This presentation explores new ideas and approaches in the name of “resilience” that are being actively explored by researchers, policy makers and firefighters to address ever- increasing wildfire catastrophes. “Resilience” is a concept founded in an understanding that fire is both a constructive and destructive force. The challenge is how to manage both realities with confidence so that a constructive balance can be established.&nbsp; &nbsp; Our speaker will be Dr. Jonathan O’Riordan, a former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management in the British Columbia Provincial Government. Jon served 35 years in the public service, focusing professionally on environmental management and land and resource planning. He was&nbsp;an Adjunct Professor with the School of Community&nbsp;and&nbsp;Regional Planning at UBC and Research Director with the Climate Adaptation Team centred at Simon Fraser University. Dr. O'Riordan joined UVic’s POLIS’ Water Sustainability Project as a strategic water policy advisor in 2007; he focuses on provincial water policy reform and the ecological governance of water management&nbsp;in addition to his work on wildfire resiliency. June 09 (Room 2): We’ve Looked at Books, How About Brew?! We read that the public’s drinking habits are changing, perhaps with lasting generational consequences, and that the celebrated craft brewing market industry on our Island is being transformed for this reason and others. This presentation will be of interest whether you simply enjoy a glass of beer, have an interest in the dynamic character of Island business, or just like a good story. Our presenter will share his business and personal experiences in establishing a successful brewery business and piloting it through the wet and dry travails of sustaining his success. Our speaker will be Christopher Bjerrisgaard - Founder, Co-Owner, and Head of Commercialization of Small Gods Brewing. In addition to founding Small Gods Brewing, Chris has over sixteen years of experience in the craft brewing industry, including roles as Marketing Director at Vancouver Island Brewing, a Founding Member / Marketing Director at Vancouver Craft Beer Week, and Marketing Manager at Parallel 49 Brewing &amp; Central City Brewers+ Distillers. In the fall of 2025, he was elected to the BC Craft Brewers Guild Board for the 2026 / 2027 electoral&nbsp;cycle.February 10 (Room 2): Whither Books and “Booktown”: TheChanging Nature of Sidney’s Book Business and Reading Culture Sidney has been a member of the International Organization of Book Towns since 1996, in recognition of a large reading public and numerous bookstores. At one time, the town had ten bookstores, but this number has diminished over the years. Sidney’s book business remains vital, yet it operates in a different retail environment than it did thirty years ago—in fact, than it did a decade ago. This presentation will focus on trends in the publishing and book-selling industry, the forces that are shaping these, and implications for readers and sellers. Attention will be placed on the unique aspects of the Sidney and Greater Victoria market that is changing in both anticipated and unforeseen ways. Our speaker will be Cliff MacNeil-Smith, the current Mayor of Sidney, who will speak in his capacity as owner of Tanner Books in Sidney. Cliff has decades of experience in the book selling business.<img src="https://cdn.soloist.ai/f72002a2-b71a-4504-83e7-a68527d383e8/cc974d08-9a73-4a5f-9a1d-866feacc3168_2048x2048.webp" data-image-fit="fill">March 10 (Room 2): The Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Healthcare FoundationOur March 10 speaker will be Heather Edward, CEO of the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Healthcare Foundation [SPHF]. Heather will speak about the Foundation’s activities, as well as&nbsp;recent developments at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and related facilities in the area. The Foundation was initially founded in 1985 to raise funds for the fledging Saanich Peninsula Hospital and has&nbsp;succeeded in raising over $92 million for equipment, facilities, and programs at the Hospital in the ensuing years. They recently raised $15 million for enhanced acute care. Heather has been CEO of the SPHF since May 2024. She has an extensive background in the health care sector, including leadership roles in several organizations in Ontario. Heather earned an MA in Leadership from the University of Guelph.<img src="https://cdn.soloist.ai/f72002a2-b71a-4504-83e7-a68527d383e8/e53096c3-9215-4164-ad1b-77708c3b8f06_2048x2048.webp" data-image-fit="fill">April 7 (Room 2): Wowed by the Stars: New views of the Universe Through the Lens of Modern Astrophysics Humankind is making great strides in understanding the universe with numerous astronomical observatories around the world and in space. Dr. James Di Franseco will present five (or so) images that were released in 2025 that together illustrate the incredible scope and breadth of modern astrophysics.&nbsp;These images prospectively include the spectacular very first ones released by the new ultrawide-field Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile of&nbsp;galaxies, stars, and asteroids, amazing shots from the Atacama Large Millimetre Array and Very Large Telescope facilities also in Chile of protostars that appear to be forming planets, stunning new images by the James Webb Space Telescope of a nearby region in our Galaxy where stars are forming, and thrilling images from the Gemini South observatory of the new interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS.&nbsp;It will be a light show to remember. Our speaker will be Dr. James Di Francesco, Director, Optical Astronomy at HAA and Director of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. James earned a Ph.D. in Astronomy at the University of Texas (at Austin) based on research into the circumstellar environments of young stellar objects. He subsequently completed three-year postdoctoral stints at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, and at the University of California, Berkeley, expanding his research. James returned to Canada in 2002 to join the Millimetre Astronomy Group at the National Research Council’s Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre (HAA) in Victoria. He subsequently assumed directorships at HAA and the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. This presentation has been made possible through the appreciated assistance of the Centre of the Universe staff

PROBUS SPEAKERS/PRESESENTATIONS:

<h3>May 13, 2024</h3>Thoughts on the New International Trade Order. Speaker: DR. JEN BAGGS, Professor and Acting Dean, Gustavson School ofBusiness | University of Victoria.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://probussidneybc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Sidney-Probus-May-13-Jen-Baggs.pptx">Powerpoint Presentation</a><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://probussidneybc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Feb-13th-Sidney-Probus-Club-pdf.pdf">February 13th, 2024</a>Speaker – Isobel Mackenzie, B.C. Seniors’ AdvocateTopic – Current Issues for B.C. Seniors<a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://probussidneybc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Feb-13th-Sidney-Probus-Club-pdf.pdf">Download Presentation (scroll for slides)</a>

Past Presentations Availabe for Download

<h3>Community and Fellowship for Like-Minded Individuals</h3>The Probus Club of Sidney, BC offers a vibrant community for retired and semi-retired women and men who have held positions of responsibility and seek to maintain meaningful connections. Our club hosts monthly speaker meetings, exciting events, and a variety of interest groups tailored to the diverse passions of our members. Here, you can enjoy the fellowship of others who share your enthusiasm for lifelong learning and companionship.<h3>Diverse Activities and Member-Driven Interests</h3>At Probus Sidney, our activities are driven by the interests of our members. Whether you're interested in cultural outings, educational talks, or social gatherings, there is something for everyone. Our self-funded, non-profit, and non-political nature ensures that the club remains focused on providing enriching experiences without the pressures of fundraising or service obligations. With over 145 members, we foster an inclusive and welcoming environment where new friendships flourish.<h3>Global Network and Local Impact</h3>Joining the Probus Club of Sidney connects you to a global network of over 4,000 Probus clubs worldwide and more than 37,600 members globally, including over 250 clubs in Canada. This connection enhances the local experience with broader opportunities for engagement and knowledge sharing. If you know someone who might benefit from our community, we encourage you to invite them as guests to our meetings. Come and discover the many benefits of being part of Probus Sidney.<h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://probusglobal.org/">Probus Global</a></h3><h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.probuscanada.ca/">Probus Canada</a></h3>Executive and Officers&nbsp;– The Probus Club of Sidney BCExecutivePresident Colin HoodVice President Bob PhillipsPast President Ken MarsSecretary Joanna DrewryTreasurer Bob WitzelMembership Aldy Kristoffy /Management CommitteeWeb Administrator Holly RalphSpeakers Committee Barrie Dennis / Edd LeSage / John CottonEvents Committee Nancy Williams / Marnie Dennis /Valerie ParkNewsletter Pat CurrieCommunications Norah Franklin

Why Join the Probus Club of Sidney, BC?

Discover Probus Club Sidney

Join Probus Club of Sidney, BC, where retired and semi-retired individuals connect through monthly meetings, events, and diverse interest groups. Enjoy fellowship and expand your interests with like-minded members in a welcoming, non-profit community. Experience the vibrant spirit of Probus and make lasting friendships today.