For many people, retirement doesn’t signal a desire to slow down so much as a shift in how time is spent. Long-established community groups such as Probus exist for that in-between space — where people are no longer working full time but still value conversation, activity and shared interests.
Probus is an international, not-for-profit association that brings together retired and semi-retired people through locally run clubs. The name comes from PROfessional and BUSiness, reflecting its origins among people who had spent much of their lives in structured working environments. Over time, however, Probus has evolved well beyond those beginnings and today welcomes anyone no longer in full-time work who is interested in staying socially, mentally and physically active.
Where Probus fits in the wider community
Probus clubs are sponsored by Rotary, a relationship that dates back to Probus’s beginnings in the 1960s. While Rotary provides the initial sponsorship and ongoing support, each Probus club operates independently, managing its own activities and membership.
Across Australia, there are around 1,400 Probus clubs, all operating as non-political, non-sectarian social clubs. Probus does not engage in fundraising and exists solely to support connection, learning and companionship in retirement.
Membership fees are deliberately kept modest, consisting of a once-off joining fee and an annual fee which covers administration, insurance and venue costs. Details are provided by the Club to would-be members during the interest meeting.
Upcoming meeting in March
For those curious about whether Probus might be a good fit, an interest meeting for the newly formed Maroubra Junction Probus Club will be held in March.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 10 March, at Juniors Maroubra, 946 Anzac Parade (corner of Haig Street), with arrival from 9.45am for a 10.00am start. Attendees are invited to meet current members, learn how the club operates and enjoy a free morning tea.
The meeting is open to anyone who is retired or semi-retired, whether or not they have previously been involved with Probus. People who are unable to attend on the day can still register their interest and be kept informed about future meetings.
If you’re not based in Maroubra, Probus also offers a “Find a Club” tool through its national network to help people locate nearby clubs in other suburbs.
Finding out more
For information about the March interest meeting or Probus more broadly, enquiries can also be directed to Ethan Haber on 1300 630 488, or via the Probus South Pacific website.
For many members, Probus isn’t about replacing work — it’s about staying engaged with people and ideas after work ends. And for those looking to share the article with a friend or family member approaching retirement, it offers a simple answer to a common question: what comes next?
Published 10-Feb-2026
