Our guest speaker on 28 July is Jeff Hockley OAM. For the past 50 years, he has been active in the theatre and cultural life of the city. If you haven’t seen him on stage or on-screen, then you might have seen his work as a director of dozens of musicals and plays.

In his other life, he was, for 25 years, the graduation officer at the University of Tasmania, conducting those all-important rites of passage throughout Tasmania, as well as in Sydney, Hangzhou and Shanghai. Thousands of graduates have been guided through the ceremonial process in that time.

Graduation ceremonies touch all our lives at some time or another, but what does this formerly medieval rite-of-passage mean in a modern age? What ancient messages are embedded in the ceremony itself, the dress codes, and those funny hats? Please join Jeff Hockley as he uncovers the fascinating history behind the graduation process.

On Tuesday, 23 June, our speaker will be Bruce Cassidy. He will outline his proposal for the restoration of the Tamar River to address tidal movement, the risk of major flooding, and the removal of silt and mud by building a dam near Stevenson’s Bend and a lock in Hunters Cut, creating upstream diversions in the North and South Esk Rivers, and a West Tamar wetland.

On Tuesday, 26 May 2026, our guest speaker will be Jon Addison, the Senior History Curator at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG).

His talk will take us through the main events that led to the development of Launceston. Jon will focus on the landmarks, buildings and personalities that contributed to Launceston, ending in the key year of 1842.

Jon’s work has taken him around Australia and the world.

He has worked at a number of museums and institutions, including the National Trust of Western Australia, the Western Australian Maritime Museum, the London Transport Museum, and the Scottish Maritime Museum, before taking up his current role at QVMAG in 2008.

Jon is also particularly interested in music, and plays flute, piccolo and a variety of unusual medieval instruments.

Rani Sice, the Deputy CEO of Cornerstone Youth Services, will be the guest speaker for our meeting at the Launceston Golf Club on Tuesday, 28 April 2026.

Rani’s presentation will provide an overview of Cornerstone’s programs in North and North West Tasmania.

Cornerstone focuses on health promotion, early intervention and prevention, advocacy, case management, and the development of help-seeking behaviours in young people.

On 24 March, our Club will hold its 44th Annual General Meeting and induct our new President, Dr Noel Sowter.

After that, we turn the clock back 60 years by presenting the 1966 documentary film Launceston: Life in Australia, produced by Eric Thompson for the Commonwealth Film Unit. John Edwards and Peter Young directed it as part of a series designed to showcase Australian cities to prospective European immigrants.

Highlights of the film include rare footage of textile mills (Patons & Baldwins, Kelsall & Kemp, and Waverley Mills), plus Tas Board Mills, Launceston Railway Workshop, Showgrounds, Launceston Technical College, Repco Bearing Company, Brooks High School, Launceston High, restaurants, shops, and Launceston nightlife.

Nearly all the buildings shown in the film have survived, but many factories, businesses, social events, and lifestyles have changed dramatically in such a short time.

On Tuesday, our guest speaker will be local entrepreneur and travel expert Mark Brown.

Mark was born in Cygnet, Tasmania, in 1949 and spent his early years at Bothwell before moving to Trevallyn in 1956.

He was educated at Launceston Church Grammar School before joining the well-known Launceston law firm, Ritchie & Parker, in 1966.

In 1969, Mark was conscripted for National Service, and he served with the Australian Army in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971.

In 1972, he joined Ansett Airlines in Launceston and worked for them until 1989, when he opened his own highly successful local travel agency, which he ran for the next 30 years.

Our guest speaker on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, will be Professor George Razay MP.

George says, “During my 40-year career, I have spent 28 years working as a General Physician and Geriatrician in a busy medical ward at the Launceston General Hospital. I have also served as a Councillor for the City of Launceston and am now proud to represent the people of Bass as an Independent member of parliament, committed to building a healthy, happy, and active community. My topic will be Health and Ageing Well, including a discussion about the prevention of Dementia

The guest speaker for our meeting on Tuesday, 25 November, is Ken Gourley OAM. Ken is an experienced sailor who has raced and cruised most of his sailing life.

In 1998, he sailed around the South Pacific with his wife and daughter. In 2000, he and his wife sailed from Australia to South Africa. In 2008, he was named Tasmanian Australian of the Year after sailing solo around the world in record time. The citation for this award said:

“Ken Gourlay dreamed of being the first Tasmanian and the fastest Australian to sail alone, non-stop and unassisted, around the world. With more than 70,000 nautical miles of sailing already behind him, including several Sydney to Hobart races and line honours in a Melbourne to Launceston race, Ken set out in his 42 ft yacht Spirit Silver Edition in November 2006 on his solo quest of circumnavigation. He returned to Launceston in the record time of less than 180 days, just pipping the previous best time set in 2001, and officially became only the sixth Australian to complete the journey under the stringent rules that apply to these feats of courage and perseverance. This makes him the fastest and oldest Australian to circumnavigate the globe.  Along the way, he raised more than $100,000 for medical research into eyesight disorders and diseases in children. Ken truly does live his dreams to the full.”

In 2010, he and his wife sailed from Slovenia to Australia, and in 2025, Ken completed his third Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and his first Melbourne to Osaka, Japan Race.”

Ken is a Life Member of the Tamar Yacht Club, was Commodore from 2004 to 2006, and is currently Vice Commodore. He and his wife founded the Tasmanian Outdoor Life and Caravan Show in 2013. Thirteen years later, they are still running it and have raised over $500,000 for the Club’s junior sailing and youth programs.

In addition to his Australian of the Year award, he was granted a Key to the City of Launceston and awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia in 2024. (Photo 2024: Her Excellency, Governor of Tasmania Barbara Baker AC and Ken Gourley OAM)

As part of Seniors Week 2025, the Probus Club of Launceston is holding an Open Meeting on Tuesday, 14 October, from 10.00 am to noon, and invites anyone who is retired or semi-retired to come and discover what Probus offers.

Probus Clubs throughout Australia provide opportunities for retirees to stay engaged and connected through fun, friendship, and fellowship.

Probus comes in three formats: Women’s, Men’s, and Combined. Ours is a Men’s Club, but everyone can attend this Open Meeting.

The upcoming Open Meeting is an excellent opportunity for newcomers to experience firsthand the welcoming spirit of the club. Attendees can mingle with current members, learn about the diverse social and recreational activities, and discover how joining Probus can bring new adventures and lasting friendships.

Details about each club in Launceston will be available, and attendees can find one that suits them.

Visitors will hear about Probus activities such as walks, dining, theatre, discussion groups, and lawn bowls. In addition, there is always an outstanding guest speaker at each monthly meeting.

The speaker at the open meeting will be Dr Frank Madill AM, a highly respected former medical practitioner, retired member of parliament, and a popular author. His topic will be Medical Mysteries – Old and New.

The Open Meeting is at the Launceston Golf Club, on Opossum Road, Kings Meadows, commencing with morning tea.

Registrations are essential and can be made on the Club’s website www.probuscluboflaunceston.org.au by 10 October.