Probus - First meeting of the new Probus year

President Ron Lawrence’s first duty was to open the first meeting of the new Probus year, inducting new members Terry and Meredy Ballard and Adrienne Osman.   

Members paid their respects to Audrey McHardy who had passed away during the weekend.

Visitors Alvin and Rosemary Browne were welcomed. 

New committee member

Annette Sicely is a new member of the committee, taking care of organising speakers for meetings and is keen to hear about people who would like to speak to the club. 

Annette spoke of her own interests in the community having lived in the area for 12 years. These included floral art, her garden and being part of the Heritage Rose Group. 

Prison career for speaker

Our speaker, Leanne Field, recently retired from the Department of Corrections after a career spanning 26 years. 

Leanne became interested in this field after her two brothers and husband joined the Corrections Service. She thought she would become part of the family team and joined the service in the mid 80’s. At that time women prison officers were only able to work in women’s prisons.  

She went on to work in Paremoremo and became manager of the Christchurch Womens Prison in 1999 and in the early 2000’s became Manager of Arohata Prison in Wellington where there was a drug therapy unit. 

In 2002 Leanne became National Facilities Development Manager and involved with building four new prisons, then went on to be Regional Manager in Wanganui, transferring to Hamilton and Wellington before returning to Auckland. 

Leanne has had a very successful career in the Corrections Department and has seen many changes during that time, including the private operation of prisons.  

Next meeting

Mangawhai Probus meet every third Thursday in the month at the Senior Citizens Hall, Fagan Street, Managwhai at 2pm.  Next meeting: Thursday May 16. All visitors are welcome and if you are new to the community this is a great way to make new friends. 

If you require transport please contact Petronella Brom 431 4700 or Beve Smith 431 5777 or would like to know more about Probus go to www.probussouthpacific.org or contact Ron and Gaylene Lawrence 431 5617.

- Gaylene Lawrence, Secretary