In the last year of the 20th century, two people were trying to address the need for a social organization, along the lines of Rotary, for those who were retired. Doug & Dorrie Milliken had always been active participants in everything going on in Huntsville, and Doug had recently attended a meeting of a PROBUS club in Windsor, and felt that such a club would be very welcome in Huntsville.
As required by the rules of PROBUS, he approached the Huntsville Rotary club and asked them to sponsor a Huntsville PROBUS club. That is where Doug & Dorrie ran into a roadblock. The Rotary president at that time was aware of a mens PROBUS club in Bracebridge that he saw as an excuse for retired men to get together and have a few beers. He therefore refused to sponsor a Huntsville club.
However, Doug & Dorrie did not forget the idea, so when a new Rotary president took over in 2001 they tried again, and were successful in getting the sponsorship. The new club was formed in October 2001, with Charlie Baker as the first President.
The club continued to grow, and in 2005 was so well established that our second President, Barry Stephens, was asked to co-chair a PROBUS Muskoka Rendezvous. It was held from September 27th to 29th, and was the first national function. People attended, not only from Canada, but as far away as Australia. The programme included a special dinner for guests at the homes of local members throughout Muskoka.. Also included were visits to the theatre, Algonquin Park, Bala cranberry marsh, an artists studio tour and a golf tournament, The formal part of the programme included the opening and closing ceremonies, the latter being a banquet at Grandview attended by the then Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, James Bartelman.
2005 also saw the election of our first woman president, Diane Litchfield, and since then the women members have held their own in the competition for the top job. Both women and men have been active over the years on our Management Committee and in the running of our social activities. For more information on those activities, and our monthly general meetings, check out the other pages on this website.
We have maintained membership at around the 200 level, the maximum number as laid down in our by-laws, despite the forming of 2 more PROBUS clubs in Huntsville/Lake of Bays, but we are always happy to welcome new members to replace those who, for various reasons, cease to be members.
Persons interested in becoming members should contact the Membership Chair. Click on the "Contact Us" link below to obtain details.
Alternatively, to get on our waiting list, please fill in our Membership Application Form.