We're going to a naval base on Thursday
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325348)
Rockingham, Australia
June 18, 2022 9:49pm CST
Do you have Probus clubs in your country? I guess they are a bit like Rotary. I don’t know if they do ‘good deeds’ but mostly they seem to be a social club that has guest speakers at their meetings. They often arrange outings here and there too. We don’t belong to Probus but have made up the numbers sometimes when our friend’s Probus group goes on outings.
On Thursday, we’ll be joining them for a trip to the Garden Island Naval Base, just off the coast of Western Australia. It might be the last time that members of the public will be allowed on to the base, due to security concerns. The island itself is about 10 kilometres (6 mi) long and 1.5 kilometres (0.9 mi) wide. It is linked to the mainland by an artificial causeway and bridge.
Another interesting fact to me is that introduced animals have been eradicated on the island and the native animals are now thriving. This includes a population of tammar wallabies which are small kangaroo-type creatures.
The photo shows my father with several tammars which he had as pets when he was clearing his farm.
16 people like this
16 responses
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
19 Jun 22
I've never heard of Probus clubs. I hope you both enjoy the outing.
People tame all kinds of small animals to keep as pets. One of my nieces had a skunk and a raccoon as pets at different times as she was growing up.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (325348)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Jun 22
@DaddyEvil I knew you could have them de-scented. Sounds a very good way to go from what I've heard of the stench they create.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (94780)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Jun 22
Never heard of those clubs. But have fun on your trip
4 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (94287)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
19 Jun 22
In the Lake Charles there is one Rotary club even though I have never been to a meeting. Enjoy your time in your region tomorrow.
4 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (94287)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
19 Jun 22
@JudyEv You are welcome.
2 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
19 Jun 22
I don`t join any group or clubs around here. I`d rather stay at home than going out. Glad that you will be joining a nice group for outing it will be fun. Enjoy 
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
19 Jun 22
@JudyEv I am an introvert person. I really can`t go out too long and with crowded people
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@JudyEv (325348)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Jun 22
@m_audrey6788 I understand completely.
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@snowy22315 (169619)
• United States
19 Jun 22
They are really very small aren't they? Seeing the pic, I don't know that I ever saw one. Even the ones at zoos seem bigger.
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@JudyEv (325348)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jun 22
Tammars are just one type of kangaroos. I should think most in zoos would be the bigger ones.
@rebelann (111076)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Jun 22
I hope so. From what I've read domestic cats are the most destructive of our predator type pets and over the decades too many of them have been abandoned on islands and even here in the USA. They've destroyed many ecosystems.
I've read about dogs being responsible for the extinction of the dodo bird among others.
What I can't figure out is why there weren't any horses in the US before the Europeans came.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86515)
• United States
19 Jun 22
A lovely photo of your Dad Judy.
Oh that will be super special now this trip.
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@Fleura (29097)
• United Kingdom
24 Jun 22
@JudyEv Well isn't that funny, I've never even heard of them but apparently they were founded in England in 1965! And you're right, there is one just a few miles away. They are more of a social club than a fundraising organisation so I guess that's why non-one not associated with them would have much reason to know about them.
According to their recruiting info:
A PROBUS Club is a local association of retired and semi-retired PROfessional and BUSiness people, and others who have had some measure of responsibility in any field of worthy endeavour, who are of character and respected in their communities.
I'm not sure I would fit those criteria, even if I was old enough!
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@JudyEv (325348)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Jun 22
He wasn't clearing his farm of tammars, just of vegetation, although I guess the tammars gradually retreated into the bush areas beyond the farm.
I checked - there are over 2200 Probus clubs throughout the UK. There might even be one near you! 
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (155566)
• United States
19 Jun 22
What a great picture. We don't have any Probus clubs that I know of. I hope you will have a good trip on Thursday. Drive safely.
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@JudyEv (325348)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Jun 22
I guess the ones in the photos are about half-grown. They grow to about 18 inches high. I think that equates to about 45 cm.
The naval base is home to some submarines and a warship or two and probably lots of classified information so they don't want the public swarming all over the base.
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@JudyEv (325348)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Jun 22
The native species have it even rougher trying to survive against foxes and feral cats in particular. The tammar was once much more widespread but its habitat continues to shrink.
