Guest Speakers for 2024-25
Presenter: Barrie Shepley
Topic: The Olympic experience from the coach and commentator perspective
Barrie was Canada’s National Triathlon Team coach in 1991, and for several years following. His company Personal Best was formed in 1991 and since then, Barrie has coached hundreds of people to national championship titles, Pan American Games medals, World Championship medals as well as the successful completion of the Hawaii Ironman and the Boston Marathon. Barrie was selected to go to the 2000 Sydney Olympics where Triathlon made its debut as a full medal sport. Canada won the gold medal in the men's event, a performance no one will ever forget.
Furthermore, Barrie has been the voice of the International Triathlon Union, and announced races all over the world, including multiple Olympic games. As a Board member for Triathlon, co-founder of Ontario Triathlon, and former chair for the Coaches Association of Ontario, there are few people in our nation that have contributed as much to the sport as Barrie. Barrie was also the founder of the Kids of Steel triathlon program, a program that gave many of our nation's top triathletes a start in the sport, including Olympic gold medal winner Simon Whitfield.
Barrie will speak to us about the Olympic experience from the coach and commentator perspective and about how this impacted his world view.
Presenter: Graham Ghent from BigDoor
Topic: All About BigDoor in Walkerton
“Caring for people where they’re at, in a space where they can move forward.”
The team at BigDoor hopes this building can be a source of care, hope, support and community for anyone who enters our “big door”. Graham Ghent will be talking about some of the many services they offer, including "Comfort Meals" (which happen on Tuesday for those in need of a warm lunch) and the "326cafe" (which is an after school drop in for high school students).
Presenter: Jean Rowcliffe
Topic: Nanny to the Royals
Ms Jean Rowcliffe (who lives in St Marys) is a retired nanny, formerly employed by the Royal family. She began working for them as a 17 year old servant at Buckingham Palace in 1974.
After 18 months she briefly returned to Canada, before heading back to England to attend the prestigious Norland College (the training ground which still produces nannies for the Royal Family including the Prince and Princess of Wales).
After she graduated in 1979, her previous experience at Buckingham Palace helped her land a job as a nanny, helping the Prince and Princess of Kent raise a young Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Gabriella Kingston.
She spent four and a half years at Kensington Palace before continuing her career in other fascinating locations around the world.
What was it like working for the Royals? You'll have to attend the November Probus meeting to find out!
Presenter: Lynn Weimer
Topic: Planning for your Health Care Future
She will be speaking on Advance Care Planning 101
Imagine, If you were in the hospital, too ill or hurt to speak for yourself, who would make health care decisions for you?
Join us as we look at health care decision making in Ontario and how Advance Care Planning conversations can help you and your loved ones. This session is all about how the law in Ontario sets up Substitute Decision Making, and what you need to know about choosing your Substitute Decision Maker (SDM). This is essential information you need to know about Advance Care Planning in Ontario.
Advance Care Planning – the gift you give each other!