Past Presentations

ProbusORV holds monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month. Each meeting starts at 9:15 with a 45 minute coffee gathering, followed by a presentation on diverse and interesting topics. Click on a year to see a list of our presenters.

2026

• June, 2026 – Tom Zagon – Manager, Applied Science, Ice – Environment and Climate Change Canada
  “Ice Conditions on the Northwest Passage from Franklin to Present Day”
  • Franklin’s vessel became trapped in the sea ice of the Northwest Passage (NWP) during the summer of 1846. Yet today, in the 21st century, vessels transit the NWP passage on a regular basis. These regular sailings through the NWP are possible not only because of changing ice conditions, but also due to other factors such as improvements in ice and weather forecasting, satellite communications and navigation technology. The talk demonstrated how our modern understanding of sea ice patterns shaped the search for Franklin’s ships. It also examined how navigation along the NWP has changed from the 19^th century to the present and gave us a look at the implications of changing ice conditions for users travelling both on and through the ice.
• May, 2026 – Rita Donovan – Author
  “The Guinea Pig Club – The RCAF’s Most Exclusive Club”
  • Rita Donovan gave a fascinating account of the Guinea Pig Club, with particular emphasis on the Canadian Guinea Pig Club.  There were 640 Guinea Pigs, 176 of whom were Canadian, the largest contingent after the Brits.  The Guinea Pigs were second world war airmen who had been burned, maimed and ”mashed” and received treatment from a New Zealand plastic surgeon, Archibald McIndoe (The Maestro), and a Canadian plastic surgeon from Bowmanville, Ross Tilley (The Artist).   Plastic surgery was not widespread at the time, and Dr McIndoe and Dr Tilley performed experimental plastic surgery on the Guinea Pigs at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grimstead, south of London.  They invented techniques and made post-surgical advances.  Their approach was holistic, and the men returned to society only when they were physically, mentally and emotionally fit.  There were no psychiatrists on the ward, and not one of the airmen committed suicide.  In 1944, a Canadian wing of the hospital was opened and staffed by Dr Tilley, Canadian surgeons, doctors, nurses and an anaesthetist.
    It is an amazing and heart-warming story of camaraderie, science and resilience.
• April, 2026 – Olivia Luttrell – Outreach Attendant
  “The Work of the Ottawa Humane Society”
  • At our April meeting Olivia Luttrell from the Ottawa Humane Society gave an interesting and informative talk about the work of the Humane Society and the amazing programmes and partnerships they have to protect and care for animals of all kinds, in our community. The Society is only partially supported by the City of Ottawa and relies on donors and a large group of dedicated volunteers to  achieve their goals.
• March, 2026 – Matteo Bottega – War Amps Spokesperson
  “The War Amps CHAMP Program – A Program Offering Support to Child Amputees”
  • In March, Probus ORV was treated to a talk about the War Amps of Canada. Matteo Bottega spoke on behalf of the organization, starting with a brief overview of its history. Using words and video he described the formation of War Amps and the development of programs for children. A heartwarming and informative presentation given by a recipient of their generosity.
• February, 2026 – Laura Reinsborough – Ottawa Riverkeeper and CEO
  “A River’s Report Card: Understanding the Ottawa River’s Ecological Health”
  • At our February meeting we were treated to an interesting and informative presentation about the state of our river. Who knew that the Ottawa River is one of the cleanest rivers in the world and that, unlike many “city” rivers, it is absolutely swimmable! Laura spoke about her role as “Riverkeeper” and how change happens slowly as so many municipal, provincial and federal governments are involved in any negotiation.   Laura Reinsborough was an informed and passionate speaker and an admirable advocate for our river system.
• January, 2026 – Deborah Lyall – Artist
  “Enhancing Your Art with Framing”
  • Our first speaker of the year was Deborah Lyall. Debi is a local artist, art preserver and framer. She works in material art but also in other art mediums.  Her passion is preservation, keeping safe the artwork and memorabilia that her clients treasure. She gave an entertaining and informative presentation that ended with a pop quiz.

2025

• December 2025 – Charlotte Gray – Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons
  • As the guest speaker at our Christmas luncheon, Charlotte Gray spoke about the inspiration for her book, “Passionate Mothers, Powerful Sons: the lives of Jennie Jerome Churchill and Sara Delano Roosevelt” and her extensive and intensive research to complete the project.  Ms. Gray is a witty and charming speaker, and her presentation was well received with many questions from the audience.
• November 2025 – Captain Bob Pearson – The Gimli Glider Incident
  • Captain Bob Pearson gave a fascinating account of how he and his crew on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Winnipeg ran out of fuel, lost power but managed to glide their plane to a safe landing on an unused airstrip in Gimli, Manitoba.  As this was a special presentation, our Club was joined by members from both the Clubs in Alta Vista and Ottawa West. Everyone had a good time socializing at the coffee party prior to the presentation and at lunch afterwards. Thanks to all who contributed to make this event a great success.
• October 2025 – Peggy Blair – Author – The Journey to Print
  • Peggy spoke about the journey  she took from her work as a lawyer and a member of the Canadian Rights Tribunal to that of best-selling author of  The Beggars Opera, The Poisoned Pawn, Hungry Ghosts and many more. Her struggles to find an agent that would work to get her books published finally led to her establishment of ReBound Press, her own publishing company.  Her talk was both inspiring and optimistic.
• September 2025 – Peter Watson – Dean of Science; Carleton Univ. (ret’d) – Can We Time Travel? Ten Answers
  • Dr. Peter Watson, a physicist from Carleton University,  gave an interesting, if somewhat whimsical presentation on time travel.  Is it possible, can we do it? If not, why not?  Can anyone really know if this would be possible. Peter gave us a lot to think about.
• August 2025 – Michael Allen – Katalin Karikó, pivotal researcher of the mRNA COVID vaccine – Her Story
  • Dr. Michael Allen shared the fascinating story behind the development of the COVID 19 vaccine by Dr. Katalin Kariko. Her tenacity and determination led her from the depths of despair to the highest achievement and finally international recognition of her scientific  expertise when she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology in 2023 for her work developing mRNA. While others doubted the usefulness of her work on mRNA (messenger RNA) she pursued her theory and finally was offered a position at BioNTech, the company that later worked with Pfizer (the drug company) to produce the first COVID19 vaccine.  It is perhaps significant that Dr. Allen spoke to us on the day that the United States withdrew $500M in funding from mRNA research.
• July 2025 – Ian Lee – Trump, Tariffs and the Canada-US Relationship – Past, Present and Future
  • Ian Lee gave a thought-provoking presentation on tariffs, the US economy and the state of the Canadian economy.  Dr Lee spoke about what a powerhouse the American economy is ($30 trillion) and how Canada is in a state of economic decline due to its lack of competitiveness and low productivity.  Canada is an export dependent country and is the United States’ second largest trading partner.  Since Europe’s productivity is decreasing and China’s market share is declining, Canada has no choice but to rely on the US market. Tariffs are a form of protectionism which leads to increased prices, higher unemployment and a reduction in GDP.   He proposed that Canada must stop all retaliatory tariffs, eliminate protectionist laws such as supply management, eliminate barriers to trade diversification, eliminate the corporate income tax gap with the US, reduce trade barriers with Asia and the EU, put in place a natural resource free-trade agreement with China, impose deadlines for consultation on investment projects (for example, pipelines), and implement a means test for social programmes such as dental care, pharmacare and daycare. Dr. Lee certainly gave us much to consider.
• June 2025 – Esther Becker – Bone Health 101 – Things You Need to Know About Osteoporosis
  • Dr. Becker is a volunteer with Osteoporosis Canada and she spoke about bone health in both women and men. She gave an interesting and informative presentation on living with osteoporosis. She stressed that a healthy diet and exercise can make a difference in managing this disease.
    Part of her story is personal, as she was diagnosed with osteoporosis  nearly 20 years ago but continues to live an active life. She enjoys exercising regularly, hiking, and kayaking in summer, and  travelling and exploring Canada.
• May 2025 – Margaret McQuaig-Johnston – Canada-China Relations in a New World
  • Margaret McCuaig-Johnston’s topic was  “Canada-China Relations in a New World.” Margaret McCuaig-Johnston is a commentator on everything China, from our rocky relationship to human rights abuses there, foreign interference, its innovation system, surveillance technologies and China in the Arctic.  We’re in a new world as the U.S. pivots to embrace autocratic states.  Will China be one?  Margaret’s presentation was informative, insightful and somewhat frightening. 
• April 2025 – Sarah Bercier – Executive Director – Ottawa Council on Aging
  • At the April meeting our speaker was Sarah Bercier, Executive Director of the Ottawa Council on Aging.  Sarah spoke about the important, ongoing initiatives of the Council on Aging on behalf of Ottawa Seniors.  She also spoke about the programme, Smart Aging, that the Council offers. For more information go to https://www.coaottawa.ca/
• March 2025 – Dr. Vanessa Taler – Psychologist – Ottawa University – Cognition in Older People
  • Dr. Taler gave an interesting and informative talk based on  research that she has been pursuing, with other investigators across Canada about cognitive differences and the process of aging as it differs between individuals and among various groups.  She also spoke about her individual research project on how bilingualism can impact the aging process.
• February 2025 – David Pollock – Can a Grain of Sand Hold Back the Tide
  • David Pollock, one of our members, spoke to us  at the February meeting about his concern with climate change and the efforts he has taken to deal with this change. “Can a Grain of Sand Hold Back the Tide?” – his personal journey spending summers in Georgian Bay led to his moral imperative to live sustainably, concerned about the state of the earth and what can be done about it. David learned much through social justice experiences with the Canadian Council of Churches, CUSO and the Pemberton Institute.
• January 2025 – Joy Bennett – The Right, The Means, The Will – A Brief Look at Canadian Labour History
  • Joy gave us a short history of the organized labour movement in Canada. She touched on the influences of typographer’s strikes in 1872, the building of the Canadian Pacific Railroad in 1881-85, the influences of “Big Labour” from the United States in the 1930s. She highlighted the achievements made in areas of worker health and safety and compensation and benefits over the past 100 years and looked to future issues as management and labour grapple with new issues of remote work and other benefits.

2024

• December – Laurence Wall – Twentieth Century Canada Through the Magic of Radio
  • One hundred members and guests enjoyed  lunch at this pre-holiday celebration.  The guest speaker was Laurence Wall who spoke about how radio shaped the recent history of Canada. Mr. Wall, a popular CBC newscaster, took us down memory lane and we heard about many of the radio programmes, for example, “The Happy Gang,” that were part of our youth.
• November – Whit Fraser – Reporter, Story Teller, and Husband of the Governor General
  • Whit Fraser, gave a very personal and interesting account of his experiences in Canada’s North. As a reporter, he emphasized the stories and experiences that his Inuit colleagues related to  him and read passages from his recent book, “True North Rising”. His Excellency was formally thanked by Dawn Cooper, a member of our Speakers Committee
• October – Brett Martensen – AI: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
  • Brett Martensen educated us on the “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” of Artificial Intelligence (AI).  He spoke of many ways that AI can be useful and indeed helpful in our daily lives.  He also warned of some the dangers of AI and noted how it can be used to distort photos and create images that look authentic but are fakes.
• September – Gary Bennett – Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
  • Gary gave his usual entertaining and informative presentation, this time on the spice trade. His topic was “Sugar and spice and everything nice” and focused on the importance of spices in our lives since the Medieval Age. He spoke about the quest for Europeans to find the best route to the Orient where spices originated and how that quest opened up continents and new worlds.
• August – Craig Greenwood – Working With Polar Bears
  • Craig is currently our Probus District Director but before coming to PROBUS he had had a long career as a biologist with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. His work took him to Northern Ontario where he worked with Moose, Black Bear, Caribou and especially Polar Bears.  Craig’s enthusiasm for his work and his  very clear affection for the massive animals was evident as he shared stories of his life and work among the Polar Bears of the southern part of Hudson’s Bay.
• July – Johanna Lemke – Enemy Under Our Roof
  • Johanna Lemke spoke to us about her incredible experiences as a young child in the Netherlands as the Nazis occupied her country and even her own home. She spoke movingly of her mother’s bravery in confronting the Nazi soldier who insisted on billeting with her family and the solution they implemented to make a bad situation barely tolerable. Her parents were determined to make life as normal as possible for their children.  The Canadian connection and happy ending came when the British liberated their village and Canadian soldiers arrived to secure the peace. Once again soldiers billeted with her family but this time, they were Canadia soldiers and became close friends of the family who later encouraged Johanna and her family to start a new life in Canada.
• June – Paul Pace – Using Drones to Monitor Wildlife
  • Paul gave us an informative and stimulating talk on the innovative use of Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (Drones) in monitoring wildlife.  With a Ph.D. in Atomic Physics and a long career in defence research, he was responsible for the development of these vehicles and their use in both military and civilian applications. He discussed the advantages of both large and small drones in terms of their cost and effectiveness and commented on their use for counting and tracking of wildlife populations.
• April – Bill Stewart – The RCMP Musical Ride
  • Bill Stewart, the former RCMP Riding Master, gave a delightful presentation highlighting his experiences with the RCMP Musical Ride and most particularly his close connections with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.  He spoke of his opportunities to participate in various ceremonial events and showed many interesting and personal photos.  Mr. Stewart also brought a fascinating display of his personal memorabilia including his RCMP horse blanket and several photos that were presented to him by Queen Elizabeth.
• March – Gary Smith – Fmr Canadian Diplomat – Experiences in Russia
  • Gary spoke to us about his experiences as a young Canadian diplomat in Russia. He was instrumental in planning and executing the Canada-Russia hockey series in 1972. His presentation was personal and interesting as he spoke about life in Moscow in 1972 as he and the Canadian team of diplomats and politicians worked to organize the series of hockey games. Mr. Smith generously shared his expertise of international affairs with us and answered questions about the current situations in the Ukraine and Israel.
• February – Marion Martell – Her Heart Matters
  • February is heart month and very fittingly our February speaker was Marion Martell, who spoke to us about Women’s heart health. In her interesting and informative presentation, she outlined some of the differences between men and women when presenting with heart issues. Women’s symptoms of heart problems or a heart attack are very different from those experienced by men. She noted that women’s bodies store plaque (the sticky substance that can clog arteries) in different ways than men do and this can lead to different medical symptoms.  She left us with the very clear message that if your wife, partner, mother, sister, roommate is not feeling well and says, “it’s nothing” it might well  be “something” which requires attention.