Forbes Probus Club has celebrated 40 years of keeping retirees connected.

Clubs from around the region joined locals in touring local sites before gathering at Club Forbes for lunch on October 11.

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller gave an official welcome to Forbes and shared the history of the club.

Current club president Neil Gilmour was central to the club's formation: he was the Rotary community service director in 1984 when Forbes Rotary decided to assess the need for a Probus club in Forbes.

A letter was sent out to retired professional and businessmen, who gathered in numbers at the golf club on April 27, 1984.

After hearing from the Rotary Club of Young and their newly-formed Probus club, it was moved that Forbes would form its own club.

Nominations were called for the executive, which resulted in Les Hawke, Robert Woodburn and Ron Barter being elected to the positions of president, secretary and treasurer respectively.

The inaugural meeting of the club took place at Forbes golf club on May 25, 1984 when the district governor of Rotary presented Les Hawke with his sash and his badge of office.

Decades on, the club continues to meet monthly and host interesting speakers to keep members informed of local happenings.

"I want to commend the work of Forbes Probus Club in connecting our older community members," Mayor Miller said.

"Thank you for the great work you do."