Durham Central PROBUS Club - Speaker Schedule

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Speaker Schedule

October 15, 2026

Speaker: Paul Oliver

Urban Nature Store

Paul Oliver is the founder of Urban Nature Store, Canada’s go-to destination for backyard birders, wildlife watchers, and anyone who's ever tried (and failed) to outsmart a squirrel. With a lifelong passion for birds and urban wildlife, Paul has built a business—and a community—centered on helping people connect with nature right in their own backyards.

Whether he's advising customers on the best seed to attract finches or designing bird-friendly spaces for urban settings, Paul brings a practical, engaging, and often humorous approach to conservation at home. He believes that even the smallest patch of green can make a big difference—for birds and people alike.

Paul’s presentations combine expert advice with real-world tips, delivered with the warmth and enthusiasm of someone who genuinely loves what he does (and doesn’t mind cleaning birdbaths on weekends). The Presentation will include a special seasonal focus on helping birds survive the harsh Canadian winter.

Urban Nature Store is a proudly Canadian-owned retailer dedicated to serving both passionate birding enthusiasts and those just discovering the joy of backyard birding. Through our online store at UrbanNatureStore.ca and ten retail locations across Ontario, including their locations in Pickering and Oshawa, we offer a wide range of quality bird feeders, seed, optics, and nature-inspired gifts to help Canadians connect with the natural world around them.

November 19, 2026

Speaker: Dr. Amy Barron

The History of Camp 30: German POWs in Bowmanville

How did a Bowmanville Boys Reform school end up housing top-ranking German POWs in the Second World War? Durham Region played many parts in the overseas war effort including hosting important German officers whose one mission to get back to Germany led to many interesting escape attempts. Life in Camp 30 had many interesting ups and downs, from local recreation activities to the “Battle of Bowmanville”. And what will become of this important national historic site now?
Dr. Amy Barron
Amy Barron received her PhD at the University of Toronto in the field of Mesopotamian history and archaeology, specializing on the military history of Iron Age Assyria. She has excavated predominantly in the Middle East but has travelled widely studying the archaeology of various remote parts of the world from Peru to China. Amy has taught archaeology, ancient history and classics at the universities of Toronto and Guelph and presently teaches museum studies in Fleming College’s post-graduate program. She has worked in the museum world for over 30 years and loves sharing her passion for the past.

"Making Friends, Staying Active and Having Fun in Retirement"