The Batemans Bay local was last week sworn is as president of the seniors' social club, of which she has been an active member for about eight years.

Tollgates Probus held its annual changeover luncheon last week, installing a fresh new committee for the year ahead. 32 members attended the event - the club is gradually bouncing back from pandemic isolation, and always welcomes new faces.

Mrs Baker said she is looking forward to her term as president, aiming to grow membership and bring older residents out of their COVID-isolation bubbles.

"I'm an optimist, and hope to get things back to normal like they were before COVID," Mrs Baker said.

"We are hoping to build numbers back up, and organise activities that don't go to crowded places - to encourage people to come back out."

At its heart, Probus is an organisation for retirees who want to get out in the community and make social connections. Mrs Baker said it is an important lifeline for many of the members at Tollgates Probus.

"To me, it is about friendship - you meet a lot of different people, because members of the group are from varying backgrounds," she said.

"For some of our members, it is their main social outlet, which is so important to have."

As the new president of Tollgates Probus, Mrs Baker encouraged would-be members to get in touch with the club by email (tollgatesprobus@hotmail.com) or by phone (0419 403 193).