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Story, Eric North - Photos, Jack Moran, Barbara Gentilcore, Gerry Van Orsouw
We had decided against doing the Bush Council rally in Wagga Wagga before the Nationals, so left home on Easter Monday, planning an easy two day trip to Wangaratta. The overnight stay was planned for Junee, and we had lunch in Young, meeting up with the Wilson’s from Queensland who were also on their way to Wangaratta, and Alan & Ann-Marie Adams who were on their way home from the Wagga Rally. Arrived in Junee later in the afternoon and spent considerable time removing grasshoppers from the front of the car and the radiator. Tuesday was an easy drive to Wangaratta, met the Weekes at morning tea time in Henty, arriving at the Wangaratta Caravan Park in time for lunch.
The caravan park was nicely placed to have a walk to the host Hotel, so we wandered down and registered, obviously this took some time as there were lots of friends to catch up with. We returned there for the welcome get together in the evening, and again there was more catching up to be done. We really enjoy the Buick people, it’s a pity we only get together every couple of years. We also met up with our rooming companion Jack Gerstkemper from the USA, he had travelled down with the Queensland contingent, and I’m sure that will be chronicled elsewhere.
Wednesday’s run was to Corowa on the NSW-Victoria border, where we inspected the local Historical Society’s Museum, very interesting too. Continued on to Yarrawonga, along the shores of Lake Mulwala then on to the Historic Byramine Homestead for lunch with the flies. The homestead is really interesting in its design, having been designed by an English architect for use in India. It was originally constructed in 1842 for Elizabeth Hume, sister in law of explorer Hamilton Hume. After lunch and inspecting the homestead, we made our way directly back to Wangaratta, but others were booked in at the Buffalo Brewery at Boorhaman for afternoon tea and dinner.
Thursday, the cars were given a rest (well for most of the day anyway) and we joined a coach tour, initially to the Chilton Motor Museum, a great collection of automotive and petrol company collectibles. Obviously the owner’s pride and joy. A great morning tea too. Then it was on to the quaint town of Rutherglen for lunch at the Victoria Hotel and a wander around the old town.
The final stop was at the All Saints Winery Wahgunyah. Here we were given a tour of the historic winery, by one of the owner’s and the opportunity of wine and cheese tasting. Another fascinating old complex. The evening meal was at the Wangaratta Airport, we certainly ate well that day.
Friday we had a drive to the historic town of Beechworth, we decide to make a detour on the way and go and look at the old gold dredge at El Dorado, what a huge affair it is. The only ones we have seen of similar size were in Alaska and the goldfields of the Yukon in Canada. It was certainly worth the 20km (each way) detour. Beechworth is a lovely old town with many historic buildings, we had lunch in the “famous” Beechworth Bakery, just in time to see Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott arrive on his bike. He was part of an organised bike ride which just happened to coincide with our visit. I’m sure there will pictures of his visit elsewhere in this or another issue. This was a really pleasant drive and topped off with a nice meal back in Wangaratta at the Pinsent Hotel.
Saturday was the main display day, held in the big park just outside the caravan park, really convenient. However the caravan park operators wanted a photo of all the Buicks that were staying there so we all assembled inside the park first, for a photo session. Although there were a few showers during the day, it did not dampen the spirits and the day went off well, again a lot of talking. Some people spent the day in the town, but it seemed that there was a lot of local interest in the great display of Buicks. The main dinner and prize giving was held that night at the host hotel, the “Gateway”, and turned out to be a very enjoyable occasion. As some people were not continuing on for the following part of the tour, there were many “good-byes” before we returned to the caravan park.
Sunday, after a huge breakfast, again at the Wangaratta airport, it was time to leave, travelling via Glenrowan, the town where Ned Kelly was captured, and is now the local hero, and Shepparton to the Murray River town of Echuca, again arriving at the caravan park in time for lunch. The afternoon was spent wandering around the very pleasant town before enjoying a meal at Radcliffe’s restaurant. A veteran Buick had been brought into the restaurant and after the meal, the owner told us all about the car and its history.
Monday we displayed the cars in the precinct of the “Port of Echuca”, while some people went to the “Penny Arcade” old movie house, which they seemed to enjoy greatly. The visit to the local Historical Society Museum was also a great experience and the interesting talk by the curator helped us to understand more of the area’s fascinating history. Although we had been through Echuca on many occasions, it had been many years since we had taken the time to look around and enjoy the beauties of the Murray River and the history of the river boats which were so much part of our country’s early history.
Tuesday morning we took the opportunity to look at the National Holden Museum, which houses a nice collection of Holdens from the 48-215 pretty much up to date and even includes a Pontiac GTO version of the Holden Monaro, an interesting walk though an important part of our automotive history.
Although I must say I was sceptical about our next activity, a visit to the “Great Aussie Beer Shed” which has a huge collection of beer cans and other breweryania, there was quite a lot to see and the owner gave a very entertaining tour of the collection. Lunch was delightful and in all it proved to be a pleasant experience, apart from the flies. After lunch we were taken to another small car museum in town and as always, it’s great to look at more cars and the junk in the back yard.
We did not do the evening cruise and meal on the paddle wheeler Emmylou, but the people who did said it was very enjoyable.
Wednesday we were on the move again stopping at Elmore where we inspected the H.V.McKay museum, again a small but interesting museum, dedicated to the local man who invented the combine harvester. McKay was extremely successful with his harvester, called the Sunshine, he moved to Ballarat and eventually constructed a large factory in the western suburbs of Melbourne, the local council renamed the suburb “Sunshine” as a token of their gratitude. Unfortunately like so much of our industrial enterprises it was subsequently sold to an international operator and we no longer make “Sunshine” harvesters in this country.
Continuing on from Elmore through a grasshopper plague we settled into the Big 4 caravan Park in Bendigo. During the afternoon we had a tour of the Bendigo Pottery, I have to confess I was a little disappointed as I thought we were to see an operating commercial pottery in operation. It seems the pottery is now mainly a tourist destination and very little production pottery is carried out there, however the tour of the historic plant was interesting and we did see one potter at work and he explained the process very well. The afternoon tea, scones with jam and cream was very naughty but nice, yum!
Dinner was at the Bendigo Car Club rooms, and although our guide (no names Norm) got lost we eventually found the very impressive club rooms and enjoyed a great meal. I admire the Bendigo Club members who are prepared to give up their time to prepare this and our final breakfast meal, for the good of their club. Their club rooms and workshop are very impressive.
Thursday we all met at the Deborah Gold mine site in Bendigo and some did the underground tour while others of did the above ground tour. What a fascinating insight into how gold was mined and the conditions under which the miners were forced to work. I’m certainly glad I have never had to work under such adverse conditions. Then it was a trip on the “talking tram”, the Bendigo Tram Society operates this tourist tram system which is a nice step back into history. They maintain and operate a large and varied historic fleet of trams and the tour includes a look at their depot and workshops, a great morning’s entertainment .
Before the afternoon activity we took the opportunity to have a look at the Bendigo Cathedral, what a fabulous building, while we were there someone was practicing on the magnificent and huge pipe organ, quite a thrilling experience.
The afternoon activity was a visit to the Golden Dragon Museum (not another museum I can hear you say). This was really something special! The Chinese community in this country were treated abominably over the course of our early history, but contributed significantly. This museum not only tells the story of the Chinese in this country, but displays some of the most exquisite artefacts from all over the world. The Easter Dragon Festival in Bendigo is world famous. Dinner was at the Old Boundary hotel, we were transported to and from by bus, saved getting lost again.
The final full day was really a full day. After assembling at a Shopping centre just out of town we drove to Castlemaine and on to the little town of Newstead. Eddie Ford, the editor and owner of Restored Cars magazine was our host for morning tea and we had the opportunity of looking at some of Eddie’s car collection, he is a busy man so, unfortunately his collection is not kept in pristine condition, but is nevertheless interesting. From Eddie’s place we drove to Maldon through very pretty country and arrived at the railway station, which had recently been partially burnt down. What a pity, as it was obviously an attractive and historic building. We were fascinated by the steam engine being brought out of its shed and attached to the carriages which were to take us on the 45 minute journey back to Castlemaine. We were provided with a light lunch at the Castlemaine railway station and had time to take a walk around the town before boarding the train again for the return trip to Maldon. While we were having lunch the loco had been turned around and reattached to the front of the train. It was a lot of fun to again travel on a steam hauled train, complete with smoke and coal grit.
On the way back to Bendigo we called at Rod Hatfield’s Hot Rod Museum just out of Castlemaine, he has a well presented and interesting collection of Hot Rods and modified vehicles, most of which are his own creations.
Posted 06/2010 |
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