Lightning Ridge Bus Tour August 21-25, 2023
18 members and 5 friends arrived back in Brisbane at 6pm last Friday after an extremely enjoyable tour to Lightning Ridge. Everyone got on very well and I am unaware of any problems and complaints during the trip. There were no health issues.
The tour was well organized and we enjoyed visiting places to and from Lightning Ridge – Pittsworth Museum for morning tea, lunch at Railway Hotel, Goondiwindi, had a beer at the Nindigully Hotel, out in the middle of nowhere, established 1864, near St George, where we stayed overnight. We had a conducted tour of the Riversands Vineyard and sampled their many wines, lunch at Dirranbandi Hotel and then to Lightning Ridge for 2 nights. We had a conducted tour of the town and its many attractions, swim in the spa pool, 2 dinners at Lightning Ridge Bowls Club, climbed down and up 81 steps to view underground opal mining operations and on our 4th day departed Lightning Ridge for morning tea at Collarenabri Hotel, lunch at Moree Golf Club, then to Goondiwindi Gunsyd Motel and dinner at the Railway Hotel. Day 5 was on the road to Brisbane, morning tea tour of Coolmunda Olive Farm, lunch at Glengallen Homestead, Warwick.
We awarded Eugene, our tour operator and bus driver, 10 out of 10 for being a very pleasant and skillful operator and driver – nothing was too much trouble to him to make us happy. All up, we travelled just over 2,000 kms.
Members indicated that they would like to do a similar tour next year and I have asked them to put in requests for places and length of tour. If we go for more than 5 days, we would need to have more rest days at an interesting location. Something to ponder!
Christmas in July at the Canungra Hotel 26th July, 2023
We all met at Cubberla Park for a 9:30 am bus pick-up. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control the bus had to cancel at the last minute. Members decided to car pool and drive to Canungra Village. We had time to wander around the village to buy a cup of coffee, visit some interesting stores, including the Antiques shop, Op Shop, book shop, country gift shop, and a popular shoe store.
We then had a tour of the the historic St Luke’s Anglican Church. Built in 1936 with local timbers (The walls are made of rosewood, the floor is rose gum and the furniture is red cedar). On 18 October 1936 the Church was officially opened and dedicated by Archbishop William Wand. The building was designed by architect Raymond Clare Nowland and the contractor was Gordon Rhodes, supervised by architect Thomas Percy. It was built in the Old English Gothic style using rose cedar.Also gives other historical information - example tramway construction.
We then had a delicious xmas lunch at the Canungra Hotel.
Celebrating Seniors Month October 2022
General Meeting - October 10th
Members continue to celebrate Probus Day by dressing up in Probus colours for our October 10 meeting.
Celebrating Probus Day - Saturday 1st October
Members enjoyed a twilight river cruise to see the river bridges and buildings that were lit up in Probus colours of blue and yellow to celebrate Probus Day. Nine members of our Club sailed on the MV Mirimar with about 42 members of the Indooroopilly Probus Club. There was substantial finger food refreshments served as we proceeded up and down the river with a cash bar in operation for the occasional drink!
