The Parkwood Mixed Probus Club
 

"Bundy in Bloom" September 2006
 

          8 day ‘BUNDY IN BLOOM’ TRIP    BY Doreen Beetham 

On Sunday 3rd. September, Thirty Members and friends left for an 8 day trip to Bundaberg, some travel­ling by train, others by coach. We all met again at the Bundaberg Station, perfect timing by Bob. Before heading for Bargara, we stopped at I.G.A. to stock the pantry. This 1 might add, became a daily ritual, the least said about Toilet Paper the better !! Accommodation at " The Point " at Bargara was 1st class.
 

We met with Bargara and Bundaberg Probus Clubs for lunch, and having one of their members join us on two of our outings, where he was able to point out places of interest was a bonus.

 

On the trip to Mt. Perry, we were to call in on CWA Gin Gin for morning tea, which took us through an extremely narrow tunnel, totally built by hand and also full of bats. One member of our group was "not impressed". It was a bit hair-raising, but we could always see the light at the end of the tunnel which was very reassuring to most of us, even if Bob had broken down in the middle of it. Meeting up with the CWA Mt Perry, they fed us and gave us a history of the area. One of our members checked out the local medical facilities, and had a ride to Gin Gin in an ambulance. He only did this because it was his birthday the next day.

 

We visited local places of interest, e.g. the Rum Distillery where, after a tour round their area, a "tasting" was on offer, and was enjoyed by all. After a number of drinks, off to the Botanical Gardens, where the gardens looked a picture, we enjoyed a lovely meal in their cafes and enjoyed some entertainment, some of it provided by our own members, what hidden talent we have in our club. We also managed a trip on the little train which went round the Ibis Sanctuary three times, great fun. We also enjoyed the Museum and Bert Hinkler House which was of great interest, visits to the our local shops, Bundaberg city itself and the Turtle Rookery at Mon Repos, where they were not responding as they were truly in repose, it was closed and deserted, however we were able to walk through the area and let our imagination do the rest.

 

A visit to 1770 was a lovely drive. However, we put the owners of a small cafe into a panic mode, as we had not warned them of our arrival. The thought of serving lunch to 30 hungry travellers horrified them, until we explained we were not in any hurry, and we also had our own chairs. We commandeered their grounds and had a very pleasant couple of hours while they provided us with our take-always, and the bush turkey enjoyed the unexpected left-overs.

 

On two occasions, (three for some) we visited the Strawberry Farm and enjoyed their luscious goodies, all calorie controlled of course!!

One evening a delightful seafood buffet was organised at our accommodation, the Manager offered to shell the prawns, they were excellent, but 1 doubt whether he will ever volunteer again. On our last night we enjoyed a Chinese Banquet and 1 think we all returned home a few kilos heavier, a number of friends richer from the interactive close living.

On our return journey, the coach again met the train travellers at Roma St., saving them a long wait be­cause of delays on the Gold Coast line, also it was pouring with rain, so this was really appreciated.

Sincere thanks to Bob and Doris, for all the time and effort put into making our holiday truly memorable one.                                        

 
 

Red HOT and COLE    Show on Friday 16th June.

The life of Cole Porter, told in his own words and music.

By Lorraine Keilty.
 

On Friday the sixteenth of June twenty-three members of Parkwood Probus and their friends enjoyed a wonderful evening with Col Porter and his friends at the Gold Coast Little theatre.

 

The Show proved to be very unusual and enchanting musical. I doubt we will ever experience the unique song writing of that generation again. Briefly, Cole Porter Was Born into a rich family so didn’t have to suffer the struggles of less financial songwriters.

He also had a classical musical education, including the study of German opera, with enabled him to write such varied and interesting music.

 

I think Cole Porter shares the distinction with Irvinq Berlin of being a first rate writer of melodies and lyrics.

 

Red Hot and Cole is a very demanding and difficult show, however, I feel the principal payers and the rest of the cast rose to the challenge.

 

The costumes, especially the masquerade ball masks, were exquisite and very elegant.

 

The moving of props by incorporating these manoeuvres as part of the play itself was both fascinating and very clever.

 

Charles Cooper played a very credible Cole Porter and Louise Harris performed a very convincing supportive wife very much in love with her exocentric bi-sexual husband; a unique partnership even by today's standards.

Many were observed displaying openly their enjoyment oft this wonderful show with the tapping of feet and the humming along with such well known Cole Porter songs as:  Night and day ...  De-lovely ...   I Love Paris ...  Anything goes ...    What is this thing called love

 

To sum up with one more of his well known songs. .. What a Swell Party we Had. 

 

 

 

House with no Steps.  Outing on June 28th. 2006

Reported by Doris Coe
 

What better way to start the day than leaving on our coach trip to the "House with no steps". It was nice to see some new faces; we sincerely hope they enjoyed their day. Our first stop for a "cuppa" was Bangalow; this area was well known to Bob and Helen, who lived here some years ago. A’ wander round the shops before boarding our coach once more, and setting off through the lovely green countryside to our destination.

 

Arriving at the House with no Steps, we were taken on a tour of the packing shed, and shown the machine that puts together the different Packing Cases for a variety of fruits and nuts. The machine can turn out up to 8,000 boxes per hour, but usually does 500-600 p/h. We also saw how the fruits are cleaned and sorted. Over 600 men and women work here, but none live on the premises. Not only do they pack their own fruit but many other growers send their produce to be packed. There is a variety of other jobs carried out, the cafe provides excellent meals, snacks, etc, and the staffs are pleasant and obliging. The Landscaped gardens provide a lot of attention along with their own fruit and nut trees. This environment provides a much needed opportunity for these people to gain confidence, and have some independence, and one only has to look and speak to them to know they enjoy what they are doing. After lunch we had plenty of time to wander round the gift shop, the nursery and the well kept gardens. Laden with our purchases, we set off to look at the Macadamia Nut factory where we saw the shelled nuts on the conveyer belt and the ladies flat out picking out the rejects. Doing that all day long would surely drive anyone "nuts". Sorry! Across the road to the coffee shop for a drink or ice-cream and a talk on the various uses for the Macadamia nut oil and Lemon Myrtle, which has become a very sought after, is used for a variety of cosmetics, insect spray and many other uses.

After a very interesting and enjoyable day, we were quite happy to sit back while Bob drove us safely home.

 

A very long day but well worthwhile.

Many thanks   Bob.