Probus Club of Victoria Park members enjoy a day outing
12 Jun 2017
The Probus Club of Victoria Park Inc had a most enjoyable and interesting outing. Firstly, they called into St. Matthew’s Church for a history lesson on Western Australia’s only Garrison Church attached to an army battalion.
Organ music played as members entered the beautiful old Church which is set in Stirling Square amongst the heritage roses, sugar gum trees and various memorabilia in recognition of the ANZACS. Across Meadow Street is the recently restored Old Gaol and Taylor’s Cottage and the Swan Valley Tourist Centre. A wonderful display of the treasure of days gone by.
Thanks to member Gaye Sweeney who is a volunteer at Guildford Gaol we were treated to a wonderful information session. Morning tea, picnic style, was provided by Cascade Tours owner/driver Chris Gill.
On then to Gidgegannup to have lunch at the Wild Goose Bistro. Opened in October 2015, set off the road, taking six years to create and work ongoing this is a unique function centre made of all rustic materials.
The timber and brickwork and marvellous pieces of sculpture together with the garden is beautiful. The timber workmanship created by the owner after years of painstakingly collecting timber from developing the property and from timber yards closing, displays his craftsmanship. This in its self is well worth seeing. The Old Soap Factory sells handmade natural soaps, gift packs and the Wine Dungeon sells Noble Falls wine made from grapes grown on the property. Lunch was very nice, choices of two mains and two desserts, several sampled the drinks from the bar and mulled wine was available, especially during cold weather.
During lunch, the club drew lucky prizes which very appropriately were timber products made and donated by our Life-member Doug Turton who in an earlier life taught manual arts. After a stroll around the property to the lake and lavender and rosemary groves, we boarded the bus back first for a brief stop at the Gidgegannup Bakery then for a longer stop to the Whistler Chocolate Factory in the Swan Valley allowing us to take home treats.
In 1829 the town of Guildford was proclaimed at the same time as Perth and Fremantle; Guildford has retained its historical significance. In 1929 over one thousand roses were growing in Stirling Square, some donated by the nurserymen and Guildford community to commemorate those soldiers who embarked from Guildford. In conjunction with the City of Swan, the Federal Government initiative ANZAC 100 Years, four refurbished Rose Gardens were recently replanted with 100 roses, one for each year.
Guildford is a great place to stop and it is serviced by rail.
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