Probus Club of Benalla Rose City Club outing.

by Probus Club of Benalla Rose City Inc | 08 Jul 2015

Beautiful autumnal weather saw us leave Benalla on our trip to Chiltern where we stepped off the bus and into the Bakery sampling an array of gastronomic delights for morning tea.....already?

Our guides then toured us through the apothecary full of amazing memorabilia of the 1800's pharmacy and veterinary services, many of us recognising childhood remedies and brand names. The dispensary was like an Alladin's cave as necessary of the era and country location, all noted in beautiful copperplate writing in the gigantic log book. From here our guides took us through the museum providing historical facts and anecdotes to which the group added their own family connections.

On to the Star Theatre which although on its original site adjoining the Grape Vine Hotel (formerlythe Star Hotel), has gradually been redeveloped authentically buy the Hotel's current owner and is used by the community for visiting performances and festivals. In the courtyard adjoining the theatre we admired a magnificent grapevine planted in 1867 which is never watered or fertilised and still bears fruit each March, with a bumper 2.5 tonnes harvested in 1936.

It has a girth of just under 2meters and is noted in The Guinness Book of Records as the largest single vine in Australia. After a delightful and enormous luncheon WALKING was definitely the necessary mode of transport and we ambled in the sunshine to the historic courthouse and lockup, post office and newer Artdeco municipal offices now recycled as a preschool, and historic homes in the precinct again embroidered with stories from the past by our very knowledgeable volunteer guides. Back on our bus and up to Lakeview, the home of renowned author of My Brilliant Career, Henry Handel Richardson, now run by the National Trust. Here the Beryl, the curator and Louise Doderell brought the home alive with more stories of life in the times and the history of gradual and ongoing restoration. The costuming and room furnishing again touched personal memories of our group as our generation still felt in personally in touch with her era.

Yet AGAIN we were met with a beautiful home baked afternoon tea, recipes swapped but we had indulged so much, sad to say we could not do it full justice. Louise gave us a resume of the hard financial path of ongoing restoration and even though gradual, all agreed provides a wonderful window to our history for future generations. The return journey to Benalla was definitely quieter than the morning.....we had certainly kept on the move, the memories and local connections engaging the travellers but definitely NOT the need for a hearty evening meal.........another triumph for the Graham and the Activities Group and thanks to Kevin Teasdale our driver, for a safe and pleasurable trip.