Bus trip to Donald

15 Nov 2013

In mid-October, 50 members and partners of the Ararat Combined Probus Club boarded a coach for a tour of the township of Donald.

The ‘Joker’, (Wally) was on board and had some interesting tales to tell about some of the members as they travelled along the highway.

Tour leader Lawrie had trouble knowing which was his right hand and which was his left when pointing out places of interest as we passed by, however everyone got used to it after a while.

On arrival at Donald, the group took a walk down to the Richardson River and listened to a talk about the Bullocks head tree. Then it was off to Kookas for morning tea. Kookas is a biscuit manufacturing company and the process is fully automated.  

Members were given a run down on how the plant operates by CEO Graham Harris. Amazingly, the company manufactures 55,000 biscuits on a 10-hour shift, two shifts per day. Morning tea consisting of Kookas biscuits and tea and coffee were enjoyed by all. 

A number of members purchased Kookas biscuits prior to leaving.  

Then it was off to another biscuit factory, Waratah Biscuits, another small business thriving. Gavin, the owner, gave everyone a box of their handmade biscuits to enjoy on the way home.  

After leaving the Waratah factory members visited PeaCo Co-operative. Shane Wall, the CEO, explained that Peaco was established in 1984 processing many types of legumes, which are very high in protein and are sought after by Hindu and Muslim countries as well as local customers. Incidentally Shane rides his bike 50 kilometers each morning before coming to work (legumes must be good for stamina and health).

A two-course lunch was enjoyed at the Donald Hotel and then members visited the Donald Police Camp established in 1865, which was most interesting.  

Back into the coach and off to the Lyons Trains Park run by the Lyons Club.   A wonderful collection of carriages, rolling stock and a fine example of steam trains. The buffet car, The Taggerty, was completely rebuilt by two members of the Lyons Club in three months.

Afternoon tea was taken at the Lyons Cub precinct and was provided by Val Tonkin and Margaret Kilpatrick who must have spent the whole week baking.  To keep everyone awake, a quiz was conducted on the way home.   Appreciation was shown to John Kilpatrick for his expert handling of the fifty five-seater coach negotiating narrow streets and dead ends.  

Thanks must also go to Lawrie Tonkin for his great organising skills.