Ascot Probus Outings 2023

                     Explore the highlights of our day trips.

         Linga Longa Tour 8 -13 October, 2023

Day 1, we arrived at Tullamarine Airport and left by bus heading towards Yarrawonga.

A great stop along the way was at Seymour where we were treated to a talk by a member of the local Returned Soldiers' League who gave us the background to the Vietnam Veterans Walk to the 60,627 servicement and women who served in Vietnam.  Our speaker described Seymour, with the Army base Puckapunyal, only 12km away, as a wartime garrison town.

Day 2 was a lovely sunny day for our morning cruise on the P.S. Cumberoona on Placid Lake Mulwala with many stark trunks of dead River Red Gums.

Next, a sojourn down to Glenrowan through lush paddocks of wheat and canola, with areas of water from the recent significant flooding of the Murray and Ovens Rivers.

At the impressive museum of the Ned Kelly gang, we enjoyed the huge collection of memorabilia and a fascinating and superb use of animatronics, all followed by a re-enactment of thre Kelly Gang's last stand the hanging of Ned at Melbourne goal.

After lunch (pies from the bakery were popular), we wandered around local sights such as the on-going bridge construction for the high speed rail, the large, round Informaiton Centre and the gigantic statue of Ned Kelly near the Post Office.

The route home was via the Winton Wetlands, unfortunaely  by-passing the siko art works.

To end a great day, we enjoyed dinner at 'Back of Burkes' Hotel.  A big thank to Carole for arranging a orange and poppy seed cake with a big 90 for Fred's birthday.

Day 3, commenced on a beautiful crisp morning where we boarded our bus and journeyed along the scenic Alpine Way surrounded by grazing sheep and cattle, abudant crops and majestic fums.  After arriving at the Red Stag Deer farm, adjoing the Mt Buffalo National Park, morning tea was served on the deck of the cafe overlooking the picturesque foothills of Mt Buffalo.  Some commented they had never seen bigger scones - they almost covered our plates.  The group enjoyed an animated talk by the owners and after a few purchases from the shop, we ventured on to Bright.

After a quick tour of the village full of interesting shops and cafes, some chose to stay behind in Bright for more wandering and shopping while others went off to Wandilong to visit the apple orchard of the Nightingale Brothers.  Again, some enjoyed a short talk followed by a aste of their cider and their crisp and juicy, freshly picked apples.

Before leaving this beautiful district, we went to Myrteford and visited the only Australian pumpkin farm where pumpkins are grown solely for their seeds.  The original seeds were an heirloom variety from Slovenia.  They are sold in various forms - plain, salter, roasted, chocolate dipped, ground into flour, as an oil etc, along with other seed and nut products. 

Our day ended with a delightful Chinese Banquet at the Oriental Pear restaurant at Club Mulwala which is across the bidge into NSW.

Day 4 was another fabulous day.  We were blessed with more wonderful scenery of northern Victoria and of course the usual excess eating. For most, the highlight was our cruise on the Murray on the 110-year old paddle steamer, PS Canberra, bringing to life the importance of steamers in commerce and development of our nation.

Wandering about the beautifully preserved historical port of Echuca let us discover more about our past.The return journey to Yarrawonga included a visit to the Barmah forest, still showing signs of recent flooding. We also visited the famous silo at Picola to examine the huge artwork of native flora and faunaand marvelled at the “bloody big parrot”. The day was completed with fine food and the frivolity of a game of Trivia at our hospitable Tame Café! 

On Day 5, we set out under grey skies for a day in Beechworth. On arrival in the picturesque town, we were ‘entertained ‘ in the Masonic hall by local poet and balladeer, Lazy Harry, followed by morning tea.  We then had time to explore the beautiful historic buildings, the enticing shops and the renowned Beechworth Bakery. Returning to Yarrawonga via Chiltern and Rutherglen, we had an impromptu stop at a winery.

This great day set the mood for an enjoyable dinner and the fun and frivolity of a decorated hat competition where the artistry andi magination of our group was on display ... a fitting finale to a most enjoyable trip.

On our trip to the airport, we enjoyed a stopover and‘a cuppa’ at one of the oldest buildings in Victoria, the Byramine Homestead, built by the great explorer Hamilton Hume in 1842 for his widowed sister-in-law, Elizabeth, and her nine children. It and its outbuildings are in original condition – and steeped in the history of the area.

Thank you to our club members who each recorded a day's event.  They were Beverley, Fred, Gloria, David, and Marilyn.