Following a slightly early departure from Merrylands we travelled south stopping at Mittagong to pick up two other travellers (Carol and Sandra). Goulburn for morning tea, Gundagai for lunch and Table Top for afternoon tea. We arrived at Yarrawonga at 5p.m. where we were greeted by Alan. A wine tasting and nibbles were followed by dinner at Club Mulwala.
The next day we started with a visit to Ludeman Farm where they explained the farm operations, including crop rotation and the use of GPS for planting and harvesting. We then visited the Dookie Agriculture College and the Robotic Dairy. In the afternoon we visited the old theatre at Swanpool where we were entertained by a silent movie. Many of our group clearly enjoyed this as they laughed uncontrollably at the screen antics. We finished the day with a visit to the Rose Garden, the statue of Weary Dunlop in Benalla, one of our famous Second World War Heroes and finished off with a wonderful Aussie barbecue back at the Tame Café at Yarrawonga.
The next day despite the weather being misty and very cold we travelled to the “Silo Art Trail” through Goorambat, Deninish, St. James and Tungamah to view the iconic “Silo Paintings”. The paintings on the silos in the small towns have given travellers a new reason to visit these towns. Towering grain silos are a common fixture in many rural towns. These silos are transforming into incredible works of art which have created many and permanent “open-air galleries”. We then went to Ridge Glen Olive Farm at Bugamine for an interesting talk on their products and a wonderful morning tea. We headed back to Yarrawonga for a leisurely cruise on the Paddle Steamer “P.S. CUMBEROOMA” on Lake Mulwala. After lunch we had some free time to go shopping hopefully to find some ideas for a “Hat Parade” to be held on Thursday Night.
On Day 4 we travelled to Wodonga to visit the Military Museum at Bandiana. This was a very large and comprehensive military museum. From there we visited the Bongilla Migrant Museum to see what life was like for post war migrants in Australia. We also visited a very impressive collection of over 200 wood carvings (hand carved in the Phillipines) and some of our more daring members managed to ride on some of the magnificent, full sized rocking horses!
Day 5 we travelled to the picturesque town of Tocumwal, which was used as a major American Air Base, during WW11. Deniliquin was our next stop with some free time for retail therapy, then we visited the Peppin Heritage Centre. This centre was dedicated to the Peppin family who developed a strong breed of Merino sheep which are suitable for the hot dry climate. Following our information session we participated in an 1800’s school renactment. Our club members really put their all into the performance, dressing as students, schoolmasters, schoolmistresses and of course the naughty pupil “Johnny” (Noel H.) was there. This was heartily enjoyed by all with much hilarity. We were then homeward bound to prepare for our farewell dinner and fancy hat parade. Our farewell dinner was very enjoyable with festivities organised by the Linga Longa social team. We had prizes for the winners of our Trivia Night, also prizes for our “1800’s school actors and our Fancy Hat Parade designers. Sadly we had to say goodbye to Yarrawonga on t he morning of Day 6 for our trip back to Merrylands. We made stops at Taracutta, Yass, Mittagong then a final quick stop at Pheasants Nest arriving back at the club at 5.30 p.m.
Contributed by Lynda Couchman & Wendy Pierdzwol E
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