ArtiÂcle by Jason King
What a great weekÂend away we had to MaryÂborÂough via the CastleÂmaine Rod shop and lunch at Newstead.
It all startÂed rather earÂly for all the memÂbers that left the cluÂbÂrooms at 8.30 am to join the rest of us at the meetÂing point at BP Calder Park.
We left BP Calder Park on time at 10.00am for the driÂve to the CastleÂmaine Rod Shop just over an hour away in Castlemaine.
Pics courÂtesy of Janine King, Big Trev and Kim Radenic
CastleÂmaine Rod Shop
We arrived at the CastleÂmaine Rod shop just after 11 am where we were met by TrisÂtan, PresÂley, and Paul Annetts. We parked up out the front of the shop. On arrival one of the ownÂers of Rare Spares arrived with Rod Shop AmbasÂsador and forÂmer AFL playÂer BarÂry Hall. I enquired why BarÂry was here and I was told he was playÂing local footÂball in CastleÂmaine that day.
We minÂgled out in the car park and evenÂtuÂalÂly went inside and had a tour of the Rod Shops facilÂiÂties and how things are made on site.
NewÂstead
After the visÂit to the Rod Shop, we drove through CastleÂmaine on the way to MaryÂborÂough. We had a planned stop in the small town of NewÂstead, where we had the choice between the local bakÂery or the cofÂfee shop. By all accounts lunch was enjoyed by all. We all then left at our own pace enroute to the accomÂmoÂdaÂtion in Maryborough.
MaryÂborÂough
All cars travÂelled well to the JuncÂtion Motel in MaryÂborÂough, and everyÂone comÂmentÂed on how good our hosts where and the accomÂmoÂdaÂtion. Before dinÂner we all sat in the car park and had a few drinks.
MaryÂborÂough — DinÂner
As the afterÂnoon went on and Big Trev had a few adult bevÂerÂages, it was time for dinÂner. We were only a 5‑minute walk up the road to the MaryÂborÂough HighÂlands SociÂety (BowlÂing Club). A courÂtesy bus took some memÂbers that chose not to walk.
On arrival at dinÂner, one of Janine and my favourite pub tribÂute bands INXSIVE (an INXS tribÂute band) was doing a sound check as they were playÂing at the venue latÂer in the evening. Janine and I, Tim and Michelle, Gary and Judy HisÂlop and Tim FetÂtell decidÂed to purÂchase tickÂets to stay on after dinÂner to watch the band.
DinÂner was a great variÂety of food on offer and plenÂty of laughs were had on all the tables. EveryÂone enjoyed the night and club memÂbers startÂed to wanÂder back to the Motel either by foot or by the courÂtesy bus. Kim Radenic who was sayÂing pre-run and talkÂing a big game about drinkÂing with Big Trev, just hapÂpened to slip out of the venue unnoÂticed and back to his room.
Gary BeardÂsÂley joined us on our table and as INXSIVE was startÂing to play their first set, decidÂed to stay and lisÂten to the music with the rest of us. Many memÂoÂries of lisÂtenÂing to old INXS songs was enjoyed by all that stayed behind. Janine and I were rapt, for those who don’t know we had made a preÂlimÂiÂnary bookÂing for INXSIVE for our 50th comÂbined birthÂday parÂty back in 2020 until COVID canÂcelled that.
After the band was finÂished, we left the venue at about 11.30. It was freezÂing on the walk back and I would guess that it was hovÂerÂing around the 0 degree mark about then. Michelle was quite hapÂpy and was wonÂderÂing which door she should knock on to wake up anyone.
SunÂday in MaryÂborÂough — BreakÂfast
Well, what a freezÂing start to the day. It was sitÂting on 0 and quite fogÂgy when we all evenÂtuÂalÂly got out of bed and went outÂside. As you can tell by the phoÂtos it was chilly.
MaryÂborÂough – BreakÂfast – RailÂway staÂtion
After the shock of how cold it was and after some of us had warmed our cars up to get the heaters going (for those who have a heater installed) we made the short jourÂney to the MaryÂborÂough RailÂway staÂtion cofÂfee shop for breakfast.
We parked all the cars outÂside the hisÂtoric train staÂtion for a great phoÂto opportunity.
After BreakÂfast – headÂing home
After we had breakÂfast we had a short tour of the hisÂtoric MaryÂborÂough RailÂway staÂtion, thanks to the MaryÂborÂough VisÂiÂtors CenÂtre. It was interÂestÂing to hear how the train staÂtion was built and how the tenÂderÂing process went to secure the railÂway station.
After the tour all club memÂbers either went to the TalÂbot marÂkets or startÂed their jourÂneys home.
It was a good weekÂend, a lot of kiloÂmeÂtres over 2 days but well worth it. There were 37 peoÂple on the run, 16 cars and one motel fulÂly booked. The local hosÂpiÂtalÂiÂty of all the venues was very welÂcomÂing and couldÂn’t do enough for all of us. A good time was had by all.
MemÂbers with earlies.
Paul & Elaine Annetts.
James Creswell
Ray & Val DagÂgers
Trevor & Sue Dempsey
Ray & Judy Edsall
Tim FetÂtell
Aldo GianchiÂno
Bruce & LilÂlian GraÂham
Rod & Sharon GrumÂmitt
Gary & Judy HisÂlop.
GarÂry Hodge & mate Bill.
Jason & Janine King.
Kim Radenic.
BrenÂton & Lyn SchiÂer.
Derk Tuik.
MemÂbers without.
Gary BeardÂsÂley
TrisÂtan Coote
Allan & Jan DelÂzopÂpo
Michael DelÂzopÂpo
PresÂley EasÂdale
Ray & Janet Howlett
Tim Sells & Michelle