WARWICK Combined Probus Club has been on their annual magical mystery tour this time following the old Cobb and Co route from Toowoomba to Rosewood.
Tour co-ordinator Arthur Maynard said once again it was a total mystery to the participants but still a lot of fun.
“Members were not led up the garden path, but there was much guessing at possible destinations and activities as the day unfolded,” he said.
“First stop on the Cobb and Co route was Spring Bluff railway station, where I had arranged a demonstration of the passing of an empty coal train and a loaded train before we could cross to the station and surrounds for a brief inspection of the gardens.
“We were soon back on board the coach for a drive through Murphy’s Creek and Postman’s Ridge and past the Helidon Spa before arriving at Helidon for morning tea in a beautiful park with lots of sculptures and information for our entertainment.
“The next stop was the Transport museum at Gatton for a guided tour before we drove past the Light on the Hill memorial and on through the old shopping precinct.
“Contrary to some guesses, we continued along the Cobb and Co route passing through Forest Hill where we failed to identify the crop of okra.
“After a lap of the Laidley shopping centre, we arrived at the QN hotel for an excellent lunch before we explored Das Neumann Haus.
“Here we discovered that Ken Wells went to school with a grandson of Hermann Neumann who had built the house and conducted a furniture making business.
“A Stradivarius-like violin and a zither handcrafted by Hermann were features of the display in this museum.
“A representative of The National Trust opened the Grandchester railway station and provided date stamped tickets from Grandchester to wherever. Greg was a great guide and very informative about the history of rail and the Grandchester station.
“John McDonald greeted us at Cabanda and assisted us to board Red Fred – RM55 which was built by QR in 1930.
“It is built on a truck body and powered by a 50hp Gardner four cylinder diesel motor. He was driver on the short trip to Kunkala for a brief visit.
“Red Fred reversed to Cabanda where we rejoined our coach.”
Finally, they visited St Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church in Rosewood.
This is the largest wooden church in the southern hemisphere and is lovingly maintained by the local congregation.
They are faced with a massive restoration project and the need to raise large sums of money to preserve this beautiful building.
Three volunteers guided the group around the building and explained the church history, and the issues involved in restoration.
