In April, we introduced a new activity called the Dining Experience. We had a fantastic number attend the first Dining Experience which was at the Jaam e Jam Persian Restaurant in Hornsby. All those who attended enjoyed the great food and company. This was followed by the May dinner at Chimelong Restaurant in Waitara and June dinner at La Zana in East Wahroonga which were also enjoyed by many members.
On an overcast Autumn morning, sixteen members and friends made their way to Australia’s oldest surviving public building, Old Government House in Parramatta Park. Built in 1799, the building served as the country residence of ten Governors over a period of some 70 years. After a quick browse around the gift shop, members were joined by their guide who provided a short history of the origins of the House. Divided into two groups, we took a step back in time with a tour of the generously proportioned ground floor living areas furnished with colonial pieces from the National Trust collection, then through the noticeably much smaller servants quarters. It was particularly interesting to view original sections of brickwork which can be revealed behind some of the wall panels.
After the tour and a viewing of the exhibition on the upper floor, it was off to lunch in the former Garrison building, now Lachlan’s Restaurant at Old Government House. Our thanks to the organiser for a very pleasant day.
The guest speaker at our April General Meeting was Nathan Tilbury who spoke about his book Our Bushland Shire, The Story of Hornsby Shire which was written in conjunction with Tom Richmond and others. He shared stories from the book as well as known points of interest within the Hornsby Shire. Although not a surprise to Nathan, many members took the opportunity to ask questions relating to Council matters, which Nathan answered.
A welcome escape from the hazard reduction smoke filling the Sydney Basin was made by seventeen members and friends who headed off to the Blue Mountains where the air was clear and crisp and the leaves just starting to take on their autumnal colour. A welcome coffee stop was made at the Ori Café in Springwood, then it was just a short drive down the road to the Valley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum.
In years gone by the Depot played an important role as the point at which an extra engine would be added to trains to assist them to negotiate the steep grade up the mountains. Divided into two groups, volunteer guides, Keith and Bruce, took us on most informative tours of the Museum, with members being able to board some of the locomotives and restored carriages from yesteryear, while a model train display provided a demonstration of the depot’s past role.
It was then on to the Lindsay Café where everyone enjoyed a leisurely lunch, after which those who were interested, headed next door to visit the Norman Lindsay Gallery and extensive gardens which surround the beautiful old sandstone home. Many thanks to the organisers for a most enjoyable day.
Our May outing was to the Sydney Jewish Museum. Those attending reported it was a most worthwhile and rather emotional experience. As many members were unable to attend, we will look at running another outing to the Museum when COVID-19 restrictions permit.
Two tables of members attend the Trivia Night at Asquith Golf Club. Although we don’t rank particularly well on the overall scoreboard, we certainly make up for this with a fierce rivalry between our two tables.
Our monthly morning teas which were held at Thyme Square Cafe at Hornsby and Pie in the Sky at Cowan were most enjoyable and attended by many.
With COVID-19 restrictions imposed in mid June, we are now holding our monthly meetings, morning teas and Stay at Home Trivia by video.