Octagon November, 2017

CHAPTER Chatter
BUNDABERG & DISTRICT CHAPTER
8-10 Sept-- 3 DAY COUNTRY SOJOURN – by
Jacqui Mutton
Excitement was definitely in the air when 10 little
MGers met at our usual meeting spot on Quay
Street, Bundaberg, for the start of our 3 Day
Country Sojourn. Robyn & David, Leigh & Jacki,
David & Sonya (from Hervey Bay crew), Peter &
Margaret, Adrian & Denise, Jenny & David, Clive
& his Mum, Beryl, holidaying from the UK, Steve
& Tracy, Steve & Teena and Jacqui & Ray – all
eagerly waiting for take off!!! And off we went down
the highway for our first rendezvous at Biggenden
to meet up with Gary & Meryl in their red ‘B’.
Morning tea taken care of and all very eager to hit
the road, it was time to point our pride and joys
down the Burnett Highway towards our first night
camp at Gayndah. A small pause in the trip at
Ban Ban Springs to check out the ‘Springs’, and of
course a photo shoot, the first of several!!
It was lunchtime as we arrived at the orange capital
of Gayndah. Some chose to picnic under a tree
beside the Burnett River and others chose to find
the local bakery for some delights. Eventually we
all made it to our motel and after settling into our
rooms, we met at a centrally placed table and chairs
with either a cold ale or a cuppa in hand. Later on
in the afternoon we all headed off to Peter Huth’s,
a resident and retired Mayor of Gayndah, who just
happens to have a small collection of approximately
20 vintage & veteran and rare Citroen cars. It was
like walking into Aladdin’s cave and everyone was
suitably impressed with not only the cars but the
wonderful stories that accompanied them. How
very honoured we were to have been shown this
unique, worldwide collection. Many thanks to Peter.
Peter did mention at the time that he was going to
start selling some of his collection, beginning with
the more later models. One of our group, who
shall remain anonymous, as I would live in fear of
retribution, decided to take him up on his offer!!!!
His wife heard about it after!!!! Well, as much as we
were in awe of Peter’s collection, Citroens just don’t
have the ‘style’ of an MG, not that I’m biased!! So
needless to say a fair bit of s..t was thrown at Steve
– oops our anonymous member!!
After the Citroen collection and leaving our beasties
at the motel, we walked up the main street and
headed to the Grand Hotel for a lovely dinner, a
few drinkies and a lot of laughter, which continued
on well after we got back to our motel - the new
Shitroen owner being the prime target!!!!!!
Up in the morning and off to Mundubbera today.
The Old Gayndah Mundubbera Road was to be
our route, which took in a scenic, meandering path
along the Burnett River and plentiful citrus orchards.
These scenic views were thanks to the devastating
floods in this area 4 years ago, when huge, aged,
old gum trees were toppled, allowing the river and
surrounds to be seen how it is today.
It was cuppa time just as we drove over the Burnett
River at Mundubbera and we pulled into the park
right on the river banks. As our next function wasn’t
until midday, so as soon as cups were washed,
wiped and put away, everyone adventured off on
their own, to inspect the thriving metropolise of
Mundubbera. At midday we all congregated at
the Mundubbera Museum, where Faye Whelan,
Deputy Mayor, was introduced to all and was going
to reveal to us a small snapshot of her district and
town. And this started off with a luncheon, put on
by the Mundubbera Historical Society, presenting
some of the local produce, including the Australian
Award Winning Sausages. Everyone was most
impressed with not just the splendid food but by
the diversity of it in this district. After thanks to the
ladies and gentleman of the Mundubbera Historical
Society, Faye took us down to the old railway
station where the locals are trying to restore this
past important link in their town. This was where
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