Then there were seven (Day 13)
- The lovely additions to the Glad team. Debbie & Jocelyn Treasure, Margarita Pollock.
The Glad team now has three new members. Just between you and me, they are a lot more beautiful than than the original motley crew. Jocelyn Treasure, her daughter Debbie Treasure and Margarita Pollock have joined us for the final legs between Kalgoorlie and Perth. Today however our goal is to reach Merredin.
First up, Brett had an interview with the WIN Television Network. Afterwards we decided that we would show the lovely ladies some of the sites along the way. Our first stop was once again Coolgardie. This entire region has so much interesting history, with amazing museums and parks that display old machinery, antiques and tools that were used long ago. From buildings made from stone to road graders that where pulled by horses and man-powered ore grinders. It really highlights the harshness of yesteryear in these mining towns. The machinery is bulky, heavy and doesn’t seem to have any safety guards. It seems that safety wasn’t the first priority back then. The people that used these tools must have been tough as the conditions where harsh to live in let alone work in. I guess the draw of that golden metal was powerful enough to make it all seem worthwhile.
We found another old car that looks as if it came from the same era as Glad. We weren’t quite sure of her make and model. Looking at this old car it really hits home on what a fantastic job Glad’s restorer Graham Wilson has done. If Glad was in the same state when he first found her, it is nothing short of a miracle that he managed to get her looking and running as beautiful as she does today.
After having a good look around Coolgardie we headed for Southern Cross. We stopped off at the local pub for a counter lunch and whilst there we found out that this is the famous hotel that Slim Dusty sang about: “The Pub with no beer”. Although that’s certainly not the case nowadays.
Upon arriving in Merredin we were welcomed by signs on the highway saying “Merredin welcomes Glad and her team.” We pulled into the centre of town outside the Merredin Visitor Centre and people came to have a look at Glad and make their contributions to the R.F.D.S.. In this hard financial time the people of Merredin seemed very generous with their donations. Again the Aussie spirit reveals itself. “We heard you on Macca’s ABC talkback show; we saw you on television or did you know that you were on the front cover of the Kalgoorlie Miner”, they said to Brett. It seems both Glad and Brett have built up quite a following.
Tonight we are staying at the Merredin Bed and Breakfast, This Bed and Breakfast is located opposite the old Cummins Theatre, which is a very old Play House that was moved from Kalgoorlie to here. A must-see whilst in Merredin. Avril’s establishment was once a bank and in later years a doctor’s surgery. It has 5 bedrooms and lovely gardens. We enjoyed Avril’s hospitality and had our our first home-cooked meal since leaving home. The Bed and Breakfast is of the highest standard - a credit to the Wheatbelt region and Australia’s Golden Outback. We went to bed looking forward to a tour of Merredin and our last day on the road.
- An old dentist chair found in Coolgardie.
- Some of the equipment used in the good old days.
- The Old Gaol.
- Does anyone know what make and model this car is?
- The lovely Debbie Treasure and Ned.
- The man and women (in this case)-powered Grinder.
- An old horse drawn cart.
- A collection of historical equipment.
- A horse drawn road grader.
- The old heavy jack hammer
- Brett and his Telstra Country Wide provided equipment.
- Even the cleared land out here is beautiful.
- The Palace Hotel In Southern Cross, the pub that once had no beer.
- How nice is this?
- The sexy beast. I’m talking about Glad.
- The original crew: Brett & Tim Pollock, Glad, Anthony Baggs, Chris Graham.
- About 12 lovely courses provided by Avril at the Merredin B&B.
Posted: May 8th, 2009 under Uncategorized.