Members and associates of the UNSW Staff Social Club, on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 March '99, enjoyed a most memorable and entertaining week-end in Canberra and the surrounding districts.
Highlights of the week-end are set out hereunder:
Saturday 20 March '99
Guided tour of Mugga Mugga - one of ACT's newest environmental education centres. The 17 hectares provides a continuous link with Mugga Mugga's earliest pastoral use to the present day. (The land consists entirely of native grasses which have survived all climatic extremes). A natural well, 5 metres deep was cut from solid granite in the early days to provide a constant source of water and still exists to this day, yabbies and all!
Guided tour of Lanyon Homestead and visit to Nolan Gallery - also lunch at the Homestead Café. This particular property is magnificently maintained, set in a landscape of great natural beauty, with rambling gardens surrounding the refurbished homestead and courtyard buildings. Many of the trees are over 100 years old. A most appetising lunch was served in the garden area under a 100-year plus English Elm tree (a magnificent specimen).
The Nolan Gallery - It houses a collection of paintings by Sir Sidney Nolan and displays a cross section of his works including some of his famous Ned Kelly images. Several paintings by Tucker were also on display.
Members and associates who were interested in the beautifully patterned trunk of a Eucalyptus tree growing in the proximity of the Nolan Gallery are advised that the tree was identified as Eucalyptus Stellulata (Black Sally).
We enjoyed dinner, overnight stay and breakfast at the Garden City Premier Inn, Jerrabomberra Ave., Canberra. Excellent ratings were given in respect of food, hotel facilities and staff assistance.
Sunday 21 March '99:
Cruise on lake Burley Griffin: Lake Burley Griffin was certainly kind to us this morning, being like a sheet of glass and reflecting the buildings, monuments and surrounding foreshore landscape to perfection. The "skipper" of the boat gave a great commentary and many outstanding vistas eventuated throughout the duration of the cruise. Most enjoyable.
Guided tour of the National Gallery to inspect the paintings by Emily Kame Kngwarreye (c1910-1996), who has emerged as one of Australia's leading artists. The paintings were quite stunning and magnificently presented to maximise their brilliance of design and colour. A 'must see' exhibition and certainly a memorable highlight.
National Botanic Gardens - following guided tours of the beautifully maintained gardens a superb lunch was served and then it was off home to Sydney via a stop for refreshment at Goulburn.
The friendly spirit of previous trips remained with members and associates ensuring a great time was had by all.