By TANIA PHILLIPS
ROLL up for the magical mystery tour was the cry for the Rose City Warwick Probus Club members as they enjoyed the sites of the region earlier this month.
Probus spokesperson Margaret McKinnon said the group enjoyed a “Mystery Trip – to destinations unknown” learning more about three of the area’s more interesting facilities — the Clive Berghofer Careflight Centre at Toowoomba, Double H Alpaca Farm at Kingsthorpe and the Downs Steam Tourist Railway and Museum at Drayton.
“The fun element of guessing the next location to be visited added to a most interesting and informative day,” Ms McKinnon said.
“ After an early departure, the bus travelled north via Allora, Clifton, Nobby and Greenmount, with the first port of call being the Clive Berghofer CareFlight Centre, located at the Toowoomba Airport.
“Tracey, the centre’s publicity officer, outlined the centre’s role in emergencies such as accidents, neonatal calls and search and rescue events, when contacted by triple-zero.
“The deafening sound of a helicopter taking off halted the talk momentarily,” she said.
The Toowoomba centre services the SouthWest region of Queensland, and beyond in times of serious flooding emergencies.
“Each callout team comprises a pilot, air crew, doctor and paramedic, with calls being made at no cost to the patient. The trip from Toowoomba to the Princess Alexandra Hospital takes exactly 33 minutes.
“In 2013, community support of CareFlight raised 45 per cent of the funding required to operate the service, with funds coming from community events and gifts. The remaining funding came from corporate funding and training classes in underwater skills, for army and navy personnel. “
The second port of call was the Double H Alpaca Farm, located near Kingsthorpe, with a herd of 380 alpacas, the largest alpaca farm in Australia.
“The third venue visited was the Downs Steam Tourist Railway and Museum, at Drayton, where lunch was taken in the Catering Car of a train undergoing refurbishment,” Margaret said.
“This ‘tourist train to be’ comprised six steel carriages each built around a theme, planned to run on the main line to Warwick and Stanthorpe in the forseeable future, carrying tourists to events like Jumpers and Jazz and the Warwick Rodeo. Rose City Probus members toured each of the themed carriages viewing historic photographs and memorabilia.
“An enormous shed housed both a diesel and a steam locomotive undergoing refurbishment. The steam loco was manufactured at the Toowoomba Foundry in the 1950’s proudly bearing the name, ‘Pride of Toowoomba – Southern Cross Works No 28’. The diesel loco will provide backup for the tourist train if needed.”
Rose City Warwick Probus Club welcomes new members, if interested phone 4661 3151.
