By Marge Breitenbach.
The May speaker was Michael Palmer from Quantum.
As a consultant, he commenced his talk with the maxim “Make it big enough and you will read it.” He was, of course, referring to the problem of eyesight. He brought along examples of visual aids that can be used to improve and assist those individuals who would like to improve their sight through the purchasing of items demonstrated.
Michael also referred to the development of electronics and that it is possible to purchase a mini-computer that can fit onto your eye glasses. Under certain circumstances, there is some financial assistance available from the Government. He was plied with a plethora of questions.
What inclement weather greeted Probians on the much anticipated trip to Ormiston House at Ormiston. This House is a fine example of colonial architecture and dates back to 1862, in an area also known as the birthplace of the Australian sugar industry.
Captain Louis Hope of the Coldstream Guards and the son of the seventh Earl of Hopetoun was the person responsible for commissioning the structure as well as the development of the sugar industry. Upon arrival we were greeted by women dressed in colonial costume and who treated us with a Devonshire morning tea.
We were then taken on a conducted tour through this beautiful house. The Carmelite Community was dedicated to preserving the important history of the property and in 1967 Ormiston House Restoration Association was officially formed.
Today a dedicated group of volunteers continue the work of preservation and restoration. Beautiful rooms with authentic antique colonial furniture made quite a few visitors comment and reminisce of years gone by and the quality and skill of workmanship of all we observed. The Commemorative Cairn erected in the garden was obscured from sight from the verandah by the miserable “soupy” weather.
For lunch it was off to a very old hotel where there were a few hiccups as a large group, who insisted on sitting inside because of the weather, was obviously not a regular occurrence. July Probians will be visiting the Police Museum and also celebrate Xmas in July at Mt Tamborine
For membership details, contact Val on 0490 946 122.
