Recent Tour Reports

TOFS TRIP 913

Wednesday 23rd September 2026

Taree and District Model Railway Club Inc.

(Organised by TOFS MC)

TOFS (12): Paul K (461), Malc S (359), Dave T (351), Doug F (333), Kit C (415), Dennis R (422), Phil J (277), Alan M (228), Lee M (423), Peter W (354), Peter B (399), Allan E (311).                       

On a warm Spring morning, 12 TOFS members headed for the Model Railway Club in Manning St. Taree. Housed in the old Freight Centre behind the Railway Station, the sight which greeted us was something to behold. The model railway lay out covered a huge area, with 7 members controlling train movements by means of phones and tech boards. The Club’s location has had a checkered history in its initial years, beginning at Coolongolook Scout Hall, moving to the Taree Police Citizens Youth Club and finally to its current location where it has resided for 23 years.

The Club has 35 members (33 men and 2 women) and we were lucky enough to be taken around by President Noel and Secretary Gordon. In case you are thinking that this is a hobby away from home for these two, I would point out that Noel has 80 model locomotives at home and Gordon has about 150. The Club is responsible for maintenance of the building and managed to receive a grant from the NSW government to put solar panels on the roof.

For something different, the Club organises a SCENARIO each month that attending members must perform e.g. a load of cement has to be delivered from one end of the rail system to the other. The locomotive breaks down; how do they complete the task?

It was a very enjoyable experience for us and thanks to Noel and Gordon for accommodating us on a Wednesday. Model railways have come a long way since my time with a set from Hornby when I was a child.

Following this visit we then enjoyed a very pleasant lunch at the Railway Bowling Club situated a few meters further on in High Street.

Paul K (461)

TOFS TRIP 912

Thursday 24 September 2026

Auburn Botanic Gardens – Partners & Friends Day

(Organised by TOFS WW)

TOFS [15 + partners]: JP (27), Phil G (154) + Marie, Rex M (179) + Pat, Ron O’H (231) + Maureen, Keith R (283) + Wendee, Richard B (296) + Carolyn, Peter O (348), Lyle W (386) + Vicki, Rob E (431) + Chris, Bobby T (448), Jason F (464), David C (467), Les H (469), Frank W (475), Ron C (470).

A foggy morning greeted Sydney on the day we were to visit Auburn Botanic Gardens, the usual harbinger of a fine day ahead. And so, it evolved -  a great Spring offering ideal for ambling through the various themed areas that make up the gardens.

But first! Let me reiterate the very warm welcome that was extended to our seven ladies who joined us for this outing.

Thanks Marie, Pat, Maureen, Wendee, Carolyn, Vicki and Chris for your company. You really added to the day. We should do it again.

Auburn Botanic Gardens presents many faces when you wander around its compact 9.2 hectares on well-maintained pathways, and members of our party were allowed to simply ”choose their own poison” – to take in the overall appeal of the gardens, or to linger around features in which they had a particular interest.

The only real imposition on anyone was to try to be at our lunch venue by noon, to allow sufficient time for victuals before the rather limited bus timetable came into effect.    

All obliged in that regard, and indeed most of the bus travellers stayed around until the second of the two buses on offer was due.

I think that indicates that the interaction and mixed company were being enjoyed.

Once again, thanks to all for making this a good day out.

Rex M (179)

Tour Organiser                 

TOFS TRIP 911

Thursday 17th September 2026

Balmain Foreshore Walk

(Organised by TOFS SS)

TOFS (20): JP (27), Terry O (147), Phil G (154), Greg O (200), Chas H (203), Jim McD (209), Ron O (231), Robert E (341), Phil B (345), Peter O (348), Gary H (366), David W (434), Bobby T (448), Jason F (464), David C (467), Ken C (474)

Visitor (1): Paul T

We met at Circular Quay for the ferry to Birchgrove and assembled in Yurulbin Park for a briefing on some of Balmain’s early history - Birch House (1812) built on an early land grant and orange grove, subsequently named Birchgrove; Balmain’s Colliery (1897 – 1950); and Sydney's first harbour tunnel (1913-1924) running between Birchgrove and Manns Pt housing power cables for the North Shore trams.

The walk continued around Ballast Point and Mort Bay foreshore regrouping again at Thames St wharf. We then made our way up to Darling St passing the Colgate Palmolive refurbished soap and toothpaste factory now waterfront units. Some of the group then adjourned to the East Village Hotel whilst others continued towards White Bay overlooking the cruise terminal.

En route we viewed Clontarf Cottage (1844), Hampton Villa (1847) and Ewenton House (1854-1872), the latter currently for sale at $?m before joining the rest of the group for an enjoyable lunch at EVH. The hotel, originally the Commercial Hotel constructed in 1875, now one of eight remaining in the East Balmain peninsula. Over the years the Balmain peninsula has accommodated some 66 hotels. The Commercial began life as a pub, greengrocer, and bakery, until Toohey’s took over the lease 1930, and ultimately the freehold. The pub briefly traded as The Belgian Beer Cafe in 2008 and in 2011 the venue was renovated and renamed The East Village Hotel.

Phil B (345)

TOFS TRIP 909

Tuesday 8TH September 2026

Lunch Club Wyong

(Organised by TOFS CC)

TOFS (13):  Peter B 32, Paul E 380, Les H 469, Frank W 475, Phil G 154, Anthony T 420, John P 27, Jeff J 153, Rob E 431, Graham G 172, Andrew M 16, Col C 411, Laurie G 457.

After picking up a couple of members at Wyong Station we went to the Club to catch up with the rest.

We were offered Club Membership as the Club is part of the larger Mounties Group.

Phil G and I were lucky as it was our Birthday Month we swiped our cards and got a $15.00 credit which paid for lunch.

After the meet and greet we got a drink and ordered our meals, unfortunately a couple of boys a bit unlucky, John P ordered the roast special to be told it had run out and Andrew M was eying off the apple crumble dessert special and when he went to order it had run out. We also emptied the last of the 3.5 keg.

Putting that all aside we settled in for the afternoon with the usual discussions and opinions along with a few jokes and a few guys picking on poor Paul E.

As always time flew and before we knew it was time to pull up stakes and head home after another enjoyable TOFS day.

As a Tour Organiser I have learnt over the years that you don’t have to always arrange a tour to have a good time with TOFS.  The lunch after is probably the most important part of the TOFS objectives to promote wellbeing and mental health.

Peter B JP 32

14 Sept 2026.

TOFS TRIP 910

Thursday 10th September 2026

St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta

(Organised by TOFS NM)

TOFS (19): JP (27), Terry O (147), Jim O (170), Graham L (185), Jim McD (209), Richard McD (219), Ron O (231), Kenn W (243), David M (271), Keith R (283), Phil B (345), Bill R (389), Craig McD (445), Bobby T (448), David C (467), Les H (469), Ron C (470), Frank W (475), Johnny V (483).                       

19 TOFS met up at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on a cool Spring morning, where we met our guide for the day, Judith Dunn.  We have now done several tours with Judith, and we are always impressed with her energy and enthusiasm for her subject, she is certainly very knowledgeable.

St. Patrick’s stands on Burramattagal Land and is in the Parramatta diocese.  It was established in 1836 and consecrated as a Cathedral in 1986.

Sadly, it was destroyed by fire in 1996, and the old cathedral became a chapel, with the new cathedral completed in 2003.

We started our tour in the chapel where currently there is an exhibition of The Holy Shroud of Turin, one of the world's most studied religious artifacts, and viewed by some as the burial cloth of Jesus.

The new Cathedral was designed by Italian architect Giurgola, who also designed the New Parliament House in Canberra.

In the Cathedral are many major artworks in stone, timber and metal, designed by some famous artists.

We also saw the magnificent pipe organ built in 1898 and brought out from London for installation in 2006. 

It was a beautiful building to see and we were all impressed, particularly those who had not visited before.

David C (467) did the honours with the group photograph outside before we set off for the second half of our tour to St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, some chose to exercise and walk up the hill, however some of us decided that the Light Rail – for 2 stops – was the way to go!

The Cemetery operated from 1822 until 1972, and in 1975 was taken over by Parramatta Council.

Over its 150 years of operation, the cemetery became the resting place of several notable people. We were particularly impressed that many inscriptions remained legible after so long - a credit to the stonemasons.

Council are doing their best to maintain the Cemetery, however Judith and the “Friends of the Cemetery” regularly volunteer to clean up and restore damaged headstones. New grasses and trees have also been planted.

There is an 1844 Chapel building, still in use for occasional church services, no seating however, and maintained and cleaned by volunteers.

In 2019 Judith published a wonderful book titled “Then and There Lying Dead” which covers lots of interesting anecdotes including many verses which we were able to read on the headstones today.

No doubt Judith could have spent more time “entertaining” us with tales of the dear departed, however at 1 pm we thanked Judith for a wonderful tour and proceeded to the “Royal Oak” for a well-deserved lunch. It had been a long day. (Unfortunately, the group photo file was corrupted.)

NEXT NM TRIP: Is   “Arms of Australia” Emu Plains

          THURSDAY 8TH OCTOBER

Report : David M (271)

TOFS Trip 908

Thursday 3 September 2026

SWAIN GARDENS, KILLARA

(Organised by TOFS KO)

TOFS (19): Graham L (185), Gregg B (365), Les H (469), David W (434), Phil B (345), Ron O (231), Stuart P (264), JP (27), Jim M (209), Bobby T (448), Ron C (470), Michael F (108), Ken H (48), Daryl H (65), Jason F (464), Phil G (154), John V (483), David C (467), Richard M (219).

We met at Lindfield Station on a perfect spring day and set out through the streets towards the gardens. Swain Gardens is a hidden 3-hectare oasis in Killara, NSW, established between the 1940s and 1960s. Created by local bookseller Arthur "Mick" Swain to protect the natural bushland from development, it features terraced sandstone pathways, exotic plantings, and a classic English garden ambiance.

History of the Valley in Bushranger Days:

Shot Machine Creek (not Slot Machine Creek) on the side of the gardens gets its name from "Geary’s Cave", a rocky overhang where the bushranger William Geary and his gang hid from authorities during the 1820s. The cave was commonly referred to by locals as the "Shot Machine" because of the violent shootouts and armed confrontations that took place there between the gang and the police. Many a gallant policeman involved in curbing these outlaws was distinguished by the anchor tattoo upon his chest.

The Robbery of Matilda Fish. Matilda Fish was a sole parent living in this valley with her four children. William Geary, born in Limerick, Ireland, had escaped from prison. On a March afternoon in 1821, it was nearing four o’clock when she first heard them—a chorus of footsteps crunching through dry leaves and the hushed whispers of men. Before Matilda could react, the door was thrown open, and four men stormed inside, their faces set with hardened resolve. At the forefront was William Geary, a bushranger with grey eyes as cold as the steel of his pistol. He was flanked by his accomplices. They ransacked the cottage took two watches, a sextant, and other valuable possessions. As quickly as they had appeared, the gang vanished back into the dense bush. Geary was hanged for stabbing men and other crimes in August of the same year.

Shot Machine Creek is now Gordon Creek. Geary’s Cave is now located in Seven Little Australians Park, East Lindfield.

Creation of Swain Gardens:

Creation (1940s–1960s): Arthur Newling "Mick" Swain, a second-generation Sydney bookseller, purchased adjacent blocks of natural bushland valley behind his home. To save the area from urban subdivision, he terraced the sloping land and engaged stonemasons to carve sandstone retaining walls and bridges. He planted a mix of cold-climate exotics (such as rhododendrons, magnolias, and camellias) against a backdrop of native Australian eucalyptus and giant bamboo.

National Trust Era (1973): Mick Swain bequeathed the beloved gardens to the National Trust of Australia (NSW) upon his death to ensure they would benefit the community in perpetuity.

Council Ownership & Restoration (1980–1983): In the early 1980s, the management of the property was transferred to the Ku-ring-gai Council, where it is classified as public community land. The site was opened as a public park and is actively supported by a dedicated volunteer group, the Friends of Swain Gardens.

Current Day: The site is valued for its English garden aesthetic within an Australian bushland setting. 

GREENGATE HOTEL

Cold and unwelcoming in the 1980’s, this landmark hotel on the Pacific Highway has a new lease of life. Built in 1833 as a small stone cottage established by John Johnson and later owned by Thomas Waterhouse, it was originally known as "The Gate" and later "Ye Olde Greengate Inn".

By the 1930s, the renowned brewery Tooth & Co had acquired the hotel. In the mid-1940s, the original stone inn was demolished to make way for a grand, modern brick building. Designed by architect Cyril Christian Ruwald and built by Max Cooper and Sons, the new pub officially opened in 1945, costing roughly £52,000. A nod to its origins remains, as the original 1830s green gate was mounted above the fireplace. This we observed near the entrance to the hotel. It states: “1833: Ye Olde Green Gate Inn. This gate hangs well and hinders none, refresh and pay and travel on”.

MUSIC

To colour match the Greengate Hotel listen to 'Time of Your Life' by Green Day (1997).  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AV1FW_FCjx8

Graham L (185)

TOFS TRIP 905

Thursday 20 August 2026

TOFS AGM 2026

(Organised by TOFS HQ)

TOFS: (36):  JP (27), Christopher F (64), Clynt S (69), Dave E (94), Phil K (123), Terry O (147), Jeff J (153), Phil G (154), Peter M (155), Rex M (179), Graham L (185), Jim M (209), Ron O (231), Bill K (232), Kenn W (243), Stuart P (264), Peter M (288), Ted A (306), Denis R (332), Phil B (345), Peter O (348), Allan S (349), Gary H (366), Paul E (380), Lyle W (386), Don N (400), Robert E (431), David F (441), Bob S (444), Ron B (446), Bobby T (448), David C (467), Les H (469), Ken C (474), Frank W (475), Peter L (479).

Apologies: 17]: Hal M (6), Daryl H (65), Bruce K (68), Rob W (73), James M (118), Lloyd S (138), Jim O (170), Terry R (184), Richard M (219), Paul T (233), Keith R (283), Colin C (291), Richard B (296), Graeme L (392), Ted B (451), Sean S (452), Bob L (455).

The AGM was held at the Souths Juniors Club. As in recent years we were allocated the private Glass Room for the occasion. The Chairman, Stuart Parnell, welcomed members to the Fifteenth Annual General Meeting.

·       Minutes of the 14th AGM were confirmed.

·       Reports on the activities of the association were accepted.

·       The financial report was accepted.

·       Election of the committee members was completed.

·       Two awards were made

o   Life Membership – Jim M (209).

o   More than 300 trips – Graham L (185).

·       Minor changes were made to the Rules & By-laws document.

Graham L (185)