"Dorrigo Waratahs" in Robertson

The "Dorrigo Waratahs" (Alloxylon pinnatum) have been grown in Robertson by Dr David Tranter. He planted them at the Railway Station where they make a marvellous display at Christmas and New Year. 

"Dorrigo Waratahs" (Alloxylon pinnatum)

There is a set of photos on my Facebook page,
These photos are publicly accessible. You do not have to join Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152502617929829.1073741882.809229828&type=1&l=3f24db6af2

Robertson Railway - 80th Birthday and re-enactment

Please see my Picasa Album (public viewing enabled) with photos of the very successful re-enactment of the first train visit to Robertson, in 1932.
 
This was topped off by acknowledgement of the presence of four ladies who were present as School Children when the train line was opened.
 
The youngest girl, Tessa and the youngest boy from Robertson Primary School helped with the cutting of a commemorative cake, with Violet Lymbery and Gladys Fisk. These two ladies were present as School Children themselves, when the first train arrived in Robertson.

https://picasaweb.google.com/113268294402913437731/RobertsonRailway80thBirthday

Springtime in Robertson - photos and coming Weekend Events

I was asked to take photos of the Waratahs in the Robertson Common, which is the precinct of Robertson Heritage Railway Station

Magnificent Waratah flower
Telopea speciosissima - NSW Waratah
Probably the "Cultivar" known as Fire and Brimstone
which comes from the local (Kangaloon) catchment areas.

I have uploaded a bunch of photos I took while walking around the main streets of the Village.

Some are of common garden plants, (some would call them "weeds").
Forget Me Nots, Herb Robert, "Honesty" (Lunaria) and then some photos of the Cherry Trees in Hoddle Street (otherwise known as the Illawarra Highway). But it is the Waratahs which steal the show.

Double-flowered Cherry Blossoms
in the main street of Robertson

In between, there are photos of the Railway Buildings (which are recognised as being of historic significance), and also the Fettlers Shed Gallery.

https://picasaweb.google.com/113268294402913437731/SpringtimeInRobertson11October2012

This weekend will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the opening of the "Mountain Railway" - from Port Kembla (the steel works) to Berrima Limestone quarry, originally owned by Sir Cecil Hoskins.
I still find it extraordinary that Sir Cecil, a director of the Australian Iron and Steel managed to persuade the State Government to pay for the railway line between his Limestone Quarry and his steel mill and port at Port Kembla. And the knighted him for his efforts!

• "After complex negotiations in 1927 the State government agreed conditionally to build a railway connecting Port Kembla with the main southern line at Moss Vale, and construction of a blast-furnace and deep-water wharf began."

In these days, I cannot imagine such a deal going through. Instead of giving Sir Cecil a knighthood, he would probably be charged with insider trading or something.
However, this "deal" however shady it might seem to me, today, would probably seem completely natural and even desirable to the likes of Gina Rinehart or Clive Palmer.

Anyway, for better or worse the Railway runs through Robertson (almost exclusively as a Freight line these days),  and as a Tourist line for special occasions, such as this weekend.

 See the details on the Robertson website.

 There will be Open Gardens you can enjoy visiting too.

a delightful delicate pale pink
Double-flowered Cherry Blossom

Vintage Car display at the "Robertson Common".

The Robertson Common, adjacent to the Robertson Heritage Railway Station, was the scene of a great collection of "vintage" cars today.

The weather was pleasant, and a good crowd assembled and ate the caterers out of all their food.

Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves - car enthusiasts and the locals as well.

A very nice Classic Bentley

You've got to love a line up of Morris Minors

Judging by the Badge emblem
this is a very nice Chevvy Corvette

A fine early model Vauxhaul

Bonnet badge detail

A left-hand drive Ford GT 350 H
I assume this is an imported model.

Ford Shelby Mustang GT350H : 1966

Only 1000 made.

A restored Ford Utility

A 1949 Vanguard
My family owned a similar car
when I was very young.

A collection of enthusiasts vehicles

An early Mazda sport sedan

A classic Volvo sport sedan
Roger Moore (a.k.a, "The Saint")
where are you?

Hood ornament on the Chevrolet

A black Chevrolet

Grill badge for the Chevrolet - above

A red "Thunderbird"
A classic (if only because of the cartoon series)
But at least it is red one!

1960s Chevrolet
(See below to see the rear fins of this car)

Motor of the Crossley

An original (restored) Crossley

The Crossley seen from behind.
The 1960 Chevvy in the rear
(Seen 2 images above)
shows off the outrageous tail fins.
At least the horizontal tail fins were better than the
vertical ones much beloved of Cadillac.

A nice vintage hurse

A Mercury "Eight"

An enthusiast with a Jet Engine vehicle (a functioning model)
incredibly noisy when the turbine and after-burner kick in.

A shiny black Buick "Riviera"

A nice Ford Ute

A nice burgundy Merc, and my dirty little Daihatsu Feroza
which has now clocked over 300,000 Kms.
Does that make it Vintage?
Probably not.
Just as well, I would have to clean and polish it, then.

Dorrigo Waratahs at Robertson Heritage Railway Station

Dorrigo Waratah makes a spectacular plant.

These outstanding Dorrigo Waratah plants make a fine summer display at the Robertson Heritage Railway Station.

Dorrigo Waratah at Robertson Heritage Railway Station

The NSW Waratah, Telopea speciosissima and its cultivars, and some hybrid Waratahs are also grown at the Robertson Railway Station, but they flower around the October Long Weekend (actually at the end of September, and early October).

As the name "Dorrigo Waratah" suggests, these plants grow naturally "in warm-temperate rainforest or rarely in wet sclerophyll forest, on escarpment ranges above 700 m altitude, Missabotti, Dorrigo and Mt Hyland areas (of NSW), and the McPherson Range", (SE  Qld). (Source: PlantNET) But as cultivated plants, they thrive out in the open in Robertson. Our natural habitat is classed as "cool-temperate", so maybe the adjustment to growing them in the open compensates for our lower summer temperatures.

Dorrigo Waratahs cultivated in the open, at Robertson

Their scientific name is Alloxylon pinnatum. They are related to the traditional Australian Waratahs (Telopea spp.) and Oreocallis and Chilean Firetree (Embothrium coccineum) from South America. Almost all these species have red terminal flowers, and hence the subtribe's origin and floral appearance most likely predates the splitting of Gondwana into Australia, Antarctica, and South America over 60 million years ago." (Source: Wikipedia)

Dorrigo Waratah - the whole plant makes a great display

Dorrigo Waratah flowers are less "showy" than the NSW Waratah

The leaf of the Dorrigo Waratah reveals its rainforest heritage - fresh green and soft.

Honey Bee making a Bee Line for the Dorrigo Waratah flower.

These plants have been grown by local Waratah enthusiast, Dr David Tranter, who has been largely responsible for the landscaping of the  Robertson Heritage Railway Station precinct. A great contribution to the local community.