28 brave and intrepid members gathered outside the Grovedale Community Hub at 8.15am on Tuesday March 3rd ready to be taken on a Mystery Bus trip. Once the bus left the Hub, we were entertained with numerous jokes by our ever-patient driver Dale. Our destination turned out to be Beaufort. Everyone knows the iconic product, Vegemite, but not its inventor, Cyril Callister. Our first stop was to Cyril Callister Museum. The museum displays photos and memorabilia and runs talks, tours, events and a shop which celebrates all things Vegemite.

In case you didn’t know - Vegemite has been banned from Victorian prisons since 2006, with Corrections Victoria saying it "interferes with narcotic detection dogs".  Someone said “well don’t give it to dogs if they don’t like it!!

Located in the historical Railway Station at Beaufort, the Pyrenees Arts Council's Art Trax Gallery displays artworks by visual artists, sculptors and photographers from within the Pyrenees region and beyond. Regular exhibitions along with 'Meet the Artist' showcase not only works by local artists, artisans and photographers but artists beyond the Pyrenees Shire and overseas. Members were welcomed by a local artist who demonstrated painting on cardboard. She then invited several members to try their hand at this medium, which was accompanied by great hilarity from the rest of the members.

Established in 1998 in the beautiful Heritage Methodist Church, The Beaufort Christmas Shop Gifts & Cafe is a “must-see”. This amazing shop encourages enjoyment of the magic of Christmas all year round exploring everything festive. They also stock an ever-changing array of home and garden wares, hampers and gifts for all occasions and for everybody. The cafe offers great coffee, cakes, slices and a delicious varying lunch menu.

The final stop for the day was the beautiful circa 1890’s Skipton home of our driver Dale and his wife Lisa. The home has been perfectly restored and is now tastefully and appropriately furnished with magnificent antiques.  After a walk through the amazing gardens and a tour of the house, members were treated to afternoon tea.