Our own Bensley's bus carrying the images to the web site, took off from the front of the National Theatre at 7.00 am to make the historic round trip. On board it carried 'King Highway' (aka Jane Ahlquist), the Town Crier (aka Joseph McGrail-Bateup) Cheryl Raper, the instigator of the project and President of Braidwood Villages and Tourism, Tracey Lamont, who steered the project to success (who also doubles up as the Vice President) and Executive/Committee Members.
Notwithstanding the blustering wind (we are all used to), we all lined up in anticipation and Dr Mike Kelly MP, Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, officially cut the ribbon in front of the Parliament House and thus 'The Bus', with Mike Kelly and the Prime Possum joining the troops, commenced the journey that, it is hoped, more and more people from Australia and abroad will follow.
In his introductions, Dr Kelly said that he was pleased to see a project that highlighted the rich potential of the King's Highway region both historically and culturally, and took the tourist off the main track to discover the smaller villages and unique forest of the region. He reiterated his beliefs of the enormous potential this region has, and in Braidwood, he congratulated the volunteers at the Braidwood Visitor Centre for their work in directing people to explore the arts, culture and gastronomy of the whole region.
The bus was welcomed at stops at Queanbeyan and Bungendore, with Deputy Mayor of Queanbeyan Sue Whelan and the only councillor from Palerang present, Cr Richard Graham, paying tribute to these gems on the Kings Highway.
The highlights of the trip, however, were reserved to Braidwood, with a feast put on by the Cheese Factory, Dojo Bread, Landtasia Organic Foods, the Braidwood Butchery and Koonaburra wines - all consumed under the shade of the oak trees, with guests and visitors whipped to cheering Dr Kelly, Tracey Lamont and Cheryl Raper by the 'King Highway' and the Town Crier.
The bus finally came to a rest in Batemans Bay, greeted by Mrs Joanna Gash MP, Federal Member for Gilmore, the Mayor, Cr Fergus Thomson, Deputy Mayor Cr Chris Vardon OAM and members of Eurobodalla Council.
So, if you browse www.visitbraidwood.com.au, or www.kingshwytodiscovery.com.au, you will find a wealth of information promoting our businesses, our tourist attractions and our way of life, and if you see "The Bus" or the Kings Highway T-shirts or the bags, just pause for a second to salute those volunteers who made this happen and proudly recommend the sites whenever you can.
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