Elly Bachmann
Rob Fairchild and his team of five horses will re-enact an olden day mailrun from April 8 to April 11, to commemorate the anniversary of 100 years since the last Cobb and Co in Australia.
Over the course of four days, they will travel from Mil-Lel to Penola, collecting mail from schools along the way.
The children will have a stamp and postcard to fill out and give to the coach, addressing it to themselves so when it is posted at the end of the journey in Penola it will be returned back to them.
Passengers will have the chance to talk about horses, nature, the olden days and get a glimpse into what life would have been like many years ago.
The re-enactment will be especially good for people who are fond of history, as the coach would pass by some interesting historic sights along the way.
“It’s a rather unique opportunity to do a journey behind horses,” Mr Fairhcild said.
The last Cobb and Co ran between towns in Queensland 100 years ago.
Mr Fairchild said he was unable to attend the Queensland Cobb and Co celebrations, so he instead decided to do something locally, which is when the “Rob and Co” mailrun idea began.
A lot of time has gone into preparing the horses for it, and Mr Fairchild said it had been good to see everything starting to come together now.
Mr Fairchild and his horses often attend weddings, funerals and other events.
“I’ve got a little hobby that has gotten out of control I suppose,” he said.
The Rob and Co mailrun experience will be a lot rougher than what people are used to these days, he said, and a lot more back to nature.
While his mailrun was not following an exact old mailrun route, it would give people a feel of what it was like.
“I just love the opportunity to drive the horses and share it with people, and remind them what was there,” he said.
Day one will take passengers from Mil-Lel to Glencoe, day two from Glencoe to Kalangadoo, day three from Kalangadoo to Yallum Park and day four from Yallum park to Penola.
The coach will seat 15 passengers each day and spots upon all days are still available.
One day tickets are $75 for an adult and $40 for a child.
Four day passes are $200 for an adult and $125 for a child.
Bookings can be made via Rob’s Carriages Facebook page.
