DRIVING FOUR WITH COBB AND CO

[Maureen K Clifford]

When Kym was here she kindly gave me some copies of a newspaper article she had written on Cobb and Co coaches and coincidentally the fellow she interviewed had restored a Cobb and Co coach and it took place in the Yuleba to Surat recreation run. These photos are my ex driving and being a passenger on that same run in August 2009. Small world. Can't be sure but the white coach in the picture may well be the one that Kyms bloke restored, as the original Queensland coaches were in fact white and not red.

DRIVING FOUR WITH COBB & CO Maureen Clifford © 03/10



He drove a coach for Cobb & Co just like his forbears years ago
with leather reins held firmly in both hands.
Red dust still swirled both there and back, between old Yuleba and Surat
four horses sprung away at his commands.
.
Two matched pairs of Cleveland Bays would pull the coach along its way.
Sixteen pistons iron shod...sweating hides and fiery blood.
The leather collars took the strain. A long haul this with much to gain.
Although at times reduced to plod, traversing black soil mud.

With jingling bits and leather creak, a cracking whip and driver speak
they sped out on the Yuleba run, although today was purely fun.
A celebration of before, and spectators all watched in awe.
Today commemorated the final Cobb and Co run.

The last run in 1924 saw Tommy Thompson drive once more
the big white coach, dust streaked in red, thrown up from sixteen hooves that led
it on its final dusty way to old Surat on this last day.
Tommy though sad got the job done, though inside his heart bled.

The horses fresh and rested knew their mettle would be tested,
they blew steam from flaring nostrils , into the cold crisp morning air.
Dawn arrived chilly and misty, likewise Tommy's eyes though this he
would attribute to the dust, though truth to tell 'twas just he cared.

As they traveled cross the black soil, four horses harder had to toil,
even more so after rain did fall on these treacherous slippery plains.
But the day today was beautiful, and strongly did the horses pull.
There was just a lightly freshening breeze carrying the scent of rain.

“Hey up there Dolly. Buster ... that's enough now of your bluster.
Come on Ruby, move up Duchess there's nothing can stop us now,
and for sure my heart is singing as I hear the echoes ringing
as we cross the creek and travel underneath the Iron barks bough.”

The month of August 2009, now sees the recreation
of the final days of Cobb & Co out on the Yuleba run.
And he drives the coach and four like his forbears did before
but today he did it not for work just for a bit of fun.

But he was mindful of the history, and of those who'd gone before.
That name sparks a vivid image in every Aussie that I know.
We recall former glory, and history still tells the story
and he'll oft' remember how he once drove four with Cobb & Co.

[Neville Briggs]

I found a book recently on one of those cheap book stalls ( cost $5) which was about the large oil painting done by Tom Roberts , near Inverell in 1894.

The painting is called Bailed Up and depicts a Cobb & Co Coach stopped by bushrangers on the Inverell Road. The coach that Tom Roberts depicted looks slightly different from the ones in your photos, the seating part seems a bit shorter.

Kym would like the book, it has a detailed discussion of the horses that Tom Roberts placed in the painting. The horses were in fact the main subject of the painting, as indeed the horses are pretty much the main subject of your poem.

My grandmother told me ( many many years ago) that she went on her honeymoon in a Cobb & Co coach from Bathurst to Lithgow. She told me how the drivers had tied a tree to drag behind the coach , as a brake when they were going down the steepest parts of the road.

[Heather]

Great pics and a lovely poem Maureen. There were Cobb and Co. stables in Kilmore and some years ago I did some research for a plaque to go on the building now in its place to commemorate the old bluestone stables. There was also a coach factory and lots of people worked there as coach builders, coach painters, wheelwrights etc. There are at least two Cobb and Co. drivers buried in the Kilmore Cemetery. Fascinating history.

thanks Maureen,
Heather

[Jasper Brush]

G'day Maureen

Well worth a comment.

The Cobb n Co original owner an American.

A well written and presented poem

Enjoyed your artistry.

John

[Maureen K Clifford]

Thanks John - good to hear from you

Cheers

Maureen