An ongoing commentary by the anonymous I about that rumbunctious rapscallion, Colonel Reginald R. Farquhear, Royal Camel Corps (rtd.) whose trials and tribulations are found in 'The Travel Journal of Colonel R Farquhear 1886-1911', and including occasional commentary and repartee by the Colonel himself.

Katoomba Amusements Company


A Hearty Welcome From The KAC


Welcome all to the Colonel's 'Katoomba Amusements Company Social Diary and Pictorial Album'! This will be the home of past, present and future gargantuan events, miniscule spectacles, animated pictorials, perambulating bicycles and tantalising curiosities created by our engagingly cyclopathological troupe.

Cyclopaths all!!!
WARNING! HERE BE LES VELOCIPEDES ET LES BICYCLETTES!!
But have no fear, KAC is here! And we have tamed these wild beasties which are all manifestations from the dark and devious depths of the Perambulatory Realms, conjured up by that nemesis of horseless carriage vendors, Doctor Stephen Cunningfellowwithham, Master of Velocipedes and Bicyclettes.

So, you will see pictorials relating to a number of events and festivals we've been involved in as well as numerous characters, advertisements and news items from the different eras we visit via the Professor's TASTI (Time And Space Travelling Invention).




The following pictorial display shows a snapshot of events in the Katoomba Amusements Company calendar from its beginnings in resurrected form and with some initial reference to the Colonel's background.
On this page we shall revisit some of the highlights of our participation in the Winter Magic Festival in Katoomba over the years. Consecutive pages will represent our involvement with other spectacular local events such as Ironfest in Lithgow and the Great Train Weekend in Mount Victoria.

Mr. Harry Fillets, famed local photographer, with members of the 2007 chapter of the resurrected Katoomba Amusements Company. From left Miss. Isabel Violet Franklin, Miss. Annabelle Price, Miss. Fenella, the Colonel in his 'Joseph Blacklock guise', and Mr. Fillets.


Colonel Reginald Farquhear in Arabia with his faithful camel, Colette.  At the time of this photograph (c.1888), he was working on a secret mission behind Turkish lines disguised as 'Mr. Joseph Blacklock, an Australian adventurer and sometime roller skating champion, travelling the wilds of Arabia and teaching the locals, and the Turks, how to rollerskate'. 
He holds his patent 'camel mesmers' used to hypnotise camels when they are being a tad obstreporous. The Colonel found them most useful on cold mornings when the camels were inclined to wait until the sun had risen.                                              
A wonderful portrait of Colette in repose.





         KAC members the night before the morning after???!!!


Our good company with Mr. Milligan the Mystic Buster and his jolly fine penny farthing.

Mr. Alfonso and his gallant assistant demonstrating his prowess with the lifting of weights!!

Miss. Leonora Godaire in all her glory!!

Prof. Hedgewick leading the way for the magnificent Immaculate Regenerator.

Winter Magic Festival 2008

KAC at the Carrington Hotel, Katoomba for Yuletide carols
             The King dropped by in period costume to wish us well for our second Grand Parade.

               Miss. Maisie Edgecombe handing out bushranger wanted posters during the parade

             Do you recognise this rapscallion of a man? If so, contact Mr. Hedgewick immediately.

                                                      Miss. Leonora in flight circa 1908

                                           Is that a bat in the air or is it Miss. Leonora???!!!


Winter Magic Festival 2010

Miss. Leonora: "Don't look back but we're being followed by a very large snowman!!"
Miss. Isabel: "No I think that's just Daddy's spies in disguise. He's sent them to ensure that I'm not trying to catch any gentlemen with my butterfly net again."

Miss. Leonora: "Oh, I think we may have missed the train, Miss. Isabel. What will your Daddy think of us being out unchaperoned??!!"
Miss. Isabel: "Actually my dear, I think he would want Mr. Hedgewick to give us a ride in his new automobile, don't you think so dear, dearest Henry?? After all, I am dressed most appropriately for such an adventure....er...I mean, venture wouldn't you say???!!!"

       Even at Katoomba Station, Miss. Leonora never misses an opportunity to get into the social pages!!

             As I was saying, Miss. Leonora NEVER misses an opportunity to get into the social pages!!

     The Colonel distracts Mrs. Emu with some idle chit-chat whilst Dr. Yorrick does a hasty diagnosis.

We meet up with Miss. Voula Vou and her delightful friends to do a spot of 'Belle Epoqueing' after the parade.
                                                    Smile please.......and a-one.......

                                                            ...........and a-two........

                                                  ..........and a-threeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miss. Leonora: "And what do you hunt with such fascinating weaponry as this, my dear sir???"
Miss. Voula: "No, my dear, this is his whiskey distiller, not a weapon. And he likes to be 'flying high', by his manner of dress."
Miss. Leonora: "But where is his airship....ohh....ah..I see!!!"


Winter Magic Parade 2011

This display also contains pictorial images of our friends and other participants in the festival parade.

           These young ladies and gentlemen of the Waratah immaculately drum to a different beat!!

Mr. Filletts: "As you can see, Miss. Hazel, when I say 'watch the birdy!' there really is a birdy to watch!!"

This year, although Miss. Isabel was still annoyed with her father and deigned not to participate, we made effort to hobble her Daddy's spies at the start, just in case she changed her mind.

There were 'encounters of the furred kind' when members of Animalia entered the fray bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

                                    The 'Pierrot and Columbine' of the realm of jugglers.

A 'steamy' expose of our antiquarian ambassadorial colleagues with the venerable Sir Dij Dijor seen at far right in jolly fine pith helmet.  Most certainly a man after my own heart!  Though only platonically, of course (ahem)!

Dr. Sibadeus Yorrick in clever disguise as Dr. Sibadeus Yorrick at your service, mesdames et monsieurs!

A most charming lady 'adventurer' acquaintance whose name shall remain anonymous due to secret matters of state.  And a rather hirsute chap who remembered me from a bar in the Congo, or so he says.  Actually, he gave me a note written in banana ink, so I'm not quite certain of....um...yes.....well, anyway???

                   Mr. Filletts photographing our antiquarian colleagues at ease after the parade.

                                    A riveting Victoriana family portrait don't you think??!!


Winter Magic Festival 2012

(But wait, there shall be more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)



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