Acrylic on wood, ready to hang.

Signed on the front.

This artwork comes with an external frame

Ron Marshall painted this scene inspired by the story of the Cobb and Co coach run from Mackay to Mount Britton, which is about 120 km to the west-north- west of Mackay, Queensland, and which serviced the gold rush to Mount Britton in 1881, as well as being inspired by the unique mountains and peaks of the area.
This is that story-
Cobb & Co. shipped over 50 horses and sets of harness from Brisbane to Mackay in June 1881 to service the gold rush to Mount Britton. The gold rush was short-lived, and was virtually over by the time the first coach left Mackay for the gold-mining town of Mount Britton on the 27th of June 1881. The coach service was however welcomed by the residents along its route, as it was a reliable and convenient means of fast transportation of goods as well as people. A petition by residents of Mount Britton, Nebo and Eton was presented to the Post Master General, requesting that Cobb & Co. be subsidised to carry mail to the diggings (it was being delivered by packhorse). Unfortunately for both the residents and Cobb & Co., the petition was unsuccessful. Failing to get the mail run, and with the gold rush over, the twice weekly service from Mackay to Mount Britton was terminated in September 1881, barely 3 months after it had started. The venture was a financial disaster for Cobb & Co. This painting depicts the Cobb & Co. coach outside the bark and sapling structure of the Royal Mail Hotel at the southern end of the township of Mount Britton. It is about to depart for the last time, pulled by a matched team of splendid grey coachers. The “wheelers” have been hitched, and final farewells are being said as the groom leads the three “leaders” into position. In the background stand the three Marling Spikes that guard the approach to the town.
CBB & CO.- FINAL FAREWELL is both a landscape and a tribute to a unique part of our early Australian history. It really does tell a story – a true story that touches on the fortunes and misfortunes of the Australian pioneers that occurred below these majestic mountains.
This colourful painting will make a bold and dramatic statement on any wall and will start many a conversation, and inspire thoughts pondering an almost forgotten era of our history. It has value not only as an outstanding artwork, but is a record, a reminder of a time past when the pace was much slower, and man was more connected to our land.
In keeping with the traditional nature of the painting it has a beautiful, traditional wooden frame, with a deep scooped profile, and a broad inner slip that is a neutral cream colour with a warm blush to the inner gold edge. On the back it is fitted with D-rings and heavy plastic-coated picture hanging wire. The frame can be removed if necessary.
This painting is the final of 3 that Ron painted that features the Cobb and Co. service to Mount Britton, and one of 12 paintings in our Mount Britton Collection.