cityLIFE
Official newsletter of Queanbeyan City Council
175th birthday souvenir edition
Issue 34
|
September 2013
HAPPY 175th BIRTHDAY QUEANBEYAN
Q
ueanbeyan will celebrate its 175th birthday on Saturday
28 September 2013 with a day of celebrations and
activities planned in and around Ray Morton Park.
It is believed that Aboriginal people first settled in Queanbeyan
about 20,000 years ago. The town started taking shape during the
1820s and 1830s, with a Post Office being established in 1836.
On 28 September 1838, Queanbeyan was officially proclaimed a
settlement.
More Queanbeyan history - page 3
Proclamation
Sydney, 28th September, 1838
Notice is hereby given that a site has been fixed upon for a village in the
undermentioned place and that a copy of the approved plan may be seen
at the Office of the Surveyor-General, in Sydney, or at the nearest Bench
of Magistrates, namely — Queanbeyan, County of Murray.
The minimum price is £2 sterling per acre.
By Command of His Excellency the Governor, E Deas Thomson
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175
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Queanbeyan City Council — City Life July 2013 1
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In Ray Morton Park
Activities throughout the day
• Multicultural food and
dance festival
• Static car display
• Tug of war
• Hobby horse racing
• Demonstrations
• Melbourne Cup display
• Indigenous arts and craft
• Entertainment
•
•
Main stage
Official ceremony
1pm-1.30pm
Sensory Garden opening
Cake cutting
•
•
•
Concert
5pm-7pm
Omar Musa
Ruby Ice
Stik n Move
•
•
•
•
•
Fireworks - 7pm
Parking
There’s plenty of parking available on the CBD
side of the River, include:
• Collett St carpark
• Lowe St carpark
• Rutledge St carpark
• Morisset St carpark
Parade 175 years of
transport - 11am
Including:
Harman Freedom of
Entry
Melbourne Cup
Bullocks
Vintage vehicles
Modern cars
Road closures
The road closures:
• From 9am-12.30pm: Buttle St; Macquoid St; the roundabout exit to Atkinson St
off Bungendore Rd and Trinculo Pl.
• Waniassa St will be closed (west of the apartment block) all day for activities
and pedestrian traffic.
• Trinculo Place (under the bridge) 8am-8pm.
Please park your car and walk across the bridge.
Parade to celebrate 175 years of transport
Since the first train reached Queanbeyan in 1887, a range of
transportation devices have helped this city grow to what it is now. The
history of transport in Queanbeyan will be celebrated with a parade
starting at 11am along Macquoid St on Saturday 28 September.
HMAS Harman is set to lead
Queanbeyan’s 175th birthday parade with
a Freedom of Entry march. The Freedom
of Entry will include over 100 Navy
personnel from the Canberra region with
the Royal Australian Navy band.
This special event which only happens
every five years signifies the excellent
relationship the City of Queanbeyan
and HMAS Harman have enjoyed since
Harman’s commissioning in 1943. It is
also significant as it coincides with the
Navy International Fleet Review which
takes place in Sydney from 3-11 October
involving over 50 visiting Navies.
The 175th birthday parade has a theme of
175 years of transport and will also include
bullock teams, old government cars,
vintage vehicles, Queanbeyan Pipes and
Drums and many more.
There will be a fireworks displays at 7pm
with the best viewing spot in Ray Morton
Park.
Other events to celebrate
Queanbeyan’s 175th birthday
5 September 11am-2pm
The Queanbeyan Quilters will be holding the
‘Up the Garden Path’ exhibition at the Tourist
Information Centre.
13-15 September
Dancers from around Australia and New
Zealand at the National Clogging Convention
at the Bicentennial Hall.
Saturday 21 September
The Queanbeyan Hospital Auxiliary and the
Queanbeyan Health Service will be holding
a Fete and Open Day on the grounds of the
Queanbeyan Hospital on 21 September 2013.
Events will include entertainment by bands
and dance groups, jumping castle, children’s
activities, stalls, sausage sizzles.
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Birthday concert gets a rap
Internationally-acclaimed rap poet Omar Musa will return to
Queanbeyan to perform at the 175th birthday concert on Saturday
28 September.
Queanbeyan’s
beginnings
From Page 1
Omar writes prolifically about Queanbeyan
and is currently writing a novel based on
the Queanbeyan hip-hop scene and “young
powerless men” for Penguin Australia. He’s also
working on a play for Street Theatre which is
based in Queanbeyan in the 1800s.
In 1841 there were three brick buildings and
seven wooden buildings in Queanbeyan. There
were 372 residents in 1851 and 526 in 1861
and Queanbeyan was the service centre of the
district. There were three large stores and two
hotels. Another six inns were doing business on
the roads leading out of the town; there were
two steam mills and a new hospital was being
erected.
Omar has been performing and travelling
around the world over the last year – and has
just received an invitation to perform at Russell
Crowe’s mid north-coast property at Christmas.
Life is moving pretty quickly for the kid who grew
up in Collett St and developed his hip-hop style
sharing stories and jokes with the other kids.
He says his parents encouraged him to write poetry from a young age. “Both my
parents were very artistic, mum was the arts editor of The Canberra Times for years
and years, and my father was a theatre director and actor and poet in Malaysia
and they encouraged me from an early age to write poetry if I felt down, or if I was
happy or angry or whatever.
“I’ve always loved stories and storytelling. Growing up in the flats on Collett St it
was a good skill to have and I’d sit around with all the Macedonian kids and we
would tell jokes and stories. What attracted me to hip-hop was the simplicity of the
language in dealing with complex issues. It wasn’t the gangsterism that attracted
me, it was that it was for young people by young people.”
Earlier this year Omar, who was the winner of the 2008 Australian Poetry Slam,
launched his second book of poetry, Parang. His inspiration came at the end of his
last world tour during a writers’ festival in Malaysia. “I started writing these poems
really quickly and a lot of them, and I realised I hadn’t put out a book of poetry in
four years. I had a lot of poems about Australia and about the in-between places,
and poems from Malaysia and it added up to a nice spectrum of my personality and
cultural experience.”
Omar says his home-town remains a huge influence behind his work, and he says
he is always trying to capture Queanbeyan.
During the 1860s communications were
improved by the extension of the telegraph line
from Braidwood to Queanbeyan which opened
in 1864 and the approach of the railway which
reached Goulburn in 1869. The first official train
reached Bungendore on 4 March 1885, but
engineering difficulties and the need to construct
two large bridges delayed the opening of the
section to Queanbeyan until 8 September 1887.
In February 1885 Queanbeyan was proclaimed
a Municipality containing an area of 5,700 acres.
At the first municipal elections in April 1885, nine
aldermen were selected from 14 candidates and
John James Wright became the first Mayor.
The first bridge across the Queanbeyan River
was opened in 1858 but closed in 1899. Another
bridge opened in 1900, which was later replaced
by a new bridge in 1974. The adjacent weir and
the Suspension Bridge were opened in 1901.
The Suspension Bridge was destroyed by the
flood of 1925 and a replacement was re-built in
1938.
“I’ve always thought Queanbeyan is a microcosm of Australia – partly rural, partly
urban, very multicultural, quite working class but with a middle class side as well.
I keep coming back to it but I’ve discovered that sometimes you have to leave a
place to be able to write about it.”
By 1972 the population had risen to over 15,000.
The city had proved that while it was in close
proximity to Canberra it was an independent
entity and Queanbeyan was proclaimed a city on
7 July 1972.
Don’t miss Omar Musa perform at the 175th birthday concert in Ray Morton Park on
28 September. The concert runs from 5pm-7pm.
The population is expected to reach around
60,000 by 2036.
Melbourne Cup coming to our birthday party
Not everyone can say that Australia’s most-loved sporting trophy will be coming to their
birthday party — but Queanbeyan can, with the Emirates Melbourne Cup tour stopping over in
Queanbeyan on 28 September.
As part of Queanbeyan’s 175th birthday celebrations on Saturday 28 September the Melbourne Cup will feature in
the parade in Macquoid St and will be on display in Ray Morton Park following the parade.
The Melbourne Cup will be run for the 153rd time in 2013, just a number of weeks after Queanbeyan celebrates its
175th birthday.
Queanbeyan has a very long history in horse racing and the industry is still a very healthy one in this region. In fact,
the Queanbeyan Racing Club will also celebrate its 153rd birthday this year.
Queanbeyan is one of 34 destinations the Melbourne Cup will stop at during its three-month tour around Australia
and Auckland.
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Queanbeyan City Council — City Life July 2013 3
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Meeting of the
Mayors
Queanbeyan Mayor Tim Overall has a
special fascination with Queanbeyan’s
first mayor John James Wright.
“John James Wright was at the forefront of the
development of Queanbeyan in the 19th century.
He worked tirelessly for the community and had
commercial interests in the town including at one
stage two general stores,” Cr Overall said.
“In these early days it was a case if you wanted
any progress, any improvement, you had to do it
yourself and Queanbeyan’s first mayor is a very
good example of this tireless civic commitment.
When you see the long list of his achievements
it’s very humbling to see just how much of this
work was for the good of the town and not
motivated by personal gain.”
public recreation ground, and board member of
the public school. He was also Queanbeyan’s
first Member of Parliament (1874).
which families were doing well in the community
and able to pay their bills and afford more
expensive items.”
The Queanbeyan Museum records that John
James Wright was at the “forefront of important
issues affecting Queanbeyan’s development;
lobbying for the building of a permanent bridge
over the Queanbeyan River (1858), lobbying for
the railway line to be built to the town (1887),
leading the movement to have the Queanbeyan
telegraph service commence (1864), and helping
build the Methodist Church on Rutledge Street
(1859).
“The list of his service to the community really
does seem endless. As with any public figure
there were disputes and controversial issues and
it’s recorded that in later life John James Wright
became eccentric,” he said.
Mayor Overall said one of his favourite items in
the Queanbeyan Museum is the beautiful journal
that recorded the transactions from the first
mayor’s general store between 1868 and 1869.
Mayor Overall said some of the items you may
have bought from the general store included
ground wheat; buttons, gloves, cotton tape,
thread, muslin, bacon, oatmeal, rice, chocolate,
rope, sugar, butter, raisins, opium, horse nails,
collars, elastic, velvet, rum, sherry, needles and
thread.
Mayor Overall said the first mayor was also
president of the district hospital; trustee of the
“As well as being a magnificent volume, with
immaculate hand-writing, the journal is special
as it was saved from a fire in 1923. It allows us
an insight into daily life during this period and
we can see what people were buying as well as
Mayor Overall said Mary Anne Wright, the wife
of the first mayor, had nine children and is also
credited with being a good businesswoman.
Mrs Wright owned the now oldest building in the
CBD, the Wright Building at 200 Crawford Street
(next to petrol station), for a number of decades.
The Wright Building is named after Mrs Wright
and is about 140 years old.
Driving Queanbeyan
Transport has played a major role in the progress of
this city and the Quodling name is synonymous.
Queanbeyan’s transport
history is in safe hands. Tony
Quodling, whose family owned
and ran Queanbeyan’s bus
business, Quodling Bros, for
42 years from 1935 to 1977,
has lovingly and with pride kept
many old photos and records
of his family’s business and
Queanbeyan’s transport history.
Mr Quodling says his first
memories are of riding on
the buses and of the different
models. He says the buses
were always immaculately kept
and well-maintained.
“I feel very proud of my family’s
achievements. The Quodlings
helped the Queanbeyan
community grow and offered
a great service to the area.
We were very much a part
of significant 20th century
projects, such as the Snowy
River scheme, our buses would
drive workers up to the Snowy
Mountains.”
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cityLIFE
Official newsletter of Queanbeyan City Council
Issue 34
|
SEPTEMBER 2013
Moving ahead with CBD upgrades
Stage two of upgrades to the Queanbeyan CBD will be undertaken between 2013-14 and 2015-16 with a focus
on Monaro St, our CBD entrances at Lowe and Collett Sts and Morisset St.
Council is currently seeking input from
the community, business operators and
property owners in the CBD about what they
would like to see included in the project. A
number of community consultation activities
were held in late August-early September
with local businesses and the general
public. Council will be taking input until 13
September 2013.
The information collected during this
period will be passed on to a consultant
who will prepare a concept design for the
project. Residents and business owners/
operators will get a chance to comment on
the concept design in February 2014, after
which a final design will be prepared.
The following timeline for the project has
been developed and may change due to a
number of factors:
• Initial community consultation:
August-September 2013
• Consultant to develop concept
design: February 2014
•
•
•
•
Community consultation - concept
design: December 2013-February
2014
Minor works (plantings, landscaping
etc): September 2013-August 2015
Approvals for major works: July
2014-October 2014
Major works construction: February
2015-March 2016.
It’s important to understand the scope of
this project — it will not be of the same
magnitude of that seen in developing the
Crawford St Lifestyle Precinct. The majority
of works will focus on landscaping and
improving the visual impact on Monaro,
Morisset and Lowe Sts. Some major work
will occur along Collett St with Council
aiming to activate the river frontage and
enhance pedestrian access to the area.
To keep up to date with this project email
[email protected] and you
will be added to our mailing list.
Summer Sunset Markets return in October
The increasingly-popular Summer Sunset Markets will continue to be held on the first and third Friday of each
month during daylight savings (except January).
The first Markets of 2013-14 will be held on Friday 4 October from
5pm-8pm in the courtyard between the Council Chambers and
Council’s Administration Building in Crawford St.
The Markets have blossomed over the past two years and during
2012-13 more than 80 different stallholders registered during the
season. An average of 30 stallholders participated in each market,
with a peak of 45 stalls at the 7 December markets.
The Markets focus on supporting and encouraging local handmade
arts and crafts practitioners, local produce suppliers and providing
opportunities for local entertainers and performers to gain
experience before a variety of audiences.
More information on the Markets can be found on the Markets’
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sunsetmarkets
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Queanbeyan City Council — City Life July 2013 5
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New community centre
for Queanbeyan
Residents and community groups now have
access to a new community centre following
the opening of the Karabar Community Centre.
Council’s Community Centre Coordinator Amanda Tomlinson and Mayor, Cr Tim
Overall at the opening of the Karabar Community Centre
Our Community Centres
•
•
•
•
Karabar Community Centre - 183 Cooma Rd
Jerrabomberra Community Centre - Jerrabomberra Parkway
RB Smith Community Centre - 262 Crawford St
Letchworth Neighbourhood Centre - 28 Miller St
Ellerton Drive extension
consultation summary
More than 200 submissions were received
from the community on the concept plans, draft
Species Impact Statement and Archaeological
Reports for the Ellerton Drive extension.
The purpose of the consultation period (20 May-21 June)
was to capture public comments on what residents would
like to see included in the design of the Ellerton Drive
extension before consultants were engaged to prepare
detailed design work. This consultation period was
additional to any statutory requirements.
A key detail for the design work is whether or not to include
connections from Greenleigh and Fairlane Estates to
Ellerton Drive.
The majority of submissions received from Greenleigh
residents were in favour of a gated emergency access point
to Ellerton Drive. The majority of submissions received from
Fairlane Estate residents were in favour of a left in, left out
and right in connection to the new road.
A report was presented to Council’s meeting on 28 August
2013 recommending that consultants for the detailed
design of Ellerton Drive extension be asked to investigate
a gated emergency access at the end of Lonergan Drive,
Greenleigh and a left in, left out and right in connection to
Barracks Flat Drive, Fairlane.
Council will commence the process of engaging a
consultant for detailed design work following this Council
meeting. A report outlining further details on the consultation
process and its outcomes can be viewed on the Ellerton
Drive extension webpage at www.qcc.nsw.gov.au. The
community can also receive future updates on the project
by registering on the project webpage.
The centre, which was formerly the South Queanbeyan
Children’s Centre Babies Room, has been repainted
and has new bathrooms, new kitchen facilities and new
fencing. One of Queanbeyan’s other community centres,
the Jerrabomberra Community Centre, is currently
undergoing an extension which will provide for increased
meeting space, kitchen and toilet facilities and more
storage space.
To book any of the centres please call Council’s
Community Centre Coordinator on 6285 6583, or email
[email protected] or book online
through Council’s website at www.qcc.nsw.gov.au
under Council Services-Community Centres, www.qcc.
nsw.gov.au Booking rates can be found at www.qcc.
nsw.gov.au/Your-Council/Rates-Fees-and-Charges.
What’s on at The Q Exhibition Space
The Q Exhibition Space has a vibrant calendar showcasing
local, regional, national and international artists; whilst
frequently presenting travelling exhibitions and displays.
In 2013 Queanbeyan celebrates its 175th Birthday and we are
celebrating by presenting audiences with an exhibition program
brimming with stories, history and heritage.
A Capital Idea
3 – 28 September
An exhibition to mark the centenary of Canberra and the 175th
anniversary of Queanbeyan. When Canberra was declared the
new Capital, Henry Halloran bought up the nearest freehold land in
Queanbeyan areas, where he planned to build an elaborate new city
overlooking the new Capital. This exhibition tells the extraordinary story
of this man and displays some unique and beautifully drawn maps and
plans of his proposed city, and also photographs.
Solo exhibition of botanical works by Queanbeyan artist Sharon
Field
1 – 12 October
Award-winning botanical artist Sharon Field presents new work in her
first solo exhibition at The Q Exhibition Space. Sharon specialises in
graphite, watercolour and vellum manuscript media.
For the Trees - Paintings by Angharad Dean
15 – 26 October
Prolific local artist Angharad Dean presents her latest body of work ‘For
the Trees’.
Australia Wide Three - Ozquilt Network Inc. latest touring exhibition
29 October – 16 November
This is the third biennial travelling exhibition this group has created.
Thirty-four works each measuring 40cm x 40cm will be on display,
showcasing the diversity and originality of contemporary textile art from
Australia’s leading and emerging quilt artists.
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Queanbeyan City Council — City Life July 2013 7
News bites
Queanbeyan Arts Trail
The 2013 Queanbeyan Arts Trail will be
held on Sunday 27 October 2013. The
Arts Trail takes you on a self-guided
tour around Queanbeyan’s art studios
and galleries where you can watch
demonstrations, meet the artists and
be inspired. The ever popular ‘Arts Trail
Bus Tour’ is running again this year on
Sunday 27 October 10am – 3pm. For $25
travel the arts trail in chauffeured comfort
enjoying morning tea, lunch and finish up
with champagne and nibbles. For more
information call 6285 6170
Family Day Care Child Development Officer Brenda Barrett (centre) demonstrating the
correct procedures to be followed when changing a nappy, using a doll as a substitute
for a child. Also pictured are new carers (L-R) Joy Cunningham, Rose Lu, Najia Fahad,
Monica Upward-Garcia, Rebecca Taylor and Kylie Norden.
Six new educators for Family Day Care
The high demand for childcare places has been slightly eased with six new
educators now fully accredited to provide care under the Family Day Care
Scheme.
The six educators can currently provide care for up to 30 children under school age. That
number will drop to 24 following the change in educator-children ratio which comes into
place on 1 January.
As part of the training process, educators undertook numerous tasks to ensure that safety
and hygiene practices are used. Prospective educators follow strict guidelines in registering
to become an educator with the scheme. Whilst educators operate from their home, they
are required to follow the same legislation as childcare centres operating in the area. The
benefit of using Family Day Care is that there is a small number of children being cared for
in a home environment.
Recruitment of these additional educators will provide some places to those families who are
seeking childcare in the Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra area. Any families who require
childcare should contact Queanbeyan Family Day Care on 6285 6253 or info.fdc@qcc.
nsw.gov.au
Did you know - decision-making process
From time-to-time there is confusion in the community regarding how
Council makes its decisions. We try to dispel some of the myths here...
Community consultation regarding major issues is a legislative requirement that
Queanbeyan City Council aims to do thoroughly. Many reports that are in Council's
business papers prior to Council meetings (and they're always available for the public
to see on our website five days before the meeting at www.qcc.nsw.gov.au) are a
result of the consultation Council staff have had with the community, combined with
the professional expertise of Council staff. Hence, the reports to Council are reports by
Council staff, they are not written by the elected councillors. The first time councillors see
a report, together with attached Council staff recommendations, is when they receive the
business paper. This is the same time the business paper becomes available to the public.
At the Council meeting it will then be up to the elected Councillors as to whether they
choose to adopt the recommendations or choose another path such as further consultation
with the community. There are many times when elected Councillors choose to adopt a
Council (staff) recommendation and other times when they feel further investigation and
consultation is required. Look at Council's Community Engagement Policy at www.qcc.
nsw.gov.au
Local wins art award
Queanbeyan artist, Debra Boyd-Goggin
was named the Queanbeyan City
Council Regional Art Award winner at
the opening of the exhibition on 30 July,
during Local Government Week. The
other winners were:
• Young Artist Award - Lauren Wakley
for her digital painting Sun Tribute.
• Commendation Award - Mel George
for her glass piece Henderson
Road.
• Highly Commended Award Amanda Edwards for her drawing
Twilight on the Rotunda.
• Indigenous Artist Award - Arnold J
Williams for his painting Papunya,
home of the honey ants.
Tickets on sale now
Tickets for the 2013 Queanbeyan
Business Excellence Awards gala
presentation evening are now on sale.
The presentation will be held on Saturday
21 September 2013 at The Q, commencing
at 7pm. Awards will be presented in eight
categories with the overall Business of the
Year to be selected from the nominations.
Tickets are $100pp and include a threecourse meal and beverages and are now
on sale from the Awards website at www.
queanbeyanbusinessawards.com.au or
by calling 6297 3121.
Referendum postponed
In the last edition of City Life we provided
information on the proposed referendum
on Local Government recognition in
the Constitution. Due to the Federal
Election being held on 7 September, this
referendum is no longer able to go ahead.
We will provide any further information
through City Life on the referendum as it
comes to hand.
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THE QUAEN-BIEN
This poem was written about the Queanbeyan River and published in The
Queanbeyan Age in 1865. The author, Bushman.
Through many a lonesome valley,
Through many a shady dell,
Where summer wind-breaths dally,
And bright-plumed songsters dwell,
Ever murmuring onward floweth,
Our own old Quaen-bien,
Whilst sea-ward fast it goeth
Through wild-woods ever green,
High up where Jingera frowneth
In grandeur hoary and lone,
And near where the white gum
crowneth
Old Tindera’s lofty cone,
The live-long day it singeth
The moss-green crags among,
And aloft its bright spray flingeth
Where the water-lilies throng.
In boyhood oft I’ve wandered
By its turfy, shrub-fringed banks;
And near where its course meandered
Through the green flags’ serried ranks,
I’ve watched the shy teal gliding
‘Neath the steep rock’s mossy ledges,
Or anon, when startled, hiding
Among the tall green sedges.
And when eve’s cool dews had
spangled
The glistening forest leaves,
And gleaming globules dangled
From our village cottage eaves,
I’ve listened to the chimings
Of its wavelets’ silvery song,
Like distant fairy rhyming
Borne dulcetly along.
Then flow on, dear old river!
Glide swiftly to the sea;
Anon where green myalls quiver
Thy silvery track shall be:
Still though thy waters mingle
With broad streams on thy course,
I’ll love each dell and dingle
Around thy woody source.
Queanbeyan’s Living History
The Queanbeyan and District Historical Museum Society is celebrating Queanbeyan’s 175 years as a community
by recording the memories of a cross-section of its residents.
Society President John McGlynn says the aim is “to get a ‘snapshot’ of
what life in Queanbeyan has been like for the lives of its people, which
historians of the future can use for research in addition to the official
records, such as those held in Archives.”
Mr McGlynn said a Federal Government grant allowed the museum to
buy recording equipment and provide training to its volunteers in interview
techniques and how to use the recording equipment.
“It’s been a fascinating process for everyone involved in the project and it’s
also been a very moving experience, listening to the stories of the people
here in our community,” Mr McGlynn said.
“We have selected people with varied and interesting lives which
represent some of the many facets of Queanbeyan: migrants, pioneers
families, those involved in business, public service or politics, educators,
tradespeople, religious, health workers, the indigenous community and so
on.”
Five Queanbeyan residents have had their stories recorded and while
the interviews covered the whole of the subject’s life, they focused on
Queanbeyan.
Frank Presutti (second left) migrated to Queanbeyan from Italy
and was a popular barber in the main street. He is pictured in 1956
with this mother and siblings: (left-right) Enza, Orazio (Frank), Tina,
Gaetana (the mother), Domenico Presutti.
“We hope to gain an idea of how the person influenced and was influenced
by Queanbeyan, how the town developed during their time as well as the
interesting facts of the subject’s life. Queanbeyan’s diverse history and
changing character is part of the story here.”
•
Tom Mavec from the United States who was a teacher at
Queanbeyan High for many years and served on Queanbeyan City
Council.
The five Queanbeyan residents who had their histories recorded at the
start of the project are:
•
David Madew who practiced as a GP and was Mayor from 1980-1991
which was period of rapid development for Queanbeyan.
•
Irena Spaits who with her mother Janina Delbrowski fled war-torn
Poland via a German forced labour camp to the Australian migrant
camp at Bonegilla.
•
Frank Presutti who came with his mother and brothers and sisters
from Italy to join his father in Australia. He was a popular barber in the
main street for many years.
“These are only the first few interviews and already we have talked to a
diversity of people: women, men, early settlers and migrants and people
with different trades and professions. All came to find a life in Queanbeyan
and make it the city it is today, now celebrating 175 years as a community,”
Mr McGlynn said.
•
Eric Rawlings who was born at his grandparents’ residence, the old
Elmsall Inn.
The Queanbeyan Museum will have an open day 11am to 4pm Saturday 7
September with a launch of the oral history exhibition at midday.
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Queanbeyan City Council — City Life July 2013 9
cityLIFE
Queanbeyan’s first woman
councillor
Queanbeyan’s first woman councillor was Margaret Donoghoe, who
sat on Council from 1949 to 1960 and in 1953 was awarded the
Queen’s Coronation Medal for her social work.
Margaret was a strong advocate for children in the area. In the 1940s after being
involved in a search for a missing child in the Queanbeyan River taught swimming
lessons in the river and lobbied for the construction of a swimming pool. She was an
early vice-president of the Queanbeyan Swimming Club.
To cope with the post-war baby boom, the Department of Education proposed refusing
children admission to school until there were six. In 1949, Margaret initiated moves to
develop a pre-school in Queanbeyan. She became the first president of the committee.
In the 1950s Margaret was heavily involved with the setting up of the Good Neighbour
Council and served as both vice-president and president and in 1958 she became
the Queanbeyan Quota Club’s first Woman of the Year. Margaret also served as the
vice-president of the Canberra Business and Professional Women’s Club and was a
member of the ABC Program Advisory Council.
A look into the past
Plenty has changed in
Queanbeyan over the
years, but there are some
buildings in this photo
from 1931 that you may
recognise.
The photo below is
of the bridge across
the Queanbeyan River
in 1905. This was
the second bridge
constructed over the
river and was opened
in 1900. It was replaced
in 1974 with the current
bridge. The Suspension
Bridge was opened
in 1901, destroyed
by flood in 1925 and
reconstructed in 1938.
Queanbeyan’s Mayors
Since 1885,
Queanbeyan has
had 32 Mayors,
with a number
of these Mayors
having numerous
stints in the
position.
Queanbeyan’s
first Mayor, John
James Wright
(pictured),
played an
instrumental role
in getting the
railway line to
come through Queanbeyan. Queanbeyan’s
longest service Mayors were Frederick Land
and Frank Pangallo who both stood for 17
years.
Many of the Mayors are immortalised in
streets, parks and sportsgrounds around
Queanbeyan, including John James Wright
(Wright Park), John Bull (Bull St), George
Tompsitt (Tompsitt Drive), Edwin Land (Edwin
Land Parkway) and many more.
A Mayoral Gallery which includes information
and photos of all 32 Mayors is available at
http://www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/DiscoverQueanbeyan/Heritage/Mayoral-Gallery.
John James Wright...........................1885-1888
John Bull...........................................1888-1889
George Tompsitt...............................1889-1890
Edwin Land.......................................1890-1891
Nathan Lazarus................................1891-1892
Edwin Land.......................................1892-1897
William Pike......................................1897-1899
James Pike........................ Feb 1900-July 1900
Patrick Blackall......................... July 1900-1903
Henry Hungerford.............................1904-1905
Edwin Atkinson.................................1906-1907
Ernest Hincksman............................1907-1909
Richard Moore..................................1909-1910
Arthur Collett....................................1910-1912
Fredrick Woodward...........Mar 1913-May 1913
Richard Moore .........................May 1913-1914
Frederick Woodward........................1915-1917
Arthur Collett....................................1917-1920
Frederick Woodward........................1920-1921
James Harris....................................1922-1924
William Freebody..............................1925-1927
Henry Land.......................................1927-1929
William Freebody..............................1929-1932
Henry Charles Taylor........................1932-1935
John Esmond...................................1935-1939
Henry Taylor.....................................1939-1951
Ralph Spendelove............................1951-1954
Arthur Lambert, M.B.E......................1954-1963
Frederick Land, M.B.E....................1963 - 1980
David Madew, A.M............................1980-1991
Frank Pangallo, M.B.E.....................1991-2008
Tim Overall...................................2008-present
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10 Queanbeyan City Council - City Life July 2013
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Putting the
finishing touches
on Sensory Garden
The last installations and plants are
being put in place at Queanbeyan’s
Sensory Garden in readiness for the
official opening of the garden, which
will take place during Queanbeyan’s
175th birthday party on Saturday 28
September.
Council’s parks crews have been busy planting,
weeding, mulching and constructing in the
garden in Ray Morton Park next to the Riverside
Café.
Some recent additions to the garden include
rustic style gates designed and built by Council’s
Alan Neal (pictured) and sprinkler systems along
the garden pathway borders. Scented flowering
shrubs and groundcover have been planted with
low maintenance fruit trees to go in soon.
As the name implies the garden is there to
enhance all the senses. There are two musical instruments in the
garden, one is an UFOnium handcrafted locally by Jack WaringDallwitz from a recycled gas cylinder, and a sonic bench by Kim
Bowman.
A snail sculpture by Neil Dickinson will be arriving soon as will a
series of Aboriginal totem poles by the Ngambrii people. A life size
Chinese puzzle game is due to go in after the birthday celebrations
175th
Anniversary Ball
Queanbeyan’s 175th birthday
celebrations will culminate in an
Anniversary Ball on Saturday 28
September.
The Ball is being organised
by the Combined Community
Service Clubs of Queanbeyan
and will be held in the
Bicentennial Hall from 7pm
to midnight. Attendees are
encouraged to dress in period
costume.
and Council is looking at installing ambient lighting throughout the
site so the gardens may be enjoyed during the warmer months for
barbecues and picnics overlooking the river.
The 250 special handcrafted ceramic tiles that are in the raised
garden beds — the result of a partnership between Council and
The Richmond Fellowship and the work of many Richmond
Fellowship clients — are another feature of the park.
Thanks to current and former
residents who sent us through
some old photos of Queanbeyan.
Left: The front page of the
Queanbeyan telephone directory
from 1969.
Bottom: The Dwyer family
enjoying their time at the
Queanbeyan Pool in 1967.
Ball attendees will have the
opportunity to have their photo
taken next to the Melbourne Cup.
Tickets for the Ball are $110
per person and details of how
to buy tickets are at http://
www.qcc.nsw.gov.au/
Discover-Queanbeyan/175thBirthday/175th-AnniversaryBall or you can buy a ticket
directly from Debbie Maree’s
fashion shop at 60 Monaro St.
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Queanbeyan City Council — City Life July 2013 11
cityLIFE
Message from the Mayor
Welcome to this special edition of City Life,
which celebrates Queanbeyan’s 175th
birthday. Throughout this edition you will see
a combination of historical information and
exciting news about our birthday celebrations
on 28 September.
First to the history — and what a history it is.
On 28 September 1838 Queanbeyan was
proclaimed a settlement. Since then the town
has gone from strength to strength. Many
people, particularly Canberrans, don’t realise
that Queanbeyan was here along time before
the ACT and Queanbeyan residents played a
significant role in building the nation’s capital.
Now, on to the celebrations. We have a
great day of activities planned for Saturday
28 September around the Queanbeyan
River and Ray Morton Park. Some of the
highlights include the 175 Yeas of Transort
parade around Maquoid St, a free concert
in Ray Morton Park, the Melbourne Cup
trophy will be in town and the celebrations
will be wrapped up with fireworks around
7pm. And don’t forget the 175th birthday
Anniversary Ball which is being organised
by the Combined Community Service Clubs
of Queanbeyan and will be held at the
Bicentennial Hall.
This special edition of City Life would not
be possible without the contribution of a
number of people. Special thanks goes to the
Queanbeyan Museum and Tony Quodling
who went out of their way to share some
interesting stories and collections from
Queanbeyan’s history.
Aside from the birthday celebrations, there
is plenty happening around Queanbeyan.
We are currently holding the first stage of
consultation for the upgrades to Monaro St,
our CBD entrances at Collett and Lowe Sts
and Morisset St. This is the first of a number
of opportunities for you to provide input into
this project over the next few months. This
is an exciting project which will build on the
great work done in Crawford St and will
make our CBD and river more attractive to
residents and visitors.
Council will also be hosting the Enviro
Expo on Saturday 7 September at the
Queanbeyan Showground. The Enviro Expo
will provide you with information on how to
make your life more sustainable and provides
the opportunity for a fun and educational
experience. A number of information stalls,
workshops and demonstrations will be held
during the day.
Cr Tim Overall
Mayor
Your councillors
Cr Tim Overall
Mayor
(02) 6285 6223
0410 530 681
[email protected]
Cr Peter Bray AM
Deputy Mayor
(02) 6299 9590
[email protected]
Cr Brian Brown
Cr Judith Burfoot Cr Jamie Cregan Cr Toni McLennan
0414 721 291
0405 395 405
6255 8850
[email protected] [email protected]
0423 379 455
[email protected]
Cr Trudy Taylor
0404 009 679
[email protected]
Cr Velice (Vic)
Trajanoski
0401 687 615
velice.trajanoski@
qcc.nsw.gov.au
Cr Sue Whelan
(02) 6297 5063
[email protected]
0431 105 078
[email protected].
gov.au
Cr Kenrick
Winchester
0418 989 250
kenrick.winchester@qcc.
nsw.gov.au
Queanbeyan City Council - 257 Crawford Street Queanbeyan NSW 2620
P: 02 6285 6000 F: 02 6285 6666 E: [email protected] W: www.qcc.nsw.gov.au