On Our Selection News - 29th September 2022

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Grants deliver $27k+ for community

Five local groups are among winners from the latest round of Toowoomba Regional Council community grants, with RM Equestrian Centre (pictured below) securing the lion’s share of the $27,106.59 total.

Across the Region, 54 successful applications totalled $237,437.76 and 16 applications were not approved.

Environment and Community Committee Portfolio Chair Cr James O’Shea said the funds TRC had granted would allow many groups to upgrade facilities, purchase new equipment and benefit thousands of members and participants of these groups.

“The Community Grants Program is designed to give back

to our community and not-for-profit groups to allow them to run events, build capacity within their own organisations and fund projects that otherwise might not get off the ground,” Cr O’Shea said.

Round One of the 2022/23 program was also the first time groups were asked to use TRC’s new SmartyGrants online platform.

“I’m delighted that all applicants were successfully able to use the newly implemented SmartyGrants software solution to submit their applications for funding,” Cr O’Shea said.

RM Equestrian Centre Inc. will receive $21,106.59 towards providing first-class dressage competition arenas and surface for training weekends.

The assessment panel determined “the maturity of the organisation and governance has provided confidence to the assessment panel for this current application and recommends funding as per the application.”

During a council meeting, Cr Rebecca Vonhoff questioned the need to provide funding for the RM Equestrian Centre when TRC has committed over $80,000 to support the completion of the ‘Toowoomba Equine Centre of Excellence Development Plan’ at the Toowoomba Showgrounds at Glenvale.

The grant to the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland was approved in May and the plan is yet to be approved.

More grant recipients on page 2

Numerous groups share in community grants

Continued from page 1

Cambooya State School Parents and Citizens Association Inc. will receive $1,500 towards hosting the School’s 140th birthday this year, which the P&C says is a wonderful opportunity to bring the local community together and celebrate a very important milestone in the area’s history.

Hike to Heal Australia Inc. will receive $1,500 for its annual hiking event at Mount Peel Bushland, an interactive non-competitive experience for people of all ages and levels of fitness.

Nobby Primary School Parents and Citizens Association Inc. will receive $1,500 towards celebrating the school’s 125th anniversary, which will be held on 12 November.

Vale View State School Parents and Citizens Association Inc. will receive $1,500 towards the cost of its first ever school fete, which was held recently.

The fete was designed to be a community-minded, familyorientated event designed to create a fun-filled afternoon for the school’s students and families.

There were stalls, activities, entertainment, performances and food available on the day.

Further afield, Gowrie Little Plain Community Centre Inc. will receive $1,200 towards holding a country music concert on 8 October to raise money for the upkeep of the hall.

Cambooya Landcare Association Inc. was unsuccessful in securing a $6,270 grant focused on building collective knowledge of how Umbiram Creek responds to flooding.

The project aimed to offer solutions, both to reducing the incidence and severity of break-out flooding and to the speed at which flood waters move through the creek system.

The assessment panel believed the project had limited alignment to program priorities and therefore did not recommend it for funding.

Harrow changes hands

The historic Harrow Homestead between Cambooya and Southbrook has been sold for $18,803,300.

The expansive property on Cambooya Felton Road covers 1568 hectares or 3874.6 acres.

Online records indicate the property changed hands, offmarket, on 30 June 2022.

Harrow had been in the ownership of the Carrigan family since about 1980.

Up until 2018, open gardens were a regular fixture at the Harrow homestead.

Free RATs available in local towns

Concession card holders are now able to access free rapid antigen tests (RATs) at various Council facilities.

They are available at:

•Cambooya State School - mobile library, Friday 1.30pm to 3.45pm

•Clifton Customer Service Centre, Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm

•Greenmount, Pilton Street, Friday 11.45am to 12.45pm

•Toowoomba City Library, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (7pm on Wednesday), Saturday 10am to 2.30pm.

•Toowoomba Customer Service Centre, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm

•Westbrook, Main Street - mobile library, Saturday 11.30am to 1.30pm

•Wyreema State School - mobile library, Friday 9.15am to 11.15am

Darling Downs Health Acting Silver Commander Michelle Forrest said the partnership with councils had allowed widespread access to rapid antigen tests for concession card holders.

“By partnering with councils we’re able to provide rapid antigen tests at facilities that are readily accessed by community members, and importantly in rural and regional areas,” Ms Forrest said.

“Making these tests easily accessible will allow members of the community to conveniently collect the testing kits as they go about their day.”

Toowoomba Regional Mayor and Chair of Darling Downs Southwest Council of Mayors, Cr Paul Antonio said the partnership was an example of governments working together.

“We’ve seen throughout this pandemic the importance of government’s working together, and utilising our facilities to distribute rapid antigen tests is just another opportunity that all levels of government can work together,” Mayor Antonio said.

“One particular initiative that I’m particularly proud of is the utilisation of the Mobile Library truck that travels throughout the Toowoomba Regional Council area to supply tests kits to communities.”

In addition to concession card holders, other groups eligible

to receive free rapid antigen tests from Queensland Health distribution points include:

•people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, including people escaping domestic and family violence

•people who are seeking asylum in Queensland

•people who have recently arrived from Ukraine

•people who are working in Queensland as part of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme.

Mixed report by Ombudsman on telecom complaints

The Annual report from the Telecommunications Ombudsman shows poor mobile coverage as the most prominent issue for telco services while the good news for consumers is that complaints about phone and internet services decreased 33.4 per cent in the last financial year.

Problems about connection delays, failing to cancel a service and billing issues saw a drop of 40 per cent and complaints about a telco being uncontactable decreased considerably.

While overall complaint numbers declined significantly in the period, the proportion of mobile complaints increased to 39.7 per cent of all complaints.

This is the highest proportion of complaints about mobile services in over five years.

Some providers saw significant improvements in complaint numbers in 2021-2022 with complaints about Telstra decreasing 43.7 per cent.

Complaints about Southern Phone dropped 47 per cent but complaints increased for Aussie Broadband, Dodo and Medion (offering products and services under the brand “ALDImobile”)

“It’s really pleasing to see the significant decrease in complaints this year. Telcos have done well to work with consumers in resolving most problems before they come to us,” Ombudsman Cynthia Gelbert said.

“Our data shows that in the last financial year as the pandemic cooled down, fewer premises were connected to the NBN network, and industry improvements were made, internet complaints decreased significantly but we didn’t see the same improvements in mobile services and the number of people who complained to us about poor mobile coverage increased.

“Mobile services are essential for things like banking, shopping, accessing health and government services and connecting socially and consumers tell us their lives are disrupted when they experience problems with their mobile service.

“While we’ve seen great improvements, Australia’s telcos need to do more to resolve complaints about mobile services, including poor mobile coverage, before consumers come to my office for help.”

Hodgsonvale CSC

Our first Friday night function is planned for Friday the 7th of October starting at 6pm and the meal will be a special home cooked lasagna. The members’ draw will kick off at $50.

Our next monthly general meeting will be held on Thursday the 6th of October at 7pm in the Sports Club.

The market day date has now been set for Saturday the 29th of October at the Sports Club grounds from 10am to 3pm. There will be more news about his proposal coming up soon, so keep a look out.

The heated Sports Club is open for private functions so please contact Mark our booking officer.

The mobile contact is 0431 014 618 for further details, inspections and future bookings.

You can also check out our website to see what facilities are available, or you can send an email to hcsc8315@gmail.com

Discounts apply for financial members who hire the facility.

The tennis courts are available for hire.

The keys are available down at the Hodgson Vale shop.

Hire costs are $4 an hour for financial members and $8 an hour for non-financial members and lighting costs are $2 an hour at night.

Government COVID rules must be adhered to at all times while the tennis courts are being used.

31st October.

The toilets at the Sports Club are also available for tennis hirers.

Memberships for 2022/23 financial year can now be paid and will cover the rest of this financial year if you are a new member.

Financial members get discounts on tennis court hire and hire costs of the hall.

- Ted Cavanagh

2020 flood repairs reach major milestone

The last of the 42 culverts and floodways that were severely impacted by the Southern Queensland Heavy Rainfall and Flooding event during February 2020 have now been replaced by Toowoomba Regional Council.

Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Carol Taylor said progress in the Flood Recovery Program for the 2020 flooding event had been plagued with successive flood events impeding access for repairs and compounding damage, coupled with the difficulty in securing construction materials due to large demand from other regions also impacted by flooding.

“It’s great to see the completion of these projects, which will provide improved road infrastructure into the future,” Cr Taylor said.

Works related to the Flood Recovery Program for the 2020 flooding event included more than 330 kilometres of gravel road treatments, silt and material removal of 80,000m³, and more than 120 culvert repairs, including some replacements across about 3400 locations.

Flood recovery works on Newman Road, Wyreema were finished earlier this year. the first roads being addressed including Ted Mengel Road at Nobby.

These works totalled more than $30 million across the full program and were jointly funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“Closing out the February 2020 Flood Recovery Works Program means that our teams can now turn all their attention to the Flood Recovery Program from the more recent flooding events,” Cr Taylor said.

“Council recently fast-tracked more than $6 million in priority flood repairs for the recent flood events, and the Flood Recovery Team is working closely with Queensland Reconstruction Authority to ensure funding for these works can be recovered at a later date.”

Works most recently completed include at Carroll Road, Hodgson Vale.

Priority repairs have now kicked off across the Region with

Time to get natural disaster ready

With an increased chance of La Niña reforming and bringing more heavy rain later in 2022, primary producers should prepare now for possible flooding and other disasters to help ensure family, worker and animal safety.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said rainfall for September to November was likely to be above median levels according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

“Trying to think clearly

and make rational decisions in the middle of a disaster is difficult and a pre-prepared disaster response plan will be a big help,” Mr Furner said.

“We’ve seen how catastrophic monsoonal floods, bushfires, and severe tropical cyclones and hail storms can heavily impact our agriculture sector, so I encourage all agri-businesses to get ready now.

“We have online natural disaster guides to help producers get ready at business.qld.gov.au/disaster-hub

“Tips include photographing assets in their pre-disaster condition, ensuring everyone on the property is familiar with an evacuation plan, and ensuring livestock can reach higher ground.”

Mr Furner also reminded people not to forget about family pets in household or farm emergency plans.

“Keep emergency phone numbers handy for your local council, veterinarian, animal welfare agency and pet and advisory services and make sure your pets can be properly identified if they escape,” he said.

“If moving pets to safety, make sure you take plenty of food, bowls, a leash and toilet litter or old newspapers.

“If they are to be left at home, secure them in an appropriate confined space, preferably inside, elevated and under cover, and provide access to ample food and water.”

For more information on flood and cyclone preparations, such as local evacuation routes and public shelter arrangements, phone your local council.

Information on disasters for small business including primary producers is available at business.qld.gov.au/disaster-hub

Insect workshop in Toowoomba

A free workshop focusing on insect identification and management will be held on 12 October in Toowoomba.

This workshop is catered to those new to the industry as well as those wanting to brush up on pests they may not have seen for a while.

The workshop will be held at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries facility at 203 Tor Street, Wilsonton Heights.

Workshops will run from 9am to approximately 3pm and will highlight spring and summer pests that can occur in wetter seasons, with an emphasis on hands-on identification activities.

There is no cost to attendees and lunch and morning tea will be provided.

Places are limited, so register at thebeatsheet.com.au/workshopregistrations-2022

The location of an additional workshop in Queensland to be held this year is yet to be determined.

Visit the link above to register an expression of interest and request the workshop to be held in a nearby location.

100% COTTON SHIRTS

Mount Rascal hit and run remains unsolved

The family of the critically injured man, 77-years-old David ‘Michael’ Drommel, is continuing to conduct a bedside vigil and urge witnesses to contact police.

Sergeant Stephen Coote from the Toowoomba Forensic Crash Unit said police continue to appeal for drivers with relevant dashcam footage to come forward.

“We believe Michael was struck sometime between 6.20am and 6.50am on Monday, September 5 before he was located lying

unconscious on Freyling Road with life threatening injuries by a passing motorist around 7am,” Sgt Coote said.

“We are appealing to anyone who travelled along Freyling Road between 6am and 7am that day to contact us.

“We are particularly interested in viewing any dashcam vision from that time frame.”

Sgt Coote said the vehicle involved would have sustained either front end or left hand side damage.

“I appeal to anyone who is aware of a vehicle sustaining this type of damage on or ‘just after’ the 5th to come forward.

“Someone knows something and I urge them to do the right thing, for Michael and for his family. Now is not the time to stay silent,” he said.

Mr Drommel was initially transported to Toowoomba Base Hospital before being airlifted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Mr Drommel’s wife Debbie thanked the first responders involved.

“The family would like to thank the wonderful man that stopped and called for help, the doctors and nurses from Toowoomba and Princess Alexandra Hospitals, the rescue helicopter crew, the wonderful paramedics and also the police

for not giving up on finding the person responsible,” Mrs Drommel said.

“Michael has always been a rock for his family and we are beyond belief that someone could hit him and leave for dead on the side of the road.

“Michael only buried his 96-year-old mother a few weeks ago. This accident not only affects his family in Toowoomba but his three sisters and their families in Melbourne.

“Michael’s beloved dog was also injured and spent 10 days in the vets.”

Anyone with any knowledge of this incident or relevant dashcam vision from the times mentioned above is urged to contact police by calling Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A life of peaceful service has come to an end.

The passing of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been felt deeply by the people of Australia, especially those in our region.

It was touching to read the heartfelt condolences left at our office and see the floral tributes in her memory.

Many residents still fondly remember her Oakey and Toowoomba visit during her coronation tour in 1954.

I was honoured to recount stories from this special time during a condolence motion in

Parliament and to represent our region at the National Memorial Service. The extraordinary love and respect the people of Toowoomba Region have for Her Majesty, and her life of service, has seen many offering ideas for a local monument in her honour.

Suggestions have included a statue at Queens Park, a garden bed with plaque, and a sundial. I’m keen to hear your ideas, so please contact my office.

Garth Hamilton MP and David Janetzki MP at Coronation Park

Police are still looking for the driver of a vehicle that struck a man on Freyling Road, Mount Rascal on 5 September.

David ‘Michael’ Drommel.

GET OUT AND CONNECT

After two years of COVID-19 greatly affecting our ability to socialise, October 2022 can truly be a ‘Connect Fest’ as we celebrate Queensland Seniors Month, bringing people of all ages, cultures, and abilities together within their community, uniting them through shared interests and passions.

Visit qldseniorsmonth.org.au for all the information.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR LOCAL MEMBER, PAT WEIR: “Happy Senior Month to all the older members of the Condamine Electorate.

Your contribution to the community in which you live is acknowledged, appreciated and celebrated by all.

Our lives are not back to normal with COVID-19 providing challenges never seen before.

Thank you for your resilience and strength of character to push through this difficult time.”

THINGS TO DO

LARGEST SUNDAY ROAST

On Sunday 16 October, people of all ages will come together by raising a fork and connecting over a meal with another, creating Queensland’s Largest Roast. To participate, visit qldseniorsmonth.org.au/largest-sunday-roast/sundayroast-registration/ or call 1300 738 348

TOOWOOMBA SENIORS EXPO 2022

The Seniors Expo a great opportunity for seniors in the area to become familiar with the services offered and talk about their needs and interests. It is on 20 October at Toowoomba Showgrounds from 8.30am to 3pm and entry is free.

CLIFTON COUNTRY WEEK

As usual, a full week of events will be taking place in Clifton from Friday, 14 October to Saturday, 22 October including a bush dance, art exhibition, car show, races and much more.

Celebrating Seniors in theCondamine Electorate

I acknowledge and commend the contribution that seniors make through their hard work and dedication to our local communities

New laws for roadside flashing lights

New laws have been introduced requiring motorists to move over and slow down when passing a stationary emergency response vehicle displaying blue, red, magenta or yellow flashing lights at the roadside

The new ‘move over slow down‘ laws aim to protect emergency response personnel when working at the roadside.

When on multi lane roads, a passing driver will need to change lanes to vacate the lane that is nearest to the emergency response vehicle, if safe to do so; or if unsafe to change lanes then move over as far as possible within they lane and slow down to a safe speed.

When on a single lane the passing driver must move over as far as possible within their lane and slow down to a safe speed.

TYPES OF VEHICLES THE NEW LAWS COVER

•Police

•Ambulance

•Queensland Fire and Emergency Service (Fire and Rescue Service, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service)

•Transport Enforcement (Transport and Main Roads Compliance Vehicles, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Compliance vehicles

•Breakdown Assistance Providers (Tow Trucks, Roadside Assistance for example RACQ or other vehicles that provide a similar service and are clearly marked)

Petition calls to reduce road’s speed limit

Over 100 people have signed a petition that hopes to reduce the speed limit on Preston Boundary Road in Top Camp and Preston to 70km/h from 80km/h.

The petition was posted to the Queensland Parliament website last Friday by Todd Sundin and is sponsored by local Member, Pat Weir.

The section of road requested to have a speed limit change spans 2.4 kilometres from the intersection of the New England Highway to past the Highgate Road intersection.

“Recent population growth throughout Gormans Gap, Panoramic Drive and Oakhill Place with new and young families now residing on this stretch of road has led to an increase in traffic through the area, a factor not considered by the Department of Transport and Main Roads,” it reads.

“Accident history and near misses are not recorded by the Queensland Police Service unless there is bodily injury or property damage.”

The petition closes on 7 November 2022 and can be signed be searching online for ‘Queensland petition Preston.’

The penalty for not moving over and slowing down will be $431 and three demerit points.

Application lodged for Greenmount tip

A Material Change of Use - Code development application has been submitted by Toowoomba Regional Council for the upgrade of the Greenmount Waste Management Facility.

A utility installation will be established over two stages at the 10.1 hectare 123 Falknau Road, East Greenmount premises.

An assessment report for the application notes Stage 1 commencement of the use is anticipated during 2024, with completion of Stage 2 anticipated by 2034.

“The facility will operate between the hours of 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am and 5pm on Saturday and Sundays,” the report said.

“The Retail Tip Shop (Stage 1 and Stage 2) operating hours may vary but will be within the facility’s normal operating hours.

“No shredding or crushing activities are proposed to occur onsite as part of this application.”

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As Trustee for the Jadenlee Discretionary Trust

Infrastructure that will need to be constructed includes stormwater treatment trains, gatehouse and weighbridges, a bulky materials area (BMA), a resource recovery building (RRA) and workshop, a residual waste transfer building (RWT), a retail tip shop and equipment shed.

It is forecast that the average waste volume, which was 8.814 tonnes in 2018, will be 9,000 tonnes in 2024 and 11,000 tonnes in 2044.

Maximum staffing levels are forecast to between two and

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Plans for this type of waste facility are based on the much larger Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility at Charlton.

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In July, Water and Waste Committee portfolio leader Cr Nancy Sommerfield said transfer facilities reduce the need for regional landfills, ensuring better environmental outcomes for the community.

“The new design allows waste to be stored on hardstand pavement, and transported off-site, helping us to recover and re-use more of our waste products,” Cr Sommerfield said.

The Greenmount facility will service residents at Cambooya, Wyreema, Vale View, Ramsay, Top Camp, Hodgson Vale and some of the southern parts of Toowoomba.

The 2022-23 TRC budget allocated $3 million for the project.

Brakes hit by Council on E-Device trial

Toowoomba Regional Council has decided to defer plans for an E-Device trial.

E-Devices include electronic scooters and electronic bikes.

In voting on the matter, Infrastructure Committee Portfolio Leader Cr Melissa Taylor said Councillors believed the timing wasn’t

quite right.

“We had an amazing response from the community on this topic and I’d like to thank everyone who provided feedback,” she said.

“Throughout the engagement period we had 1285 members of the community respond to the survey with an almost even split of people in favour of the trial to those who were against it.

“There was also a large portion of people who said they were unaware of the road rules regarding E-Devices.”

Cr Taylor said the State Government has drafted new laws for E-Devices and the roll-out of this legislation is being planned for November 2022.

“Given the above, we believe the timing is not right to undertake the trial yet, but believe it may be an idea worth pursuing into the future,” she said.

“These new laws would assist with mitigating some of the risks which were raised during our survey period and once residents have had time to familiarise themselves with the updated rules, we could potentially look at a trial in 2023/24.

“While we won’t be progressing plans in the immediate future, E-scooters and E-bikes are transport elements that have been identified in the current refresh of the Toowoomba Region Sustainable Transport Strategy.

“We want to see less cars on the road and will continue pursuing options to make this an active and healthy Region.”

Who would care for your pet?

It is Wills Week 2022 and this year’s focus is the need to plan ahead and protect your loved ones, including precious pets.

Public Trustee Samay Zhouand is calling on all Queenslanders to consider making a will and appointing someone to look after their pets.

“By making a will or giving someone enduring power of attorney to look after your affairs if you can’t, you can ensure your wishes will be taken into account,” he said.

“Nearly 50 per cent of Queenslanders do not have a valid will, and almost 20 per cent die each year without one.

RSPCA offer ‘Home Ever After’ to rehome pets.

For more information, go to willsweek.com.au

Local Events Calendar

If you are holding an event in the area covered by On Our Selection News, forward details to editorial@cliftoncourier.com.au

DATE EVENT LOCATION

29 September

CONTACT

Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade GM & AGM 7.30pm Cambooya Fire Station, George Street Rohan Greer 0408 456 820

9 October Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade training, 9am Cambooya Fire Station, George Street Rohan Greer 0408 456 820

12 October

Wyreema Community Hall Monthly Meeting 7pm Wyreema Hall, Umbiram Road Sara Howell 0429 864 144

15 October Friends of Gormans Gap Inc. Bush Regeneration Top of the track, Gorman’s Gap Road, Barbara 0408 455 465 Working Bee Preston president@fogg.org.au

16 October Cambooya State School 140th Birthday Fete Cambooya State School

25 October Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade training, 7.30pm Cambooya Fire Station, George Street Rohan Greer 0408 456 820

6 November Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade training, 9am Cambooya Fire Station, George Street Rohan Greer 0408 456 820

9 November

Wyreema Community Hall Monthly Meeting 7pm Wyreema Hall, Umbiram Road Sara Howell 0429 864 144

12 November Nobby State School 125th anniversary, 10am Nobby State School, Davenport Street Jenna Knecht 0400 917 683

22 November Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade training, 7.30pm Cambooya Fire Station, George Street Rohan Greer 0408 456 820

25 November Annual Greenmount Twilight Markets, 5pm to 9 Greenmount Hall, 11 Ramsay Street Wendy 4697 1480

4 December Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade training, 9am Cambooya Fire Station, George Street Rohan Greer 0408 456 820

14 December Wyreema Community Hall Monthly Meeting 7pm Wyreema Hall, Umbiram Road Sara Howell 0429 864 144

15 December Cambooya Rural Fire Brigade meeting, 7.30pm Cambooya Fire Station, George Street Rohan Greer 0408 456 820

1st Sunday Anglican Church service, Umbiram, 10.30am St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Umbiram

Every Sunday Nobby Uniting Church, Church Services Nobby Uniting Church 8.45am Davenport Street, Nobby

Every Sunday Westbrook Community Church, 9am 114 Main Street, Westbrook Heather 0412 617 967 or toowoombaweslyan.org.au

Every Sunday Wyreema Christians worship 9.30am Wyreema Community Hall, Kerron 0401 930 656 or 14 Umbiram Road, Wyreema Beryl 0478 808 162

Every Sunday Uniting Church Cambooya, Church Services Uniting Church Cambooya 10am

Country music showcase

Gowrie Little Plain Hall will featuring three of Australia’s best award winning artists including Lindsay Waddington, Ken Lindsay and Allan Caswell on Friday, 8 October starting at 7.30pm.

Lindsay Waddington is one of the industry’s most respected and highly decorated artists, producers and instrumentalists having won many awards

Ken Lindsay, or ‘Chainsaw’ as he is known, has been heavily involved in community radio for over 25 years and is one of Australia’s leading Bush Balladeers.

Allan Caswell is Australia’s most recorded songwriter, best known for his worldwide hit On the lnside

ln 2020, Allan won his 8th Golden Guitar and has been a finalist a record 44 times.

The $20 tickets include supper and lucky door. To enquire, phone Shirley 4630 4384.

Walter’s timber residence.

The happiness of Walter with his new wife is conveyed in a letter he wrote to Katie’s sisters back in England.

“O Ye Five, you don’t know what a dear wife I have got, she is everything that is good, too much so I am afraid for me. We have been married a week today, and we find we like one another far more than we did a week ago. May I make her as happy as she deserves to be.”

Despite dealing with brown snakes, oppressive heat, drought, floods, and isolation from family and friends, Katie survived her life in colonial Toowoomba and became a well known member of the Darling Downs community.

another six babies followed in the next eight years.

Unfortunately tragedy struck with only three of seven surviving with four babies buried in the Drayton Toowoomba cemetery, two in unmarked graves.

The young woman who took a chance to marry a man on the other side of the world and who she barely knew was often surrounded by tragedy but her marriage to Walter was a lasting and happy one.

Walter’s career as a surveyor was successful and he became District Surveyor for Toowoomba as well as being Commissioner of Crown Lands by the age of 36.

Upon retirement they travelled extensively, including visits to England and on 7th April 1909 they departed Calcutta by ship on what was to be their last voyage.

On 19th April after some days of illness Katie Hume died and a distraught Walter wrote in his diary:

“went to see my darling for the last time....... kissed her dear forehead and put a handkerchief over her face.”

He could not bare to attend the burial at sea but knew when the ship stopped at 7.15 am on the 21st that, “they were committing her body to the deep.”

Katie was 71 years old and they had been married 42 years.

Their marriage may have begun almost at first sight but despite isolation, hardship and tragedy it proved to be a lasting and loving relationship.

Taken from Nancy Bonin’s ‘Katie Hume on the Darling Downs: a colonial marriage’ - Toowoomba Regional Library.

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