Kenilworth History + April Rainfall

EARLY FLOOD WARNING NETWORK SINCE 1900

The first report of a telephone connection to Kenilworth was published in the Telegraph newspaper on 24 March, 1900 on page 9:-

The telephone flood warning line between Kenilworth; in the upper Mary Valley, and Nambour is now practically completed, and we understand that Mr. Henderson, hydraulic engineer, will shortly make an official inspection of the work. It will be recollected that this flood warning system was introduced by Mr. Henderson.

Historic Note: John Henderson was employed as a hydraulic engineer for the Qld Government between 1893-1914. The recommendation for a telephone connection came from the Commission of Inquiry into the 1893 flooding of Brisbane when it was realised that the floodwaters in Kenilworth reached Gympie 12 hours later and an early warning system could save lives and property.

It took almost a quarter of a century for further connections to the telephone network to come to pass in the district. The following entries from the diary of Winne Grace Sims in 1924 may give some indication of the advances in telecommunications in the 90 plus years since the first switchboard was installed in the district.

October – Tuesday 28 – The telephone mechanic came just before dinner. He put the public phone in but not the switchboard. He left this afternoon and talk about laugh at our experiences with the jolly thing. We got a ring and Ern answered it. He couldn’t manage too well so I took the receiver and we didn’t make too much of a success of it. At tea time we thought it was our ring again and Ray answered it and interrupted two people having a yarn.

Friday 31 – We are getting quite used to the 'phone. I rang up Belli about the mail. Lil had her first ring today. We can only ring Eumundi and Belli till it is officially opened.

November – Monday 10 – The telephone was opened today. I rang up Mrs Chaddy but the lines were crossed and I had some fun but couldn’t get a yarn. The 'phone doesn’t worry us now.

Thursday 13 – The phone has caused us a little trouble. I rang up Mrs Chadwick but she couldn’t hear. Friday 28 – It is the telephone men's last night at the camp by the creek. They had high times tonight.

One of them, Paddy (Arthur Miller), rode Creamy to Eumundi last Friday and he died on the way home.

Pictured Post Office and Telephone Exchange attached to the home of Richard and Hannah Sims at Gheerulla. The small box to the right of the PO steps believed to be the public telephone. The little girl is Nell Sims (Platz) taken 1927/28. (Photo from Lenore Meldrum).

The Museum in Alexandra Street has many more stories about the history of telephone communications in the district. Come along any Sunday between 10am and 2pm to learn more.

RAINFALL MOY POCKET APRIL 2022 by Graham Brennan

April had 41mm. Last April 56mm. 21 year average for April 75mm. There was rain on 13 days. Average being 12 days. Total rain for first four months 1507mm. Previous wettest Jan. to April 2013 with 1113mm. For the same period last year 437mm. January to April average 635mm. 12 month total rainfall till end of April 2231mm. 20 year average 1196mm.