www.mountmorgan.org.au
Volume 12, Issue 18
4th - 18th October 2017
Mount Morgan Argus Proudly brought to you by Mount Morgan Promotion & Development Inc. ABN 21 391 526 801
Rotary Clubs Visit the Railway Station - Pg 3
Local Identity Celebrates MMCSS Monster Cent Saleher and94th Event Birthday Pg 2 News - Pg 11
Media Release From Carbine Resources - Pg 6 & 7
2017 Motors on the Mount was the Biggest One Yet!
Mount Morgan Rodeo Association held their annual Motors in the Mount Car rally on the 24thSeptember - See Page 3 for details
Sara Storer Tickets can be purchased from Mount Morgan Tourist Information Centre, 1 Railway Parade or online at “Rockhampton Tickets� Hot Food Available
The Bar will be operating
Legend and the Locals 7th October 2017 Mount Morgan School of Arts Doors open 6pm
$35 per Adult $15 Per Child
Local Talent will be Performing on the Night
2.
History & Reflections
Pride in your Town
Ebony Elephants
By Graeme Meade
Returning to the words of historian Dr Lorna Mc Donald we have chosen a little on the true discoverer of Mount Morgan Gold, William Mackinlay. She writes: William Mackinlay was a young Scotsman, son of a Glasgow Cabinet maker, who like many other immigrants sailed half way round the world in response to exciting reports from the Australian goldfields. When he married Mary Doyle in Sydney’s Scots church on October 15 1860 the celebrant was John Dunmore Lang, DD the friend of Scottish immigrants. Mackinlay was twenty seven and his wife two years younger, and shortly afterwards they arrived at Callide Station, south west of Rockhampton, where he had taken a position as Stockman. Their first child was born there in 1862, but died in the following year. Mary (Minnie) was born in Rockhampton in 1863 and by 1867 the family had moved to the new diggings at Morinish where William worked as a carrier. A year later he returned to his former occupation as Stockman, but this time on Calliungal station where he built a home for his family at Box Flat on the Dee River, nor far from Ironstone Mountain. This remained their home for many years and the youngest children were born there. Despite their early isolation and primitive bush home, Mary Mackinlay refused to compromise her standards unduly. She bathed her face in milk to counteract the effects of the harsh northern summers and, at least in her old age, her dresses were made of fine materials and according to current fashion. By the time they settled at Box Flat, Mackinlay was an experienced observer of likely gold bearing country and other mineral formations. As he tailed the stock through gullies and over the ranges his gold –seeker’s eyes must have been alert for signs of mineral deposits. In the same year that he settled at Box Flat (1868) numbers of miners were already on a site known as the Dee Diggings (later called Struck Oil) only a few miles away. Mackinlay sought and found something more substantial than their alluvial gold, for he was the undisputed discoverer of the Crow’s Nest gold mine to the north-west of Ironstone Mountain. According to tradition he sold this information for “twenty pounds and a piebald horse”. His children later confirmed that the family had a piebald pony, and also that their father received five hundred pounds for the copper lodes which later became the Adolphus William Copper Mine in 1874. This was a much more significant discovery than Crow’s Nest, and it also confirmed Mackinlay’s skill as a prospector. We will continue our story of William Mackinlay and his discovery of Mount Morgan next edition. Think Clean - Be Tidy
A lady that moved away from Mount Morgan, a few years ago, had a very large collection of wooden Elephants. This collection was put together because the lady’s husband or father used to travel overseas for their work, so every time they returned there would be another elephant for the collection. Most of the elephants in this collection were made from Ebony wood, with ivory tusks, most of the tusks had been removed, I don’t know by whim. These were bought into the country during the 1950s, since the 1980s it has been illegal to sell ivory, but items before that date are ok to resell. Ebony wood is very valuable; possibly the most valuable timber in the world. The trees are protected now, in most countries. Ebony is an evergreen tree; there are three species and are found in Sri Lanka, India, West Africa and Indonesia. The tree is very slow growing; it may take 200 years to reach 15 to 20 meters, the tree matures at 60 to 100 years. The bark of the Ebony tree is grey, the black wood is the heart wood, it is very heavy and dense; it does not float in water. There is actually an Australian ebony tree growing out Emerald way. These elephants would all be carved by hand, not an easy thing to do; the hardness of the timber would blunt the tools very quickly. Nothing would go to waste; even a small piece of wood can be whittled into a tiny elephant. The carved elephants were made in many countries around the world, but not every place had the Ebony tree. They seemed to be very popular in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, some of the countries is South East Asia carved them as well.
Rotary Visits the Railway
Club Director Ian McMurtrie & Rhonda Ramm
From Maryborough in the South, to Mackay in the North and Longreach in the West, there are forty-nine Rotary Clubs within the Central Queensland Rotary District of 9570. Rotary members are dedicated citizens who are serious workers for not only their own communities, they devote their time and funds in many projects. Some of these include literacy education, clean water, sanitation and medical aid for remote communities, building playgrounds, remote-patient hospital accommodation and food and supplies to the homeless to name a few. On Saturday the 23rd September 2017, forty-five members from the South Rockhampton and Fitzroy Rotary Clubs visited our town of Mount Morgan. The day was jammed packed with activities, including a TMC Town and Mine Tour, BBQ lunch at the Dam with the Mount Morgan Rotary Club and tour and morning tea at the Railway Museum. At the conclusion of their Museum tour Rockhampton South Club Director, Ian McMurtrie presented the Railway Museum Coordinator, Rhonda Ramm, with a most generous donation of $500 to Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc.
Ruth Summers & Pearl TImms
Motors on the Mount
3.
On Sunday the 24th September the hills of Mount Morgan echoed with the roar of Motors, when the Mount Morgan Rodeo Association held its annual Motors on the Mount car show. Throughout the day hundreds of people attended the event at the Mount Morgan Show Grounds. There were plenty of cars on display from the 1950’s to present day. Patrons had plenty of food choices on the day and there were market stalls with a variety of goods on sale. Co event organiser Errol Baker said, “I’d like to thank everyone that made the Motors on the Mount car show a success.” Errol and the Rodeo Association were very pleased with the way the event went and thanked everyone who assisted in any way.
4.
Youth on a Mission
Young Mount Morgan entrepreneurs Alula, Precious and Dakota (pictured above left to right) were on a mission to sell their homemade lemonade and orangeade to raise funds for the Mount Morgan Hospital on Thursday the 28th September from 10am to 12pm.
The Pool’s the Place to be Cool
With the temperature rising why not take the opportunity to cool off at our local swimming pool situated at Boyd Park, 34 Thompson Avenue, Mount Morgan?
The complex has a picnic area, playground, shaded toddlers pool and the main pool has a shade cover over The stall was set up in front of NewsXpress and a cup of the shallow end. The water is perfect for those hot days. cold refreshing lemonade or orangeade could be purchased for the bargain price of 50 cents. Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm Saturday: 12:00pm-5:00pm I was greeted by the girls with a big friendly smile and a Sunday: 12:00pm-4:00pm cold cup of lemonade which was nice and refreshing on the Closed Christmas Day warm spring day. Support local and let’s help these young entrepreneurs to raise some much needed funds for the Phone 07 49 381 500 Mount Morgan Hospital. Sam Robinson
Swimming Club Reunion 1950’s and up to 1965 and meet for Lunch in Brisbane last Saturday. It was indeed a memorable day for Bill Sweetenham to join us for our get together to” revisit the Mount” to share and compare many stories of competition during our old swimming days of our rivals in the Pool. Many a laugh was had around the table when some of the antics were remembered as youngsters. It is hoped that the group can meet up again, and this time in Mount Morgan where it all began. Those who were able to make the trip were : Carole Kelly (Humphreys) flew up from Melbourne, while Noel and Kay Weaver live in Yeppoon. Noel and Kay were holidaying at the time in Cotton Tree on the Sunshine Photo above L-R : Bill Sweetenham, Carole Coast. Humphreys, Noel Weaver, Carol Parker, Don Budge and Ian Kirkman.
Ian Kirkman and wife Shelley came down from Rockhampton. Both Don I am quite thrilled to say I managed to Budge and Bill Sweetenham live on the Gold Coast and Carol Malivoire bring together a group of us who were past (Parker) is in Beachmere Qld. Swimmers who were once Mount Morgan Photo & Article supplied by Carol Malivoire Swimming Club Champions during the late
5.
Experience Mount Morgan’s history in a night tour, this October Friday 13th!
Fancy a walkthrough of one of the Mount Morgan Mine’s grand heritage listed buildings during the night?… Or how about a night viewing of the exhibitions of the Mount Morgan Historical Museum, or even a lantern walk of the early sections of the 1890 local cemetery after dark? Mount Morgan Guided TMC Tours are offering locals and visitors the chance to immerse themselves in Mount Morgan’s incredible history with a new and exciting NIGHT tour, – October, Friday 13th. Following the success of the local tour business’ inaugural night tour last year, the tour team of John, Heike and Camille Steinberger are bringing it back bigger and better for 2017. “We are very excited to introduce a new route this year and are thrilled to announce that we will also be heading into the old General Office building on the Mine Site and through the town’s Historical Museum as part of our tour,” Tour Operator John Steinberger said.
“Mount Morgan in its entirety is steeped in history and to get the Department of Natural Resources and Mines and the Historical Museum to open their doors for us to present their locations in a historical and intriguing way is great and we sincerely thank them in advance.” The special event is set to take tour buffs on a guided tour throughout the historic township and heritage mine, with special walk throughs via torch or lantern under the cover of darkness. “Without giving too much away, we set out to match the specially chosen sites and locations with our commentary and present our local history from the very early days to more recent,” Mr Steinberger said. “It’ll be eerie at times, but mostly just a whole lot of fun, so we really welcome everyone to come and join us. “Our aim is to offer a cost effective and professional tour experience, and to keep trying new things and adding to that experience for our customers.” Being Friday 13th, the tours team are also encouraging participants to dress the part. “It’s Friday the 13th and if you want to turn up in costume, come on down, it’s all part of the fun,” Mr Steinberger said. The Tour will commence with nibbles and drinks at 7pm at the Grand Hotel, Mount Morgan, followed by the guided night tour at 7.30pm. The tour goes for around 2 hours, perhaps even finishing off with a night cap back at a local hotel. Seats are booking fast so be quick! For further details, and to reserve your seat, phone TMC Tours on 49 381 823, or email tmctours@iprimus.com.au You can also find the team on Facebook: Mount Morgan Guided TMC Tours.
Mount Morgan TMC Guided Tours Friday 13th October Mount Morgan Night Guided Tour under Torchlight. Takes In Town, Historical Museum, Cemetery and Mine site includes General Office General Tours daily Bookings essential. PH: 4938 1823 www.tmctours.com.au
6.
Carbine Resources Mount Morgan Project Update Friday 29th September, 2017 Following concerns raised by residents about proposed pyrite haulage as part of the Mount Morgan mine re-opening, Carbine Resources would like to provide both information and clarification about our plans to both re-open and environmentally improve the mine site. There are two main parts to the mine’s re-opening – the environmental clean-up of acid mine drainage that has been polluting the local area for decades, and the tailings re-treatment project, which will produce gold, copper and pyrite. The environmental clean-up is significant, particularly when it comes to the Dee River, as any Mount Morgan resident could attest to. Re-treating the old mine’s tailings with Carbine’s innovative metallurgical approach and exporting components like pyrite is what makes the mine’s re-opening possible and profitable, generating new jobs for Mount Morgan in the process. Pyrite, otherwise known as fool’s gold, is made up of iron and sulphur. Over hundreds of years of oxidisation through exposure to air and water, its oxides generate acidic water, which is part of the problem in the Dee River through ongoing seepage. The Mount Morgan tailings contain approximately 21% pyrite, which will be exported via Gladstone to China. It’s important to note that Carbine does not yet have all required project approvals, or finalised project finance to start construction. Once these approvals are in place, it will take another 12 months for the processing plant to be completed and for pyrite to start being trucked to Gladstone for export. This is contrary to rumors that say if these outstanding items are finalised in 2017, pyrite haulage would commence in early 2018. If pyrite can’t be hauled or exported, the project won’t proceed, which means the Dee River clean-up won’t take place. With all that in mind, if pyrite haulage and the larger project does go ahead, there are three main things that residents need to know. 1. 2. 3.
The pyrite we will be transporting is not considered a Dangerous Good by haulage and shipping standards. There are strict conditions that govern our use of local roads to transport any minerals. We will undertake further community consultation before any road haulage goes ahead, but after we have more certainty (e.g. project financing complete, approvals locked in).
Let’s look at each of those points in more detail.
Pyrite: Not a Dangerous Good For transport purposes, pyrite is not considered a Dangerous Good, either under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG) or under the International Marine Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) for shipping. To further confirm that this applies to the pyrite that we will be transporting, Carbine commissioned independent experts from ALS Metallurgy to analyse and test a sample of the Mount Morgan pyrite. The results showed that the Mount Morgan pyrite concentrate is a non-hazardous, benign waste. It is not combustible or corrosive, and has a pH of 4.8 (similar to beer or black coffee). The Queensland Environmental Protection Act doesn’t consider pyrite to be a trackable or controlled waste product. It’s true that old pyrite is the source of acid mine drainage from the Mount Morgan site, but it takes many years of exposure to oxygen and water before pyrite degenerates to a state where it can cause water to become acidic. All pyrite will be transported by covered truck and quad dog haulage, as a requirement of transport.
Transport: Strictly under government conditions
7
Carbine Resources Mount Morgan Project Update
The Razorback route (along Creek Street then via Poison Creek Road to the Burnett Highway) is the only viable haul route. Razorback Road has a traffic volume of around 2,000 vehicles per day, around 6% of which are ‘heavy vehicles’. Carbine are proposing to increase this by 26-32 truck movements per day, with half of those movements unloaded vehicles on the return trip. As the pyrite is proposed to be hauled from a mining lease, Carbine has submitted a Road Use Notification to both Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR). As part of this notification, we had to prepare a Road Impact Assessment for the proposed haul route, which included a Pavement Impact Assessment and a Traffic Impact Assessment. The assessments were conducted by an independent engineering firm. Based on this assessment, Carbine’s Road Use Direction from Council and TMR includes the following conditions: • Road upgrades at the estimated cost of $5.4 million • Road pavement maintenance costs based on tonnages hauled • All loads must be covered • Haul times are restricted to 7:00am – 6:00pm Contractors who undertake haulage on Carbine’s behalf will be held to the same conditions.
Community Consultation: Watch this space So far, Carbine has held public consultation meetings in Mount Morgan and Bouldercombe, as well as having a presence at the Mount Morgan Show, Golden Mount Festival and Wattle Day. We have also advertised for public comment in the Morning Bulletin earlier this year. Carbine fully intends to undertake further community consultation on a range of issues, including road haulage, once we have further project certainty. We will provide appropriate notice when this community consultation is coming up – you will have the chance to have your say. The Carbine Resources vision for Mount Morgan is a long-lived project with significant community and environmental benefits. We understand the significant history and culture of the mine, and our project will combine tourism with practical mining and environmental aspects, to the benefit of the entire community.
Visitor Views
Dave Evans, retiree from Painsville Victoria, attracted quite a bit of interest at the Railway Museum when he arrived in his 1966, Triumph. Dave was on his way home from visiting his Grandchildren in Cairns when he decided to stop over in the Mount on the 22nd September 2017. Dave and his bright, red showstopper also attended the Motors on the Mount that was on the 24th of September. It is always great to see all the well looked after classic cars doing the rounds.
The Biloela Information Centre is situated in Callide Street, and is managed by a small group of dedicated volunteers. The Centre operates from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and 9am1pm Saturday and Sunday. On Tuesday 26th September nine of the volunteers visited Mount Morgan on a familiarisation trip. They enjoyed lunch at the Dam, visited the Railway Museum, Historical Museum and the TMC Town and Mine tour. Pictured L-R back row - (Trish Bowden, Pat Hahn, Helen Anderson, Hank Hahn, Dorothy Vernon, Eric Vernon, Marilyn Roberts & Carmel Clair.) (Front Row – Tina Clair)
8.
9
10.10.
The Orange Dot Movie Review
By Larry at Fox Video Like many, I suspect, when THE 33 was first released on DVD a short while ago I must admit I was not really inspired to watch it. We had already followed this desperate story closely for weeks on end, each night on the news with daily updates, hoping and praying that at least some of these guys could be saved, while knowing that it was impossible really...It was just too hard. It was impossible and tragic. Not long after our Beaconsfield boys were saved in 2010, 33 miners entered the San Jose Mine in Chile to work the gold and copper from the bowels of a mountain. They were piled into the back of an old truck and settled in for an hour and a half’s drive from the mouth of the mine to its base, almost a kilometre below the surface. They had only just arrived when a massive stone, the size of two Empire State Buildings came plummeting through the tunnels from above and crashed into the base beside them.
The miners said this was the heart of the mountain, after 120 years of painful excavation, finally they’d broken her heart. Mine management had been warned many times that the mine was unstable and chose to ignore the advice. They pointed out though that if any of the miners had survived the internal collapse they were within reach of the refuge room; a 5 metre by 5 metre room where management were supposed to have maintained comprehensive First-Aid supplies, a working radio connected to the surface as well as food and water for 30 men for 3 days. Management knew that there was no way these men could be saved, if any were still alive which was highly unlikely; but the miners’ families rallied and would not give up. They refused to quit and soon the media found out which spurred on an idealistic young Mining Minister to act and act decisively, despite the opposition he’d been receiving from the Chilean President.
Stewarts Towing
& Service Station
One of the first, if not THE first giant drilling rigs on site was the Aussies, and before long 10 rigs from all over the world were drilling around the clock without pause... Still, it’s impossible. A kilometre of solid earth and rock(that’s from the Post Office to Glen Gordon, only vertically); and with all of that obstruction and the flexing of the drilling rods and the bore veering off course...How could they possibly find a 5 X 5 chamber over that distance and depth? Magnificent cast... Antonio Banderas, Lou Diamond Phillips, Juliet Binoche, Josh Brolin and Gabriel Byrne...THE 33 is rated M for “Mature Themes”, it runs for just under 2 hours, and it’s in English. THE 33...Awesome, awesome movie...Loved it!
MOUNT MORGAN FUNERALS PHONE (07) 4938 1121 ALL HOURS Local Consultants Brian and Carol Glover PROUDLY SERVING MOUNT MORGAN
6 Central Street, MOUNT MORGAN Phone: 49 38 12 83 24 Hour Service - 7 Days a Week
Mount Morgan Promotion & Development Inc Cent Sale
Mount Morgan School of Arts 28th October - 2pm start Great Prizes! Lucky Door! Multi-draws Come and join us and have some fun!
News From the Primary School
11.
On Saturday 23rd September, a group of people came together to set up for a fundraiser for the children in our town. They are all members of the Mount Morgan Central State School P&C Association, and do things like this regularly. They all also strangely enough, volunteer for other groups about town and are familiar faces among fundraising and charity circles. They all work, and/or study, and all have kids, (some have lots!) and it is a testament to their dedication to bettering our community and the future for our children. This determination paid off with the success of the Cent Sale, with over $1500 raised to go towards resources and future events. On the day, bottoms filled the 100 seats, and tickets were bought, with the hope of taking home any one of the fantastic prizes on offer. Our Tuckshop Convener, Mandy Fay ran things smoothly, with Peter Camm as MC, and a group of students acting as prize runners. These prizes were received from an amazing array of donors that did not hesitate to support our organisation, due to a concerted walk around our local area, Gracemere and Rockhampton. We would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank those who donated prizes and services. In Mount Morgan: NewsXpress, MMPAD, Golden Mount Festival, Leichhardt Hotel and Collectables & Memories. We encourage everyone to show patronage to these generous local businesses and individuals. Most importantly, we hope everyone had fun, and enjoyed the prizes they won, and we look forward to hosting future Cent Sales. 5 Cent Challenge We must congratulate the Year 1 class with Mrs Pearce who took out the famous 5 Cent Challenge, narrowly beating Miss Palmers Year 6’ers! It was great to see some real competition happening, and we hope the winning class had a GNARLEY time at their Surfs Up Beach Party, enjoying tropical tucker delights and beach balls, all to the sounds of Beach Boy music and surfy tunes. Each year the winning class gets to choose the theme of their celebratory party, and all students from the other classes get a small token of appreciation for their contribution, being this year chuppa chups, and last year a zooper dooper each. Parents are encouraged to support their childrens efforts, be it a donation tin at work, or a rally around with the family,…all contributions are gratefully accepted. Coming Up – Twilight Family Fair Mark your calendars folks, The Twilight SPOOKTACULAR Family Fair will be on from 6pm to 9pm, Saturday 28th October, following the annual community run Trick or Treat Townwalk. There will be market stalls, a Haunted House, Sausage Sizzle and lots of Amusement Rides. Armbands are on sale at the front office, for the discounted price of $25 for unlimited rides. ($30 on the night, or single tickets for $5-$6) If you would like to man a stall, or volunteer in any capacity, please call Kirra on 0411865621. We always have fun preparing for events like these so come and join the craziness. Remember that the kids love to get involved, and in coming weeks there will be a couple of workshops to prepare props, and brainstorm ideas, so like and follow the Twilight Family Fair Mount Morgan event page on Facebook to keep up to date on times and locations. Finally, to wrap up, please give consideration to doing just one thing, every year, to help out or contribute to one event. Too often it comes down to the same few over and over again, across multiple groups, yet if everyone committed to do just “one thing”, between us all we could do some AMAZING things!
12.
ALAN HOUSMAN BUILDER ABN 52 081 926 QBSA 19514
Domestic & Commercial Work Specialising in: • Restumping • Extensions • Renovations • New Home
TV Antenna Sales & Installation Mount Morgan Extra TV Outlets and Cabeling TV Tuning Telephone outlets and extensions
Eric Stevenson Ph: 0417 006591 ACMA License No. T 14409
Discover the difference! Meet Angela Douglas: •Local area agent •Knowledgeable about the local community •Listens to your needs •Proven results over and over •New logo, same great person •Free, no hassle appraisals
Angela Douglas: 0401 953 882
Tony Harney Plumbing Available for all domestic and commercial work. Blocked drains, leaking taps or any other maintenance issues Phone Tony
0429669499 Servicing Mount Morgan
ABN : 76 171 835 370
Phone: 4938 1887 ~ Mobile 0419 741 611
Building locally for over 20 years ~ Quality Workmanship Guaranteed
Stanley Constructions Home Renovations
•
•
We specialise in general carpentry repairs & steel Fabrications From design & planning to simple handyman services, we do it all.
Phone Gordon Lee today: 0418886997
QBSA 735099
M.A.W Mowing & Handyman Services ABN: 30 706 300 266 Now offering Ironing & Housecleaning Services Mark Williamson 0403 571 561 Email: mawmowing@live.com
QBCC 1110090
Mark Humphrey’s Electrical 8 Baldwin Street Mount Morgan 4714 Electrical Lic. No. 74711 Phone: 0439 727 609 FAX: 4938 2885 Domestic, Rural, Commercial Installation and Repairs, Promptly Servicing
Mount Morgan & Wowan Districts
LUND BROS ELECTRICAL Prompt service - Reasonable rates Call Paul on 0418 136558 License No 61543
- Competitive rates - Local bloke - Clean Ups - Maintenance - Repairs - Minor Home Repairs - Welding - Driveways - Landscaping - Fencing - Mowing and much, much more - Lifts up to 1.5 ton and carry up to 5 ton - 9m Tri Axle Trailer 3.5 ton electric winch
Phone Paul on 4938 1321 or 0429 987 130 ABN: 43920044782
Jobs under $3,300 value
GOLDEN MOUNT
TAXI
For all your Pest Control Requirements Rockhampton Office: 07 4927 44 77 QBCC: 1189930
ABN: 31 137 990 786
QBCC: 15046156
ABN: 38 615 401 486
Biloela Office: 07 4992 6552
COOKED or GREEN LARGE TIGER PRAWNS FOR SALE $22 PER KILO PHONE 0401527672 or 0408731130
13.
0459 131 008
• • • •
Diesel/petrol RWC’s Tyre/Radiator Repairs Gen. Auto Spare Parts
“A” Grade Mechanical
ABN: 15617798222 PH: (07) 49381818 67 James Street Mount Morgan, QLD 4714
Eftpos Available
Facebook: Mount Auto Clinic
Email: mountautoclinic@gmail.com
Bob Wheeler 0419 663 277 Po Box 91 Mt Morgan
5 tonne tipper truck Excavator & Kanga Tractor, Slasher & Poison Sprayer Licenced Poisons Contractor
Finlayson & McKenzie Funerals Sandi Wood (nee Inslay) from Mount Morgan was born and raised within the Mount and is well aware of the needs of the Mount Morgan community.
Clinic 1st Tuesday of the Month
Deslea’s Cutz for Mutz Mobile Dog Clipping
Phone Des: 0447 275 402
Sandi is Mount Morgan’s funeral consultant and is available for all funeral advice. Contact Sandi for more information and competitive prices with burials, cremations or prepaid funerals. Sandi Wood your local consultant Phone: 4922 1269 fmckfunerals@live.com.au
14. Christmas Tree Festival - Friday & Saturday 8th & 9th December 2017 Taking Stall Bookings Now - Get Your Trees Ready
Mount Morgan Rotary Club Presents A Fabulous Decadent ‘
EAfternoon at M e” Tea
‘
14th October 2017 1:30pm Baree Hall, Creek Street, Baree $30 pp (Includes complimentary Bubbles & Punch with Afternoon Tea - Maddest Hat Competition)
RSVP Helen - 0449 688 516 or Maggie - 0490 333 608
Our Fund-raising day for Mental Health Awareness Week Proceeds to Australian Rotary Health
NOTICE Due to commercial commitments we will no longer be carrying out repairs of domestic refrigerators and freezers.
Passmore Refrigeration
Colin and Michelle Dean Fitzroy Funerals
Air Conditioning & Refridgeration
187 Musgrave Street Rockhampton 24 Hour Contact 49225422 colin@fitzroyfunerals.com.au
The Railway Hotel
Drive Through Bottle Shop Meals Fri $12 Roasts-6pm-8pm Meals Sat - 6pm-8pm
Raffles Friday Night
Saturday & Sunday Afternoon 2.30pm Third Sunday each month 3pm RAOB Raffles
90 James Street Mount Morgan Phone: 49 381 082
K. J. Daniels
PO. Box 36 Mount Morgan QLD 4714
ABN 64 538 030 420
(07) 4938 1867
Support Locals
Wesley Hall update - a rare discovery
15.
by Catherine McIntosh
descendant of the colonial Stubbs family of Mount Morgan
The Hall family name is synonymous with Mount Morgan’s early history. During a recent stay in Melbourne, I visited the historic Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Williamstown (pictured) to uncover some Hall archival material. You may well be asking - what’s the connection between the Halls and Williamstown? One of Mount Morgan’s most influential pioneers, Wesley Hall (1839-1901), married there on 10 July 1889. He was the first general manager of the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Limited, who set the Mount Morgan gold mine and town on the road to great prosperity. Williamstown is Melbourne’s first port, southwest of the CBD and over the West Gate Bridge. It boasts its own historical museum and impressive nineteenth century buildings near the water’s edge. Williamstown was once home to Wesley Hall’s bride, Dora Dempster (1864-1895). She went on to become Mount Morgan’s first mayoress and co-benefactor of the Wesley Hall Cup. Surprisingly, the couple’s original marriage certificate and declaration form were in good condition. They were kept in an old blue-covered book labelled ‘1886-1889’. This was a lucky find because many of the other early church files had been singed or destroyed by fire. The marriage certificate gives a snapshot of their lives in 1889, three years after the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company Limited was formed. Wesley Hall describes himself as a 50 year old bachelor, who is a mining manager in Mount Morgan. Dora Dempster portrays herself as a 24 year old spinster of Williamstown. A large age difference clearly existed between the bride and groom. Wesley Hall was quite old to be marrying for the first time at 50. Even a 24 year old bride would have been considered old in the late nineteenth century. The marriage certificate also offers a first-hand account of their backgrounds. Wesley Hall states that he was born in Kington, Herefordshire, England to Elizabeth Carleton Skarrett and Walter Hall. His father was a miller. Dora Dempster affirms that she was born in Williamstown to Margaret Herbert Davies and William Dempster, a bank manager. (The building of the former English Scottish & Australian Bank, where the Dempster family lived and worked, still exists in the original town centre of Williamstown). At the same time, the wedding documents provide an invaluable record of their signatures. On the marriage certificate, the two sign their names in full: James Wesley Hall and Mary Dora Frederica Dempster. On the declaration form, they sign their names as J.W. Hall and Dora F. Dempster. While I have seen Wesley Hall’s signature on other documents, these wedding records provide the clearest examples of his signature. They are the only known records of Dora Dempster’s signature. Yet behind the official wedding papers was a ‘fashionable wedding’ (Williamstown Chronicle, 13 July 1889). The wedding was held on a winter’s Wednesday evening. The bridal party, including nine bridesmaids clad in pale yellow dresses, were adorned with primrose flowers. Among the 120 guests were prominent persons associated with the Mount Morgan mine: the Hon. William Pattison and Mrs Pattison and Mrs T. S. Hall. I wondered how the pair first met, considering they resided in different colonies. A Melbourne newspaper stated that ‘the pleasant, cultured Mr. Dempster’ and ‘his pretty daughter, Dora’ toured the famous Mount Morgan gold mine in about 1887. And guess who was their tour guide? Wesley Hall, the general manager (Table Talk (Melbourne), 10 January 1901). The Hall-Dempster wedding records of the Colony of Victoria are public documents. Copies are now held at Mount Morgan’s Saint Mary’s Anglican Church, of which Wesley Hall is the great benefactor.
16.
SAVE THE DATE!
Oct 5: GMFA Bingo. St. Mary’s Anglican Church hall, Gordon St. Doors open 9am - play starts 10am. Oct 7: Blue Care Trash & Treasure. Gordon St. 8am-Noon. Affordable clothing and much more. Oct 7: Bouldercombe Liberty Trick & Riding Show. 5pm. Bouldercombe Show Grounds. Phone 0427381725 Oct 7: Legend & The Locals with Sara Storer. School of Arts. From 6pm. Bar operating. Hot food available. Oct 12: GMFA Bingo. St. Mary’s Anglican Church hall, Gordon St. Doors open 6.30pm. Play starts 7.30pm. Oct 14: Baree Markets, Car Boot Sale. 8am- Noon. Oct 14: Rotary Decandent Afternoon Tea. 1.30pm. Baree School of Arts. Razorback Road. Phone 0449688516. Oct 19: GMFA Bingo. St. Mary’s Anglican Church hall, Gordon St. Doors open 9am - play starts 10am. Oct 21: QCWA Grocery Cent Sale. QCWA Hall. 2 pm. Lucky door, raffles, Multi Draw. Tea/Coffee & biscuits. Oct 26: GMFA Bingo. St. Mary’s Anglican Church hall, Gordon St. Doors open 6.30pm. Play starts 7.30pm. Oct 28: MMPAD Cent Sale. School of Arts - 2pm. Great Prizes Oct 28: MMCSS P&C present a Spooktacular Twightlight Family Fair. $2 entry. Rides, haunted house, stalls, sausage sizzle. All Welcome. Oct 28: 5pm Trick or Treat Town walk. Leaving from front of NewsXpress - 5pm sharp. Wear your Halloween Costumes and bring a bottle of water. Nov 2: GMFA Bingo. St. Mary’s Anglican Church hall, Gordon St. Doors open 9am - play starts 10am. Nov 4: Blue Care Trash & Treasure. Gordon St. 8am-Noon. Affordable clothing and much more. Nov 4: Mt Morgan Arts & Crafts Christmas Cent Sale. QCWA Hall. 2pm. Great prizes. Tea/coffee & biscuits. Nov 11: Baree School of Arts Markets. 8am-12 Noon. Nov 25: Mt Morgan Rodeo Association Cent Sale. Community Services Hall at 2pm.
CLASSIFIEDS PAINTER: Semi retired. W. Cruickshank Phone 0488104774 or 0488105257. QBCC No75608. GUNS & AMMUNITION: MOUNT MORGAN. ERIC J. STEVENSON. Dealer Licence 5000149. PHONE 0417006591 FOR SALE: Laptops. Freshly installed Windows 7 & 8. DVD Draw & Wifi. From $120-$200. Phone 0478110714 FOR SALE: Desktop Computers, with games, screen, keyboard & mouse. $120-$250. Phone 0478110714 FOR RENT: Single Person Unit for over 55’s. Centre of Town. $100 per week. Phone. 07 49 381 036 (leave a message) or Mobile 04 177 81 535. MOUNT MORGAN PLAY GROUP
9.30am - 11.30am The Hub in Morgan Street Wednesday - Morning Tea & Activities Provided CWA Father’s Day Raffle Results $100 Bunnings Voucher Pat Davis $50 Post Office Voucher Greta The Mount Morgan Arts & Crafts Group Inc. wish to advise that they will no longer be having Markets/Car Boot Sales at the School of Arts. Thank you to all who supported us during the year. Pam Aitcheson (Treasurer)
BOULDERCOMBE PONY CLUB PRESENTS LIBERTY & TRICK RIDING SHOW
Open 10:00am - 8:pm Tuesday - Sunday
you may of seen Breanna at the Rocky, Yeppoon or Wowan Show
Saturday 7th October Gates Open at 5pm Show Starts at 6pm ENTRY IS JUST A GOLD COIN DONATION BBQ & BAR AVAILABLE GREAT EVENING FOR ALL THE FAMILY At: Bouldercombe Pony Club Grounds 52496 Burnett Hwy, Bouldercombe
Enquires: Naomi 0427381725
Next Argus: Wednesday, 18th October, 2017 If you have something you’d like included in this issue, please note that all inclusions are required by Wednesday 11th October 2017. Ph: 4938 2312 Email: mmpad@bigpond.com