VOLUME 15, ISSUE 7
WWW.MOUNTMORGAN.ORG.AU
6 - 20 MAY 2020
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY MOUNT MORGAN PROMOTION & DEVELOPMENT INC. ABN 21 391 526 801 | 1 RAILWAY PDE, MOUNT MORGAN, Q 4714, AUSTRALIA.
We Remember...Page 2
Facade Improvement...Page 3
Born to Teach...Page 4
Pictured left to right: Mitchell, Kain and Hunter Campion and Jason and Amarli Wanstall at the Big Dam on Monday.
LOCKDOWN EASES
LEST WE FORGET
The Mount Morgan Cenotaph, a special place of remembrance, normally overflowing with wreaths, but in 2020 only a couple. Right: Ella Stewart with her home made tribute. Below: Barry Lollback remembers and below the Purple Poppy for the ANZAC Animals. Thanks Gavin MacKenzie and Kayla Bishop for the photos.
ANZAC Day 2020 was commemorated in a much different manner this year - but with the effort and ingenuity shown by many Australians, it can not be said that the occasion was not suitably noted. The commemorations showed resourcefulness, dogged determination to mark the occasion and a sense of Australian pride that embodies the spirit of ANZAC. History has shown that the ANZACs were resourceful, they were determined and above all they were proud to be Australian and New Zealanders. Australians lined their streets with candles, they played the Last Post, they created wreaths, decorated fences and letter boxes - they honoured Australia’s fallen in one of the simplest, yet most poignant ways that they could have. There is a silver lining to every dark cloud and the way in which Australians and Mount Morgan residents commemorated the day will ensure that those who made the supreme sacrifice will not be forgotten.
RESTRICTIONS EASED FOR LONG WEEKEND The drop in temperatures over the May Day long weekend kept many people indoors despite the easing of some of the Covid-19 restrictions. However, members of the Campion and Wanstall families celebrated with a family barbecue at the Big Dam. (Front Page photo) Other restrictions will be eased with Kindergarten and Prep and Years 11 and 12 students all expected to return to school on 11 May. A full return to school is expected on 25 May if Covid-19 numbers do not increase over the next few weeks. The National Cabinet will meet this week to discuss further restriction easing. MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS DISCLAIMER The Mount Morgan Argus is published by Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc, 1 Railway Parade, Mount Morgan. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishers. MMPAD reserves the discretionary right to alter, omit, reclassify or postpone publication of articles, photographs or advertisements in the Mount Morgan Argus. MMPAD takes all possible care with the publication of news, names and other information sourced by MMPAD representatives. It does not, however, take responsibility for erroneous information or spelling supplied by external sources. Please take care and ensure that information is correct and names are spelt correctly before submitting any items to this publication. MMPAD Executive
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MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS
6 - 20 May 2020
FRESH LOOK FOR MORGAN STREET BUSINESSES Mount Morgan property owners Tony Oliver and Erin Marr are seeing the rewards of five months of labour. The commercial premises at 77 Morgan - leased by The Mount Morgan No 7 Gallery, Colleen’s Hairdressing Salon, and Red Back Beef Jerky have been revitalised with building works and painting breathing new life into the lower end of Morgan Street. Previously the buildings were a patchwork of tired colours, cream, pink, dark and light green. Complimenting this a rusting awning roof, missing gutter and broken fibro. A scene of dilapidation. The first task was to get a carpenter. Better than Scotty Cam from Channel 9’s ‘The Block’ or even ‘Bob the Builder ‘a local carpenter Darryl ‘Dazzle’ Smith was recruited. Darryl and Tony smashed through the carpentry jobs like a hot knife through butter. The hot summer made some days feel longer and harder, but with the Leichhardt Hotel across the road a cool, amber remedy could be had.
Tony strongly recommends the scheme as it shares costs, which results in money saved. Also, with Morgan Street receiving a new fresh look, it is a great time to access the scheme and complement the street improvements with
newly renovated buildings and businesses. If you are interested in accessing the Façade Improvement Scheme, contact Advance Rockhampton on 4932 9000 or 1300 22 55 77 or email the scheme manager Joanna. Horton@rrc.qld.gov.au.
Above and below - the Facade Improvement Scheme has provided financial assistance with the improvement to three businesses.
After six weeks of carpentry, and all fingers and limbs still attached, it was time to splash on some paint. A new palette of off-white with a small amount of trim colour was decided. The intention of having the offwhite was to create a simple, clean and fresh look. Anybody who has painted before knows the key to success is in the preparation. After several rolls of sandpaper were used up, Tony described painting preparation as a, “heavy duty gym workout”. At present only a small amount of painting under the awning remains to be completed. Above the awning painting to commence in a few weeks after a rest and recovery break. Rockhampton Regional Council was able to facilitate in making the project happen through its ‘Façade Improvement Scheme’. In this scheme property owners or businesses along Morgan Street can apply for a generous monetary rebate for any works that improved the street’s appearance. 6 - 20 May 2020
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS
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BORN TO TEACH Her love of music and singing was handed down by her mother, while passion for teaching was a contribution made by her Uncle, Earnest Henry Sturgess who taught at the Mount Morgan Central State School. Regardless of from where her talents and passions were derived, both served Irene well during a career that lasted over 60 years. Irene had just turned four when she started school at Mount Morgan Central State School in 1937 and many of her imaginings when she “taught” her classes was based on what she was learning at school. “I felt very privileged because I used coloured chalk when I was teaching my students,” she said. Growing up in Mount Morgan in the 1930’s and 1940’s were happy ones for Irene, even during the Great Depression and the Second World War. “There were difficult times, but we soldiered on,” she said.
Irene - At School Age
By Eve-lyn Rogers Irene Sturgess was born to teach, so much so that while most young children have imaginary friends… Irene or Sturg (as she is affectionately known), had an imaginary classroom of students.
Some of her early memories included travelling to East Street in Rockhampton with her father on a Saturday and spending time in Milroy’s as well as sitting outside of cafes having morning tea and spending holidays at Cooee Bay, where her father had built a holiday house. Her father owned a Pontiac. Continued on Page 5
Sitting in the family home, Irene vividly recalls when, at age four, she would teach her “students”, spelling from the back stairs, then march them to another location in the yard where she taught them tables or music and singing. Any “naughty students” had their initials written in coloured chalk on the door of the “dunny” which was situated near the back fence of the family property. These lessons would continue for hours or until Irene was called inside. The names of the students were made up and included such names as Goidy Goy. These early days of chalked fingers, fictitious misdemeanours and repetitious tables and spelling were harbingers of Irene’s future. Irene Margaret Sturgess was the eldest of four children born to Alfred Robert and Eileen Margaret Sturgess (nee Miekle). Her father, at one time owned the Trotter’s Creek Dairy and eventually became a carpenter at the Mount Morgan Mine. Irene was the oldest of four children – three girls and one boy. Page 4
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS
Irene on an outing.
6 - 20 May 2020
BORN TO TEACH From Page 4 “When my father built his house at Cooee Bay, there was only one more house there – things have changed a lot since then,” she said.
Irene’s school days were happy ones – she would mostly walk to school, sometimes she would catch the local bus and on the way home she would buy a “penny” ice cream from Mr Luitz who was the ice cream man at the time. Being raised as a Presbyterian, Irene would play the church organ for the Sunday morning service and sang in the choir every Sunday night, putting her musical talents to use from an early age. She was also a Brownie and Girl guide. Irene was a model student, spending many hours learning and it was the time she spent studying that enabled her to pass her scholarship exams which was done at the Intermediate school (part of the Mount Morgan High School at the time). Achieving scholarship also meant that her High School education was free. In 1946, at aged 14 Irene finished her junior equivalent at Mount Morgan High School and then went on to Rockhampton State High School as there was only one other student who wanted to continue onto Senior.
When Irene finished Senior, she then went to teacher’s college in Brisbane. She started her first teaching job at age 19 at the Central State School in Mount Morgan, but was soon transferred to Gladstone for a little while and then at the one-teacher school at Barmoya where she remained for a few years, finally returning to Mount Morgan Central State School. In 1956, Irene started teaching scholarship at the Intermediate School. When scholarship finished at the end of the school year in 1963, she became a High School teacher, completing a further year by Distance Study to acquire her Bachelor of Education in the early 1970’s. In 1975, Irene became the School’s first and only Senior Mistress, a position she held until she retired from High school teaching in 1988. In 1991 following the death of Mount Morgan Historian, Frank Golding, Irene became the Patron of the High School – a position she still holds. Irene spent six years in retirement and was eventually lured back as a supply teacher to various schools in the region including Wowan, Warraburra (Gracemere) eventually finishing in 2014 at the school where her educational journey and her love of teaching began. During her teaching career, she believes she taught well over 1000 students. “I miss teaching. I miss being able to play a small part in the lives of the students. I was always thinking up ways of making subjects more interesting,” she said. “I enjoyed teaching every student, even the more difficult ones. Some were easier to teach than others, but each and everyone was unique in their own way. I’ve only ever wished the best for them all and hoped that they got somewhere in their lives. “Sometimes I will bump into a student I taught and they will tell me what they are doing and I just feel really proud that I have helped, even if it was only in a small way,” she said. Her favourite years at Mount Morgan High School were the Peter Coughlan year (1980 -1983). “Peter found out that I had abilities with music and singing and asked me to organise a school concert for the end of the year. The first one was Christmas Magic (1980) as it was late in the year when this was mentioned and it seemed easy to put together a Christmas themed concert,” she said.
Receiving her Bachelor of Teaching Certificate 6 - 20 May 2020
Christmas Magic was followed in 1981 by Anchors Aweigh, 1982 by Once Upon A Time and finally in 1983 by Switch On and included musical numbers poetry, short plays and such interesting acts as the Naval Whistlers and the Year 12 Boys Can-Can Dancers. Continued on Page 6 MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS
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Born to Teach... From Page 5... “I really enjoyed the school concerts and I made the concerts up by utilising the talents of the students – they were certainly a highlight for me”.
her office before we received a very stern talking to about how disappointed she was and probably some hours of detention. Then we were all signed up to the school choir and my future stage career had begun.
Irene also branched out into publishing releasing her Little Ant’s Big Day Out in the early 2000’s and the one cent dinosaur scratchie scratcher.
I have so many happy memories of our yearly concerts and all the rehearsals - it was a wonderful time to be a student at Mount Morgan High and Sturg was an integral part of what made my high school years so rewarding.
We all have memories of Irene, Sturg or Miss Sturgess – however you thought of her and so what better way than to finish this story with a compilation of memories from those she taught. There are no better accolades then those from the students she taught. Desma Curtis Non Sibi Sed Omnibus – “Not for one but for all”. If ever a song was written for an individual this was it. I have fond memories of our Mount Morgan High and many of those are due to Sturg. Sturg’s distinctive voice and laughter could be heard throughout the corridors of school or chatting to the tuckshop ladies. Her personality was also reflected of her choice in shoes which always matched her outfit of the day. It was only after school life was over that I was able to appreciate Sturg’s ability to balance the need to “arm us with the light of learning” but also enable us to enjoy our school years through our full participation in extracurricular activities. I remember the practice sessions for the concerts whether it was Anchor’s Aweigh, the Christmas concert or Once Upon a Time, Sturg would be standing out the front conducting the songs or sitting at the piano ready to play a tune. She would have us stand on the desks in the typing room to help us reach the higher notes – a pity I was not blessed with the voice of an angel but that didn’t matter to Sturg, she was just happy to have us all involved. She was quick to have us all “volunteer” for any manner of cultural and social activities. Even the boys would step in to help out or participate. My years at Mount Morgan High not only provided me with an education but cultivated a love of musical theatre which has endured to this day. Thanks Sturg – you guided, supported and encouraged me and many children to prepare us for life’s reality. Janelle Wendt (Nee Ingram) My oldest memory of Irene was in my first year of high school when some of my friends and I decided to go up town one lunch hour and hang out in the pinball parlour for a game of pool and to put some money in the juke box. Half way through my favourite song of the time, Ebony Eyes by Bob Welch, Sturg happened to walk passed the door and spot us. The first time I’d ever done anything like that and we were caught - plus I didn’t even get to stay and hear the whole song. She marched us all back to school and lined us up in Page 6
I remember her joking about cutting my rats tail off one year when they were all the rage and I recall the effort she went to in writing a poem that had a verse for everyone in our Year 12 graduating class. I’m not very good at remembering specific things from my past, unlike a few others I went to school with, but I know I was lucky to have had the upbringing I did. My days at school will always be remembered with fondness and my dear friends and Sturg are an enormous part of why that is so. Kaye Hayes When I started year 8 at MMSHS in 1975, Miss Irene Sturgess was in the position of Senior Mistress. My older sister Lyn, three years older than me, had by then left school to work in administration in the offices at Mount Morgan Limited. Lyn had been taught commercial subjects by Sturge, so I was familiar with her and her standards. I was also a little in fear of her, because I had heard that she was strict! I, of course, was one of the compliant ones. Studious, no smoking behind the toilets, or skipping class or fraternising with “The Boys”..So from the beginning I think I was on Sturge’s GOOD LIST. I never actually had her teach me in any of my classes throughout my five years at MMSHS, as I chose science subjects, not commercial. I did however, have her for Choir, which I absolutely loved. I can still see Sturge’s carefully manicured hands playing the piano. Her nails were always short and filed to a small point and I don’t ever recall her wearing nail polish. Sturge was a gifted pianist and played beautifully and also had a lovely singing voice. I can remember we always sang the school song at the end of each choir session. I recall one year we learnt the song “Joseph’s Coat of many Colours”.. We harmonized in three groups and I can recall it sounded absolutely amazing, with Sturge conducting us. On several occasions we sang at Rockhampton State High School and I felt proud to be a part of that choir, led by Sturge. I can recall she gave us small pieces of pineapple to eat before we sang to clear our throats. I always looked forward to choir practise which was always held in the lunch hour. I can recall Sturge was always impeccably dressed. Always colour co-ordinated with matching coloured shoes and of course stockings. I can remember we Continued on Page 9
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS
6 - 20 May 2020
THE ORANGE DOT By Larry at Fox Video
Movie Review JOJO RABBIT What’s a lonely, innocent tenyear-old boy in early 1945 Berlin supposed to do? The war rages with endless, voracious appetites all around, greedily gobbling up everyone and everything it can. People sway back and forth in the air with their feet well above ground in the heart of the city. The list of shortages is getting longer. Food is becoming scarcer... A lonely, innocent ten-year-old boy like Johannes Betzler, AKA JOJO RABBIT, listens to his teachers and believes implicitly, without question, all that he is told by them. He is filled to the brim with the indoctrination of Nazi ideals. He joins the Deutsches Jungvolk, the Hitler Youth and he proudly wears the Brown Shirt of his uniform. He does not listen to his mother who believes in a Germany free of Nazism. In fact he disapproves of her stance, that’s not what he was taught, although he loves his mum very deeply. A lonely, innocent ten-year-old boy like Jojo might also have an imaginary friend, and in his case it is Adolf, a supportive and buffoonish version
of Adolf Hitler. Adolf always has Jojo’s back. He helps our little Brown Shirt deal with life in a war torn world, always trying to boost his confidence through comical antics and nonsensical politics while constantly reinforcing focus on the main enemy, those of Jewish descent, fabricating monstrous images and tales of the people, their faith and their culture.
JOJO RABBIT to be something special is evident as soon as we become aware of the brilliant cast who signed on to this project. Scarlett Johansson, But when Jojo discovers that Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Mum is hiding a Jewish girl, a Stephen Merchant et al -all former friend and classmate of ably directed by the man who his late sister, in their attic... In his brought you THE HUNT FOR very own house! Oh no - what’s THE WILDERPEOPLE, THOR a lonely, innocent ten-year-old RAGNAROK and WHAT WE DO boy to do? He may no longer IN THE SHADOWS, Taika Waititi be innocent as he is forced to who also wrote the screenplay for question everything he believes. JOJO RABBIT and co-starred as He may no longer be lonely with the imaginary friend, Adolf. the chance of a living breathing JOJO RABBIT is funny, gripping, friend at home. bittersweet and enlightening Adolf will not be happy at all and will resist this with all of his being. Or - he could just go to the Gestapo and hand the girl in to a terrible fate.
with many messages for our contemporary world, not the least of which is - be very careful of what we teach our children at school.
With a comedic stance on the politics of war, the potential for
JOJO RABBIT... Loved it!
DEE RIVER OLDIES
We are looking forward to when we can get back to having the freedom we had prior to isolation. It has been a massive learning curve. Certainly back to basics.
day is about. The decorations were all part of people giving their all and coming from the heart. The playing of the Last Post is always an emotional time. We are looking forward to better times ahead. We will get through this and hope we will be more determined than ever.
The fear of not knowing if the virus is about is consuming. Some members have had to do their own shopping when necessary, but keeping the 1.5 metre distance and keeping behind the line has helped to keep us healthy. With some restrictions being lifted only time will tell.
All meetings and morning teas are cancelled until further notice.
It was good to see the people out on their driveways on Anzac Day, remembering the soldiers and the sacrifices they made for our freedom was what the
Carol Glover 49381995, Melray McNamara 0411 144 316, Colleen Constable 0427 161 131
6 - 20 May 2020
The Steering Committee is only a phone call away. Stay happy and healthy, until next time. Submitted by the Steering Committee
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS
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SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL ARTISTS
Above: the work of Lorna Walters and below one of Michael Collins’ paintings.
Our final five Mount Morgan Artists that are currently exhibiting at No 7 Gallery are as follows:John McArthur (artwork above) – Often returning to Mount Morgan, you may have seen his work in the Mount Morgan Annual Agricultural Show. John is now based in Hong Kong. His brushwork is free and swift, and gives a sense of rushing, or loudness that is part of his brash stylization. You can follow his creativity on Facebook at John McArthur/Spitting Gecko Studio. Lorna Walters – Creating wands, walking sticks and hanging mobiles that are ritualistic in design. Lorna consecrates each item with smoke of Sage to seek blessings from the four elements. She uses stones and other items collected from nature, in a mindful way to resonate their natural presence. Michael Collins – Taking out prizes in last years Mount Morgan Agricultural Show, Michaels work is manifested from his unique imagination with influences from 70’s record cover designer Roger Dean and Artist Gustav Klimt. Preferring large impactful pieces, his works can certainly carry a room. Ethel Stratford – Presenting rustic Australian landscapes, Ethel puts her stamp on each piece with Page 8
Above: Ethel Stratford’s work depicting rustic Australian landscapes.
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS
Continued on Page 9 6 - 20 May 2020
Spotlight on Local Artists... From Page 8
Born to Teach... from Page 6 would have uniform parade once a week and Sturge would walk up and down the aisles checking us out from head to toe. Once and only once. I forgot to wear my school badge and had to report to the Deputy Principal Mr Cummins’ office to show cause. I felt like I had blotted my copy book with Sturge. Imagine the kids of today dealing with this! Sturge lived in my street East St Extended , the second hill over. I remember she drove a little creamy/ beige coloured Corolla. She would often travel to and from school past our place and always gave a cheery wave.
quirky details that make the beholder smile. Light hearted and nostalgic, her works are a nod to Aussie bush and country culture.
I can recall when I completed year 12 I headed off to Brisbane to commence Secondary School training in Science and HEC at Kelvin Grove Teachers College. After a period of extreme home sickness I deferred and returned home with the intention of returning to study after 12 months.
Matty Oram – A young local artist, exploring his indigenous heritage. His work is earthy with ochre coloring and animal totems telling stories of an ancient culture still resonating strongly. (Work pictured above)
In that time I took up a full time job in the pharmacy, and then never returned to study.I used to serve Sturge as a customer in the pharmacy and I can recall she made certain to let me know of her disappointment in me..UGH!! Sturge was born the same year as my late dad Lyle, 1932.What a wonderful long life she has had. It is so wonderful to look back and think of the difference she made to so many lives. Thanks for the memories. Rhonda Ramm
Angela Johnson – Her little gems are hidden around the gallery, gorgeous hand-hewn creatures from various species of timber. (Work pictured below) There is something warm and endearing about whittled wood, and her animals are a delight! Next article will elaborate on our re-opening exhibition, “Transformation”. The date is to be advised, however you can always commence your creations anytime now that you have a theme to interpret. Our “Hometown” Exhibition has been postponed to coincide with Golden Mount Festival 2021. Until the Gallery re-opens, please follow us on Facebook at “Mount Morgan Gallery”. If you would like a viewing, to purchase, or more information, please call 0411 865 621.
6 - 20 May 2020
I, like many of my fellow classmates, commenced Grade Eight at Mount Morgan State High School in 1972 with slight trepidation, hoping that we didn’t get “Sturge” for any subjects. However it wasn’t long before we learned that her reputation as ‘over the top’ wasn’t quite true. Miss Sturgess always wore the latest fashion and her hair was immaculate. Miss Sturgess, like any good teacher expected that students were in her class to behave, learn, do the work and strive to succeed. Although if you played football or basketball during lunch break and came to her class with a red face, you didn’t always receive a good reception. I was privileged to attend her Mathematics, English and Music classes over the years and I will be forever indebted to the education and life skills that I learned from Miss Sturgess. Something I found very difficult in later years whenever I interacted with Miss Sturgess was to call her Irene as she had requested, however we reached a compromise and it was “Sturge” from then on.
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS
Page 9
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6 - 20 May 2020
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MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS
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Mount Morgan’s finest head to Gallipoli This is the first part of this story. Permission granted for printing by the authors. By Elizabeth Conway and Pam Garfoot When Britain declared war with Germany on 4 August 1914, Australia entered the war as a consequence of being a member of the British Commonwealth. Australia had for some time been preparing to support ‘the Mother Country’ by raising a force of some 20,000 men (the First Australian Imperial Force or AIF). So it was little wonder that cities, towns and districts across Australia were able to swiftly recruit for the AIF. Mount Morgan, a fairly young Central Queensland settlement reliant upon the gold and copper mining industries, was one such town. When ten of Mount Morgan’s young men wasted no time in volunteering for the AIF’s Light Horse Regiment, many townsfolk must have felt a ripple of both pride and apprehension. Their sons, brothers, uncles, cousins and friends were joining up and were off to war. The aim was to send Australia’s finest fighting men to help defend the British Empire. At the outset, artificially high fitness standards were set by army doctors. Furthermore, the Army initially advised those considering joining the AIF that men who had not had military experience were not required and would not be accepted. Accordingly, most of the young Mount Morgan men who volunteered had been part-time in the militia for several years, specifically, in the 1st Light Horse Regiment (formerly the Queensland Mounted Infantry). As light horsemen brought their own horses when enlisting in the AIF, special conditions applied for both rider and horse. The soldier must be able to ride bare-back and jump over a fence, while the horse was to be a solid brown or grey colour and at least 14½ hands high2. Just one day after the formal declaration of war, a meeting was called in the 1st Light Horse Regiment’s Orderly Room in Mount Morgan for the ‘quota of trainees’ to receive their equipment. The volunteers were absorbed into the AIF’s 2nd Light Horse’s B Squadron, which was comprised of men from Central Queensland, the Darling Downs and the Burnett District. In keeping with the swiftness of Australia’s response to the war, the Mount Morgan members of the 2nd Light Horse were soon photographed together. They, with other Mount Morgan volunteers, were gathered for a picture before they received their AIF uniforms. Several wore boater hats and civilian suits. They may have looked a motley crew but their expressions show the seriousness of their intent. Perhaps just a day or two later, the ten Mount Page 12
Morgan members of B Squadron of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment were photographed again. This time they were fully kitted out with pristine uniforms, unsullied boots and even a trumpet for the group’s trumpeter. The setting for this photograph (above) was casual but their faces spoke volumes. Those young faces were fresh, proud, and earnest, despite the thrill of the grand adventure they hoped for. Each of the ten faces can tell a tale. Thanks to freely available archival records, in particular digitised service records available on the National Archives of Australia’s website, we can discover much about each man, all these years later. Almost all of the early Mount Morgan recruits had as their attesting officer Captain Benjamin Gilmore Patterson, who was from Mount Morgan and formerly a member of the local militia. Their medical examinations were carried out by the town’s respected physician Dr Samuel Richard. Dr Richard was to join the AIF as a major and proceed to Gallipoli4. The backgrounds of the ten volunteers were diverse, and they imply something of life in a Queensland country town at the time. Several were British born. Charles Mowbray, a Scot, was 31 on enlistment and had extensive military experience, having been a member of the Cameron Highlanders for eight years before joining the 1st Light Horse Regiment in Mount Morgan. Born in London, Ernest Crain was a miner. He was the oldest of the group at 32 and had a wife and three children. Crain’s rank as sergeant in the 1st Light Horse transferred to the newly formed 2nd Light Horse Regiment.
Walter Thompson was another Englishman and was working as a plumber. Stanley Simmonds, who was a trumpeter in the 1st Light Horse prior to his enlistment, made a living as a biograph operator, one of Queensland’s early film projectionists.
Thomas Stacey was a grocer’s assistant, not yet 20 years old, who was originally from Warwick in
MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS
Continued on Page 15 6 - 20 May 2020
From Page 14...Mount’s Finest head to Gallipoli Queensland. Frederick Hart, just a few months older and a plumber, also hailed from Warwick. The two appear to have been neighbours from childhood but it is not known why they were in Mount Morgan. Bill Moren was married with two young children and was a butcher by trade. Cousins Parker Marson and Cecil Marson (known to his mates within B Squadron as Charlie) both lived in Horse Creek, on the southern outskirts of Mount Morgan. Both had only recently turned 19. Parker’s trade was as a platelayer on the railways and Charlie’s, like Bill Moren’s, was as a butcher. At 26 years old Percy Gooch5 was one of the older men of the group. He had lived in the town for over ten years and worked as an assayer at the Mount Morgan Gold Mine. The regiment left Queensland on 24 September 1914. They sailed on the transport ship Star of England from Pinkenba Wharf, Brisbane. While in transit to Europe the regiment learnt that their destination was not England or France but Egypt where, for several months, they would train and prepare for war. After the decimation of the Australian infantry during and following their landing on the Gallipoli peninsula, reinforcements were urgently called for. As a result, the 2nd Light Horse was soon on its way to the Dardanelles. On 12 May 1915 they landed at Anzac Cove and went ashore as infantry, without horses. They made their way up through Shrapnel Gully. The route was treacherous and, during the climb, the first two men of the 2nd Light Horse to die were hit by snipers. The next day the men climbed the paths to Quinn’s Post, where they settled in alongside the exhausted 15th Battalion. Despite being a relatively small patch of land this post was widely recognised as being a crucial spot within the Anzac position. On their second day at Quinn’s Post, thirty men in the regiment were killed, including one of Percy’s mates from Mount Morgan, Jimmy Beyers, who was in C Squadron of the 2nd Light Horse. Thirty more were wounded. For the next three months the Gallipoli campaign was characterised by many attacks and smaller skirmishes. None of the attacks resulted in much progress for the British or Anzac positions and by August a virtual stalemate had developed. Yet the men had been fighting on and many lives were lost. Indeed, by the end of August 1915, two of the ten Mount Morgan volunteers in B Squadron had been killed in action and, although each of the other eight lived to return to Australia after the war, some were seriously wounded. Thomas Stacey and Frederick Hart both saw out the year on Gallipoli though each was hospitalised on occasion. This was not unusual. Not only were men wounded in action on Gallipoli but they contracted serious diseases such as dysentery and typhoid. 6 - 20 May 2020
Such afflictions were common in an environment where men lived in close cramped quarters, often in suffocating heat and with poor sanitary conditions. The first of the ten Mount Morgan lads in B Squadron to be killed in action was Bill Moren. He died on 29 June 1915, during a night of heavy bombardment. Percy Gooch was present the very next night when Moren and other fallen soldiers were buried in the Shrapnel Gully Cemetery. Gooch was later to be seriously wounded in the thigh during the devastating August offensive, this being the last major attempt by the Allies to break the stalemate situation existing at Gallipoli. Within a couple of days, he was medically evacuated to Egypt and then to Australia. Stanley Simmonds was not involved in the August offensive as he had been evacuated to hospital in Egypt with otitis, a severe ear infection, at the end of July. However, another B Squadron casualty of the August offensive was Charles Mowbray, who was shot through the shoulder and also evacuated to England. Parker and Charlie Marson were also casualties of the August offensive. Parker was wounded and medically evacuated to England. However, his cousin Charlie paid a higher price, being killed on 7 August. It is believed that he was buried in the Quinn’s Post Cemetery. Over the days of the offensive, thousands more were killed or wounded on both sides. The offensive was a profound loss for the Allies. Ernest Crain survived the offensive and the Gallipoli campaign unscathed, at least physically. Walter Thompson was not so fortunate. He was shot in the back on 20 May 1915, then returned to duty in June. The next month, he was sent to hospital in Egypt with ‘neurasthenia and shock’, remaining there until December. It seems that this episode was related to the gunshot wound he had received in May. Neurasthenia is an ill-defined medical condition associated chiefly with emotional disturbance. That and the condition of ‘shock’ which he was suffering might indicate possible shell shock or battle fatigue. Continued next Issue.
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LOCKDOWN LAUGHTER It is said that when you are given lemons, the best thing to do is make lemonade. So when a world wide pandemic occurs and you are forced into lockdown to prevent the spread - what do you do? You become creative, you laugh at the situation (not at the pandemic) but at some of the crazy things that lockdown makes you do - like becoming avid toilet paper collectors (some people must be setting Guinness Book of Records entries by now). Another thing you do is take a perfectly good song and turn it into a Pandemic Parody. Nothing has been sacred whether it’s the Sound of Music songs, Bohemian Rhapsody or Sound of Silence not has been sacred during the first few weeks of lockdown. Who said we couldn’t celebrate ANZAC Day? Australians found a way to do so and not surprisingly, there were probably more people engaged through creating wreaths, lighting candles, decorating homes and letter boxes than have been engaged for many years.
Thank you to all of the business people who have kept their doors open, to the frontline workers for keeping the shelves stocked and to the medical personnel who are fighting the good fight. Your efforts, vigilance and determination are applauded.
However, the many Facebook posts focussing on the toilet paper frenzy, the working from home and many other aspects of the lockdown has shone through, proving we are resilient and we still have a sense of humour... Here are a couple of Facebook posts that tickled the funny bones.
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6 - 20 May 2020
Pride in Your Town
Life is still in the lock-down mood so news is very limited, however we hope you are all well and catching up on many jobs around your home and yard, while adhering to the water restrictions. This article we found on the internet and decided to share it with you.
ed his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
It is food for thought but certainly makes you think about it and you may or may not agree with all of its items, but worth the read. An Obituary printed in the London Times………..Brilliant!
In a lighter a vein for a smile………….
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault. Common sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
oo000ooo
Success At the age of 4 success is pants.
At the age of 12 success is – Having friends. At the age of 17 success is – Having a driver’s licence At the age of 35 success is – Having money At the age of 50 success is – Having Money At the age of 70 success is – Having a driver’s licence. At the age of 75 success is – Having friends. At the age of 80 success is – Not piddling in your pants. As always Think Clean and Be Tidy.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion, or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Churches became businesses; criminals received better treatment than the victims; Common sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
– Not piddling in your
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Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife - Discretion, by his daughter - Responsibility, and by his son - Reason. He is survived by his 5 stepchildren; I know my Rights, I want it Now, Someone else is to Blame, I’m a Victim, Pay me for doing Nothing. Not many attend6 - 20 May 2020
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6 - 20 May 2020