A menagerie of ‘Pretty Pets’

The historical weekly tabloid, Truth (Brisbane, Qld. : 1900-1953), provides invaluable insight into the appearance, occupation(s) and personality of some early Mount Morganites through caricatures and accompanying verses. In most cases, these ‘portraits’ are the only remaining record of how they looked. Curiously, they were labelled as ‘Pretty Pets’. A few of these caricatures below are of local men who quenched the thirsty mining town. ‘Old Joe’ or Jos Vidulich (top row, left) was proprietor of the Queensland National Hotel. A snippet of his verse reads: ‘… His table groans with best of cheer, and all speak highly of his beer’. Then there’s James Harrup (top row, centre) – ‘…. maker of good cordials and brewer of hop beer…’. Walter Jackson (top row, right) was proprietor of the Imperial Hotel: ‘… If you behave in his hotel, no fear of him need trouble you …’ to

Continued on Page 15

Mount Morgan in Pictures from Page 14

Local businessman, J.W. Harrup

and suit.

J. W. Harrup purchased a cordial manufacturer’s business in Mount Morgan in 1902. He produced soft drinks, beers and cordials. Contemporaneous advertisements indicate that popular soft drinks in Mount Morgan in the very early 1900s were sarsaparilla and ginger ale. Cordials in demand were lime, peppermint and clove (a different palette back then!).

His aerated water factory utilised an enormous amount of water, bottles and corks. Purification of water by sterilisation was gaining popularity amongst customers of soft drinks, beer and cordials around 1905. J. W. Harrup was quick to implement the new technologies:

‘At Mount Morgan … and many other centres, the water is not always of the purest, and the leading firm of aerated and cordial makers in that part of Queensland has recently thought it advisable to purify the water by sterilisation. The salvator has been installed with the most excellent results on the firm’s business … The public of Mount Morgan have not been slow in appreciating the innovation’ (‘Salvator water steriliser’, Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855-1918), 11 March 1905).

The above photograph of English-born James William Harrup (1861-1928) shows some resemblance to his ‘Pretty Pet’ caricature on the previous page (top row, centre) – namely his large, white moustache, haircut

MOUNT MORGAN CITIZEN’S CLUB

Medieval Dance - We will be taking a break from holding any dances over the Winter period, with our next event once the weather warms up, set for Saturday, 23 September. It will be a Medieval themed Dance coinciding with the Spring Equinox. Nicholai and Tony of the Capricornia Dance Exchange will be entertaining, Line Dancers will be performing, and all attendees are invited to don costumes and get into the spirit of the evening. Doors open at 7pm, Adults $10 entry, and children $3. Refreshments and snacks available, bar is open. There will be raffles, a lucky door prize, and for Best Costume.

Our last Dance was a Colonial Bush Dance, and surprisingly despite the cold and many other events happening, we had a fantastic turnout. Some great costumes were worn, and we really appreciate everyone who came along. A huge thankyou to Artist, Louise Jones for her donation of a Mount Morgan Wild Clay Guinea Fowl and etching, and to Mount Morgan Hot Bread who sold tickets and displayed the prize and Mothers Day hamper. Congratulations to all winners on the night.

J. W. Harrup handed the business over to his sons when he retired in 1912 (aged 51). His sons continued to operate the Mount Morgan factory and established factories in Rockhampton, Gladstone and Mackay. Their slogan was ‘Always Say “Harrup’s, Please”’. Harrup Bros. bottles are now a collector’s item.

Thank You to our volunteers - We have had some extraordinarily busy weeks at the club recently, resulting in much achieved, but this could not happen without our amazing Volunteers who have put in that extra tonne and a half of effort. At our General Meeting we said “Thank You”, albeit with a small token of gratitude of some home baking. With the Manse interior reno complete, the house rented, and grant trades booked in for the Soldiers Rooms, our Members will be having a break for a bit from larger projects.

Hire - The Soldiers Rooms is available for events, and we have chairs and trestle tables available for events elsewhere. For Bookings call 0419 605 662 for availability. Members receive discounted rates.

Next Meeting - Sunday, June 25 @10:30am at the Soldiers Rooms. New Members welcome. Like and follow “Mount Morgan Soldiers Rooms” and “Mount Morgan Arts Precinct” on Face book to keep up to date with happenings.

Please continue to donate to the donation box located at the counter of the wonderful Wattle Bee Next NewsXpress or online donations at mycause. com.au/page/297958/save-our-history.

Submitted by Kirra Swain