Talkabout October / November 2

100th Edition !!!!! October/November 2011 INNISFAIL & DISTRICT Community Information Newsletter Produced by the WEB PAGE COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE www.csci.org.au 13-17 Donald Street, P O Box 886, Innisfail 4860 Phone: 40438400 Fax: 4061 7312 Freecall: 1800 616 001 Email: [email protected] The Community Support Centre is funded primarily by the Department of Communities

We look back at the best... DISCLAIMER

ALL ARTICLES IN THIS MAGAZINE ARE PRINTED IN GOOD FAITH FOR THE COMMUNITY AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE INNISFAIL COMMUNITY SUPPORT CENTRE INC. THE CENTRE ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE ARTICLES.

CONTENTS Page 2 Editorial etc Page 7 Rocky Creek Page 13-17 Local Stories Page 3 CAIC & Community Development Page 8 Gwen’s Story Page 18 Recipes Page 4 Show Society & Historical Society Page 9 Volunteers Page 5 The Mount Mulligan Disastor Page 10-11 Local Stories Page 6 Early Days of Flying Fish Point Page 12 Loss of an Icon & Fireman’s Story Talkabout October / November 2

Mary Camilleri who joined Gwen more than 10 years ago, and with her skills in using the MS Editorial Publisher program, sets the layout of Talkabout. Wow! Here we are with the 100th issue of our Phil Pearce has also taken on a dedicated little magazine—and how proud I am to be part Talkabout role. He now distributes some 2,000 of the team that helps produce it. It is copies every 2nd month to over 90 local outlets!

distributed to a wide area of the Innisfail, In celebrating this 100th edition we decided to Babinda and Mission Beach areas and I’d publish a selection of the personal interest better include Miriwinni as they rang up for articles that have been printed over the years. extra copies!! It helps everyone to know what is available in our community and sometimes What a difficult job it has been to make this what is going on and where it is happening. I selection that spans over the 16 year period! had the pleasure of going through past copies Consequently we have had to reprint only and what memories they invoked. So please excerpts from original articles. Many of the enjoy this copy and I know that we will keep on original articles have been written and keeping on. So remember this is your magazine researched by a number of contributors and if you have a life story or an interesting (including Gwen herself); there are also articles article please free to bring it in to the Centre. and photographs that were kindly supplied by the Innisfail & District Historical Society - Gwen certainly a reflection of the close relationship

we had with the Historical Society after sharing Manager’s Reflections space in the same building for nearly 20 years. Wherever the original article named the It has been more than 16 years since the first contributor/writer we have acknowledged this in edition of Talkabout hit the streets. It has been the reprinting of the excerpts. published by the Community Support Centre Innisfail Inc (previously known as Community In this 100th edition of Talkabout there is a Advice and Information Centre) 100 times; selection of stories about local organizations, every two months since March 1995! local places and local people. Many names will be known to readers, some not, and sadly some The 2nd edition states “Its aims are to provide will have passed on, since their story first people with information about their local appeared in the Talkabout. What stands out is community, especially self-help and community how complex, fascinating and multicultural our services—as well as articles of interest”. community is; and the resilience that has been I think the Talkabout has achieved this aim and demonstrated time and again by its peoples. has contributed to an informed and healthy community. As well as providing a record of I sincerely hope you enjoy this 100th edition of issues and happenings, it has given counsel Talkabout as we take a trip down memory lane.

about personal and public wellbeing. Julie French. Manager,

Gwen Jackson became voluntary editor of the Community Support Centre Innisfail Talkabout in 1996 and has since committed untold hours in sourcing articles of interest and piecing together information on current topics It is something to be able to paint a and events. particular picture or to carve a statue and This community newsletter is without a doubt so make a few objects beautiful. “Gwen’s baby”. It is her commitment and But it is far more glorious to carve and paint passion that has ensured the continuity and the very atmosphere and the medium permanence of the Talkabout. It has, however, through which we look. been a team effort to print and distribute the To affect the quality of the day- newsletter, with a multitude of CSCI volunteers that is the highest of the arts. photocopying, stapling and delivering it over the Henry Thoreau

years. Special mention needs to be made of (Reprinted from Edition 50 June/July2003) Talkabout October / November 3

Margaret Worrall was one of the original volunteers and the Honorary Social worker of the Community Advice and Information Centre (which later became The Community Support Centre Innisfail) when it opened its door in 1975. She took up the first paid position at the Centre in 1983. Talkabout October / November 4

INNISFAIL & DISTRICT SHOW The Innisfail & District Show The horse and cattle sections were well repre- Society was first founded in sented including Tableland stock. For the 1912 and was known as the first time there were dairy cattle from the “Johnstone River Agricul- Silkwood area. There were fifteen contest- tural Society”. ants in the woodchop competition. The first show was held on No Shows were held in 1942 or 1943 as the the Recreation Ground on the grounds were occupied by the Armed Forces old Goondi Road (where during the war. Callendar Park is now ). The hall exhibits were displayed in In 1945 the name of the Society was once the Shire Hall and the horti- again changed to Innisfail & District Show culture was displayed in the Oddfellow’s Hall Society. 1947 saw the Friday pronounced as (then situated in Owen Street). Included in the a gazetted shire Show Holiday. displays were paintings, pencil drawing, wood In 1956 admission prices had risen to 4/- carving, leather work, photography, needle- shillings (40c) adults, 1 shilling (10c) children. work, including work from the girls at the Upgrading and improvements went on every Convent and the Goondi State School. Also year and in 1982 the new administration and jams, cut flowers, fruit, vegetables and farm function halls were used for the first time. produce. In 1914 the gate takings were 40 New ring lights were completed in 1986 after pounds($80.00). cyclone “Winifred” devastated buildings and In 1933, the Society’s name was changed to the remaining overhead power wires and “Johnstone River Agricultural and Pastoral poles. Society” and the overall takings amounted to In recent history Mr. David Dodds was Presi- 479 pounds, 19 shillings & 6 pence. ($959.95) dent of the Show Society from 1976 to 1995. In 1935 the annual show was transferred to The present Show Society President is Bob Goondi Bend (now Pease Park). In 1936 the Allison. show had the most extensive display of sugar cane ever in the Far North. Extract from Edition 8 June/July 1996

INNISFAIL & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Innisfail & District Historical Society began in December 1983 when a meeting of interested persons was called by the Chairman of Johnstone Shire Council, Cr. Herb Layt. 17 people attended this first meeting and a steering committee was formed, consisting of: Cr. H. Layt, L. Callegari, S. Sawdy, M. Fallon, V. Fallon, J. Donelan, A. Taylor, M. White, R. Rangiah, J. Mitchell, C. Torre, A. Hutcheon, K. Hutcheon, D. Brooks, A.R. Clews, J. Bryce, P. Daniel and J. Molloy. The next meeting was not held until April 1984 and at that inaugural meeting the first real attempt to document Innisfail’s history came to fruition. The election of officers was as follows:- President, Peter Daniel; Vice President, Keith Hutcheon: Secretary Jean Matchett; Treasurer, Jim Bryce. Commit- tee members included Mena and Vince Fallon, Nancy Kurz, Marjorie Cairns, Peter Rowles, Elsie Collins, Herb Layt, Alistair Taylor, Jim Donelan, Lex Ferguson, Bill Hargreaves, Robert Basaglia, Yvonne Lean, Andrea Hutch- eon, Mick White, Corrie Torre and June Molloy. Of these original 21 people only Herb Layt, Elsie Collins and Corrie Torre are still members today. Lynn Callegari and Sharon Sawdy were originally on the first steering committee and are still members. The aims of the Society were to collect, collate, and preserve items of historical interest to the people of In- nisfail and District. To make every endeavour to encourage the community, to stimulate interest in the wealth of material in this area. To ascertain what remains of the past, its extent and wealth; keeping in mind its finite nature; preserving this for the enjoyment of our children and future generations. To attempt to document all areas of history, not excluding any group, race or creed. The major accomplishment for the Society was the Shire Council granting the upper floor of the Memorial School of Arts building for a museum and a keeping place for records pertaining to the history and heritage of the Shire. The museum was opened in 1990 and has grown beyond all expectations to a wonderful collection of memorabilia. Comments in our visitors book are very heartening for our members, knowing that our work in keeping the history of the Shire together, is being appreciated by our visitors. We have a wonderful collection of photographs with over 17oo now listed. PLEASE COME ALONG AND VISIT YOUR LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM. Contributed by Val Robertson, President. Extract from Edition 49 April/May 2003 Talkabout October / November 5

Mount Mulligan, 100 miles west of Cairns, is an current was directed to the north wall. By impressive natural landmark. The mountain is 18 nightfall 22 bodies had been removed. These miles long and 1,200 ft high, whose underlying men had apparently had some warning of the coal deposits supported a small mining town from explosions (there were two) for most were 1914 until 1958. found some distance from the work places in On Monday, 19th September 1921, at 9.25am, a the main dip, as though running for the mine massive coal dust explosion in the mine killed all entrance at the time they died. 75 men and boys who were working underground Two more were found on Wednesday when the and 181 pit ponies. The force of the explosion was much larger south section was ventilated, so massive; heavy black smoke rolled from the the searchers climbed to the top seam and mine’s two openings. The steel winding drums removed 13 dead (including 2 men who had (two tonnes in weight) which had worked the old already been thought to have been positively haulage system, had been blasted from their identified and had already been buried). timber framework above the mine entrance, and As the air improved in the south section late on lay 20 yards down the ropeway. A mound of Wednesday, 56 bodies had been removed. On stone, earth and broken timber blocked the mouth Friday the 74th man was taken out. of the mine, and it appeared that a massive As a result of bodies being wrongly identified collapse had occurred in the mine. The fan had and some had been buried in graves marked been ejected from its shattered concrete housing “unknown”, there was confusion as to the body and lay twisted among the trees, 45 yards in front count. The difference between the number of the ventilating tunnel. The whole area before killed and the number of bodies buried was the mine entrance had been coated with fine coal- explained as an error in recording of the bodies dust and grass was burning. The explosion was buried (75 bodies should have been brought heard in the surrounding districts of Mount Molloy, out). Silver Valley, Dimbulah, Mareeba, Herberton and At one place in the workings there was a heavy Irvinebank. smell of decomposition coming from an extensive fall of rock. A party of miners began to remove this fall but found only tools and a skip and a damp patch where one of the bodies had lain—the fall of rock occurred after the bodies had been removed. The evidence given at the inquest showed that 75 men entered the mine but only 74 bodies had been recovered. Because of this belief that a man had disappeared in the explosion, the story of “Morgan’s ghost” grew in the area (Edward Morgan was one of the miners killed in the explosion.) On 9th February 1922, three men were exploring rarely used passages in the south Steel winding drums blown 20 yards away. section and found the body of the 75th man. It was clear that he had survived the explosion’s The first runners met a dazed and coal-blackened first effects, to seek refuge in an air shaft, man stumbling down the ropeway from the where he died of suffocation. mine. He was George Morrison (the blacksmith It was frequently stated at the Royal and tool sharpener who occupied a small wooden Commission that the explosion source could not hut near the mine entrance). Near the back of the be identified or which direction the blast hut stood the junction box, which regulated travelled. At one place in the mine workings a electrical current to the coal-cutting machines, and wooden door had been blown one way and its Morrison had frequently complained of the flashes hinges in another. Elsewhere a dead horse lay and bangs from the fuses blowing in the facing the skip it had been pulling while its mysterious equipment beside him. He mumbled to collar and harness lay several yards away in the rescuers who bore him away “I told them that the opposite direction. bloody thing would blow up one day” Morrison had almost no recollection of the explosion when This is an extract from an article that appeared in questioned by the Royal Commissioners a Edition 69 Aug/Sep 2006. The article was written by fortnight later. The blacksmiths hut was a wreck. Gwen Jackson from a talk given to a Probus On Tuesday, the main dip was cleared, and the air meeting by Brian Elisavites. Talkabout October / November 6

The Early Days of Flying Fish Point Extract from article in Edition 77 Dec/Jan 2008

[Courtesy of the Flying Fish Point School Magazine and our own wonderful Historical Society and Museum] The first recorded landing by Europeans was by survivors from the ‘Brig Maria’ whose raft was beached in the area in late February 1872. A full exploration was organised under the command of G.E. Dalrymple who, on entering the mouth on Saturday 4th October 1873, named the river Johnstone after sub inspector Johnstone and Flying Fish Point after the ‘Flying Fish’, one of the cutters under his command. He also officially named Gladys Inlet, a name given to the estuary by Captain Moresby when passing the inlet earlier, and proceeding upstream named Coquette Point after his second cutter ‘Coquette’.

The first official settlement of Flying Fish Point commenced when Fitzgerald’s party landed from the ship ‘Corea’ on St George’s Day 23rd April 1880, although timber cutters were known to be in the area before this. The party obtained a lease of the Point to establish their settlement and this they succeeded in doing, although having problems with water supply for some time until roofs were erected to channel water into tanks. This problem with water was to plague the residents who followed this settlement for the next 90 years, until the Point was finally connected to the Innisfail supply. The selection of a shire councillor from Flying Fish Point in 1967 played a major role in obtaining this connection. Water was connected to the school on 3rd January1970. Fitzgerald’s party later moved to Innisfail Estate and the lease of the Point was rescinded by the Queensland government for Pilot purposes. The first Pilot was established in 1884 and was to remain there for over 80 years with the last staff member, Ron Braithwaite, vacating the site in November 1967. The Johnstone river mouth was first lighted in 1885 with fixed red and white lights at the pilot station, a white light on the Point and the opposite shore, and a green light on the southern extremity of the rocks at the Point. The river in those days was the lifeline for the district, and regularly used by (many) vessels .

For many years this was the only means of transporting sugar, produce and supplies to the Innisfail district. The last shipment to pass the Pilot station was on the Katoora on the 9th April 1960. Residents can recall the final tributes from these lighters as they passed the Pilot station with sirens blaring on their way to the sea. Some names that come to mind include Morgensen, Osterlund, Lindquist, Bishop, Oakes, Shearsmouth, Masrshall, Aspinall, Bergin, Bindon, ODonnell, Robinson and many more whose names are lost for the moment, but will be recalled as time goes by.

Flying Fish Point was the first beach and tourist area in the shire. It was the local holiday and weekend destination with visitors flocking to the beach in large numbers by launch. Worth’s launches ‘Wanderer’, ‘Olive and ‘Mandalay’ provided an excellent, safe and reliable service for many years. And trips on these boats are still well remembered by residents.

Ben Kelly opened a store on the beach, north of the present school, with another kiosk at the jetty conducted by Roy Sherrington and later by Mrs Twine, well known for her piano playing for social events.

Harry and Ruby Scheu established a holiday resort capable of accommodating 80 persons in beach huts and in rooms beneath the dance hall with eating facilities being available on the front veranda of their home. This was to become the popular hub of the Point with many residents returning year after year. One of the highlights was the Daradgee Picnic, when dozens of Daradgee residents would converge on Scheu’s place to celebrate in grand style to celebrate another successful harvest. It is a pity that these social events no longer grace the social calendar. Every possible use was made of the dance hall from birthdays to fancy dress balls socials and weddings. Sunday school and church services were conducted with each denomination having their own allotted times. After severe erosion in 1965 the hall was demolished and only the memories remain. Mr. and Mrs. Scheu were honoured for their contribution to Flying Fish Point when the area north of their property was named Scheu Park by the Johnstone shire. Another picnic spot to the north was named Worth Park in honour of the Worth family who became part of our history with their launches. Talkabout October / November 7

THE WARTIME HOSPITALS AT ROCKY CREEK (Kindly donated by Mrs Myra Jones) This huge medical base was Australia’s top priority from 1943 to 1945. It was the most forward advanced Hospital and Convalescent facility to or fighting lines. It had the most experienced medical specialists and doctors at the time, covering every area of medical treatment needed for casualties, both local and from the Pacific conflicts.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WARDS WHICH FORMED THE 2/2ND AND 2/6TH AUSTRALIAN

Main Operating Theatre Acute Surgical Physiotherapy Sick Sisters Surgical Isolation Sick Officers Skin Malaria Officers Isolation Dysentery Malaria Experimental Ear, Nose & Throat Ear, Nose & Throat Occupational Therapy Knee Psychology ARMY GENERAL HOSPITALS AT ROCKY CREEK.

Most of the wards listed above were canvas with dirt floor, however they varied between canvas tent/concrete floor, canvas tent/auxiliary gravel floor, hutted or timber wall/concrete floor and timber wall/timber floor.

Some wards had more than one of the same type, as patient numbers and medical conditions changed rapidly. E.P.I.P.Tents –this meant English Patient/Indian Pattern—when up to 6 large canvas tents are joined together lengthways to form a hospital ward, quick and portable. While both 2/2nd and 2/6th Australian General Hospitals at Rocky Creek were permanent for about 3 years, they were still classed as Mobile and able to be moved at short notice.

The Rocky Creek area was chosen for its ideal climate, access to water, road, rail, drainage and close to Mareeba’s Air Force. This medical base included 2/2nd Australian General Hospital, 1800 bed capacity, and the 2/6th Australian General Hospital, 1800 bed capacity, both working independently; the 2/1st Convalescent Depot and the 4th Australian Ambulance Train. Both hospitals had colourful histories before Rocky Creek.

The 2/2nd AGH returned to Australia on 4th July, 1942, after 2 years service at Katara in the Middle East, then relocated to Watten siding , near Hughenden, QLD. It was moved again after a cyclone and flood destroyed this site, arriving at Rocky Creek on 5the January, 1943. Here a temporary tented site was arranged, before moving to a much larger permanent layout, alongside the 2/6th AGH. The 2/2nd remained here for 2 years and 9 months, believing they would see overseas service, but they were denied that chance. The hospital was closed down on 30th September, 1945, and was all moved back to Victoria, nursing POWs for 6 months. The 2/2nd was disbanded, its career officially ended in April 1945.

The 2/6th AGH returned from 2 years bitter campaign in the Middle East, arriving back in Australia in February 1943. They relocated to Rocky Creek on 20th April, 1943. the 2/6th was kept busy, treating 28,000 patients in 18 months. It closed at Rocky Creek on 27th October, 1944, sailing to Labuan, Borneo where it established and treated Prisoners of War.

This article appeared in Edition 33 Aug/Sep 2000 and was submitted by Myra Jones (née Scheu) who was a serving member of the Innisfail Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service. The same edition carried an account of her personal experiences at Rocky Creek. A further article in Edition 79 Apr/May 2008 also described her role in the development of the Memorial Park

Memorial Plaques at Rocky Creek Memorial Park Talkabout October / November 8

Gwen Jackson has been Editor and motivator of the Talkabout since 1996. In that time she has interviewed and recorded the stories of countless local identities and pieced together articles of interest (including commentaries of her own national and international travels) This is an excerpt of Gwen’s Story that appeared in Edition 50 June/July 2003.

MY STORY by Gwen Jackson I was born in Sydney. My mother had me in a Catholic home and no one knew I was born until I was about three— she certainly worked hard without support. When I was about four she married a Russian migrant and they relocated to Mackay where I grew up. He worked in the sugar mills. In 1943 I was offered a teacher’s scholarship and went to training college in Brisbane. My first teaching position was in Mackay. I had a lot of Indonesian children who were in Mackay because of the war and they spoke very little English. My next school was at a little place near Millaa Millaa called Minbun. At Minbun I taught 35 children in five classes. The children rode to school on horseback, often after milking the cows. This was where I met Jim. He was on the neighbouring dairy farm (having just come back from the army). We married in 1946 and were married for 56 years. We had four children, Bob, Jeanne, Ruth and Sue. When Jim was working at Koombooloomba dam, Jeanne got polio and because of this we decided to go on a dairy farm. When Sue was 11 years old she lost a kidney. In 1969 I had a nervous breakdown and I vowed I’d never let myself get so depressed again. In 1970 the people of Millaa Millaa asked me to open a kindergarten. This was a wonderful experience and I had many rewards. I was honored to be made a life member, and the centre still operates as a children’s centre. We sold the farm in 1988 and left to live in Cairns. I obtained a position as receptionist for marriage counselling, now “Relationships Australia”. Because I found myself needing skills to answer some of the distressing calls we received I decided to do a Lifeline telephone counselling course. I was with Lifeline for over 15 years and had the honour of being placed on the honour board. In 1993 Jim had a nervous breakdown and as our family was shifting to Innisfail we decided to come too. I was lonely at first after leaving behind Lifeline but then I did an adult literacy (teaching) course at TAFE … and my grandchildren took me to Ten Pin Bowling; … and I decided to start a Mahjong group here. Then of course came the Talkabout. One of the members at the Community Support Centre rang and asked me if I would be interested in organizing it. This was a new challenge for me and I have enjoyed putting the magazine together. It now reaches out to a wide area of people and with the help of the volunteers at the Centre it is proving to be a popular magazine. I lost Jim, my husband, last year in July after a long illness. At this stage of my life, I now have 13 grandchildren and 14 great grand children, so I feel Jim and I have left a wonderful legacy behind us. A Lifeline lecturer once asked me off the cuff for a poem which would epitomize my life and I recited the following :- “ I expect to pass through this world but once; and any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show my fellow creatures, let me do it now; let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Taken from “My Trip to South Africa” by Gwen Jackson. Edition 64 Oct/Nov 2005 Talkabout October / November 9

Heavenly Volunteers Edition 4 October 1995 Many will be shocked to find When the day of judgement nears That there’s a special place in Heaven Set aside for volunteers. Furnished with big recliners, Satin couches and footstools, Where there’s no committee chairman No group leaders or car pools, No eager team that needs a coach, No bazaar and no bake sale, There will be nothing to staple, Not one thing to fold or mail, Telephone lists will be outlawed. But a finger snap will bring Cool drinks and gourmet dinners, And rare treats fit for a king. You’ll ask who’ll serve these privileged few And work for all they’re worth? Why all those who reaped the benefits, and NOT ONCE volunteered on earth. Edition 83 Dec08/Jan09

Below is a photo collage of some of the Support Centre Volunteers who have been profiled in Talkabout.

Bill Briscoe Edition 74 June/July 07

Andrea Walduck Edition 37 Apr/May 2001 Bernadette Larsen Edition 40 Mary Santangelo Oct/Nov 2001 Edition 37 Apr/May 2001

(Grace) Orazia D’Agata Peter Cook Edition 38 Editon 39 June/July 2001 Aug/Sept 2001 Talkabout October / November 10 Extract from Edition 29 Dec1999/Jan 2000 Talkabout October / November 11 Talkabout October / November 12

Below is an excerpt of the story of Bruce Dade which Loss of an IconLoss Icon was printed in Edition 18, Feb/March 1998. Bruce I’m in mourning because I lost a friend recently and contributed another story about the Townsville Bulk I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. Sugar Terminal Fire for Edition 65, Dec05/Jan06.

I used to see him every day whatever the weather. A FIREMAN’S STORY Not even Winifred in 1986 nor Larry in 2006 could Bruce Dade was born in Toowoomba in 1929. force him from his post. At the age of 3 years he got Polio or Infantile He kept watch over my house and watched my three Paralysis which left him badly crippled in the sons grow up. left leg. In 1939 Bruce’s Mother died leaving his Dad to rear four young children. Oh, if only he could talk! What stories he could tell! When he travelled to Townsville in 1945 Bruce He’d be able to tell how the hardworking ‘Gentlemen got a job on the sugar lighters and from there on of the Blade’ i.e. canecutters who came from all to Goondi where he signed on for the crushing corners of the globe, would sweat in the tropical sun season as Points Boy and Fireman on the locos. and helped carve the cane industry upon which Innisfail In 1951 Bruce met his future wife, Elva, and took a job at the Brickworks at Southport until was founded. 1952 when they were married and he joined the He could also tell how the locos carrying the cane to Fire Brigade. the mill would sometimes come to grief right next to Bruce loved Brigade life, working 56 hours a him. week with never a dull moment. Some of the highlights of those times included I knew him for nearly 40 years but he was there rescuing a nude woman from the National Hotel long before that. and the rescue of a man from the Story Bridge He came there when the locos were steam-driven and for which the Police received the George Medal. he was very important as he provided the essential Fire Brigade Officers were not allowed to receive medals because it was their duty to water they needed. rescue people. When diesel replaced the steam locos he was no In this time Bruce was badly burned at a fire at longer needed and so he just stood there. Petrie Paper Mills which burnt for weeks. Being out in the weather his legs were getting tired Another sad memory is of a tragic fire when three officers were burnt to death at Wynnum so it was that he was finally put to rest. Picture Theatre. It happened so quickly; I went shopping and when I When Bruce was appointed Chief Officer at came home he was gone, reduced to a pile of rubble. Proserpine, the family car, a 1949 Prefect Sedan You see folks, my friend was the water tank that carried Bruce and Elva, 4 children, a dog, 2 suitcases and a 5 gallon drum of petrol to their stood on Daru Creek at Moresby. new home at Calen. They loved Proserpine and Yes, another bit of history bites the dust. That’s while there Bruce attended the biggest fire in progress. I guess. Australia at the Bulk Sugar Terminal. At least he’s immortalised in photographs and there’s After 18 months Bruce took up a position as even a painting. Deputy Chief Officer at Innisfail where after 8 months of hard work and patience getting the Slavka Galea Brigade and Station up to a high standard, Bruce Edition 82 Oct/Nov 2008 was appointed Chief Officer. (A brief move) to the Sunshine Coast Brigade was not a happy one, so the next move was back home to Innisfail as Station Officer, which position Bruce held until 1974 when promoted to DCO, where Bruce remained until retirement in 1989. After 38 years service in 5 different Brigades in Queensland Bruce retired a happy man and the staff sent him off in fine style. Talkabout October / November 13 LIFESTORY OF MERLE WINTERS TED BOSWORTH I was born in Cairns in 1923. I was reared in Jaggan; a Awarded the Military Medal small dairying hamlet (near) Malanda and the only A story of determination & courage trauma was the riding whip Dad used when needed. (Excerpt from Edition 37, April/May 2001) Well I grew up and found a job in Malanda at a general I was born in Ayr in 1921 into a family of eight. store. We did not have the lovely staffrooms of today When I left school I worked on a dairy farm. While We had our morning tea sitting on bags of spuds. My working there, I had an accident when the horse first pay was 19/6 and I waited a whole year till that went bolted while on a delivery and I sustained 2 broken up to 1 pound 3 shillings and 9 pence( approx $2.68). wrists and multiple rib injuries. After leaving that I spent about four years at that shop then I married dairy farm I did some horse breaking on cane farms Arnold Galloway. One day Arnold came home from and worked for the Main Roads surveying around work about 3pm to say we had been transferred to Cardwell range. In 1942 I was called up (for the Murgon. How sad, our first break from home. Next army) and I was rejected, so after this I was man- move was to Biloela. From there to Lutwyche, then to powered to break in horses for the pack teams for the Gladstone. Lastly to Innisfail. American Army. We were at Rocky Creek in July One day Arnold said to me “ You know Mum we are too 1942. happy, something is going to bust”, and bust it did. He In January 1943 I had a slight falling out with the caught a huge dose of tetanus. He was at golf one American Army and I was taken into Townsville to Saturday and the following Saturday he was buried. the Army recruiting depot, where a Captain in the That was 1961. I was left with three kids. Les was 17, Australian Army to get me out of trouble put me on Ken 14 and Jan 8. I was 38. Arnold had been working the troop train to Brisbane. I went to Redbank where for Harris Bros for 3 1/2 years. The government gave I was medically accepted for the Army. I was posted me 11 1/2 pounds($23) a fortnight. That was for Ken to 2nd 1st Battalion at Wondecla and stayed there till and Jan. Widows under 60 got nothing. I did some November 1944. babysitting, ironing and worked at Rockmans Saturday We then sailed for Aitape New Guinea and I was in morning, we got by. the Aitape-Wewak campaign until the end of the war. Two years later I remarried. I became Mrs. Bernie Next step was Rabaul looking after Japanese Winters. From that marriage came Laurence … he was prisoners… (Later) I was posted to Cape River killed just before he turned 21. He was in the Air Force meatworks in Pentland that was owned by the Army at Richmond. I had lost a husband, a son-in-law at 20 (until) September 1946 when I was discharged from years from drowning, but the loss of blood of my blood the Army. was a good kick in the guts I can tell you. Fortunately I I went back to Ayr, did farm work and was married in had a strong faith in the Big Fellow up above. Bernie 1948. Gwen and I had 5 children. believed but did not have such a strong faith and he In August 1950 I was asked to go back into the Army found it very hard to accept. He said the sun went down as a Sergeant. While the paper work was being done that day. the Korean War broke out and I went to Korea in K Later on Bernie became very ill. I was his carer for force as a private. I was in Korea from November about 3 years. Being a carer is not the nicest of jobs 1950 until wounded in October 1951. The two main because you have to stand by and not be able to do battles in Korea were Kapyong and Maryansan. anything to relieve their burden. He died from a During the battle of Maryansan I was awarded the massive stroke on the 28th July 1993. Military Medal which I was never officially notified Three years later I found a friend; no wedding bells of. The first I knew about it was in November 1953, because at 76 I am not that starry eyed girl of 60 years a reporter from the Bundaberg News and Brisbane before. I had a pacemaker inserted in 1996 and I've Truth came out to interview me. often spruiked that there isn't anything good about old As I was seriously injured I was discharged from the age but I have to detract from that since joining Probus Army in May 1952. Club. I truly value the friends and comradeship and very We shifted to Guthulungra and I worked on the much enjoy the meetings and trips. railway. In 1958 … we shifted to Mourilyan. In 1960 Merle Winters (Excerpt from Edition 30, Feb/Mar 2000) I was asked to join the Commonwealth Military Forces(CMF). In 1966 I tried to go to Vietnam but Allan West was declared medically unfit so I was asked to go for was profiled in Edition 58, full time duties in the CMF to allow the Warrant Oct/Nov 2004 Officer in Innisfail to go in the training team. I Allan, having been a stayed on full time duties until July 1971. In March member of Tully RSL, 1973 I was awarded the Efficiency Medal for 13 transferred to the Innisfail years service with the CMF. RSL in 1999 and in February 2001 was elected President His devotion to commemorations such as ANZAC Day and of the Innisfail Sub Branch. Vietnam Veterans Day is well known to the community. In August 2001 he was Apart from his role in creating the ANZAC Remembrance elected President of the RSL Grove at Warrina Botanical Gardens, his passion for the Memorial Club and since the Innisfail community is to achieve the creation of a amalgamation of both in Memorial Cenotaph on Fitzgerald Esplanade opposite the July, 2003 has been the RSL befitting his adopted town of Innisfail. It is with this President of the Innisfail aim that he hopes to successfully fulfil what has been a five RSL. year crusade. Talkabout October / November 14

Excerpt from Edition 26 June/July 1999 In the sugar town of Innisfail … is a small gem of a shop which defies the modern trend of everything on display and serve yourself. Here in Mellick’s Drapery, Thelma Mellick carries on the business started by her father in 1902. Born in Bterram in Lebanon, the eldest of 10 children, Abra- ham Selim Mellick came to Australia in 1900 as a lad of 16. He joined an uncle in Sydney who had a wholesale business and was sent out hawking … his travels taking him by boat up to Geraldton (renamed Innisfail in 1910). … he decided to start a small fancy goods shop in Innisfail. Thelma recalls her father describing his arrival in the town “..there were fireworks and crackers and a gathering of locals. My father was im- pressed with the warm welcome, but it turned out that Mr. See Poy, the owner of a large emporium in town was celebrating in Chinese style the birth of his first son.” Abraham began by leasing a shop in one of the ho- tels ...gradually he saved enough to purchase land in Rankin St and built the first large, reinforced cement building in the town which was completed in 1907. With foresight he included a basement, which, in the devastating cyclone of 1918, sheltered 200 people. Mellick’s Emporium, which had now taken on Abraham’s brother Habib as well, was at this time considered to be the finest in the far north. In 1924 Abraham returned to Lebanon and married for the second time. His wife Leinda, Thelma’s mother was 19 when she arrived in Australia. Abraham Selim was justly proud of his family and they loved and revered him. He lived to a great age and although blind for the last years of his life, he paid no attention to the disabil- ity, and continued to influence the life of the town, his mind as sharp as a tack. The year 2002 will be the centenary of Mellick’s Drapery. When asked if she will retire on reaching this milestone, Thelma smiles and says, “I’ll think about it when I’ve got that far.”

(Edition 27 Aug/Sep 1999) Talkabout October / November 15 Say Xiong (excerpt from Edition 42, Feb/March 2002, written by Lyndal Scobel) At 20, Say Xiong lived in Nam Yao refugee camp in Nan Province in North-East Thailand. His cultural heritage is Hmong, a people who have known persecution for thousands of years in Asia, until they found some peace living in the mountain country of Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. However following the Vietnam war, the Hmong were persecuted by the Laotian government on accusations of helping the American CIA to block Ho Chi Minh tails. They suffered atrocities and fled Laos to refugee camps in Thailand. Say passed his teenage years as a refugee in the Nam Yao camp. His family home was a 6x4m space amidst thousands of families enduring a similar lack of space, privacy and food. In 1982, Say arrived in Sydney, Australia where he worked for the next eight years. He arrived in Innisfail with his family in 1990, to buy a banana farm and market garden. These days you’ll find Say volunteering in the community. After approaching the Community Support Centre, Say began to help with translation of the Hmong language and keeping statistics. He volunteered at the centre for three days a week until 1995 when he began TAFE, achieving a Cert III in Office Administration. During this time Say began volunteering at TAFE, helping with English studies for both teachers and students… Say became a constant source of information for government officials and service providers. He continued to provide translation of the Hmong language and has since become NATI (National Accredited Translators and Interpreters) recognized. Most recently Say has been part of the Local Area Multicultural Partnership (LAMP) program Community Relations reference group for the Johnstone Shire. Here, Say is able to build links between the Hmong community, service providers, Council, police and the community. Say epitomizes the essence of Australian culture, trying to provide a fair go for all.

Man Cannot Discover New Oceans Until He Has The Story of Lucy Sullivan Reporter—Gwen Jackson Courage to Lose Sight of the Shore This excerpt is from a profile on Bob Conroy, written by Mahala Strofeldt “Lucy” -from the Latin meaning “light bringer” that appeared in Edition 40, Dec 01/Jan2002. I feel this is a truly apt description of Lucy who Bob Conroy was 22 years old when he packed his bags and was born in Cairns in 1917. Lucy was one of five set off from his native homeland of New Zealand seeking children and her father was in the railway and excitement and adventures abroad. It was 1973 and the war had already started when he arrived in Israel, … as the only moved around a lot. In 1927 they transferred to non-Jewish person to enter the Kibbutz that was near the Innisfail. (Later) they were transferred to Mareeba Lebanese border. and for a while (Lucy) was an unpaid teachers (After nine months Bob) arrived on English shores where he aide. After this Lucy was offered a job grading based his travels throughout Europe and discovered diversities tobacco. There were 90 women doing piece work, that exist only when venturing outside the scope of your … they were paid 1 3/4 farthings per pound. They existence. went on to Dimbulah where they received 2 By 1978 he had arrived on Australian shores… by 1983 he shillings to string tobacco. had established himself in Innisfail and begun to develop his Eventually Lucy came to work in Innisfail at community approach that has seen him easily accepted into Grand Central. It was here Lucy met her husband our local area. and had two children. She began working at the Bob has always known that he would one day become a Innisfail hospital where she worked for 18 ½ years, policeman. … and it is what he has been doing in many roles, first in the laundry and then as a cook. states and countries. Lucy retired at the age of 65 and then she joined He is now District Community the Laurel Club and has Policing Coordinator … and been Secretary for 15 manager of Innisfail Police years, and in July this Citizens Youth Club (PCYC). wonderful lady will turn In March this year, Bob 90 years old. So we wish travelled to central Java, to a her all the best after all her village of 400 people who had requested help with their water years of hard work! supply. Bob has set about (Excerpt from Edition 73, raising the much needed funds. April/May 2007 Talkabout October / November 16

Maurice Jarrott’s Story (Edition 75 Aug/Sept 2007) In 1965 Maurie came north to South Johnstone to work for Toft harvesters. He was working for Bellini and was getting one pound a ton. Col Anderson had a blacksmith’s shop and Maurie was able to use this to become a mechanic working on harvesters. In 1975 he was sent by Toft to Ecudaor (to work on harvesters). He was at Malagro near the Peruvian Border. When he left there he flew on to Panama City … In 1980 he and nine others were sent to Lagos in Nigeria. They were there for about three months. Whenever they burnt the cane they started the fire about 2pm in the afternoon and because the people were very poor they gathered on the outskirts of the fire to catch any animals who escaped, as food was scarce. When he came back, Toft sold out to Ireland Farming. When their shed was destroyed by Cyclone Winifred, they built a new one and Maurie had the use of a new air conditioned hydraulic room to work in until he retired.

GRACE KELLY’S story (recounted by Nathan SANTO LAGANA’S story appeared in Edition Morrison) appeared in Edition 62 June/July 2005 and 63 Aug/Sept 2005 and included the impact of the war included her experiences of evacuating North Qld to years on his family: escape the threat of the war in the Pacific: I was born in 1927 and grew up on the family “Without notice the principal rang the bell. We farm, 1km south of Moresby. The house was all knew that it was an Air Raid Drill. We situated on top of a hill with 360° visibility grabbed our earplugs and mouth guards and ran overlooking the coastal plain, just short of down to the corner of the school ground. We seeing the ocean but you can see the tops of the hid in trenches near the outside toilets dug in islands at sea and the rear of the shire hall and zigzag formation. Needless to say, when the the water tower on Mourilyan Hill. Truly a whistle blew we left to go back to class very magnificent view! quickly to get away from the smelly, dirty I had just passed scholarship exam when war trenches and toilets.” These are the vivid broke out. It had been my parent’s plan that I images recalled by Grace, at the age of fourteen, should study medicine and Albert (brother) in her final year at Goondi Primary School, become a chemist, the grand plan being that I Innisfail. would write out the scripts for Albert to … In 1942 the Innisfail Police canvassed all dispense, but the war changed all that and I homes in the district suggesting that any family became the farmer and Albert the pharmacist. with teenagers should evacuate to a safer area, With the outbreak of war, turmoil struck our as the threat of the Japanese was hastily family. Under the then government’s misguided approaching. policy, my father was interned as an enemy “With such short notice we were only able to alien, in spite of the fact that he was a take essential clothing with us,” Grace recalls. naturalized Australian citizen who had reneged She was forced to depart Innisfail with her his country of birth and sworn allegiance to king mother, younger sister Doris, and younger and country. Thus at the tender age of 14 years I brother Les, on designated trains with seating became the man of the house with a mother and accommodation only. Their destination was to younger brother to look after. They were be a small dairying district 80 km outside of frightening and challenging years because on Gayndah. Her sister Edna, three years older top of all this there was a farm of 52 acres to than Grace enlisted for the Woman’s Australian worry about. I left school to take on my new Navy, while her father and elder brother, Eric obligations … and I can recall with pride that remained in Townsville helping to build the air the first crop I planted was 5 acres of Badilla base with their tractor, which had been cane that cut 33 tons per acre. commandeered by the Government. Talkabout October / November 17

Here are a few Local people who have been profiled in more recent editions of the Talkabout. The full articles can be found under the Newsletter tag on our website. www.csci.org.au

The Storyteller - Annie Wonga The Personality by Georgina Ambrum behind the Portrait Edition 92 Jun/Jul 2010 “In our custom there is always a storyteller who Ruth Lipscombe addresses the family members by their totem names. The storyteller is usually a The winning picture at the woman, and passes on the most recent Innisfail Art ancestral creation stories; Society Biennale was a and stories of instruction to portrait painted by local artist, help the younger family Jacque Duffy, and the subject members survive. was local identity, Ruth In our family, the storytel- Lipscombe. But who is Ruth ling was passed down to my Lipscombe and why did this portrait prompt so Auntie Nellie and then many people to contact the artist with praise for passed on to me. My broth- her choice of subject? Many of you might ers Fred, Jack and Jimmy, recognize the name from letters to the Editor in the and my sister Nancy and I, Innisfail Advocate but know little about this have not had any children of person who obviously cares so deeply about our our own, so for those interested in our stories, I hand region…………… over the role to all of you, so that you may have an unbroken connection to our family and the land as you go forward in life and add your own stories...” Helen - the “Zumba Lady” Zumba has been a life changing experience for June Sue Yek me. My previous jobs (A seven year old migrant’s story) over the last 12 years I was 7 years old and sailed with my mother on the have been management last ship that sailed out of Hong Kong harbour, fleeing from the imminent Japanese invasion of roles working for Hong Kong….. My heart goes out to all the people Centrelink. I wanted to who want to come to our country, because I know change to a more how good it is to be living in Australia. I am proud and happy I have physically active job and been naturalized, Zumba gave me the and to be an Aussie. perfect opportunity to I am very thankful do so.

that I was allowed to be a legal immigrant. I love the energy and fun of Zumba. E d i t i o n 9 6 Feb/Mar 2011 Edition 93 Aug/Sep 2010

Me, Asperger’s and NQRDA By Danyele T. Foster There is nothing more profound and satisfying than riding, and attempting to communicate effectively with a horse. Upon the ground, and within society’s confines, I am socially awkward and of low status, but upon a horse I feel like I am near freedom. Horses calm me, for they are non predators, and horse riding has given me both enjoyment and a sense of purpose Edition 94 Oct/Nov 2010 Talkabout October / November 18

Slices to Delight

Caramel Walnut slice (24) Combine 1 cup SR flour (sifted), 1 cup desiccated coconut, 2 cups brown sugar in a large bowl and mix in 125g melted butter. Press mixture evenly into a greased and lined 20 x 30cm slice pan. Bake 10 mins at 180°C. Combine 395g can sweetened condensed milk, 2 tbsp golden syrup and 25g butter in small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring 1-2 mins untill smooth. Pour evenly over cooked base and bake for further 10 -12 mins until golden and bubbling. While hot, press 1 cup chopped walnuts into topping. Cool, cut into slices and sprinkle with icing sugar. Store in airtight container.

Lemon Delicious slice Grease and line 18 x 28 cm slice pan and line with baking paper extending 5cm above sides. Beat 225g unsalted butter (room temp) with ½ cup caster sugar until fluffy. Add 2 cups plain flour, stir well, press into tin, refrigerate for 15 mins then bake at 180°C for 15 mins and cool completely. Whisk 6 eggs, 2½ cups caster sugar, 2tbsp finely grated lemon rind, 1 cup fresh lemon juice in a medium bowl. Add ½ cup SR flour and pour over base. Cook in moderately slow oven (160°C) for 50 -55 mins until set and lightly browned. Cool completely in pan and cut into lengths. Serve dusted with icing sugar.

No-bake chocolate slice (24) Line 20 x 30 cm slice pan with baking paper extending 2 cm above edge. Heat together 1¾ cups crunchy peanut butter and 150g chopped butter and stir till smooth. Combine 250g chocolate wafers (finely crushed), 1½ cups rolled oats, 1¼ cups caster sugar in large bowl and pour in butter mixture. Mix well and press firmly into tin, smooth surface, cover and chill for 30 mins. Melt 300g dark chocolate and pour over slice. Chill for 15 mins. Heat ¼ cup smooth peanut butter till melted and drizzle over slice. Do the same with 50g melted milk chocolate. Chill for 15 mins then sit at room temperature for 10 mins before cutting into squares. Store in airtight container in fridge.

Apricot cheesecake slice Prepare pan as above. Combine 400g broken biscuits (e.g. Digestive, Coffee or Nice) and ¾ cup caster sugar in food processor and process to fine crumbs. Mix together with 125g melted butter and press firmly into pan. Bake at 180°C for 15 mins and allow to