NEWSLETTER OF THE CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH THE Leichhardt Centre Taroom July 2013 In 1844 Ludwig Leichhardt travelled through what is now the Taroom District on his epic expedition of discovery from the Darling Downs to the tip of the Cobourg Peninsula. During his time in this district he named a number of natural features which form part PHONE of the many tourist attractions to this area. +61 (0)7 4628 6113 He also ‘blazed’ (marked) a Coolibah tree EMAIL [email protected] that stands in Yaldwyn Street – today the FA X main street of Taroom. +61 (0)7 4628 6007 POST The people of Taroom and its TDDA (Leichhardt) region are fiercely proud of PO Box 374 TAROOM Q 4420 this tree as well as the many Taroom District Development natural wonders, such as Association Inc. ABN 67 581 366 518 Expedition National Park, Lake Murphy, the Ruined Above: Leichhardt’s tree today on Castle and the Amphitheatre, Taroom’s Yaldwyn Street and, left, as seen in 1914 – 70 and 199 years named by Leichhardt. He after he blazed it. (Photos courtesy also named the Dawson River Vaughn Becker and State Library of Queensland) and Taroom township stands adjacent to this great river. These consultations were Project background extremely well supported by the community. A more recent In the amalgamation of many survey, which was also very well subscribed, PHONE Queensland Local Government Areas in +61 (0)7 4992 9500 overwhelmingly showed 92% of respond- the mid-2000s, division 1 of the-then Taroom FA X ents supporting the project, and as their first +61 (0)7 4992 3493 Shire Council became part of the larger preference of the seven projects listed in the EMAIL Banana Shire Council, based in Biloela, [email protected] survey. 200km up the Leichhardt Highway to the Shire Council Chambers The TDDA received a grant under the 62 Valentine Plains Road northeast. Biloela Q 4715 Blueprint for the Bush Program to have This left under-utilised the substantial brick Administration Office concept plans developed for the building’s building which was formerly the Taroom Yaldwyn Street reconfiguration and commissioned architect TAROOM Q 4420 Shire Council Chambers on Yaldwyn Street. Brian Hooper of Yeppoon. The plans allow Administration Office Gillespie Street A local progress and promotion group – for the building to be completely renovated Moura Q 4718 the Taroom District Development Association inside, providing both for the Leichhardt (TDDA) – proposed renovating the former Centre and ongoing use as a local service PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE LEICHHARDT CENTRE chambers as a Centre to honour the centre for the Banana Shire Council. CAMPAIGN achievements of the vanished Prussian With Mr Hooper’s permission, the plans explorer. Many in the local and regional have been distributed throughout the community believe that Leichhardt has not Taroom community, as well as to various been fully and respectfully recognised for his organisations, and to members of state and skills and accomplishments, especially along federal parliament. Both plans and proposal the route from Jimbour to Port Essington. have been very well received but, it must be With Banana Shire Council’s consent, noted they are concepts only at this stage the TDDA embarked on a series of public and may or may not reflect the ultimate meetings promoting the Leichhardt Centre. renovation. THE Leichhardt Centre Taroom What’s needed The Taroom community, indeed the entire Banana Shire, cannot bring this project to fruition without financial assistance to match the widespread popular interest and support. PHONE Approaches have been made to a number +61 (0)7 4628 6113 of the resources (coal, gas) developers in EMAIL the region, but economic uncertainties in this Above and below: the present building, and potential [email protected] sector are hindering our efforts. Leichhardt Centre in Taroom. (Photo courtesy Vaughn FA X Becker; drawings courtesy Brian Hooper and Copyright +61 (0)7 4628 6007 Even successful applications to the federal © 2013 TDDA and Brian Hooper) POST TDDA (Leichhardt) government’s regional development funding PO Box 374 programs would be unlikely to meet the TAROOM Q 4420 estimated $3million total cost of the Taroom District Development Association Inc. project. Partnerships, particularly those ABN 67 581 366 518 fostering tourism, educational and scientific links in this bicentenary of Leichhardt’s birth, are likely to prove fruitful. It should not be overlooked that the actual building is one part of the project: to fulfil its charter, artefacts, memorabilia, displays and tributes to Ludwig Leichhardt will be needed. Discussions with museums, government (Australian and German), and various PHONE Leichhardt interest groups have begun, to +61 (0)7 4992 9500 ascertain what is available and what may be FA X +61 (0)7 4992 3493 obtained or loaned to display. EMAIL [email protected] Taroom and its surrounding district has Shire Council Chambers many links to Leichhardt and would be a 62 Valentine Plains Road most fitting location to house a tribute to one Biloela Q 4715 of the most remarkable men to ever travel Administration Office Yaldwyn Street throughout this great land. TAROOM Q 4420 Although he remains ‘out there, somewhere’ Administration Office Gillespie Street it is curious that, while Leichhardt’s name Moura Q 4718 has been given to everything from caravan parks to highways, from rivers to electorates, there is as yet no physical centre in the great state of Queensland to honour his memory and his achievements, and which people from around the state, the country, and the world, can visit. What better location than one block up the road from the tree Leichhardt blazed, above the banks of the river he named?.