A SIGNIFICANT chapter in North Queensland’s storied past will be reminisced over from September 11-13 as the former Eureka Hotel (now Heritage Tea Rooms) celebrates 150 years since its construction.
The Eureka Hotel situated on Hervey Range in Thornton’s Gap along the old Georgetown track was established in 1865, providing tired travellers a place to hang their hats while they travelled the gruelling track linking the North West to the budding city of Townsville.
The property has been restored and for the last 10 years has operated as the Heritage Tea Rooms, which is open daily from 9am to 4pm and has catered for many weddings and other special occasions over the decade.
Current owner Desley Ralph said she’s hoping the anniversary celebration will bring together many families and relatives of former Hervey Range residents, those who worked on the Greenvale Railway Line and the new Hervey Range road in the 1970s and those with links to the pioneering drovers.
“While we can’t put a finger on numbers expected just yet, I can say we’ve had a big response on our facebook page and from earlier newspaper articles,” Desley said.
“The planning process has been very interesting and rewarding as we continue to unearth new information and stories about the Hervey Range area,” she said.
“We have been able to contact many of the people involved with the Hervey Range Rodeo and Camp drafts which were held between 1965 and 1980.
“Through these contacts we’ve been able to obtain a treasure trove of photos and information from the period.”
Members of the community have gathered information and will have pictorial displays on topics including agriculture; the aboriginal caves and the construction of the Greenvale Railway line.
“We have also compiled an audio visual presentation of the history of the Tea Rooms (formerly Eureka Hotel) property itself.
Desley said the committee has also received great interest from the local car; restored motorcycle and machinery preservationists clubs.
“The North Queensland Historical Re-enactment Society are very keen to join in the celebrations and will have a display and conduct drills over the weekend recreating military life in the Kennedy Regiment circa 1886.
“We are also very fortunate to have a local resident who will present an original Punch & Judy Puppet show, and of course we couldn’t go without a Teddy Bears Picnic and free face painting for the children.
Live entertainment from the local Country Music Association members, folk singers and bush poets will be heard all weekend; and food and drinks stalls will be operating with funds raised going to Relay for Life (Burdekin) and the Hervey Range Rural Fire Brigade.
The three-day celebration will include special events including a “Meet and Greet” which will be held at the Hervey Range Community Association Hall on Friday, September 11 from 6pm for residents and workers from past and present, new and old, to catch up and reconnect.
Other special events include a “Corned Beef and Damper Dinner” being held on Saturday, September 12, from 6.30pm; and on Sunday, September 13 from 8am to 10am a “Drover’s Breakfast with Bush Poets” will take place.
Bookings for these three events are required.
For inquiries and bookings for the ‘Back to Hervey Range – Celebrating 150 years’ anniversary celebrations please contact the Hervey Range Heritage Tea Rooms on (07) 4778 0199 or by emailing scones@heritagetearooms.com.au
