A SLICE of North Queensland history will be celebrated from September 11-13 this year marking the 150th anniversary since the construction of the Eureka Hotel.
The Eureka Hotel situated on the 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 between the gruelling track linking the North West to the North.
For the last 10 years the property has been restored and operates 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 and/or those that worked on the Greenvale Railway Line and the new Hervey Range road in the 1970s.
“It’ll be a great occasion for people who formerly lived, worked or are interested in the history of Hervey Range to get together swap stories, share photographs and hopefully even bring along some memorabilia that holds historical significance in the region,” Desley said.
Desley and fellow organising committee member Graham McGregor are in the midst of putting together the three day itinerary of events for the celebration which will be thematically linked to milestone moments in the region’s history.
“To kick off the anniversary ‘s proceedings we’ll be holding a meet and greet at the Hervey Range Community Association Hall on Friday, September 11, for residents and workers from past and present, new and old, to catch up and reconnect,” Graham said.
“All other activities will be hosted at the Heritage Tea Rooms and will include historical displays; market stalls; live entertainment; restored machinery and cars on display and a corned beef and damper celebration dinner on the Saturday night followed by a drovers breakfast the following morning,” Desley said.
“We’ll also be holding a rodeo round up as throughout the 1960s and 1970s the Hervey Range rodeo and campdraft was a very popular event on the social calendar.”
If you have a connection personally or are a descendant of someone with ties to the many significant moments and events in regions storied past you can find out more about the ‘Back to Hervey Range – Celebrating 150 years’ anniversary celebrations by contacting the Hervey Range Heritage Tea Rooms on (07) 4778 0199 or by emailing scones@heritagetearooms.com.au