CLOSE to 1000 people journeyed to the Heritage Tea Rooms on Hervey Range on September 11-13 to take part in the 150th birthday celebrations of the Eureka Hotel’s construction.
The hotel which has a rich history spanning back to 1865 provided a haven for tired travellers while they journeyed across the gruelling track linking the North West to Townsville.
Organising committee member and Heritage Tea Rooms proprietor Desley Ralph said the ‘Back to Hervey Range – Celebrating 150 years’ festivities provided a perfect opportunity for friends and family to catch up.
“Some of the people who attended hadn’t seen each other since they worked in the area which in some cases was over 50 years ago, it goes without saying they had a lot to talk about,” Desley said.
For more images from the celebrations click on the image below.
A raft of activities and functions were held over the course of the event with live entertainment able to be heard at all times. Food and drinks stalls were also operating with funds raised going to Relay for Life (Burdekin) and the Hervey Range Rural Fire Brigade.
“All the special events had solid support; we had close to 50 people attend the Meet and Greet held on Friday night at the Hervey Range Community Association Hall which proved to be a great way to commence the celebrations as it provided guests a relaxed way to reconnect with others,” Desley said.
“The following night about 80 guests came to the Corned Beef and Damper Dinner that was held on-site. A highlight of the night was former Eureka Hotel resident Estelle Moody cutting the birthday cake during the dinner while several other former occupants of the hotel watched on,” she said.
Information displays were put together by community members chronicling the history of Hervey Range including agriculture in the area; the aboriginal caves and the construction of the Greenvale Railway line.
“We also put together an audio visual presentation of the history of the Tea Rooms (formerly Eureka Hotel) property itself which was of great interest to many.
The Thuringowa and District Country Music Group played all day on Saturday much to the crowds admiration and delight; the Townville Bush Poetry Mates Inc had visitors enthralled as they recited their verse during the Drover’s Breakfast on Sunday; and Members from the North Queensland Historical Re-enactment Society proved to be a big draw for the crowd as they recreated military life in the Kennedy Regiment circa 1886 in full period military attire.
Desley said she couldn’t have been happier about how the celebrations over the three days unfolded and hopes to turn it into an annual event.