The Mount Morgan Argus, Volume 16 Issue 9

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 9

WWW.MOUNTMORGAN.ORG.AU

26 MAY - 9 JUNE 2021

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY MOUNT MORGAN PROMOTION & DEVELOPMENT INC. ABN 21 391 526 801 | 1 RAILWAY PDE, MOUNT MORGAN, Q 4714, AUSTRALIA.

Birthday celebrations...Page 2

New Owners...Page 6

Heritage Update...Page 10

AUSTIN 7’S VISIT MOUNT MORGAN

Water security still on agenda Rockhampton Regional Council have been taking steps to progress the long term water security of Mount Morgan since last month’s public meeting.

Rockhampton Region Mayor, Tony Williams, said Council was working hard to get things done.

“One of the key commitments we made was to progress a study to look at the feasibility of the options for the long term water security of Mount Morgan.

“Our officers have been compiling a report and this will be taken to the next full Council meeting so that we can get a formal resolution and lock in the next steps to looking at the affordability and sustainability of the different options available.

“We have also spoken with the State Water Minister to update him on what was discussed at the meeting and what residents are experiencing, and we have put in a formal submission for the State Government to fund the water tankers, as they did with Stanthorpe.

“I have said it before and I will say

it again: Rockhampton Regional Council is committed to finding a sustainable long term solution to the water security issues in Mount Morgan, and we will not let the community go without water in the meantime.”

Water and Environmental Sustainability Councillor, Donna Kirkland, said tanker deliveries had been ramped up to full capacity.

“At the time of the public meeting we were sending up around 9 tankers a day. We ramped that up to around 20 and that’s been going for a few weeks now.

“We are hearing great feedback from residents about the taste and odour issues disappearing which is fantastic. We have not been taking any water from the dam for a few weeks, so all the water coming out of your taps is from the Gracemere reservoir.

“We want to thank the community for all their hard work, and I truly believe that if we keep communicating we can get to a long term solution together.”

MANE STREET HAIR SALON TURNS FOUR

Divisional Councillor Cherie Rutherford said Council was sharing lots of information to ensure the community was kept informed.

“We filmed the presentation at the meeting and that, along with answers to over 70 questions asked on the night, is available to view on the Mount Morgan Water page on our website. We’ve called and emailed everyone who expressed interest in attending the meeting but weren’t able to, to let them know about that too.

“If you don’t have access to a computer our staff at Mount Morgan Library will be very happy to help you watch it in the library.

We also published those Q&As in the Argus, and we will continue to share information and updates as we go through this process together.

“Our dedicated section of the website – www.rrc.qld.gov.au/ mountmorganwater - has lots of information on. We will write directly to residents with major updates, as well as sharing them in the Argus, and of course you can always call us on 4932 9000 with any questions.” resulted in a 50 percent loss.

There were thoughts of closing down for a while, but Kodie pushed through with Sharnee and now the business is doing better than before.

“We have just opend our beauty room and services include spray tanning, lash lifting, eyebrow laminating, facial waxing and tinting,” Kodie said.

Being consistent with your business plan is very important.

Educating yourself on things you may not feel confident in, seek advice when things get tough and don’t be afraid to take risks are Kodie’s key messages.

Mane Street Hair Studio celebrated its fourth birthday at the end of April. Owner Kodie-Rae Dodd is pictured with employee, Sharnee.

Since opening four years ago, Kodie has built the business up and weathered some pretty tough conditions, mainly with Covid which

“Going in blissfully ignorant, I have slowly built the business up and wouldn’t change a thing.

I am grateful for the support I receive,” she said.

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS DISCLAIMER The Mount Morgan Argus is published by Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc, 1 Railway Parade, Mount Morgan. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishers. MMPAD reserves the discretionary right to alter, omit, reclassify or postpone publication of articles, photographs or advertisements in the Mount Morgan Argus. MMPAD takes all possible care with the publication of news, names and other information sourced by MMPAD representatives. It does not, however, take responsibility for erroneous information or spelling supplied by external sources. Please take care and ensure that information is correct and names are spelt correctly before submitting any items to this publication. MMPAD Executive

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MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

26 May - 9 June 2021

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26 May - 9 June 2021

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

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FIRECLAY ‘DINOSAUR’ CAVERNS KEY TO UNLOCKING MOUNT MORGAN’S TOURISM POTENTIAL Local MP, Stephen Andrew, has called for more investment in the historic town of Mount Morgan, and said it was time to re-open Mount Morgan’s Fireclay Caverns, once a major tourist drawcard for the region.

Mr Andrew said Heritage Minerals’ mine operations would be restricted to a small area and the company had promised there would be no “crossing of paths between their work and areas designated as future tourist spots”.

“Mount Morgan is an absolutely unique Queensland town, with a rich and varied history” Mr Andrew said.

Visitor numbers to Mount Morgan have plummeted since the caverns closed down, the MP said.

“Getting tourism back up and running there, will benefit the town which suffers from one of the highest unemployment rates in the country” he said.

“When the town was running tours through the caverns, visitor numbers reached almost 8,000 some years” he said.

The MP also said it was time for the Mount Morgan Fireclay Caverns to be re-developed and opened to the public.

“Nowadays, the town is lucky if it gets a quarter of that”.

“They are the only caves in Australia, if not the world, with dinosaur footprints embedded in its sandstone roof” he said.

The Caverns’ unique rooftop prints were discovered during the gold rush in 1952, after miners excavated a hill which was once a Jurassic lake. Paleontolgists have estimated them to be over 200 millions old.

“Once the new Mount Morgan mine site boundaries are established, we need the mine tours started up again as soon as possible”.

Hundreds of them are spread across the cavern ceiling, made by raptor-like creatures who once walked along the lake’s muddy shores.

“They are an iconic feature of the region and should never have been shut off from the public in the first place”.

The site was closed down ten years ago by the Queensland Government, who claimed the caverns were too dangerous for the public to enter.

NEW OWNERS FOR MOTEL AND VAN PARK function room which was often in demand for birthday parties and meetings. Kristie would also have to arrange and prepare meals as well.

“I had one girl who used to help me in the kitchen, but that was all,” she said.

Over the next few months Kristie and Keith will be tidying up around the park and undertaking repairs.

As well as this, they will also be improving the park’s website and make their website more amenable to online bookings.

Mount Morgan Motel and Van Park is under new ownership.

Kristie and Keith Lavell bought the business from Caroline and George Watt and officially took over on 4 May. Formerly from the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Kristie and Keith managed a motel in Kerang for four and a half years. One of Page 4

the key incentives to purchasing in Mount Morgan, apart from the appeal of the town was the fact that they were able to purchase the property freehold.

Mount Morgan reminds them of where they used to live in the Yarra Valley.

Kristie and Keith are not afraid of hard work having managed a 10-room motel with an attached MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

Their daughter, Lacey who is in Grade 3 has been enrolled in school.

The couple are planning a longterm stay in Mount Morgan to build the business up and make the town their home.

Caroline and George owned the park for over seven years.

Pictured: Keith, Kristie and Lacey, making Mount Morgan their home.

26 May - 9 June 2021

Pursuing the love of art

GALLERY NEWS Shine Bright Event- How much fun did we have! The Rocky Improv Group, along with visiting Comedians from Mackay, really put on a fantastic show! But the entertainment didn’t stop there, guests also enjoyed nibbles and refreshments whilst listening to the Indie sounds of Biloela band “Ruby Come Back”.

The setting was spectacular with fairy lights and suspended bulbs highlighting the stars above in the outdoor courtyard of the Gallery, and really set the cruisy vibe of the evening. A massive thanks to organisers, and Central Queensland Regional Arts Network (CQRASN) for including the No7 Gallery in the Shine Bright tour, and for a first-class night!

Evolution of Ideas- This exhibition is a study of Series and Transitions and will be running from 24 July to 27 October. The opening on Saturday, 24 July at 5 pm will be another must do event, and all are welcome.

Works to be submitted by Wednesday 21st July.

Contact 0411 865 621 for submission forms and follow our Facebook page for updates.

Two years ago, Roslyn Bennetts (above) decided to start painting - she was good at art in Primary School but up until 2019, hadn’t pursued this earlyrealised talent.

No7 Art Squad – The eight-week series of free workshops on Friday afternoons at 3 pm are going well, and open to all who would like to attend.

Creations are well on their way to fruition, and the end result will be a variety of sculptures to be used for a festival display, and then ultimately mounted in the No7 Gallery Courtyard. We are focusing on a dinosaur theme to compliment discussion around the Mount Morgan Fireclay Caverns.

For Roslyn who recently turned 50, the time between Primary School and now is quite substantial. When the No.7 Gallery was opened in August 2019, Roslyn decided to persue painting and recently opened her own little gallery in Morgan Street. The main reason for opening her own gallery is to provide her with a space where she can sit and paint.

Roslyn hasn’t decided on her style of painting but can turn her hand to portraits, animal paintings and landscapes. She loves working with oil paint!

Most of her work comes from commissioned work, although this will be put on hold a little over the next few months as she embarks on a project to support the Mount Morgan Citizen’s Club and the Soldier’s Rooms.

Clint Lennox bemoans being “short”.

During this time Roslyn will paint the portraits of 50 of Mount Morgan’s “locals”. These portraits will then be put up for auction over a week. The proceeds of the auction will be given to the Citizens Club.

Some of the portraits to date include Andy Johnson, Kirra Swain and Rita Anderson. The subjects for each painting are nominated by Mount Morgan residents or have been chosen by Roslyn who feels that a particular individual has made life in Mount Morgan better.

Roslyn is co-owner of Golden Mount Taxi with partner, Nathan Southwood.

26 May - 9 June 2021

Reid Willoughby talks about Tim Tams and milk.

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

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MOUNT MORGAN KINDY NEWS

We held a Mother’s Day multi draw with 36 prizes which raised over $1,000.

Thank you to all the businesses and families that supported us. A big thank you to Nicole Whittaker for organising prizes and donations. Your support, time and effort is greatly appreciated.

1st Prize – a night at the Empire Hotel was won by Rebecca Pont. 2nd Prize was a $150 photo shoot donated by Emma Anderson.

The money raised will go towards various items including $500 for our new shade sail and the remainder towards a barbeque for our Father’s Day raffle.

The Children at Kindy have been discussing what they would like to be when they grow up, so we decided to have a dress up day where the children dressed as what they want to be.

We have an array of valuable community members in the making, including doctors, Police persons, a Bus driver, a Vet, a Ballerina, a Race car driver, a T-rex, horse trainers and Mums and Dads to care for the following generation, and most importantly ourselves.

Left: Mount Morgan Promotion and Development Inc [MMPAD] has finished the Visitor Information Sign project. The former sign which was produced in the early 2000’s was funded by a Regional Arts Development Grant. The new sign has been funded by the Rockhampton Regional Council’s Community Assistance Program and by MMPAD itself. The sign was installed on Saturday, 22 May 2021.

Below Left: On Friday, 21 May Mount Morgan Visitor Information Centre and Railway Museum hosted 31 members of the Queensland Austin 7’s Club who arrived.

After morning tea, the club members toured around Mount Morgan.

This tour was part of the club’s “Rocky Run” tour which took them to the Capricorn Caves, the Koorana Crocodile Farm and other points of interest throughout the Capricorn Region.

The Club celebrates its 100th birthday in 2022. They were planning a visit to Mount Morgan last year, but due to Covid, this visit was posponed. Shine Bright Event- How much fun did we have!

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MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

26 May - 9 June 2021

QCWA NEWS Well, what a day, and it was nice to have so many ladies meet and enjoy the Q.C.W.A. Country Kitchens Workshop at the Mount Morgan Welfare Bowls Club on Wednesday, 19 May. This was to showcase the Country Kitchens Programme and what it is about. For the past six years the Q.C.W.A. has been working with nutritionists and Health and Well Being Qld to show how five key messages can help to improve your health. The key messages are - Get more fruit and veg in your meals, Cook at home, Check your portion size, Be aware of sugar in your drinks and Sit less and move more.

There were information packs for participants and there was a display showcasing the amount of added sugar in drinks that are consumed on a regular basis such as sports drinks, milk drinks and soft drinks.

Some have as many as 17 spoonful’s of sugar in one drink, which contribute to tooth decay and many health conditions.Cooking at home using what you have on hand can still be tasty and healthy at the same time.

You can often substitute one ingredient for another which can retain the taste yet it can cut down on added sugar and less fats. This helps to maintain your health and mental wellbeing. Q.C.W.A. has a Health Awareness Programme each year and this year is ‘’Women’s Mental Health’’. The workshop brought 14 ladies together who are members of Q.C.W.A. and ladies who are not members. There were many laughs along the way and great food was cooked and eaten for morning tea and lunch. Q.C.W.A. Country Kitchen Nutritionists Jemma McCutcheon and Meg O’Donnell travelled from Brisbane to hold several workshops in the Capricornia Division in the past week and Mount Morgan was one of these.

Two competitions were held with the ladies winning cookbooks. There was also a presentation of children’s aprons to three little girls who were in attendance. Lunch box foods can also include alternatives which are just as tasty and can be of benefit to children cutting down on added sugars etc.

Programmes such as this bring people together in a fun and friendly atmosphere. They combine information and understanding showcasing all aspects of the topic of the day such as The Q.C.W.A. Country Kitchens Programme. If you would like to find out any more information on Q.C.W.A. and the Country Kitchens Programme, contact Arlene Roberts on 0428 457 461.

MOUNT MORGAN CITIZEN’S CLUB Mount Morgan Citizens Club Inc would like to invite all current and prospective Members to our next General Meeting at the Soldiers Rooms on Sunday, 30 May, commencing at 10am.

Above:Jemma McCutcheon, Arlene Roberts, Donna Anderson, Colleen Anderson-Ross (with Katie), Leonie Wovat (Skyla), Meg O’Donnell, Gillian Mooney and below:Sandy Spanner, Stormy Coughran, Raelene Hayes, Sandra Edwards, Tammy Alden, Savanna Alden, Anita Hayes and Zamira Andreassen at the Country Kitchens Workshop held last week.

Items on the agenda vary from maintenance on the old building, to new Covid requirements, and navigating our journey forward now we are established.

To join or update your membership, of Mount Morgan Citizens Club Inc @ The Soldiers Rooms, Membership forms can be collected/returned to the Mount Morgan Post Office, or via email at mountmorgansoldiersrooms@gmail.com.

To keep up to date with all the happenings, please like and follow “Mount Morgan Soldiers Rooms” Facebook page, or join our meetings on the last Sunday of the month in the Soldiers Rooms, at 18 Morgan Street.

For all bookings, please call our Bookings Officer Angela, on 0419 605 662.

Hire fees for the Hall are currently $15/hr with a $25 refundable key deposit, and an option of the bar being open for price on application.

Regular client fees can be negotiated. If you have an event coming up, please keep the Soldiers Rooms Hall in mind.

26 May - 9 June 2021

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

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Sandi is Mount Morgan’s funeral consultant and is available for all funeral advice.

Contact Sandi for more information and competitive prices with burials, cremations or prepaid funerals.

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HERITAGE MINERALS UPDATE Heritage Minerals Pty Ltd (www. heritageminerals.com.au) has now completed their feasibility study to determine the economic viability of reprocessing historic tailings at the former Mount Morgan Minesite. The study demonstrates that it is technically feasible and economically viable to treat 10 million tonnes of gold and copper bearing historic tailings over 5.5 years with the possibility of extending the project by another 10 to 15 years if additional technical studies support its viability.

State Government environmental, heritage and regional interest permits are still required before the project can proceed. These permits need to be either amended or obtained before any site activity can commence. This process will take several months to complete.

An Environmental Authority sets the parameters for air, water, noise, dust and other environmental criteria that the project must comply with during mining operation. It also sets the criteria required for post mine rehabilitation of areas disturbed

by Heritage Minerals.

A Heritage Agreement with the State ensures that the project gives recognition to the significant historical legacy from former mining yet provides a safe environment for mine workers.

This is in addition to requirements to operate the mine in compliance with Mine Safety and Health regulations.

A Regional Interests Development approval requires the company to take into consideration operating impacts on the community including increased traffic volumes associated with construction and mine operation. The company will be guided by the results of a recently completed Traffic Impact Assessment. The intention is to use an existing but unused assess route into the mine site from Gordon Lane to avoid additional traffic passing through the town.

Road upgrades will be required for this section of road as well as the road into the mine site. A car park on State land adjacent to the new access road is proposed.

Heritage Minerals has an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan in place with the Gangulu Endorsed Parties.

All project activity will take place on ground disturbed by previous mining.

There are no plans to produce pyrite for transport to Gladstone with only gold and copper extracted from the reprocessed tailings. Copper production is minimal and will have negligible impact on traffic volumes.

The mine will use existing water sources from within the mine site for processing tailings and will treat water sourced from within the mine site if required for other purposes. A new tailings storage facility will be constructed onsite in Sandstone Gully which was the site of an historical tailings storage facility. The Environmental Authority requires all water used in the mining operation to be retained onsite with no releases off the mining lease. The Department of Resources retain the responsibility for treating contaminated water in the open cut pit and running the seepage interception system that collects contaminated water draining from the mine site for pumpback to the Continued on Page 11

Drilling at Sandstone Gully - Photo Heritage Minerals

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MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

26 May - 9 June 2021

Heritage Minerals...From Page 10 open cut pit before it can enter the Dee River.

It can be expected that removing acid producing tailings from the historical tailings dams and from within watercourses on site will lead to improved water quality in the Dee River. The Department of Resources retains responsibility for environmental and heritage management legacies from the historic mining operation and is responsible for managing the mine site outside of Heritage Mineral’s operating areas.

A tailings process plant will be constructed adjacent to the Department of Resources existing water treatment plant. The process plant will operate on a twenty-four hour/seven days a week basis. Mining of the tailings will be on a maximum 12-hour shift basis for 5.5 days a week. The Environmental Authority imposes noise and dust limits on the mining and processing operation.

Tailings will be sourced from the historic tailings dams at 2 Mill, Mundic Gully, Shepherds Gully and Sandstone Gully. These tailings have been drill tested by numerous companies including Heritage Minerals. The project will cost around $80 million to establish with an estimated 9 to 12-month construction time once permits are approved.

Around 120 people are expected to be employed with about 80 people required once operating. It is hoped that suitably experienced and qualified people from the local community will come forward to fulfil some of these positions. Training schemes will be put in place to provide opportunities for local people who are willing but may lack suitable experience or suitable qualification.

Although several companies in the past planned to rework the tailings, for various reasons, their projects never came to fruition. Heritage Minerals CEO Malcolm Paterson is confident his company’s approach and business case will be profitable and progressive enough to succeed where others have failed.

end of 2021, or early 2022, provided all the approvals are in place by then” he said.

Mount Morgan mine, which has lain abandoned since 1990, is full of contaminated water which is costing Queensland taxpayers $2 million a year to treat.

Heritage Minerals, the company in charge of the project, says its new, revolutionary RECYN technology, will make cleaning up the waste water while capturing the minerals in the mine’s tailings, financially viable for the first time.

Heritage Minerals has said it expects to be able to extract 50,000 ounces of gold and around 1,800 tonnes of copper from the tailings, within the first five years of operations.

Once Heritage Minerals commences its commercial activities, Mr Andrew said, the environmental cleanup of the historical tailings at the mine will quickly become evident, with a significant improvement made at the outset to water quality in the downstream catchment”.

“The company’s Definitive Feasibility Study, last year, was very positive about the project and Preliminary work has already begun at the site”, Mr Andrew said.

The One Nation MP said he was excited to see things were progressing well on the project.

“From the beginning I could see the project’s use of cutting edge technology were on a whole different level to earlier attempts and that its proposal was commercially viable” he said.

Mr Andrew said the company’s operations would create over 100 jobs for the region and open up opportunities for new and local businesses in the region”.

“Heritage Minerals have committed to employing locals at the Mine, and said they intend on supporting local businesses as much as possible.”

Heritage Minerals will support the aspirations of tourism stakeholders.

Mr Stephen Andrew, Member for Mirani has welcomed the project news.

“If all goes to plan, operations may commence at the

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UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT 26 May - 9 June 2021

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

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Get inspired by Central Queensland Writers In our own little patch here in Central Queensland we have produced some inspiring and award winning writers from the region. Queensland Day on 6 June provides a perfect opportunity to delve a little deeper in the library collection and highlight some of the extraordinary resources written by literary creatives in the Mount Morgan and surrounding areas.

To start off with, a fascinating book by J.S.D Mellick called Writers’ footprints: a Queensland literary companion sets the scene for exploring books written and set in the state. Arranged in alphabetical order by cities, towns and places the historic work encompasses information about specific locations that have fired the literary imagination over the last 150 years.

Learning. Type ‘Writing’ in the search field and a huge variety of courses pop up to help you on your learning journey. All you need is your library card and PIN to access this great e-content.

The Central Queensland collection, located at the Rockhampton Regional Library and open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, has a lot more interesting self-penned works by locals to read and enjoy.

Contact the Rockhampton History Centre on phone 4936 8040, the Rockhampton Regional Libraries on phone 4936 8043 or email us at libraries@rrc.qld.gov.au.

Bus Trip - The bus is booked, and the Dee River Oldies members are looking forward to our bus trip to the Callaghan Park Markets in Rockhampton on Sunday, 6 June, 2021. The bus leaves the bus stop in Morgan Street, Mount Morgan at 8.30 am. The cost is $50 for the bus trip and lunch at the Lionleigh Hotel. Please pay at the morning tea on Wednesday, 26 May, 2021 to secure your seat or phone Carol or Colleen to arrange payment.

Checking in with information about Mount Morgan, Cyril Grabs’ much-loved and popular work published in 1982 Gold, black gold and intrigue, and reprinted in 2020 by Coorooman Press, is mentioned. The Central Queensland entry references the quaintly titled Dung on his boots (197-?) by Vic Priddle, while Edith McKay sets her fictional town of ‘Claxton’ in Rockhampton in The house of Winston Blaker (1947).

If you visit the Rockhampton Regional Library you will spot more information about Edith McKay - as well as many others - on our large purple ‘Faces’ wall that pays homage to literary notables from our region.

The musical morning tea is on Wednesday, 26 May, 2021 starting at 10 am. The cost is $5. New and existing members are welcome.

Come along and catch up and enjoy the music, have a cuppa and some morning tea. We look forward to seeing you there.

Our meetings and morning teas are held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan, behind the Anglican Church.

A search of our online library catalogue for Mount Morgan authors reveals an eclectic mix of creative works from the area, including Sean Fox’s The big flood, Ronald Burrows’ In the lion’s den, and collections of poetry by Arlene Roberts and Nicholai Von Tonslamann.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, 15 June 2021 starting at 2 pm. New members are required to fill out a membership form, however there is no cost to become a member.

We are looking for members aged 50 and over. If you have any questions, please give us a call.

For budding authors in the community wanting to dip their pen in the literary sphere, try some of the excellent online courses on Lynda.com, which will soon transition to LinkedIn Page 12

DEE RIVER OLDIES

Stay happy and healthy. Submitted by the Steering Committee Carol Glover 4938 1995, Colleen Constable 0427 161 131.

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

26 May - 9 June 2021

MOUNT MORGAN

POLICE NEWS

We are still seeing thefts around town, especially for small items left behind and unsecured. Please ensure your purse and phone are on you at all times.

This also goes for securing your home and vehicle.

Please ensure you invest in home security and if you run a small business in town, invest in a quality security camera system.

Unfortunately, we are still seeing some individuals drink driving. I find it hard to believe, living in such a small town that persons drinking alcohol cannot think ahead and arrange a lift home, or even walk.

Remember we have a taxi service too.

We are also seeing (and hearing) drivers with loud vehicles revving their engines around town especially in the CBD area. It is an offence to drive your vehicle in a way as to cause unnecessary noise and/or smoke. If you are caught by Police, you will be fined.

Please stay safe everyone, drive responsibility and secure your possessions.

Matt Harling - Sgt OIC Mount Morgan Police

MOUNT MORGAN QAS NEWS

Deslea’s Cutz for Mutz Mobile Dog Clipping Phone Des: 0447 275 402

As we are in National Volunteers Week, it is fitting to recognise the efforts of the volunteers in our community who go the extra mile make Mount Morgan a much better place for us all. We regularly work alongside QFES and SES volunteers in the course of our duties and it goes without saying just how valuable to the community these volunteers are. They have given us assistance many times and made our jobs so much easier in those difficult cases.

Thanks to you all for your expertise and assistance on the front lines.

Thanks also goes to the team that make up the Mount Morgan Local Ambulance Committee. We have taken delivery of a Mangar Camel Lifting Device valued at over $5000. This helps us to get people safely off the floor when they have fallen and are unable to get up. Back injuries are a significant issue for paramedics and any means where lifting risk is minimised is a great investment. This device was purchased by the LAC with funds raised through their events throughout the year.

CNR YAAMBA RD & MAIN ST NORTH ROCKHAMPTON Phone: 4928 3511 trendrok@bigpond.net.au PROUDLY SERVING MOUNT MORGAN FOR OVER FORTY YEARS

Members have volunteered their time and energy to meet needs such as these and we acknowledge and thank everyone involved in the committee for their generous contribution to bring this about. To find out about joining the LAC, please call Kerrie on 0447 298 155. Until next time, keep safe.

Cameron Evers - OIC - QAS Mount Morgan 26 May - 9 June 2021

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

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Mount Morgan in Pictures

By Catherine McIntosh, descendant of the colonial Stubbs family of Mount Morgan

Children celebrate the King’s Coronation

‘Thursday [22 June 1911] was a real gala day in Mount Morgan when the King’s coronation* was celebrated right loyally … The day was made principally a children’s day … The procession provided a magnificent spectacle. The military were in full dress, the school children carried Union Jacks … several bands played selections along the line of route … Altogether there must have been between 4000 and 5000 children in the procession, the teachers of the various classes being in charge of their respective classes^ …’ (‘Mount Morgan Celebration’, The Capricornian (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1875-1924), 24 June 1911).

My mother’s beloved aunt, Mount Morgan-born Gladys Stubbs (1906-1997), is in the third front row, sixth from right (circled). She would have been about five years old. Her classmate, Myrtle Young (front row, centre), is holding a slate board, which reads: ‘IIC’ and ‘IA’.

* King George V (1865-1936), grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II.

c. 1911 / Pattison Street, Mount Morgan / Mount Morgan Girls’ and Infants’ State School / Infant classes IIC and IA for boys and girls / The school participated in Mount Morgan’s street procession to mark King George V’s coronation in 1911 / The school opened in 1898 and merged with the Mount Morgan Boys’ State School into the Mount Morgan Central State School in 1929.

^ Schools in the street procession included Mount Morgan Girls’ and Infants’ State School, Mount Morgan Boys’ State School, Red Hill State School, Baree State School, Hamilton Creek State School and Struck Oil State School.

Pictured are two of the many infant classes for boys and girls at the Mount Morgan Girls’ and Infants’ State School around the time of King George V’s coronation in 1911. These were the days before the school uniform, when children sang ‘God Save the King’ at assembly and were jam-packed into classrooms.

Page 14

The photograph shows seventy-five pupils, predominantly girls. (The boys were required to go to other schools after infants’ school). An unidentified teacher is standing at each side of the photograph.

Miss Hardy (1858-1937) (not pictured) was the headmistress at the time.

Photographer unknown.

Stubbs family photograph.

This author has made best efforts to provide accurate information for this publication of ‘Mount Morgan in Pictures’.

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

26 May - 9 June 2021

THE ORANGE DOT

By Larry at Fox Video

Movie Review

THE DRY

It seemed the whole town of Kawarra was against him and baying for his blood. Situated in remote regional Victoria, five hours from Melbourne, this was Aaron’s home town. He had grown up with these people and now their familiar faces, contorted into ugliness with fierce rage and mob mentality were spewing vitriol and hatred toward him; some even threatening his very life.

His tight group of friends had been like his rock, his extended family all through those years of growing up, and now they were teenagers together. Luke, Karen, Gretchen and of course, the girl dearest to his heart, Ellie Deacon. Aaron arranged to meet 17-year-old Ellie down by the river one afternoon, but she didn’t show. He waited still no Ellie.

When Ellie didn’t come home a search was organized...It was Ellie’s dad, Mal who found her drowned, lifeless, limp little body in the river. The entire town was in shock, grieving, simmering...

Many of its inhabitants jumped immediately to the conclusion that it was Aaron Falk who had done

it. It was he who arranged to meet her there after all, so it must have been him who killed her. He was guilty and he must pay...

By far the most menacing, the most vicious of those harassing Aaron and his dad was Ellie’s father, Mal. Aaron’s dad thought it was time to get the boy out of town.

Mal as the main protagonist.

As he starts digging a little deeper, Aaron begins to suspect that these two crimes, separated Some twenty years later in by decades, are connected. As Melbourne, Australian Federal he struggles to prove not only Police Agent Aaron Falk received Luke’s innocence but also his a disturbing and tragic message own, Aaron finds himself standing from his home town of Kawarra. against the prejudice towards him It seems that after more than a and the pent-up rage of a terrified decade of severe drought his community. oldest and closest friend, Luke had An excellent cast led by the succumbed to ‘the melancholy’ impressive Eric Bana and directed and was involved in a murderby Robert Connolly delivers a suicide. terrific mystery thriller presented Aaron returns to his home town brilliantly in our own Ozzie colours after an absence of more than and sounds. THE DRY is rated two decades to attend the funeral MA15+ for ‘strong themes and of his childhood friend. Animosity violence’ and runs for just under still seethes towards him from two gripping hours. (Always members of the community, but so good to see our country on Luke’s parents plead with Aaron screen.) to stay and investigate the crime.

“You can’t know the truth ‘til you When he reluctantly agrees, the know the lies...” THE DRY...Loved old wound of Ellie’s unresolved it! death bursts open with her dad

WANT TO ADD AN EVENT TO “SAVE THE DATE”?

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SAVE THE DATE! QCWA - MOUNT MORGAN BRANCH

Meet at the Hub in Morgan Street, every third Monday. 9.30 for 10 am start. Phone 0428 457 461 for more information.

ROTARY CLUB OF MOUNT MORGAN

DINNER MEETING - THURSDAY - GRAND HOTEL 6.00 for 6.30. Interested people are encouraged to attend or send an Expression of Interest to PO Box 2, Mount Morgan

PHONE LIZZY ON 0408 262 505 26 May - 9 June 2021

MOUNT MORGAN MEN’S SHED INC. Meet 9 am - 12 noon Wednesdays Phone John on 0429 055 165

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

Page 15

SAVE THE DATE! JUN 6: Proposed Bus Trip to the Sunday Callaghan Park Markets Rockhampton.Cost is $50 which will include the bus trip and lunch.

JUN 12: Baree Markets. 8 am to 12 noon. Baree School of Arts.

JUN 15: Dee River Oldies Group - Monthly Meeting starting at 2 pm to be held in St Mary’s Hall, Gordon Street, Mount Morgan. (Behind the Anglican Church) New and existing members welcome.

JUN 22: Well Women’s Clinic - MMMPHS for Appointments - 4912 5100.

JUL 10: Baree Markets. 8 am to 12 noon. Baree School of Arts.

JUL 10 -11: CQ Crane Hire Gold Rush Hill Sprint.

JUL 25: Central Queensland Old School Bicycle Show and Swap Meet. 10 am to 2 pm. Leichhardt Hotel.

AUG 14: Mount Morgan Show.

Blue Care Trash & Treasure, 21 Gordon Street.

Every Friday from 8.30 am to 12 noon.

Every first Saturday of the month from 8 am to 12 noon Bags of clothing $5. Marion’s plants for sale.

CLASSIFIEDS PAINTER: Semi retired. W. Cruickshank Phone 0488 104 774 or 0488 105 257.

ALL COMPUTERS & REPAIRS: Your local computer specialist Nathan. Phone between 10 am to 8 pm. PHONE: 4938 2451 Monday to Friday For Sale: Grow your own Christmas Tree. 80 cm pine trees. $20.00 each. Limited quantity. Phone: 4938 2115. (1) For Sale: Hospital bed, as new. 6 months use.

Has remote control. In excellent condition. $2500 negotiable. Phone 0422 603 634. (2)

LIGHT ON THE HILL CHURCH EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT Green Shed from 7 pm. Phone 0412 502 937 GOLDEN MOUNT SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Sunday, 27 June at 11 am AGENDA: |Election of Officers |General Meeting |Club Fees Due on Day VENUE Leichhardt Hotel Beer Garden

SAVE THE DATE

14 AUGUST 2021 FOR ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR

COUNTER MEALS AVAILABLE. NO BBQ PLEASE ATTEND

For further information contact Heather on

(2)

0418 729 122

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NEXT EDITION: WEDNESDAY, 9 JUNE 2021

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Ph: 4938 2312 OR MOB: 0492 885 350 Email: mmpad@bigpond.com Page 16

MOUNT MORGAN ARGUS

26 May - 9 June 2021