President’s Report
In August 2015, there was a changing of the guard with new members elected to the committee.
To the outgoing committee, I thank you sincerely for your contribution.
I especially would like to pay tribute to our past
president, Ron Pokarier who was in the chair for 12 years and left big shoes to fill.
The life blood of any organization is its volunteers. Here at the Historical Society, we would not function without them. We
have people who build, paint, restore and renovate. There are the cleaners, the gardeners, folk who provide the morning teas
and our office staff. A big thank you to our archivists Paul Lyons and Jan Bates. There’s the people who look after publicity
and our guides who turn up every Sunday and public holidays. They also conduct tours for school groups and tour operators.
I’d like to convey my thanks to Carmel and Sandy, our secretary and treasurer extraordinaire who make my job a lot easier.
In our last newsletter, there was an article on our new reception centre that was being built. Happily, I can tell you on
November 10th, 2015 we celebrated the opening in memory of our late member Joycelyn Rosser. Following a generous
bequest from her, the Society bought new office furniture to fit out the room. This serves as the first point of call for visitors who
wish to see through the Historical Village. Here we also will have roving exhibitions.
Earlier this year in April, being the centenary of the landings at Gallipoli, we featured a display of World Wars 1 and 2 soldiers
and nurses that served from Tamborine Mountain. A display such as this sparks the memory of local people who see it, and
often they very kindly lend or donate relevant memorabilia to us which is much appreciated.
Our plans for the future include a suitable shed for the tractors. At the moment, they’re in the open and exposed to the
elements.
Another long term plan is to move the first original school on the Mountain over to the Historical Centre. At the moment it’s part
of the Girl Guide Hut. For this to happen, the Girl Guides first have to build a new hut which is still in its early planning stages.
This original school has quite a history, serving as a school near where the medical centre is today, then being moved (twice)
near where the present Mt. Tamborine School is today. Later, it served as the local School of Arts before being moved to
Eagle Heights as a library before moving to the Girl Guide Hut. I think for its final move, it should be the Historical Society.
Muriel Shephard
President
RSL Canungra
On Friday the 18th December, A new web site was launched at Canungra RSL called www.canungraansweredthecall.org.au
The Canungra RSL received an Anzac grant from the Federal Government to tell the story of the 135 soldiers and 1
nurse who served in WW1 who are listed on the memorial in D. J. Smith Park. 11 soldiers from the Mountain are included.
Back in 1938 when the memorial was unveiled, Canungra was part of the Tamborine Shire, which also included Tamborine
Village, Beechmont and Tamborine Mountain, hence so many names. A great deal of research and data are recorded on this
easy to navigate web address.
There are 6 names on the Memorial that could not be traced. They are F. Adkins, A. MacIvor, P. Moore, Maurice Taylor, F.N.
Thomas and F Walcott. If you know of these soldiers, please let us know at the Historical Society.