Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington with Her Excellency Dr Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland
June 15, 2023
The Queensland Governor was present when Nanango celebrated its centenary, so it was only fitting the current incumbent, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, should roll up for the town’s 175th celebration on Saturday!
Dr Young had some important tasks to perform on top of officially opening the special Pioneer Festival revival at Nanango Showgrounds … there was an anniversary cake to cut, as well as a Founders’ Day Award to present to the town’s oldest citizen.
Eileen Horne, 99 (she turns 100 on July 12) is the granddaughter of one of Nanango’s pioneer European settlers, Ben Walters.
Ben was born at Goode’s Inn – Nanango’s first commercial building – in 1861, just 13 years after the inn opened in 1848 (the year upon which Nanango residents date the establishment of the town).
He was one of the first pupils to enrol at Nanango State School and worked for many years at Nanango Shire Council.
Eileen arrived at the celebration in her beloved 1949 Vauxhall.
Another special guest at the celebration was Reg McCallum, who served as Nanango Shire mayor for an amazing 32 years. He was the last mayor to hold the title before the council amalgamations in 2008.
Reg and Eileen joined the Governor in cutting the anniversary cake.
The perfect weather ensured that Nanango Showground was packed for the big day, which was organised by members of the Nanango Tourism and Development Association (NaTDA).
Highlights included the parade around the oval, which featured a “Then ‘Til Now” cavalcade of vehicles, floats and a working bullock team, brought to the event by Philip Thomson, from Natural Bridge.
The bullocky uses the team of 12 on his property to haul timber, as well as occasionally bringing them out for special events.
The winning float was entered by the Nanango Hospital Auxiliary and featured a “patient” plus nurses and a doctor.
Other entertainment included displays in the hall by line dancers and the La Crème Dance Academy (including a special aerial performance for the Governor).
The Salvation Army’s brass band, the NaTDA Heritage Community Choir and a string of folk performers provided live music.
Market stalls were scattered around the grounds, as well as amusement rides for the children.
The day was topped off with a big fireworks display, sponsored by Nanango’s Heritage Bank.
Related articles:
South Burnett councillors with Queensland Governor Jeannette Young at the opening ceremonySpecial guest Eileen Horne arrived in her black Vauxhall … she would have loved to have still been driving it!NaTDA secretary Mary Green with special guest, former Nanango Shire mayor Reg McCallumReg McCallum, Eileen Horne and Governor Jeannette Young cut the anniversary cakeThe anniversary cake, decorated in Nanango’s sporting colours of blue and whiteGovernor Young signs the Founders Day Award certificateThe award certificate was accepted by Eileen on behalf of the Walters familyThe Founders’ Day Award recognised the contribution made by members of the Walters family to Nanango’s developmentFamily historian Marilyn Kelly, from Warwick, has prepared family histories of the Walters, Bright, Smith and Raper families of Nanango … she had copies for sale on SaturdayMembers of the NaTDA Heritage Community Choir sang some old Australian folk favouritesGail Thatcher, Nanango, with South Burnett Regional Council CEO Mark Pitt and his wife Nicola, centreEileen Horne’s daughter Gloria Kruske, from Maryborough, with Cr Danita Potter and EileenNatDA secretary Mary Green, events organiser Barry Green – who compered the parade – and president Alan StillFormer NaTDA president Gloria Kirkness with her husband Rick177 ACU members Cpl Newton Wylie, CSM Jaxson Scrimshaw, cadet Malachi Armstrong and recruit Avalon JacksonGovernor Jeannette Young was shown around the 177 ACU’s displayGovernor Jeannette Young with members of Nanango’s 177 ACU cadet unitBullocky Philip Thomson, from Natural Bridge, brought along his working bullock team and wagon for the paradePhilip’s 12 bullocks behaved themselves perfectly as they led off the paradeThe winning float in the parade competition was entered by the Nanango Hospital AuxiliaryRichard Whitworth, from Richard’s Country Kitchen at Kumbia, had his range of jams and relishes for sale, while Barry Goodwill had his popular hats stallDenise Smith was offering her face-painting servicesJordie the alpaca was enjoying a feed at Viv’s Animal Farm, one of the many attractions around the showgroundsHeritage Nanango branch manager Lochlan Ezzy with Jane Richardson and Andrew Black, from Heritage Nanango Community FundingEileen Horne with another one of her daughters, Denise Seabrook, from BooieSBRC Crs Scott Henschen, Kirstie Schumacher and Gavin Jones with Gavin’s wife WendyNanango residents Libby McCallum and former Nanango councillor Ros GregorSouth Burnett mayor Brett Otto, special guest Member for Maryborough Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Regional Roads Bruce Saunders (who was representing Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk), former SBRC councillor Barry Green (NaTDA), Ros Otto and Cr Kathy DuffCr Jane Erkens with former Nanango Shire mayor Reg McCallumThe Salvation Army’s brass band came up from Brisbane to perform at 175th celebrationsNanango QCWA president Judy Bright and Jo Hansen were among a team of QCWA volunteers who were ensuring that the invited guests were kept well fed at lunchtimeNanango Show Society president Les Schloss with Show Society patron Gloria FlemingSome of the Nanango line dancers … above, from left, Eileen Denton, Jane Chalmers, Judy Cranston, Glenissa Pennicott, Sandy Kelly, Ann Butler and Gail Collins; below, the dancers in action in the hallElizabeth Steinhardt, 11, and Charlise Cornell, 13, were among the team from La Crème Dance Academy who performed in the hallTaliah Sanders and Chelsea Bowden, from La Crème, performed a special aerial dance routine for the GovernorGovernor Jeannette Young with members of the La Crème Dance AcademySBRC Deputy Mayor Gavin Jones presented the winner of the “longest beard” competition, Bob Buckley, from Nanango, with his prize
Cr Gavin Jones with the Poetry Competition winner, Wendy Mathews, from Nanango
Aida Lavings accepted the Best Window Display award on behalf of the Nanango Visitor Information Centre
Greg Hunt was one of the musicians from The Shed who provided live music into the evening
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Queensland Governor Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM opens Nanango’s 175th anniversary celebrations (introduced by NaTDA president Alan Still):
