July 4, 2012
Orana resident Wally Thamm has been storytelling most of his life; recounting events and sharing the trials and tribulations of South Burnett locals.
After he retired, the 82-year-old produced a newsletter recalling the day-to-day happenings at Kumbia.
Wally, who still likes to write, said everyone has a story to tell and if they are not shared they will be lost forever.
“Younger folk will know little about their heritage unless we pass on the stories from one generation to the next,” he said.
“It’s a bridge that keeps people together.”
Wally was one of a family of 10. He grew up on a dairy farm on the other side of the Bunya Mountains at Yamsion.
His jobs included working as a blacksmith, a farm labourer and co-owning an engineering firm. But writing was his favourite hobby.
He moved to Kumbia in 1951 and has seen tremendous changes over the years, which he has detailed in his self-published a book, “Kumbia Recollections” .
“It’s been popular with family, friends and people who knew who I wrote about,” he said.
Wally shifted from Kumbia to Orana Retirement Village in Kingaroy three years ago.
“From the first night we stayed in our little cottage it felt like home,” he said.
“The care we get at Orana is always 100 per cent and the love the carers give is really outstanding.
“The staff are special and they do a tremendous job.”
