Kumbia Progress Association members take a well-earned rest on their parade float Sharon Labudda, Kumbia, with her 1933 Ariel
July 29, 2012
Kumbia celebrated its centenary in style on Saturday with a huge street parade, markets, traditional fun and games, competitions and historic displays … and topped it all off with a community concert in the evening.
The centenary acted as a magnet drawing anyone with even the slightest connection to the town back for a visit. There were family and school reunions galore and lots of reminiscing and swapping tales.
The team from Kumbia Kindy was kept busy dishing out hot food while other volunteers handed out sample bags and organised name tags.
The street parade was led by the South Burnett Caledonian Pipe Band and included antique and modern farm machinery (including a massive self-propelled boom sprayer), classic cars, horse-drawn wagons, business floats … and two pigs wearing tutus.
A popular attraction was Steve Hood’s steam-driven 1910 Case traction engine which worked its whole life in the South Burnett region threshing corn and peanuts.
When the parade was over traditional fun and games began, including three-legged races and pie and lamington eating contests.
In the Memorial Hall, visitors had the opportunity for voting for the prettiest teacup as well as enjoying a range of exhibits, including bridal gowns from throughout the ages.
A large display of historic photographs also attracted much interest in the Kumbia Heritage Centre.
Steve Hood’s 1910 Case Traction Engine was a popular attraction on the day
Sharon Yeates (nee Parker) was happy to play the clown for the street parade
Bob Horton, ex-Mannuem now Kumbia, caught up with Col O’Hanlon, from Kingaroy
John & Kaye Aitken, Nambour, visited Kaye’s mum Mavis, who has lived in Kumbia all her life
Steve Hood with his 1910 Case traction engine which was attracting a lot of photographs
Julie Birmingham, 8, Brisbane was visiting her aunt Cathy Hawkins, Kumbia
Kathy Jones, from Kathy’s Candeez in Kingaroy, was selling her jams in Memorial Hall
Former Kumbia Hotel owner Rhonda Callow with Mavis Schmocker and her sister Phil Krebs
Gayle Carroll and Anne Beil were working hard welcoming visitors
Verelle O’Shannesey, Barb Deards and Chantelle Whiteman from the Kumbia Kindy
Former local SES Controller Ron Sollaye with John Kefford; Ron established the Kumbia SES in 1982, with 20 members. Photo: Peter Verbakel
Jean Hancock, of Kumbia, and Shirley Klinge, from Forest Hill, dressed to impress for the centenary celebrations
Kingaroy and Kumbia SES members made sure the parade flowed smoothly. Photo: Peter Verbakel
An iconic Kumbia business … Lenihans Butchery
The “ecumenical” float, featuring the local Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran and Uniting churches
The Peanut Company of Australia’s 1934 Dodge led a large contingent of motor vehicles
Kumbia Race Club’s jockeys (and horses) seem to be getting shorter
Draught horses pull an old German-style wagon similar to those used by early settlers
Kumbia CWA’s contingent were enjoying a mobile tea party
Kumbia Pony Club … their real horses were competing in Nanango
Kumbia State School hosted a number of reunions
The South Burnett Filipino Australian group joined in the celebrations
Some watchers wondered how this self-propelled boom sprayer was going to negotiate the corner … until the arms folded back
South Burnett Councillor Cheryl Dalton in the Celebrity Milking competition. Photo: Desiree CrawfordLocal resident Debbie Jackson tries her hand in the milking competition. Photo: Desiree Crawford
