January 23, 2015
A treasure trove of local history, long out of print, has been brought back to life by the Bunya Mountains Natural History Association.
“Bonyi-Bonyi: Life And Legends of the Bunya Mountains” traces the history of the Bunya Mountains from the time of the traditional Aboriginal feasts to the arrival of European timbergetters and farmers in the area.
Author Ray Humphrys recently gifted the Natural History Association with the rights to the book and they set about organising a limited edition reprint.
This is the third time the book has been reprinted but Association vice-president Mike England said copies were already selling quickly.
They are available at the Association’s museum “Cedarvale” at Dandabah, the Bunya Mountains General Store, the Kingaroy Visitor Information Centre and Ringsfield House in Nanango. Cost is $45.
Mike said Ray Humphrys grew up at Yamsion and spent nearly 50 years collecting the information for the book.
It is filled with black and white photographs of the early days of timbergetting and European settlement.
The Bunya Mountains Natural History Association has published a number of books over the years.
Their next big project is a history of Wengenville, inspired by the 2013 “Back To Wengenville” day.
Nanango historian Liz Caffery is compiling the book from contributions gathered by members of the Association.
NB. “Cedarvale” is open every Saturday as well as the last Sunday of every month (to coincide with the Bunya Mountains Markets), as well as Sundays on long weekends and selected public holidays.
- Related article: Memories Live On At Wengenville
Hi
I would like to get in contact with Ray. My grandfather Francis Gordon Allen is mentioned in the book and I would like to ask him some questions if possible. Could you please pass on his email address to me or give mine to him.
The best thing to do may be to email the Bunya Mountains Natural History Association or the Bunya Mountains Community Association, Patricia. .