April 6, 2016
Wondai resident Noel Selway is looking for help to fill in some of the missing pieces about the history of the former Wondai Shire.
“The dairy industry in these parts has just about vanished, the railway has disappeared and the airlines ceased operations here eons ago,” he said.
“When a history was produced a few years ago there were great chunks, like the military history side of things, either only briefly dealt with or not dealt with at all.
“So in an effort to try and retrieve something before all is lost, this request is put.
“I would welcome any assistance with photos, anecdotes, maps (if possible) from various periods of time to fill in some of the gaps in the local history of (the former) Wondai Shire.
“As most people will know the vast dairy industry that once thrived in the shire has long since passed and as it continues to fade away a lot of knowledge of what made the industry such a power in the shire is fading with it.
“Any information at all concerning the various dairy farmers, and there were many of them, the cream runs, pick points and delivery times to the various butter factories at Murgon, Proston, Wondai and Kingaroy are pertinent as is any information regarding the small butter factory that existed at Stalworth for a short while.
“There is already some information regarding the industry to hand but there is a lot that’s missing. The need is to get as much information as can be reasonably managed before dairying disappears completely.
“The object is to be able to prepare a historical paper on the subject before all is lost.
“Interestingly, the Murgon Dairy Museum doesn’t have any useful narrative documentation on the subject readily to hand from what I understand.
“In addition, information regarding the ways and workings of the Kingaroy Branch Line would be welcome.
“Information such as the types of trains operated, their frequency, and when the changeover from steam to diesel locomotion occurred would be extremely useful.
“There is already a relatively substantial body of information, but anything relating to the various workings in the yard at both Wondai and Murgon and their Butter Factory sidings, no matter how small, all has some relevance.
“There is also an interest in the activity on the Proston and Windera branch lines, as they both had a fairly strong bearing on the dairying industry.
“A further enquiry is in regards to the commercial air services that serviced Wondai Airport, both at its old site where the Wondai Industrial Area now is, and its present site, as well as anything on the various Air Force movements into and out of the place. Once again any photos, anecdotes and so on would be welcome.”
Noel said any photos would be copied and returned.
He can be contacted by email or by writing to Noel Selway, 114 Baynes Street, Wondai, Qld, 4606.
