October 20, 2020
It’s been a trying year for Boondooma Homestead, the heritage complex located on Mundubbera-Durong Road.
First, the five-day “Spirit Of The Bush” Balladeers’ & Heritage Muster, which has been held during Anzac week for decades, couldn’t go ahead due to the pandemic.
Then COVID-19 claimed its second victim when the Scots In The Bush celebration, held in the third week of August, was also cancelled.
These two events are major fundraisers for the Homestead, which is owned by the South Burnett Regional Council but run by the Boondooma Museum & Heritage Association Inc with the help of a keen bunch of volunteers.
But despite these setbacks, volunteers have been almost run off their feet recently.
On June 1, camping in the Homestead grounds was allowed again and day tours began soon after COVID-19 restrictions were eased.
And just like some other South Burnett tourism businesses, the Homestead has experienced a mini-boom thanks to Queenslanders being encouraged by State Government campaigns to get out and explore their own State.
“We have been busier than we have ever been before with caravans, campers and day tours,” association secretary Judy Brandt told southburnett.com.au on Saturday at a free Open Day held at the complex.
Local singers and musicians were invited to take advantage of an open mic opportunity on stage while visitors explored the history of the area or enjoyed a light lunch.
Council joined in the fun by sponsoring a “fashion through the decades” competition to encourage visitors to dress up in period costume.
The overall winners were the Seiler family, from West Boondooma, who received three nights’ accommodation at either Bjelke-Petersen or Boondooma dams for a family of four.
Judy said the Open Day had been a great success with about 180 people – including many local residents – coming along.
“We also had a wonderful variety of entertainment,” she said.
The association is now thinking positive and planning for the 2021 “Spirit Of The Bush” music muster in April.
“We have begun advertising already,” Judy said.
Boondooma Station was settled in 1846.
The homestead – which dates to 1855 – was the “government house” for a run that originally encompassed nearly 1000 square miles.
That was all gradually carved up over the years through resumptions for closer settlement, leaving the Heritage-listed homestead, stone store house (1858), post office (ca. 1850) other outbuildings and cattle yards.
Over recent years, a stage and undercover entertainment area has been added to the complex as well as a canteen and gift shop.
