July 20, 2023
A small community committee in Wondai is working hard to ensure an important date in the town’s history is never forgotten.
The group, headed by Noel Selway, is working on a project dubbed “Steaming Back To Wondai”.
They are planning a monument and time capsule to mark the 120th anniversary arrival of the first passenger train into Wondai.
An event to unveil the monument will be held in Coronation Park on Thursday, September 14 … exactly 120 years to the day that the first scheduled train steamed in.
There was little fanfare at the time, but the Noel and his committee hope the anniversary will be a much bigger celebration.
The group plans to unveil a 900mm high stone monument (either granite or sandstone) and plaque to explain the anniversary.
Inside will be the time capsule, marked to be opened in 30 years, ie. at the 150th anniversary of the rail line.
The exact location of the monument is yet to be determined, but it could be placed somewhere near the statue of Charlotte the Emu and the old Wondai Town Clock.
Committee member Julie Lohmann has been negotiating with the South Burnett Regional Council in regards to the placement of the monument, and possible lighting in the vicinity.
She has invited businesses and individuals in Wondai to add items to the time capsule, eg. a USB drive containing photos, documents or videos; company brochures; product samples; letters or other memorabilia.
Any sponsorship for the project would also be appreciated!
“Remember to make sure the items you include in the time capsule are properly sealed and protected to ensure their preservation until the time capsule is opened in 30 years,” she said.
“It’s also a good idea to provide some context or description alongside the items so future generations can understand their significance.”
Items can be dropped off at Robinson’s Newsagency in Wondai before September 8.
The “Steaming Back To Wondai” event will be held from 5:00pm on September 14.
There will be a free sausage sizzle, provided by Wondai Lions, and CROW-FM will be broadcasting from the event.
There will also be a Wondai Reunion dinner held afterwards at the Wondai Diggers Club (book with the club).
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Some History
The railway line between Kilkivan Junction (now known as Theebine) and Nanango was constructed in sections.
First was Kilkivan to Goomeri, then Goomeri to Wondai, Wondai to Kingaroy and then, finally, Kingaroy to Nanango.
Page 2 of the Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser on September 11, 1903:
The recently completed extension of the Kilkivan-Nanango railway from Goomeri to Wondai (Mondure road) will be opened for traffic on Monday next.
It will be seen by the advertisement in this issue that the present time-table between Maryborough and Goomeri is not to be altered but that the train on reaching Goomeri will leave at 8pm for Wondai terminus, reaching there at 10.20, and will leave there the following morning at 5.15, reaching Goomeri at 7.15.
It was generally understood that the Mondure road terminus was to be known as “Bushnell” but the Aboriginal name “Wondai” has received official preference.
It would, we should say, be a great improvement on the present time-table if the trains left Maryborough at an earlier hour in the morning and made a less belated arrival at Wondai.
And how much did the line cost?
On July 9, 1913, the Maryborough Chronicle reported that the total cost of construction of the railway line between Goomeri and Wondai was £54,341, ie. £2894 per mile.
The cost of the construction between Wondai and Kingaroy was £32,391 (£1719 per mile) and from Kingaroy to Nanango £58,125 (£3738 per mile)
