December 3, 2024
It’s hard to imagine these days when there are cameras everywhere, but no one really seems to know exactly when the Booie Farmers Hall was officially opened.
What is known is that the local Member for Nanango, James Braidwood (“J.B”) Edwards did the deed, probably in late 1930.
However, local historian Glady Hood – whose family has been linked with the hall since those days – knows the plan to create a facility for the growing local population began much earlier than this.
It was a push in the 1920s to begin fundraising for the project which was celebrated at a “Back To Booie” centenary celebration on Saturday.
Glady’s father, Ned Ferguson, and his brother-in-law Jack Ewart milled the timber in 1928 for the hall.
This timber – hardwood and crows ash – had been felled a few years earlier by Harry and Jack McAuliffe and left to season near the site of where the hall would be eventually built.
Fundraising began even earlier when dances in the Booie area were still being held in local barns.
The new Booie Hall really came into its own during World War II when dances were held there about twice a week.
The popularity of weekly and monthly dances may have waxed and waned over the years (“New Vogue” anyone?), but Saturday’s celebration proved there is still nothing like an old-time dance to encourage people to have fun.
The Back To Booie celebration culminated in a dance on Saturday night which had dancers swirling on the floor.
The celebration also featured displays of memorabilia inside, antique vehicles outside, morning tea and lunch … plus a cake made by Glady!
Glady’s husband Cliff and 101-year-old Nanango resident Eileen Horne were invited to cut the cake after the celebrations were officially opened by South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff.
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