BMNHA members and supporters and South Burnett councillors toast the 50th birthday of the association and officially open the new wheelchair-friendly footpath which links ‘Cedarvale’ into the newly redeveloped parkland space at Dandabah

February 16, 2026

The Bunya Mountains Natural History Association (BMNHA) toasted its 50th birthday on Monday with a special celebration at its ‘Cedarvale’ museum.

BMNHA president Meg Noack said it 50 years was a wonderful milestone for the group.

She thanked the members and volunteers for everything they had done at ‘Cedarvale’ over the years.

“It is a tribute to your curiosity, your love of the Bunyas and the sense of community that you have grown,” Mrs Noack said.

She praised the work that had been done over the years to collect the history and stories which had been been published in so many books.

Bell resident John Armstrong, who was present at the first meeting of the association 50 years ago, said he wanted to quote his late mother: “Those who fail to respect the past face an uncertain future”.

“It is the people who have gone before us who have made us today,” he said.

South Burnett Mayor Kathy Duff congratulated Mrs Noack and her committee for the anniversary, and for keeping the ‘Cedarvale’ museum in such great condition.

She said the SBRC was considering adopting a new slogan, “One Region, Many Stories”, which would be appropriate for places like the Bunya Mountains.

The historic ‘Cedarvale’ cottage was built in the 1880s for William A. McClelland.

It was moved from the Sorley property at Bell to the Bunyas in the late 1970s to serve as the BMNHA’s headquarters and museum.

The slab cottage – typical of early settler homes in the area – was carefully disassembled (and each piece numbered) and then reassembled slab-by-slab in its new location at Dandabah.

The cypress pine logs that ‘Cedarvale’ had originally been standing on at Bell were replaced by a concrete slab at the new location, but the century old timber was repurposed into tables and stools for use at the museum.

‘Cedarvale’ was joined five years later by another former cottage, ‘Hillview’ from Yamsion, which extended the museum space.

It 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.

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The Bunya Mountains Natural History Association and the Bunya Mountains Community Association have a special bunya nut celebration planned for next weekend  (February 21-22).

On Saturday, there will shucking and tasting; and on Sunday, cooked nut tasting, cooking conversations and free children’s activities.

This has been a spectacular season for bunya nuts throughout the South Burnett, but especially in the Bunya Mountains.

Related articles:

John Armstrong, from Bell, and Marie Burton, from Dalby, cut the 50th birthday cake … the pair were present at the first meeting of the association which was held at the Yamsion Hall
Sandra Koehler, Jandowae; Graham Vayro, Jandowae; John Armstrong, Bell; BMNHA vice-president Carol Weekes and president Meg Noack … Sandra’s father, Albert Koehler, was a key part of the team which brought ‘Cedarvale’ from Bell to the Bunyas
Gary and Sandra Watts and Kathy Taylor, from the Bunya Mountains; and former BMNHA president Bernice Seton, from Bell
BMNHA members Ron and Audrey Sampson, from Maidenwell
Mayor Kathy Duff, Cr Linda Little and BMNHA member John Learmont
National Park rangers Amie Wimberley and Dale Treadwell with Cr Jane Erkens
BMNHA president Meg Noack said the group had collected a lot of stories over the years, many of which had been gathered together and published into books
Ruth Humphrys was among the BMNHA members who shared memories about the early days of the association

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