{"id":333141,"date":"2023-06-13T21:56:16","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T11:56:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=333141"},"modified":"2023-06-14T21:48:50","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T11:48:50","slug":"royal-celebration-for-175th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2023\/06\/13\/royal-celebration-for-175th\/","title":{"rendered":"Royal Celebration For 175th"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington with Her Excellency Dr Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June 15, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Queensland Governor was present when Nanango celebrated its centenary, so it was only fitting the current incumbent, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, should roll up for the town’s 175th celebration on Saturday!<\/p>\n

Dr Young had some important tasks to perform on top of officially opening the special Pioneer Festival revival at Nanango Showgrounds … there was an anniversary cake to cut, as well as a Founders’ Day Award to present to the town’s oldest citizen.<\/p>\n

Eileen Horne, 99 (she turns 100 on July 12) is the granddaughter of one of Nanango’s pioneer European settlers, Ben Walters.<\/p>\n

Ben was born at Goode\u2019s Inn \u2013 Nanango\u2019s first commercial building \u2013 in 1861, just 13 years after the inn opened in 1848 (the year upon which Nanango residents date the establishment of the town).<\/p>\n

He was one of the first pupils to enrol at Nanango State School and worked for many years at Nanango Shire Council.<\/p>\n

Eileen arrived at the celebration in her beloved 1949 Vauxhall.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another special guest at the celebration was Reg McCallum, who served as Nanango Shire mayor for an amazing 32 years. He was the last mayor to hold the title before the council amalgamations in 2008.<\/p>\n

Reg and Eileen joined the Governor in cutting the anniversary cake.<\/p>\n

The perfect weather ensured that Nanango Showground was packed for the big day,\u00a0 which was organised by members of the Nanango Tourism and Development Association (NaTDA).<\/p>\n

Highlights included the parade around the oval, which featured a “Then ‘Til Now” cavalcade of vehicles, floats and a working bullock team, brought to the event by Philip Thomson, from Natural Bridge.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The bullocky uses the team of 12 on his property to haul timber, as well as occasionally bringing them out for special events.<\/p>\n

The winning float was entered by the Nanango Hospital Auxiliary and featured a “patient” plus nurses and a doctor.<\/p>\n

Other entertainment included displays in the hall by line dancers and the La Cr\u00e8me Dance Academy (including a special aerial performance for the Governor).<\/p>\n

The Salvation Army’s brass band, the NaTDA Heritage Community Choir and a string of folk performers provided live music.<\/p>\n

Market stalls were scattered around the grounds, as well as amusement rides for the children.<\/p>\n

The day was topped off with a big fireworks display, sponsored by Nanango’s Heritage Bank.<\/p>\n

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