A SERIES of brass plaques marking historic sites are to be placed in strategic
locations around Palmwoods as part of the 1997 Australia Day program in
Palmwoods.
Local history researcher Wendy McMullin has shortlisted the most appropriate
sites for the plaques and approaches are now being made to property owners
for permission to erect.
The project has been initiated by the Palmwoods Progress Association. It
follows up last year's Australia Day project when local artist Liz Duguid
worked with local children to create the colourful murals which have become
a landmark outside the hall.
"As well as staging the annual breakfast in the park for residents, we
like to do something concrete which can be appreciated by the town year-round,"
vice-president Ron Corelli said.
"The subject of the history plaques has been on our books for a long time
so it was decided that this would be the best use for the remainder of
the grant allocated to us this year."
He said the historical theme was particularly suited as an Australia Day
venture and the association was grateful to Cr Geoff Littler for his support
of the concept.
The project involves the erection of 10 brass plaques on historic sites
in Palmwoods. These will fit with the Heritage Walk prepared by the PPA
and Mrs McMullin in 1995.
It is hoped to utilise the services of the Rotary Sunrise club in fitting
the plaques. The club has generously offered its services to the PPA for
a community project.
"We feel this would be a good area to take up the kind offer of the Woombye-based
Rotary club," Mr Corelli said. "We have been working on other projects
where they can be involved but see this as a perfect starting point."
Sites being considered for the plaques are:
The original building of the first English Scottish and Australian
Bank (now ANZ) adjacent to the hotel.
The Palmwoods Hotel, still the original building opened in 1912.
The site of Tappers Tearooms adjacent the hotel.
The Railway Station, still the original building of Palmtree Siding
opened in 1891.
The QFS, the original building of the Palmwoods Montville Buderim Amalgamated
Fruitgrowers which opened in 1920.
The original building of Frank Barber's Grocery Shop which opened in
the main street in 1901.
The site of John Walker's sawmill which opened in 1903. (on the rock
wall near Palmwoods Farm and Garden).
"The Hospital Palmwoods" 1924-1942 (on the rock wall below the original
building at the Fewtrell Street intersection.)
The site of T.F. Bailey's Blacksmith Shop 1913. (Palmwoods Auto)
Palmwoods District Police Station original building 1928, Camerons
Bakery original building 1914, site of Thomas Miller boot maker 1908 and
Charlie Morrison's Butcher Shop 1908.
The plaques are expected to be in place within the next two months.
Introduction - Palmwoods District News
Contents - April 1997