Back to Barcaldine Celebration 1958
Source: Hoch, Isabel. 2008. Page 113
In 1958 a Celebrations Committee led by J. Bennett, A. Addison and F. Winston organised a series of functions for 24-31 August. A Decorations Committee set up by Mrs. E. Symonds dressed the town in party atmosphere. Welcome arches featuring boomerangs, sheep, wool bales, and citrus trees spanned the four main road approaches and were illuminated at night. The streets were colourful with pennants, paint, and the effects of house and garden competitions. ABC and Courier-Mail journalists, as judges, awarded E. J. Bennett best business premises, Mrs. T. Williams best residence and J. Martin, who was blind and one-armed, a special garden prize.
The week began with a Welcome Ceremony in the Shire Hall at which telegrams were read, including one from Archbishop Duhig, in hospital after an accident. Many and varied functions followed – processions, dances, concerts, a rodeo, balls and sporting events. At one gala ball, Miss Golden Fleece, Rhonda Grant, was crowned by Cr. J. H. Paterson, Deputy Chairman of the Shire.
The main Back to Barcaldine procession was led by a group of Aborigines from Woorabinda – a thoughtful recognition by the Celebrations Committee of their prior ownership of the land. A Cobb and Co. coach followed, carrying six elderly residents. Best float was E. Symond’s and K. Luckock’s ‘Garden City of the West’.
Further recognition of the town’s early years was made in a ceremony under the Tree of Knowledge. A plaque attached to the trunk was to have been unveiled by an old shearer, J. W. Hartland, but he died two weeks beforehand and the honour went to R. Sutherland. The plaque was stolen in January 1966 and never recovered. Another that replaced it (omitting Hartland’s name) had to be removed later because of its detrimental effect on the tree’s health.
As a souvenir of the 1958 Golden Fleece celebrations, an historical booklet, Barcaldine Praeteria or Pages from the Past, was prepared by Rev. S. Cowan.
