FRASER COAST CENTRAL

What a great initiative to move these huts into one location

Added benefits & expansion to the existing Burrum District museum

Common sense prevailed with the moving of the mining huts at Torbanlea to the Burrum District Museum at Howard. Not good to see some of the old turn of the century buildings demolished, but we cannot have everything I suppose.

Can’t wait to see the restored huts in Howard when completed.

Was keeping my eyes on a red passion flower vine growing on one of the buildings over a few months as the seeds are hard to come by, but by the time I was aware that the buildings were being demolished when driving by it was a bit late to rescue the rare seeds from the vine as the building was half demolished.

It would have been great if some thought was given to not only the buildings etc but also some of the plants that were at the complex that deserve saving.

To the credit of the demo boys they gave me some leeway to look for some seeds after the demolition but it was a bit late to rescue any.

Early days of demolition @ Torbanlea and removal for re-instatement

@ the Howard Museum presinct.

Pics & story by Henry Sapiecha

STOP PRESS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yes! They are racing…

TORBANLEA ANNUAL

PICNIC RACES

Best race day by a country mile!

Pencil Saturday October 24 in your diary now…

Torbanlea Picnic Races are a must see in the region’s annual event calendar. The race track at Torbanlea was first created in 1890 as a half mile track that had no rails, and dodged trees and stumps along the way. Twenty years on it was extended to five furlong, and in 1946 finally extended to six furlongs.

By 1951 the race day had dwindled, with no more racing at Torbanlea until the late 1970’s. Local support recreated the picnic races, firstly with the local Lions club for a few years, and then with the Torbanlea Recreation Reserve committee who continue to run it today.

Camels raced in 2007 when Equine Influenza stopped the horses, but in 2008 the horses were back, and the event was bigger and better than ever.

“We have a program that will entertain people of all ages, with good old fashioned fun,” says Bradley Roderick of the organising committee. We want everyone to have a great day, it’s the best family day out for the year.”

Seven races on the track start with the Stock Horse Open Challenge, which used to be the Coal Miners Challenge. These days, with no local coal mines, this event is open to all comers. If you’ve ever fancied winning a horse race, perhaps this one will suit you.

“We’d welcome some more comers, especially for the stock horse open. There must still be riders about the place who can handle a sprint and want a bit of excitement,” says John Charlton race steward. “This is for amateurs, not the professionals, so give us a call.”

Then there’s the 400m Maiden, 500m Open, 800m Open, Maiden 500m, Open 500m, Challenge 800m, and in between times there will be so much action trackside you will be amazed.

The John McRae Tug-O-War in teams of seven is an annual highlight, guaranteed to get the crowd roaring. The Woodchop, chainsaw and cross cut saw displays another popular highlight on the day.

There are rides, stalls, entertainment, food to choose from, and of course on site camp sites, with hot and cold showers for those who want to make a weekend of it.

The committee would like to hear from anyone who has mementoes or photos of race days of old, to celebrate Q150, and more than 120 years since the first horse race at Torbanlea

For more details & media enquiries please contact :

Edith Rutherford 0409 609 971

torbanleapicnicraces@live.com.au

For racing nominations please contact steward:

John Charlton (evenings) (07)41299 004

Received and published by Henry Sapiecha 28th July 2009