Tag Archives: Volunteers

Saunders Beach Cyclone Story Sign

01 Tuesday Nov 2016

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The 2016-17 cyclone season starts today, 1st November 2016 with the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology launching its cyclone warning service for 2016-17.

Since 2007 Saunders Beach has had a constant reminder of cyclones in the form of interpretive signage in Saunders Park, at the northern end of Reef Street.

Image 1. The Saunders Beach Cyclone sign. Designed and installed by Thuringowa City Council.

Image 1. The Saunders Beach Cyclone sign. Designed and installed by Thuringowa City Council.

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Townsville – Road to Municipality

12 Monday Sep 2016

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This year Townsville celebrates 150 years – 1866 to 2016 – since it became a Municipality under the Queensland Municipals Institute Act of 1864. To commemorate this milestone the current Townsville City Council has planned a year-long festival of events.

Under the banner T150 the Council has selected some community-based activities to support financially. The National Trust of Australia (Qld) Townsville Branch received funding for four bus tours, the first of them being Townsville’s ‘Hidden’ War Memorials.

That’s what happening in 2016. The remainder of this post takes place at the beginning of the period, back to 1866 (and even earlier), to Townsville’s foundations. Just who were the movers and shakers of 150 years ago, the men who pushed the Queensland Colonial Government to give Townsville formal recognition?

One name stands above the rest – John Melton Black.

John Melton Black whose vision created Townsville. Photo: CityLibrary Townsville

Image 1. John Melton Black – his vision created Townsville. Photo: CityLibrary Townsville

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Saunders Beach Rural Fire Brigade and the Pacific Festival

05 Sunday Jun 2016

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On the 3rd, 4th and 5th of June 2016 the iconic Pacific Festival makes a comeback in Townsville to mark 150 years since the city became a Municipality.

In the 1970s, ’80s and early ’90s the Pacific Festival was a much-loved annual event.

Today, Sunday a Float Parade will travel from Mariners Drive, down the Strand to the Rockpool and into Jezzine Barracks.

In 1994 Saunders Beach Rural Fire Brigade became a part of the Float Parade as the colourful vehicles drove down Flinders Street.

1994 Pacific Fest

The fire truck came to Saunders Beach about 1991.

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Townsville’s ‘Hidden’ War Memorials – a T150 event.

03 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by in COMMUNITY ACTIVITY, LOCAL HISTORY, SAUNDERS BEACH

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Ever since the 1880s when George Saunders took up land in the area now called Saunders Beach this beachside village has had a vital connection to Townsville for such things as banking, Courts and State Land Office transactions. In 2008 the Queensland Government amalgamated local governments and Saunders Beach became a suburb of Townsville City Council.

This year Townsville celebrates 150 years – 1866 to 2016 – since it became a Municipality under the Queensland Municipals Institute Act of 1864. This historical milestone for Townsville is elegantly represented by the abbreviation T150.

In recognition of this Townsville City Council has planned a year-long festival of events, selecting some community-based activities to support financially. The National Trust of Australia (Qld) Townsville Branch received funding for four bus tours.

Castling Street.

Image 1. In the grounds of the Townsville Heritage Centre.

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New Year’s Eve 1891

31 Thursday Dec 2015

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The first Europeans to settle on what is now Saunders Beach were the Saunders family. They spent New Year’s Eve 1891 hosting a party for about thirty guests at their residence Springfield, north of the Black River.

The guests danced and sang and an enjoyable night passed too quickly, reports The North Queensland Herald of 6 January 1892 (available on microfilm at James Cook University).

On New Year’s Day “a riding party proceeded to a fine beach…where a pleasant picnic took place”. Afterwards some members of the party relaxed under the spreading trees while the more energetic rode races or walked along the beach. That night there was more dancing until the party-goers were exhausted.

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Community Christmases at Saunders Beach

27 Sunday Dec 2015

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By all accounts the Saunders family generously opened their home Springfield in the late 1800s and the early twentieth century. George Saunders and his wife Elizabeth were from rural backgrounds – George came from the small village of Whitwell in Hertfordshire, England and Elizabeth was a farmer’s daughter from Cappyroe, Offaly, Ireland. They carried the hospitality of rustic life learnt in their homelands to Springfield, hosting such activities as a New Year’s Eve 1891 house party for thirty guests.

Modern Saunders Beach unknowingly carried on this tradition when the Saunders Beach rural fire brigade put on the first kids’ Christmas Party on the beach at the northern end of Reef Street in 1990.

1990 Tug-of-war.

1990 Tug-of-war.

1990 Santa

1990 Reef Street car park (now Saunders Park).

 

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Movies under the Stars

29 Monday Jun 2015

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The beautiful tropical evenings we enjoy at Saunders Beach provided a perfect backdrop for Cinema Under the Stars.

Full moon rising over Maggie at Saunders Beach

Full moon rising over Maggie at Saunders Beach

Saunders Beach Progress Association (forerunner of today’s Community Centre) always had a keen eye on including fun events – the kids were never forgotten. Continue reading →

Fun Day and Sandcastle Competition

08 Sunday Mar 2015

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On a fine and sunny day the Saunders Beach Action Group celebrated the charm and beauty of Saunders Beach by holding a Fun Day at the Cay Street Park and in front of the Holiday Units (then operated by June and Winston). Continue reading →